Russian engineers are preparing a new generation of unmanned systems designed for operations at sea, with deployment in the zone of the special military operation planned for 2026. The focus is on both surface and underwater drones, according to Alexey Chadaev, генеральный директор of the scientific and production center Ushkuinik.

Chadaev said the center has been working extensively on maritime technologies, while noting that Russia currently lags behind its opponent in the broader field of naval drone warfare. At the same time, he stressed that developers have already put together a set of unconventional and technically unexpected solutions in the segment of surface and underwater unmanned platforms. These systems, he explained, are intended to surprise the adversary once they are introduced into operational use in 2026.

Alongside maritime projects, residents of the Ushkuinik center are also developing new unmanned aerial vehicles. Chadaev clarified that training and day-to-day work at the center are conducted exclusively with advanced and перспективные models of equipment, rather than outdated systems. Initial trials of these aerial platforms have already taken place.

One of the central priorities, he said, is extending the operational range of UAVs-a trend that is now clearly visible in the zone of the special military operation. Engineers are concentrating on non-standard but technically sound methods of engaging targets not only at close distances, but also deep behind enemy lines. This includes strikes against storage facilities, headquarters, command structures, and logistical hubs. Chadaev expressed confidence that these solutions will be able to prove their effectiveness in real conditions.

He also noted that work on new systems has once again drawn on technological groundwork from the Soviet era. According to Chadaev, Russia still has many overlooked reserves of expertise and engineering solutions, preserved in less visible corners of the country, which now simply need to be rediscovered and put to use.