Russian engineers have developed a new type of drone known as the “flamethrower drone.” This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is designed to release a stream of fire to incinerate nearby targets. It is equipped with a small tank of flammable liquid, enabling it to unleash a downward burst of flame with a range of up to three meters (10 feet).
Although it remains unclear whether the Russian military will adopt this flamethrower drone, its potential deployment could serve as a short-range countermeasure against hostile drones.
Following the unveiling of the flamethrower drone, some military analysts have expressed skepticism regarding its effectiveness on the battlefield. Samuel Bendett, an advisor on Russian military technology at the Virginia-based Center for Naval Analyses, mentioned to Defense News that the new UAV could be effective against drones that hover for observation. However, he highlighted concerns about its effectiveness against fast-moving drones, which are commonly used in Ukraine.
Bendett noted, “You have to get in position and be very precise. Otherwise, if the drone is moving, it will be very difficult to shoot this type of liquid at a moving target.” Additionally, Federico Borsari, a resident fellow at the US Center for European Policy Analysis, raised concerns about the flamethrower drone’s limited payload capacity. He explained that as the drone exhausts the flammable liquid, the pressure of the spraying mechanism may diminish, potentially causing the returning heat to damage the drone and lead to a crash if the operator keeps it hovering.
The development of the flamethrower drone reflects the increasing competition for air superiority as the war in Ukraine nears its third anniversary. In September, Ukraine unveiled the Dragon UAV, which releases streams of molten metal to ignite concealed Russian military targets. This drone is particularly effective for operations over forested areas, where trees and vegetation provide cover for Russian troops.
