Latest news with #MANPADS
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia drones: Thought U.S. and EU drones were superior? Russia unleashes drones that fly higher and faster — here's all about them
Russia Using Modified Drones Drones Flying in Higher Altitudes, Bigger Challenge For Ukraine MANPADS: The Weapon Ukraine Needs ADVERTISEMENT FAQs Russia has recently changed its drone strategy, by operating it at higher altitudes and using modified drones that fly faster, and only higher-reaching weapons can be used to beat them, as per a drone used by Russia to attack Ukraine is the Shahed-136, which is an Iranian-designed weapon that Moscow now also produces in its own country, according to Business Insider. While, traditionally the Shahed-136, which is a one-way attack drone, could fly at speeds of over 115 mph with a 90-pound explosive warhead, reported Business Insider. But now, Russia has started using a modified version of the drone with an engine that lets it travel at speeds of more than 180 mph, as per the previously, Russia would launch its Shaheds at low altitudes to avoid radar detection, but now, the country is flying the drones higher, at more than 8,000 feet, which is beyond the reach of the machine guns that the Ukrainian mobile air defence unit uses to defend, according to Business who is the deputy commander of an air defence unit with Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, said that the newer tactic "makes the Shaheds inaccessible to mobile fire groups", all they can do is "observe them and report back," as reported by Business commander pointed out that, "To overcome this altitude barrier and stably engage drones with firepower, mobile groups need to use additional weapons, like shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, or Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)," as quoted in the also added that, "If our unit were additionally equipped with a manual MANPADS, the effectiveness of destroying air targets would increase by twofold," quoted Business a one-way attack drone originally designed in Iran and now built in Russia, used for long-range newer, modified versions can reach speeds over 180 mph, much faster than earlier models.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Thought U.S. and EU drones were superior? Russia unleashes drones that fly higher and faster — here's all about them
Russia Using Modified Drones Drones Flying in Higher Altitudes, Bigger Challenge For Ukraine MANPADS: The Weapon Ukraine Needs Live Events FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Russia has recently changed its drone strategy, by operating it at higher altitudes and using modified drones that fly faster, and only higher-reaching weapons can be used to beat them, as per a drone used by Russia to attack Ukraine is the Shahed-136, which is an Iranian-designed weapon that Moscow now also produces in its own country, according to Business Insider. While, traditionally the Shahed-136, which is a one-way attack drone, could fly at speeds of over 115 mph with a 90-pound explosive warhead, reported Business Insider. But now, Russia has started using a modified version of the drone with an engine that lets it travel at speeds of more than 180 mph, as per the previously, Russia would launch its Shaheds at low altitudes to avoid radar detection, but now, the country is flying the drones higher, at more than 8,000 feet, which is beyond the reach of the machine guns that the Ukrainian mobile air defence unit uses to defend, according to Business who is the deputy commander of an air defence unit with Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, said that the newer tactic "makes the Shaheds inaccessible to mobile fire groups", all they can do is "observe them and report back," as reported by Business commander pointed out that, "To overcome this altitude barrier and stably engage drones with firepower, mobile groups need to use additional weapons, like shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, or Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)," as quoted in the also added that, "If our unit were additionally equipped with a manual MANPADS, the effectiveness of destroying air targets would increase by twofold," quoted Business a one-way attack drone originally designed in Iran and now built in Russia, used for long-range newer, modified versions can reach speeds over 180 mph, much faster than earlier models.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
New Photos Reveal Military Chiefs Monitoring Operation Sindoor Strikes on May 7
Newly released images from the Indian Army provide a rare glimpse into the war room during Operation Sindoor, where the heads of India's three armed forces were seen overseeing precision air strikes conducted on May 7 against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The photos show Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral DK Tripathi, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh alongside a senior Army officer, closely monitoring live drone footage, satellite imagery, and real-time mission data. Coordinated Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack The operation was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians were killed in the Baisaran Valley. Codenamed Operation Sindoor — a tribute to the widows of the victims — the strikes targeted multiple high-value terror locations. One of the photos, timestamped 1:05 am on May 7, captures General Dwivedi and the senior officer intently observing mission feeds as Indian fighter jets, SCALP cruise missiles, and drones struck nine terror-linked sites, killing more than 140 terrorists. Targets included terror hubs used by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen, located in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Chakamru, and multiple locations in PoJK, such as Kotli, Bhimber, Gulpur, and Muzaffarabad. Key Terror Facilities Targeted Muridke: Headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, led by Hafiz Saeed Headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, led by Hafiz Saeed Bahawalpur: Operational base of Jaish-e-Mohammed, associated with Masood Azhar These locations have long been flagged by Indian intelligence and international observers as training and logistics hubs for cross-border terrorism. Pakistan Retaliation and India's Defensive Shield Following the strikes, Pakistan launched artillery fire and conducted drone and missile attacks on Indian military positions and civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir. India's multi-layered air defence network — consisting of systems like MANPADS, Spyder, Akash, MRSAM, and S-400 — was instrumental in intercepting and neutralizing incoming threats. Also read: Guardians of the Sky – Inside India's Air Defence Network India's Measured Counter-Offensive In response to Pakistan's escalation, India launched a precision retaliation targeting 11 Pakistani air bases, including: Sargodha Nur Khan (Chaklala) Bholari Jacobabad Sukkur Rahim Yar Khan Skardu Pasrur Murid Rafiqui Chunian On May 8, Indian forces also targeted an air defence system in Lahore using an armed drone. Satellite imagery accessed by NDTV reveals significant damage at key installations including Sargodha, Chaklala, and Jacobabad, confirming the impact of India's strategic response. A Shift in Security Doctrine In a national address following the operation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a new security doctrine, stating that: India will no longer tolerate nuclear brinkmanship from Pakistan. Any future dialogue with Islamabad will focus solely on terrorism and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The nexus between Pakistan's state machinery and terrorist organizations is now 'exposed and undeniable.' Calling Muridke and Bahawalpur the 'global universities of terror,' the Prime Minister linked these sites to international terror attacks, including 9/11 and the London Tube Bombings.
