Title: Ukraine Unveils Underwater Drone to Counter Russian Navy in Black Sea
Date: February 17, 2022
Ukraine has showcased its latest technological advancement in naval warfare, unveiling a 20-foot-long underwater drone named “Marichka,” designed to target Russian warships from beneath the surface. This development marks a significant shift in Ukraine’s approach to defending its territory against the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Until now, Ukraine has predominantly relied on surface naval drones to attack Russian vessels in the Black Sea. However, this new underwater drone provides Ukraine with a potent weapon that can strike warships beneath the waterline, potentially causing even greater damage, according to the specialist naval defense news website, Navalnews.
Navalnews further emphasized the difficulty in defending against a swarm of these suicide underwater uncrewed vehicles, adding that their destructive capabilities pose a considerable threat to Russian warships.
The latest underwater drone, Marichka, joins the previously unveiled Toloka, which is smaller in size. However, it remains uncertain whether the Toloka has been deployed against Russian ships, according to British newspaper The Telegraph.
The Marichka boasts a range of approximately 600 miles and is capable of executing various missions, including attacks, transportation, and reconnaissance, as reported by Navalnews. Although the exact payload capacity of the drone has yet to be revealed, its potential effectiveness in combating Russian naval forces is highly anticipated.
Developed by volunteer engineers known as Ammo Ukraine, the Marichka underwater drone is estimated to cost approximately 16 million Ukrainian hryvnia, equivalent to $433,000, according to Ukrainian media cited by Navalnews.
In response to increased hostilities in the Black Sea, Ukraine has escalated its drone attacks on Russian warships in occupied Crimea over the past year. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukrainian intelligence chief, noted that naval attack drones have been successful in paralyzing the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Despite Russia’s efforts to neutralize the threat through electronic warfare or shooting down the drones, Budanov asserts that the attacks continue to act as a highly effective deterrent.
Additionally, Ukraine has recently established its first naval drone brigade, the 385th Separate Brigade of Special-Purpose Marine Unmanned Systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented new colors to the brigade during the Ukrainian Independence Day parade on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s drone capabilities.
As tensions persist between Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea region, Ukraine’s technological advancements in naval warfare are set to bolster its defense capabilities significantly. The deployment of the Marichka underwater drone presents a formidable challenge to Putin’s Black Sea fleet, with the potential to reshape the dynamics of the conflict in Ukraine’s favor.