Ukrainian Navy Drone Sinks Russian Attack USV in First Naval

A Ukrainian naval drone has destroyed a Russian attack drone in the Black Sea. This event is the first known instance of one uncrewed surface vessel (USV) sinking another in combat.

The Ukrainian Navy's Sargan-3000 USV, operating on intelligence from the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), interdicted and sank the Russian drone. The Russian vessel has been identified as an improved Orcan type, a small, fast craft designed for explosive attacks.

The Combatants

The Russian Orcan drone is similar in size and concept to Ukraine's earlier Magura models. It uses an internally mounted motor driving a steerable water jet for speed and agility. Russia has been using these USVs for frequent attacks on Ukrainian ports and naval assets, primarily around Odesa.

Russian USVs are reportedly based in northwestern Crimea at Chornomors'ke and a new special base on Lake Donuzlav. This newer base features dispersed revetments dug into the shoreline to protect the drones before missions. During attacks, these surface drones often work in coordination with Geran (Shahed) aerial drones, which provide oversight, control, and extended communications range.

The Engagement

The Ukrainian Sargan-3000, also known as Seawolf, is built by Nordex and is increasingly associated with Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg. In this engagement, it was armed with a Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station (RWS) mounting a 12.7mm machine gun. The Russian Orcan was likely armed with a ramming charge.

The exact location of the fight was not disclosed but is believed to be in the Northwestern Black Sea between Odesa and Crimea. The Ukrainian USV used its machine gun to sink the Russian attack drone.

Drone Capabilities and Significance

The Sargan-3000 platform is versatile. It can also be equipped with the Sea Dragon air defense system, a 'FrankenSAM' using Sidewinder or Soviet-era AA-11 Archer missiles. Another notable variant carries extensive electromagnetic warfare equipment.

While USVs are designed to be expendable and the loss of a single unit is not strategically significant from an attrition standpoint, the method of its destruction is consequential. This first drone-on-drone naval duel is expected to influence the evolution of tactics for both sides in the conflict. The event demonstrates a new layer of counter-drone warfare at sea.