Business Insider
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Russia's attack drones are flying higher and faster. A Ukrainian air defender says old machine guns aren't enough to kill them anymore.
Russia's drone attacks are becoming increasingly complex, with enemy threats becoming harder to kill, the team leader for a Ukrainian mobile air defense unit told Business Insider. He said higher-reaching weapons are needed to beat them. Oleksiy, the deputy commander of an air defense unit with Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, said Russia's drone tactics have changed over the last few months; it is now operating drones at higher altitudes and using modified ones that can fly faster. This presents a challenge for air defenders, particularly those armed only with pickup truck-mounted machine guns. At the heart of Russia's drone attacks is the Shahed-136, an Iranian-designed weapon that Moscow now also produces at home. Historically, these one-way attack drones could fly at speeds of over 115 mph with a nearly 90-pound explosive warhead. Though the Shaheds are slower and less lethal than cruise or ballistic missiles, they are significantly cheaper, allowing Russia to launch them in large-scale attacks. Last weekend, for instance, Moscow sent 273 of them into Ukraine, marking one of its largest drone attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion over three years ago. Oleksiy, whose unit is tasked with protecting civilians and critical infrastructure on the outskirts of Kyiv, said that Russia still operates the conventional Shaheds. But Moscow is now using a modified version with an engine that enables it to travel at speeds of over 180 mph. It has also increased the explosive payloads of the old and new drones to more than double the original. Russia is using decoy drones, too. These don't have warheads but are designed to exhaust Ukraine's air defenses because they look convincing, appearing just as deadly as the real thing. And while they are unarmed, these drones can perform long-distance reconnaissance missions. Russia used to launch its Shaheds at low altitudes to avoid radar detection. However, it is now flying the drones higher, at over 8,000 feet — beyond the reach of the machine guns that the mobile units are using. BI previously observed Oleksiy's unit fielding a .50 caliber M2 Browning mounted in the bed of a truck. Oleksiy said that this newer tactic makes the Shaheds inaccessible to mobile fire groups like his — all they can do is observe them and report back. These loitering munitions can then gather in a specific area and simultaneously strike targets. He said that while the Ukrainians can still shoot them down, the kill figures "have begun to decrease." In a February intelligence update, Britain's defense ministry wrote that Russia could likely launch at least 2,000 drones each month for the entire year. On Saturday night alone, it attacked Ukraine with almost 300 drones, Kyiv said. "To overcome this altitude barrier and stably engage drones with firepower, mobile groups need to use additional weapons," like shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, or MANPADS, Oleksiy said. MANPADS stands for Man-Portable Air Defense Systems. In Ukraine, common examples are the American-made FIM-92 Stinger or Soviet-era 9K38 Igla. These are typically used to shoot down threats like low-flying aircraft, such as helicopters, and even cruise missiles. "Right now, there is a shortage of inexpensive, hand-held MANPADS systems to shoot down drones," Oleksiy explained. "The military is ready to undergo a rapid course in MANPADS operation and use this means of destruction when it is impossible to do so with machine guns." He said that a combined-arms approach to destroying drones, like using portable missile launchers in tandem with machine guns, would strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself. "If our unit were additionally equipped with a manual MANPADS," he said, "the effectiveness of destroying air targets would increase by twofold."
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany pledges IRIS-T air defenses, tanks, shells in new aid package for Ukraine
Germany will provide four IRIS-T air defense systems, 15 Leopard 1 tanks, reconnaissance drones, and 100,000 artillery rounds to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on April 11, according to N-tv. Pistorius said Germany plans to send more IRIS-T systems in the coming years and confirmed the upcoming delivery of 1,100 additional ground surveillance radars. The German assistance is also to include 120 MANPADS launchers, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and 14 artillery pieces. Pistorius also confirmed that 30 Patriot air defense missiles have already been delivered, Interfax-Ukraine reported. The announcement coincided with a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, co-chaired by the U.K. and Germany. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Volodymyr Zelensky are expected to participate via video link. Germany remains one of Ukraine's top military donors in Europe. On March 19, the German Finance Ministry confirmed that an additional 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) would be allocated to Ukraine on top of the 4 billion euros ($4.36 billion) already earmarked for 2025. Berlin's latest package underscores continued European military backing for Kyiv amid growing uncertainty over U.S. commitments. Read also: 6 countries ready to send troops for Ukraine 'reassurance force' so far, AFP reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
