Kyiv Unveils Upgraded “Sea Baby” Naval Drone With 1,500 km Reach
Ukrainian naval drones “Sea Baby” have undergone significant technical improvements, making them an important factor in the confrontation in the Black Sea and a potential export product.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Reuters.
The new version of the “Sea Baby” demonstrates a leap in capabilities in countering Russian forces on the maritime front. According to one of the heads of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) military counterintelligence, the upgraded drones are capable of covering distances of over 1,500 km, carrying up to 2,000 kg of cargo, and have reinforced engines and a modern navigation system.
These new modifications were implemented with funds raised by Ukrainians on the UNITED24 fundraising platform.
The increased range and payload capacity allow them not only to carry out missions deeper at sea, but also to carry heavier weapons: from guided missiles to multiple launch rocket systems and cannons.
“Our drones have changed the balance of power in the Black Sea and proven their effectiveness. The new generation of Sea Baby drones is even more effective. Therefore, the work to clear the Black Sea of the Russian fleet will continue,” said Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine.
The mass use of such small combat boats has already affected the military positions of Russian warships, which were forced to relocate to the bay of Novorossiysk, and allowed the “grain corridor” to be unblocked.
At the same time, Ukraine is considering commercial opportunities to export several thousand such devices to Ukraine's allies.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Sunday that Ukraine needed half of the 4,000 naval drones it produces.
“Why not sell those 2,000 to partners? That's normal. Let companies sell,” he said in a discussion about a potential drone deal with the United States.
The Security Service of Ukraine is constantly developing other models of the latest weapons, which have already shown significant success in the Black Sea in inflicting maximum damage on the enemy.
“The SSU is the ideologist of a new type of naval warfare. We are constantly looking for effective means to maintain Ukraine's advantage in the Black Sea for as long as possible,” emphasized Ivan Lukashevych, Brigadier General of the SSU “Hunter.”
Read more on The Gaze: Ukraine’s Black Sea Underwater Drones: The World’s First Practical Experience