Russia’s Kalashnikov Introduces Karakurt 2.0 UAV for Tactical Recon and Target Detection.

Kalashnikov Concern has unveiled the Karakurt 2.0 short-range tactical reconnaissance UAV at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The upgrade reflects growing demand for drones capable of operating in heavily contested electromagnetic environments.

Kalashnikov Concern introduced the Karakurt 2.0 unmanned aerial vehicle during the UMEX 2026 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, held from January 20 to 22, positioning the system as an upgraded solution for short-range tactical reconnaissance missions. According to the company’s press office, the UAV is designed to support aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks while maintaining operational reliability in environments affected by electronic warfare and signal disruption.
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The Karakurt 2.0 builds on the baseline Karakurt platform, which has been marketed as a compact, man-portable UAV intended for unit-level reconnaissance. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Karakurt 2.0 belongs to the class of short-range tactical UAVs designed for electro-optical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. According to Kalashnikov, the system is intended to conduct search, detection, identification, and tracking of both stationary and moving targets. Its overall architecture is optimized for operation under electronic warfare conditions, reflecting the growing importance of resilience against jamming and signal disruption in modern operational contexts.

The Karakurt 2.0 weighs 300 grams in equipped configuration. The maximum flight speed is stated at 25 kilometers per hour, with an endurance of 20 minutes. The operational ceiling reaches 150 meters, while the maximum flight range is indicated at 2,000 meters. These parameters place the drone within the category of lightweight tactical reconnaissance UAVs intended to provide near-immediate situational awareness to units operating at close range. Launch is conducted from a transport and launch container of tube type, enabling rapid deployment from covered positions, while on the move, or from a vehicle.

The design of the Karakurt 2.0 emphasizes mobility and discreet employment. Its compact dimensions allow the UAV to be carried in a backpack or attached to an individual soldier's load-bearing equipment. The electro-optical payload integrates daylight and thermal imaging sensors mounted on a two-axis gyro-stabilized gimbal, improving image stability during maneuvering and in variable wind conditions. The airframe allows for rapid battery replacement, enabling operator teams to sustain consecutive reconnaissance sorties during a single mission cycle.

The drone incorporates a jam-resistant radio communication suite using encrypted data links and frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology. This configuration reduces the vulnerability of command, control, and data transmission channels when operating in electronic warfare environments. Intelligence data collected by the UAV is transmitted through an integrated joint-domain information exchange system and displayed at the command post with limited latency, supporting near-real-time exploitation.

The Karakurt 2.0 system configuration includes multiple reconnaissance UAVs housed in transport and launch containers, with some units equipped with daytime cameras and others fitted with night-capable sensors, as well as a remote control terminal and a dedicated transportation container. Kalashnikov indicates that the composition of the delivery set can be adjusted according to customer requirements, reflecting a modular approach to system configuration.

The Karakurt 2.0 is developed under an internally funded program by Kalashnikov Concern. Its presentation at UMEX 2026 aligns with increasing interest among Middle Eastern customers in compact reconnaissance UAVs capable of operating under electronic warfare pressure and supporting highly mobile units. More broadly, the introduction of systems such as the Karakurt 2.0 illustrates the ongoing proliferation of lightweight tactical reconnaissance UAVs, with implications for access to localized aerial intelligence and the conduct of operations at the small-unit level.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.