In military first, Ukrainian naval drone sinks Russian kamikaze drone boat
On September 12, a Ukrainian naval drone destroyed a Russian explosive drone boat in the Black Sea in what is described as the world's first clash between uncrewed surface vessels. The Ukrainian Navy released video of the engagement.
In what is being called the first known battle between two drone boats, a Ukrainian naval drone destroyed a Russian kamikaze-type uncrewed surface vessel in the Black Sea on September 12. Ukraine's Defense Intelligence agency detected the Russian drone boat and directed a Ukrainian Navy vessel to intercept it.
According to naval analyst H.I. Sutton, writing for Naval News, the Russian craft was identified as an Orcan-type surface drone equipped with a jet ski-style water jet, designed to ram and detonate against targets. Orcan drones have previously been used in attacks on Ukrainian ports and ships, often operating alongside reconnaissance aircraft such as Russia's Geran drones, which provide aerial surveillance and help relay communications between operators and drone boats.
The Russian vessel was hunted down by a Ukrainian Sargan-3000 drone boat, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on a remote weapon station built by Norwegian company Kongsberg. Sutton told New Scientist that clashes between uncrewed surface vessels were inevitable, noting similar drone-on-drone combat has already occurred in the air and on the ground.
The Ukrainian Navy released footage showing the Sargan-3000 opening fire on the Russian drone from roughly one kilometer away, first knocking out its communications antenna before continuing to fire until the vessel sank. The engagement was also reported by Ukraine's government media platform United24.
