Loitering munitions, colloquially called kamikaze or suicide drones, are a type of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). They are designed to loiter in the air for an extended period of time before engaging an acquired target by crashing into it and detonating their payload. Their one-off purpose makes them a cost-effective weapon in modern land combat. Most frequent uses are destroying higher-value targets, such as artillery systems or armoured vehicles. One of these is the Lancet 3 UAV munition.
The Russian series of ZALA Lancet loitering munitions is produced by the ZALA-Aero Group (part of the Kalashnikov Concern). It is extensively used in the current conflict in Ukraine. It has proven itself to be an easy-to-use, low-cost tool to destroy a variety of armoured targets deployed by Ukraine.
1.0 Variants
ZALA-Aero Group produces variants and modifications of the Lancet drone:
- Lancet 1 (rus. Изделие 51/ eng. Product 51)
- Lancet 3 (rus. Изделие 52/ eng. Product 52)
- Product 53 (rus. Изделие 53), with a higher payload and longer flight duration.
- Product 54 (rus. Изделие 54), with an internal combustion engine, allowing it to strike targets beyond 200km. The manufacturer claims it can autonomously engage predetermined targets.
While the Russian army uses all variants, the Lancet 3 seems to be the most frequently used variant since the conflict in Ukraine began (Source, Source, Source, Source).
2.0 Current Users
Lancet’s sole user is the Russian Federation. Limited reports suggest that Iran might have manufactured a similar type of weapon (Source).
2.1 Technical Specifications
- Design: Cylindrical fuselage with X-shaped wings
- Length: 153cm
- Range: 30-65km
- Service ceiling: approx. 5000m
- Flight time: 40 min
- Engine: Electric; rear-oriented pusher prop system with two-blade propeller
- Launch: Catapult launcher
- Guidance: Optical-electronic guidance system, TV guidance
- Weight: 12KG (of which 3KG payload)
- Warhead: HE/HE-fragmentation/Shaped charge/Thermobaric
- Max Speed: 110 KM/H in cruise, 300 KM/H in dive
- Price per unit: approx. 20.000 – 35.000 USD
3.0 Operational Use
Reconnaissance UAVs such as the Orlan-10 perform the initial reconnaissance of targets in a designated area. The Lancet 3, usually operated by a 2-person crew, is then started from a catapult and flies into the designated area, piloted remotely in real-time. The drone does not use satellite connectivity to prevent jamming – maps and navigation details are uploaded before its deployment. Targeting happens with an electro-optical guidance system. Once the Lancet acquires and tracks its target, it proceeds to dive onto it, accelerating up to 300 km/H until its final detonation. Depending on the warhead, the detonation happens either on impact or before reaching the target, firing a cumulative projectile onto its target. Operators use the reconnaissance UAV to confirm or deny the hit and assess the damage (Source, Source, Source, Source).
3.1 Combat Effectiveness in Ukraine
The Lancet family of loitering munitions has proven itself to be highly-effective on the battlefield, particularly in counter-battery warfare. Unlike long-range kamikaze drones—such as the Iranian Shahed-136–the Lancet’s limited flight time and range require it to be used in a tactical environment with close proximity to the battlefield. The closer its position to the combat zone, the less time the opposing force has to detect and destroy the Lancet.
Lancet’s main application has been the destruction of towed artillery, self-propelled artillery, Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), and other Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs). Reported hits include M777 and FH70 howitzers; M109, AHS Crab, and Caesar self-propelled artillery systems; Ukrainian T-80 tank models, British Stormer HVM Close Air Defence Vehicles, American HIMARS MLRS, and other vehicles. Other reports confirm that Lancet drones are able to damage or destroy more modern German Leopard 2A6 tanks and TRML-4D radar from the IRIS-T SLM air defence system (Source, Source, Source, Source).
The Russian manufacturer claims over 600 hit targets up until May 2024 (Source). A Russian OSINT source claims around 2500 operational uses of the Lancet 3 as of 22 October 2024 (Source). The British ministry of Defence claimed that the Lancet is very likely one of Russia’s most effective weapons that it uses in its war in Ukraine (Source).
Its relatively small size, low heat signature, use of composite materials, and freedom from satellite communication add challenges in detecting them by radar in a timely manner. Additionally, its relatively low cost and simplicity make it possible to produce in large quantities, thereby increasing Russia’s capability to destroy much more expensive systems—tanks, air defence, and artillery. It has become one of Russia’s main systems for close- to mid-range precision strikes.
3.2 Countermeasures
Developing countermeasures against the Lancet is a high priority for Ukraine, especially since traditional air defense systems, designed to target helicopters, aircraft, and missiles, do not provide sufficient protection against small, low-altitude loitering munitions like the Lancet drones.
3.2.1 Cages and Nets
A simple way to protect personnel and equipment against loitering munition is the use of metal mesh, cages, and grilles, installed on top of trenches and military equipment. These prevent drones from hitting their intended target, causing significantly less damage. However, Ukrainian military sources have reported that some Lancets are able to bypass this protection by detonating a shape charge a few meters ahead of the barrier. (Source, Source)
3.2.2 Decoys
An effective way of reducing the damage caused by Lancets is the use of inflatable decoys and wooden mock-ups made to resemble Western and Ukrainian equipment. Those can further be equipped with reflectors and false thermal signature generators, increasing the likelihood that the decoys will be seen as a real target. This has proven to be effective since Lancets used to strike fake targets cannot be used to hit real targets.
