Dmitry Kuzyakin, who leads the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions, cautions that FPV drones are not miracle weapons and cannot replace tanks on the battlefield. His assessment serves as a guiding point for RIA News. The expert concedes that drones offer benefits: they are affordable, effective, and influential in modern combat. Yet he notes forecasts that they would supplant tanks because they were seen as overturning established battlefield dynamics too quickly. He emphasizes a balanced view, acknowledging the ongoing relevance of tanks alongside lighter anti-tank tools on the front lines.
Kuzyakin previously highlighted that Russian FPV unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Joker platform, have acquired capabilities for air defense tasks. He explained that these drones have learned to contribute to layered defense measures and can operate in ways that complement traditional air defense assets. This development reflects a broader trend toward versatile drone applications in defense, where cost efficiency and rapid deployment can influence strategic choices without negating the value of established systems.
According to the expert, FPV drones can already strike helicopters of the Ukrainian armed forces using explosive payloads delivered through tubes integrated into heat-dissipation devices. He also notes that FPV units are capable of engaging enemy unmanned systems, potentially offering a low-cost alternative to expensive missile defenses in future scenarios. This points to a shifting role for drones as multipurpose tools that can deter, disrupt, and support broader defensive measures on the battlefield.
Official comments from the Central Design Bureau connect the push to adapt FPV drones for air defense missions with recent attacks on Russian territory. These assaults have involved aircraft-like UAVs that are frequently constructed from foam plastics, a material choice that can reduce radar visibility and complicate defensive responses. The resulting challenge underscores why some defense planners are exploring how to integrate FPV capabilities into existing radars and weapon systems while maintaining a healthy respect for traditional defenses.
Earlier statements from Ukrainian military leadership have asserted that Russia holds an advantage in the use of FPV drones, a claim that continues to shape strategic discussions on both sides. The evolving conversation underscores how rapidly improvised unmanned platforms are changing indicators of battlefield effectiveness and prompting adjustments in doctrine, training, and equipment across actors involved in the conflict.