Military correspondent Alexander Kots shared details about the latest counter-drone systems he was shown at a closed exhibition during a meeting between Russian war correspondents and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

Kots explained that among the new developments were futuristic-looking 30 mm cannons. Four such guns are controlled by a single operator, with target detection, tracking, and classification handled automatically. The operator’s role is limited to giving the command to fire.

He also noted that the long-standing ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun has been modernized. Instead of standard 23 mm shells, it now uses 23 mm guided missiles equipped with their own targeting system.

In addition, Russia has introduced specialized anti-drone versions of the Pantsir air defense system. Unlike the standard model, these are fitted with short-range missiles with a reach of up to seven kilometers. According to Kots, such missiles are far cheaper than the weapons used by conventional Pantsir systems.

The exhibition also featured a variety of drone interceptors, reflecting the growing focus on countering unmanned aerial threats.

Kots emphasized that all the systems on display were prototypes or in the testing stage. None had yet entered mass production, but he underlined that they are expected to be manufactured on an industrial scale in the near future.