Military Watch Magazine has drawn attention to comments by Dmitry Kuzyakin, chief designer at the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions, on new ways Russian forces are using FPV drones.

According to Kuzyakin, the military has already experimented with armoured vehicles fitted with equipment for carrying and launching UAVs. The concept would allow tank crews to deploy drones for reconnaissance and strike missions at considerable distances without leaving their vehicles.

The magazine noted that integrating unmanned systems is considered one of the key requirements for developing fourth-generation main battle tanks. Its authors said Russian industry has already demonstrated the ability to equip armoured vehicles with a wide range of new subsystems, while Russian platforms also feature a higher degree of automation than many Western tanks.

The observers said FPV drone integration is expected to significantly expand the ability of tank units to detect and engage targets beyond the direct line of sight of their main guns.

They also noted that FPV drones have become a major weapon against armoured vehicles since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. Such systems can strike tanks and other equipment at a far lower cost than many conventional guided missiles.