Decoy use is part of a long-standing tradition of Denial and Deception (D&D) operations in warfare. The use of maskirovka and military deception had a firm place in the Soviet military. Both Russia and Ukraine use decoys in the current conflict with Ukraine successfully baiting Russia into using expensive missiles on decoys. While decoys and mock-ups can cause an adversary to waste munitions and draw fire away from real targets, they cannot directly protect moving assets. (Source, Source, Source, Source).
3.2.3 MANPADS
Ukraine uses Man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) in combination with dense infantry fire and anti-aircraft guns to down a spotted Lancet. This can be effective on closer ranges, however, it requires an initial spotting of the incoming drone (Source).
3.2.4 Electronic Warfare (EW)
The most sophisticated and effective way to fight the Lancets is the use of electronic warfare capabilities. While the operator controls the Lancet, it is vulnerable to EW means that can jam control, navigation, and video signals. Radiofrequency detectors can spot an incoming Lancet attack as the drones operate on known frequencies. While this does not destroy the Lancets, it can provide additional time to take precautions.
EW can be very effective in fighting the Lancet. However, it requires sophisticated equipment in sufficient amounts, which Ukraine does not have, and it comes with limitations. When the Lancet has already acquired a target, it goes “offline” rendering EW measures ineffective. This gives EW operators only a limited range to jam the drone (Source, Source).
4.0 Sanctions against Russia
4.1 Imposed sanctions
Despite being a Russian-designed weapon, the Lancet features multiple foreign-made components. These parts are made in Western countries, including the US, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
The US and European Union (EU) have imposed large numbers of sanctions against Russia, its economy, and many companies involved in arms manufacturing, including ZALA-Aero Group. It appears that the sanctions have introduced some challenges for Russia’s economy and its arms industry. However, the effects are below the desired outcome of their creators. The sanctions do not seem to have halted the large-scale production of Lancet drones. Western components are still present in the drones. This includes more sophisticated parts such as Nvidia’s TX-2 AI Module. This part enables autonomous seeking and tracking of targets. Another important component is a guidance and navigation module, enabling advanced EW protection, manufactured by the Swiss company U-Blox. (Source, Source, Source, Source)
The amount and sophistication of Western components in the Lancet raises several questions. How is Russia able to circumvent sanctions, and also, are sanctions an effective tool in the first place? The current sanctions also include an export ban on dual-use goods – civilian technology that can be used in military products as well (Source).
4.2 Circumvention
Despite their scale and the challenges introduced by the sanctions, Russia has managed to continue its production of Lancet drones. This has been achieved through various methods of circumvention. This includes obtaining the required parts through multiple, sometimes dozens of intermediary countries, thereby spoofing the final destination of the component. If one route is closed, an alternative is quickly put in place. Getting the required parts and components into Russia is a high priority for its military, intelligence services, and arms producers (Source, Source).
Another factor enabling the proliferation of chips and components used in Lancets is the relative simplicity of the technology. Many parts can be found in consumer goods such as cars, e-bikes, scooters etc., which are then re-purposed and resold without the restrictions of military equipment. Since there is a vast amount of such goods on the market, it is very difficult to restrict and control the flow of their parts, especially once they have been sold. A noted possible countermeasure can include export restriction to countries with a free-trade agreement with Russia, however, the effects of such measures are unclear (Source).
As such, it remains unlikely that, despite economic challenges, Russia will lose its capacity to produce Lancet loitering munitions. Tighter controls on national levels could keep Western manufacturers more accountable for how and where they distribute their components. However, Russia’s vast network of international relations with non-Western countries, its sanction circumvention efforts, and the simplicity of the Lancet design will make it difficult to fully prevent the components from entering Russia.
5.0 Conclusion
The Lancet loitering munition is one of Russia’s most effective UAVs and has seen extensive use in combat, particularly in its war in Ukraine. The future of the Lancet-3 appears to be one of continued evolution and increasing significance in modern warfare. Russia is continuously developing upgraded versions of loitering munitions with extended flight times, more powerful warheads, and improved computational power. The Lancet’s success on the battlefield, together with its low cost, suggests it will likely remain a staple in Russia’s arsenal for years to come. However, the pace of drone innovation also implies that countermeasures and new defensive technologies continue to evolve as well.
Despite the imposition of sanctions, including on ZALA-Aero Group, they did not prevent Russia from continuing its production of Lancets. It will remain a threat to Ukrainian forces.
Similar weapons exist in other countries, such as the US-made Switchblade. The effectiveness of these drones highlights the role of loitering munitions in combat. Being cheap and precise, they can engage a variety of higher-value armoured targets. The extensive use of drones for reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and precision strikes has compressed the “kill chain” on the modern battlefield (Source). Militaries around the globe are closely observing their use and countermeasures in the Ukraine conflict. This will likely lead to significant doctrinal changes and technological investments in both offensive drone capabilities and defensive measures. The Lancet 3 and similar drones are part of an era where unmanned systems will increasingly dictate the shifts on the battlefield.
