Illustrative image. (Ushkuinik Research and Production Center)
Over 50,000 Prince Vandal fiber-optic, first-person video (FPV) quadcopter suicide drones are manufactured in Russia each month, TASS reported on September 7, citing Alexey Chadayev, CEO of the Ushkuinik Research and Production Center, said during the national conference of combat unmanned systems operators, Dronnitsa, held in Veliky Novgorod.
“In 2025, our production increased tenfold,” Chadayev said. “According to the People’s Front statistics, we actually produce over 50,000 Prince Vandal drones monthly. Currently, production facilities for the Prince Vandal are established in three regions across Russia, with more than one facility in each region.”
The usage of fiber-optic cables for guidance makes the Vandal and similar FPV drones completely immune to electronic warfare means.
The Vandal is reported to have a range of up to 15 kilometers. A longer-range version capable of hitting targets as far as 20 kilometers away was also tested.
Reports on the number of FPV drones used by the Russian military in the special operation zone in Ukraine every day are conflicted. While some reports say that around 500 are being deployed daily, others put the number at a much higher 4,000, or even 5,000.
The production number Chadayev revealed to TASS seems to fall in line with reports indicating that thousands of drones were being used by the Russian military on a daily basis.
Over the past year, Russia managed to expand the production and usage of FPV drones, especially models guided via a fiber-optic cable like the Vandal, significantly. The development of new types meant to fulfill tasks like delivering supplies and laying mines was also accelerated. In addition, new methods to deploy such drones from ground, air and sea are being tested.
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it is what it is. expanding russian production and deployment of all weapons systems is the lone defense against the colonialist banker regime without additional allies.
good for russia, keep the democrat nazi jew-bankers out of your country & supply lines!