Ukraine’s internal security agency has unveiled new variants of its “Sea Baby” naval drone, giving the boats an extended range and arming them with automated machine guns and rocket launchers.
The modifications highlight Ukraine’s continued efforts and investment in the development of its naval drone programs, which are among the country’s most important innovations of the war.
The Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, announced on Wednesday that the next-generation Sea Baby naval drones have already completed testing in the Black Sea, and were used in July to attack a major bridge connecting the occupied Crimean peninsula with Russia.
The modified drones have been given an extended range that allows them to cover distances of over 1,500 kilometers (930 miles), a significant upgrade from their previous range of 600 miles, the SBU said in a statement shared to the Telegram messaging platform.
The drones can carry up to 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds) of cargo and have reinforced engines and a modern navigation system.
Security Service of Ukraine
The SBU shared images of two different variants of the modified drones: one equipped with a gyro-stabilized automated machine gun and another with a Grad multiple rocket launch system. The modifications were carried out with money raised by Ukraine’s government-run United24 crowdfunding site.
Ukraine, which lacks a traditional navy, has relied on its naval drones and missiles to wage a campaign against Russia in the Black Sea, damaging or destroying dozens of warships and vessels over the past three years. Kyiv has also used these weapons to target critical infrastructure, like the Kerch bridge and offshore oil platforms.
The Ukrainian operations have forced Russia to relocate the bulk of its Black Sea Fleet from its long-held headquarters in Crimea to the port of Novorossiysk on the other side of the region.
Ukraine has invested heavily in the development of its naval drones to support this asymmetric campaign. The drone boats typically carry an explosive payload, but some have been modified with other weapons, like surface-to-air missile launchers, enabling them to shoot down Russian aircraft.
Other Ukrainian naval drones have been equipped with large-caliber machine guns, while some have even been transformed into launch platforms for smaller quadcopter drones.
Security Service of Ukraine
The latest Sea Baby variants will presumably help contribute to the anti-aircraft efforts.
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“Our drones have changed the balance of power in the Black Sea and proven their effectiveness,” SBU chief Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that “the new generation of ‘Sea Baby’ is even more efficient.”
He said Ukrainian operations to rid the Black Sea of Russian warships “will continue,” adding that Moscow “will feel the full power of our technological developments,” according to a translation of his remarks.
The Black Sea battle has been a bright spot for Kyiv, demonstrating that low-cost drone technology can effectively counter expensive warships.
“The SBU is the ideologist of a new type of naval warfare,” the SBU’s Brig. Gen. Ivan Lukashevych said. “We are constantly looking for effective means to maintain Ukraine’s advantage in the Black Sea for as long as possible.”
NATO forces are closely watching the Black Sea campaign and have adjusted their training and tactics to plan for the naval drone threat in future conflicts.
