File image.
Russian troops in the special military operation zone in Ukraine have begun to receive a new small drone dubbed “Binokl” with reconnaissance and combat capabilities, TASS reported on January 3.
Dmitry Zubarev, a spokesman for Binokl manufacturer Syomka s vozdukha, told the Russian news agency that the new drone is two to three times cheaper than commercially-available Chinese-made DJI Mavic drones which are widely used by Russian troops.
The Binokl, which was first presented during the Aeronet 2035 exhibition in Moscow in November, can be equipped with a compact thermal imager for reconnaissance and has a grenade-dropping capability. This allows the small drone to detect and attack personnel and equipment along the frontline.
“The deliveries of these Binokl drones have begun. These drones can operate both day and night and the contracts have already been signed. There are few of our devices there [in the special military operation zone] but their number is gradually increasing,” Zubarev told TASS.
The spokesman said that several dozen Binokl drones have been already delivered to Russian troops in the special military operation zone in Ukraine.
Russia ramped up the production and development of drones after the start of the special military operation. Russian-made reconnaissance and combat as well as loitering munitions have been playing a key role in the battle against Kiev forces.
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