Reference News Network, August 10 - According to the Russian "Izvestia" website on August 7, the Russian Navy has deployed its first drone command center on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The plan is to build a widely distributed network of platforms on the peninsula for deploying and maintaining the "Outpost" and "Pony" reconnaissance and strike drones. Experts believe that such infrastructure will not only improve the efficiency of monitoring territory but also strengthen the security of the Northern Sea Route and strategic nuclear submarine bases.

Information aggregation improves operational efficiency

The drone command center and maintenance system have been deployed on the Kamchatka Peninsula. A source from the Russian Ministry of Defense told "Izvestia" that the plan is to build a series of dedicated platforms on the peninsula for deploying long-range drones.

The source pointed out that the "Outpost" and "Pony" drones deployed here will be responsible for monitoring the Arctic region.

Military experts interviewed said that the new infrastructure helps monitor seas, air space, and vast northern territories.

Military expert Dmitriy Borzenkov said: "All information from the drones will be aggregated into the new command center. It will improve the operational efficiency of drones, allowing us to conduct round-the-clock patrols over vast territories and waters. Compared to manned aircraft, drone patrols are much simpler, cheaper, and safer. The Ministry of Defense understands this. The Kamchatka Peninsula had already deployed the first "Geyser" drones for patrol a long time ago."

This expert pointed out that in the complex environment of northern Russia, to achieve accurate and efficient drone operations, it is necessary to have a developed centralized control facility. In addition, the platforms prepared for drones can also deploy other equipment when needed.

Military expert Vasily Dandkin pointed out that around the Kamchatka Peninsula there are not only the Northern Sea Route, but also the Bering Strait separating Russia from the United States, as well as numerous strategically significant Arctic islands.

He said: "The most important thing is that the Kamchatka Peninsula is home to our nuclear submarine base - what the United States and NATO call 'the hive'. Strategic missile submarines and multi-purpose nuclear submarines are stationed there. Ensuring the security of the base and enabling nuclear submarines to immediately and unimpededly sail into the ocean upon receiving orders is an important task. Regular operations of unmanned reconnaissance aircraft will greatly improve the efficiency of defending this base."

Borzenkov pointed out that relations between Russia and the United States are tense, and the United States does not recognize Russia's sovereignty over the Northern Sea Route. He said: "The United States is increasing the frequency and scale of military exercises in the region. They have military bases in Alaska, and the military is conducting some secret operations. Considering the current geopolitical situation and the groundless demands of certain countries, it is necessary to enhance monitoring of the Arctic region."

Dandkin reminded that the enhancement of the drone forces is related to the announcement made earlier this year about the establishment of a drone systems unit.

This expert said: "Exercises with aerial, surface, and underwater unmanned equipment are being actively conducted. During the "July Storm" exercise, our naval personnel conducted relevant training in the Pacific. Of course, drones should have a unified command center, aggregating all information there for decision-making."

Enhanced rotation enables round-the-clock monitoring

Borzenkov introduced: "Modern Russian drones have the capability to monitor large areas. With a network of widely distributed dedicated takeoff and deployment platforms, they can achieve efficient round-the-clock monitoring through rotation. Modernized drone maintenance facilities allow us to deploy more forces to the Arctic region."

"Pony" and "Outpost" are multi-functional reconnaissance and strike drones. The former has a cruising speed of 200 kilometers per hour, a range of 300 kilometers. It can perform various tasks, including terrain mapping, fire correction, radio reconnaissance, and precision strikes. This drone can carry guided bombs, controlled bombs, free-fall bombs, and anti-tank missiles - these munitions can also hit surface targets. Its maximum payload is 300 kilograms, and it can stay in the air for 24 hours.

The maximum takeoff weight of the "Outpost" is 500 kilograms, and it can carry aviation weapons weighing no more than 100 kilograms, such as KAB-20 guided aerial bombs or anti-tank missiles. This drone has a cruising speed of 120-180 kilometers per hour, and a flight time of approximately 18 hours.

In recent years, Russia has paid special attention to the defense of its northeastern border. In 2023, during the Pacific Fleet exercise, the new security system on the Kamchatka Peninsula passed the test. The system demonstrated a high level of reliability and effectiveness in defending against sea and air attacks. At the same time, the ability of all submarines to depart from the peninsula base was tested for the first time, and escort drills were conducted along the entire route to their designated area.

The air defense mission on the Kamchatka Peninsula is carried out by the 317th Mixed Aviation Regiment. This regiment differs from the structure of other aviation units - it consists of multiple flight squadrons, including a mixed squadron equipped with various "Il" anti-submarine aircraft, a transport squadron, two helicopter squadrons, and a drone unit.

Previously, "Izvestia" reported that Russia plans to involve the Tu-142 aircraft in the patrolling of the Northern Sea Route. This aircraft has a range of more than 5000 kilometers, allowing it to patrol large areas of the Arctic route without landing. They are suitable for search and rescue operations and assisting in monitoring water areas, but their main task is to search for potential enemy submarines and conduct electronic reconnaissance. (Translated by Zhao Zhipeng)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7536783861464695348/

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