Cost-Effective ‘Suicide Drones’: Ukraine’s Game-Changer in the Battle Against Russia

Recent reports indicate that Ukraine has deployed suicide drones to strike a Russian missile arsenal in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow. The attack triggered substantial explosions and fires, prompting the evacuation of local residents.

Ukrainian Forces and Their Strategy

U.S. media outlets, including The Washington Post, have reported that the operation was a collaborative effort by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), and Special Operations Forces (SSO). Their target was a Russian missile depot in Toropets, Tver. Ukraine claims that the assault effectively eliminated a significant cache of advanced missiles, including the S-300, S-400, Iskander, and Tochka-U, as well as artillery ammunition and glide bombs.

The BBC estimates that a series of powerful explosions destroyed this arsenal, valued at around £30 million (approximately $40 million). The Ukrainian military utilized over 100 kamikaze drones for this operation, reportedly employing First-Person View (FPV) technology.

FPV drones enable precision strikes that rival advanced guided munitions, allowing for remote-controlled operations. Ukraine has skillfully leveraged this capability to target critical Russian air defense systems, tanks, armored vehicles, and infantry, thereby instilling considerable apprehension within the ranks of Russian forces.

Importantly, these drones have proven to be highly cost-effective weapons, delivering significant strike outcomes at a low price point. Consequently, they have become essential in augmenting Ukraine’s arsenal amid a shortage of advanced guided munitions. The cost of each drone ranges from $300 to $500.

Cost-Effectiveness of Ukrainian Suicide Drones

Ukraine’s recent attack on a Russian arsenal, deploying over 100 suicide drones valued at approximately 65.6 million won, has led to the destruction of advanced Russian weaponry worth an estimated 798 times more. This outcome highlights the remarkable cost-effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone strategy.

While these suicide drones may not be deemed game-changers, they have quickly become an indispensable and distinctive asset on the battlefield. In contrast, Russia is grappling with a severe deficit of precision-guided munitions, such as cruise missiles and artillery shells, prompting the introduction of its own suicide drones as alternatives.

Russia has begun utilizing the Lancet drone, which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the targeting of Ukrainian ground forces, thereby improving accuracy and destructive capability. Also, Russian forces are deploying Iranian-made suicide drones, specifically the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136, to strike critical infrastructure throughout Ukraine.

Russia’s Lancet kamikaze drone costs around $35,000, while the Iranian Shahed-136 is priced at about $20,000. This makes them roughly 1/50th the cost of Russian cruise missiles, which can exceed $10 million. Recently, Russia secured an order for over 2,400 Shahed-136 drones from Iran. When compared to Ukraine’s FPV drones, the Lancet and Shahed-136 drones are 70 times and 40 times more expensive, respectively, indicating that Ukraine has achieved a decisive advantage in drone capabilities over Russia.

From Russia’s perspective, the deployment of these pricier suicide drones is framed within their broader strategy to lead the war against Ukraine. Despite the higher costs associated with these drones compared to their Ukrainian counterparts, they have proven effective on the battlefield by offsetting the need for expensive advanced missiles. In essence, suicide drones have become a vital asset for Russia’s military operations, earning their place as a “top star” due to their remarkable cost-effectiveness.

International Recognition of Ukraine’s Drone Tactics

As the effectiveness of Ukraine’s suicide drones gains international recognition, attention has turned to the South Korean military’s recent decision to acquire Polish suicide drones, which have been actively used in the Ukraine conflict.

During Defense Minister Shin Won-sik’s visit to Poland in June, reports surfaced regarding the Polish government’s proposal to sell domestically produced drones. The Polish side highlighted various unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), notably the suicide drone Warmate. This particular drone has played a critical role in operations, including the destruction of a mobile radar base utilized by Russia for surface-to-air missile launches in April.

Seok Jong Geun, head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), confirmed in a recent interview with the Polish military media outlet Defense24 that there are substantial opportunities for collaboration with Poland in the drone sector. He mentioned several systems, including Gladiolus, FlyEye, and Warmate.

In line with these developments, the Ministry of Defense has requested a contract with DAPA to procure Polish drones. The procurement agency is currently preparing a bid announcement. Reports indicate that the Ministry of Defense aims to secure funding for a contract estimated at approximately 14.6 billion won (approx. $11 million). A ministry official stated, “We intend to introduce nearly 200 drones, with some scheduled for delivery this year and the remainder expected by next year to enhance our operational capabilities.”

Recently, the Russian state news agency Sputnik cited the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita, indicating that the South Korean military is on the verge of finalizing a purchase contract for Polish suicide drones in October. According to Rzeczpospolita, a contract for the supply of Warmate drones from Polish manufacturer WB Electronics is anticipated to be signed during the Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition (KADEX 2024), taking place from October 2 to 6 at Gyeryongdae, the headquarters of the South Korean military.

Features of the Warmate-1 and Warmate-5 Drones

The forthcoming contract is expected to encompass approximately 200 drones to be delivered this year, with plans for hundreds more in the future. Poland has supplied Ukraine with the Warmate drone, a compact suicide UAV, for offensive operations.

Produced by Poland’s WB Electronics, the company offers five types of drones, including reconnaissance models such as the small FlyEye and the medium FT-5, as well as suicide drones like the Warmate-1 (small), Warmate-5 (medium), and the domestically designed BSP-U (medium). Should South Korea move forward with its procurement, it will likely select the Warmate-1 and Warmate-5 models.

The Warmate-1 features a wingspan of 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) and a length of 1.1 meters (3.6 feet), achieving a maximum speed of 150 km/h (93mph). With a maximum takeoff weight of 5.7 kilograms (12.5 pounds), it can be armed with various warhead types, including high-explosive, anti-tank, and thermobaric munitions. The anti-tank variant is reportedly capable of penetrating steel plates several centimeters thick. The drone boasts an operational radius of 30 kilometers (19 miles), enabling it to engage targets using video-based terminal guidance.

The Warmate-5 is a medium-sized suicide drone that offers real-time mission control, similar to Poland’s BSP-U, which is intended for domestic use. The export variant is known as Warmate-5. The BSP-U is an upgraded version of the Warmate-5, incorporating enhancements for unmanned vehicle communication. It has a wingspan and length of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), reaches a maximum speed of 200 km/h (124mph), and can strike targets at distances of up to kilometers (62 miles).

The South Korean military currently maintains a fleet of around 8,000 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, the number of suicide drones is limited, consisting primarily of a few units like the Israeli-made Rotem L, deployed within the Army’s special mission brigade known for conducting targeted operations, and the Air Force’s Harpy.