Putin orders arms factories to produce more Lancet kamikaze drones

Putin said it was 'necessary' increase drone production Photo: ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/Shutterstock

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the head of the state defense conglomerate to increase the production of strike drones as the drone war in Ukraine heats up.

In a televised meeting on Monday evening, the head of Rostec , which produces about 90 percent of Russian military equipment, told the Russian president to increase the number of kamikaze drones produced. .

Putin said Russia needs more Cube and Lancet drones, which have become a thorn in the side of Ukraine's advancing forces, saying they have proven to be «very effective».

«This is true. it is necessary to increase the percentage of production of the latest types of weapons. T-90 Proryv tanks and aviation complexes,” the Russian President said.

Russian state media reported that last month the Lancet drone was put into mass production, and the Rossiya-1 TV channel reported that production will be tripled in the coming months.

The Ukrainian military describes drones as one of the biggest threats on the battlefield, as Moscow's kamikaze drones are hard to defend against.

Drones fly low and slow to avoid traditional air defense systems, and can be flown directly by operators on the ground, unlike Iranian drones that are pre-programmed to reach a target that cannot be changed after launch.

Analysts have speculated that the ministry The Russian Defense Ministry is interested in acquiring more Lancet drones, which are reportedly worth around £28,000 each, as a cheap way to make up for the loss of their more expensive and sophisticated equipment.