Russia’s Navy to Welcome New Heavy Drones Pacer and Okhotnik
In recent statements, the Russian Navy announced that the heavy attack drones known as Pacer and the S-70 Okhotnik will enter service in the near future. The confirmation came from Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, during an interview reported by Red Star. The move signals a shift toward expanded unmanned aviation as part of broader naval modernization efforts.
The emphasis on unmanned aerial systems is clear. A squadron commander cited UAV development as a key focus, underscoring that remotely piloted platforms will play an increasing role across maritime operations. This aligns with wider plans to augment networked warfare capabilities and extend strike, reconnaissance, and defense functions beyond traditional manned platforms.
Defensive and reconnaissance capabilities are also set to be strengthened through upgrades to existing assets. The plan includes enhancements to the Tu-142MZ maritime patrol aircraft and the Il-38 airframes, along with the Ka-27 and Ka-31R helicopter families. These updates are intended to improve submarine detection ranges, situational awareness, and maritime surveillance in challenging sea environments.
Additionally, naval aviation will see a push to modernize attack and combat aircraft by re equipping fourth generation plus platforms with advanced avionics and weapons systems. The intent is to expand the speed, reach, and lethality of manned assets in concert with unmanned systems, creating a more integrated and capable naval air arm.
In February, the Russian Ministry of Defense released imagery illustrating the Pacer UAV in action within a designated special operations zone, highlighting its role in ongoing mission sets. This visual confirmation accompanies prior demonstrations of the Pacer-RU variant abroad, signaling active development and real world testing that could inform future operational doctrine across the fleet. [defense ministry imagery, attributed to official briefings]
Overall, officials describe a trajectory where unmanned and manned aviation reinforce each other rather than operate in isolation. The planned fleet modernization emphasizes a layered approach to maritime reach, patrol endurance, and rapid response capabilities that would adapt to a growing array of potential theatres and scenarios. Analysts note that these steps point to a broader strategy of enhancing autonomy, networking, and precision in naval air power, with Pacer and Okhotnik positioned as pivotal components of that vision. [official statements and defense ministry updates]