Ukraine has identified a new Russian drone, the Gerbera, which is being called the “younger sister” of the Iranian-made Shahed-136. This drone represents a new threat in the ongoing drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia. The Gerbera drone, discovered last week near Kyiv, was identified after comparing images from Ukrainian media with a video released by the Russian unit “Stalin’s Falcons.”
The Gerbera drone, developed by OKB Gastello, has a foam plastic body and is designed for multiple purposes. It can be used for reconnaissance, kamikaze attacks, or as a decoy for air defense systems. The drone found near Kyiv on July 24 was missing its warhead, suggesting it was performing a non-combat role such as reconnaissance. The Russian video footage showed the drone using a television camera for manual targeting, similar to FPV drones, but the precision of its strikes depends heavily on the operator’s skill.
Παρουσιάστηκε ένα νέο drone καμικάζι που επισκέφθηκε το Κίεβο, το οποίο ονομάζεται Gerbera.
Οι κατασκευαστές ισχυρίζονται ότι το drone μπορεί να έχει τρεις επιλογές: να είναι καμικάζι, να διεξάγει ηλεκτρονική αναγνώριση ή να είναι δόλωμα.#UkraineRussiaWar️️ pic.twitter.com/lr4poY8jB9
— laralara_Z (@loraavra) July 29, 2024
The operational range of the Gerbera with a warhead appears limited, but it might use another drone with a relay for guidance, similar to Russia’s “Lancet” loitering munition. The drone found in Kyiv contained two 3/4G antennas and a modem with a SIM card, indicating a stable communication channel for transmitting video to the operator’s control unit via the Ukrainian mobile network.
This discovery comes amidst a period of intense drone warfare, with uncrewed aerial vehicles dominating the skies above the battlefields. Ukraine’s Air Force has intercepted numerous Shahed drones, with a recent report stating that all 89 Shahed drones fired overnight by Russia were intercepted, marking one of the most massive Shahed drone attacks since the start of the year.
The introduction of the Gerbera drone is part of a broader trend towards multifunctional drones. According to Andriy Cherniak of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency, Russia has started using new, inexpensive long-range drones made of materials like foam plastic or plywood to test Ukraine’s air defenses. Ukrainian media speculate that the Gerbera drone found near Kyiv may be a prototype used to gauge its range and effectiveness.
The drone’s design, featuring foam sliced with hot-wire cutters, allows for quick and cheap production. Despite its low cost, the Gerbera poses a significant threat due to its multifunctional capabilities and potential for mass production. According to Samuel Bendett of the CNA, the drone’s sleek design and inexpensive nature make it a real danger to Ukraine.
Pictures of a new russian drone named “Gerbera”. pic.twitter.com/LRPcEejdom
— Michael Stadnik/Стаднік 🇺🇦#fella🦝Qırımlı💙 (@mi_stad) July 29, 2024
As Ukraine continues to contend with these evolving drone threats, the identification and understanding of the Gerbera drone’s capabilities will be crucial in adapting and enhancing its air defense strategies.
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