Boris Johnson announced plans for the delivery of unmanned surveillance systems, mobile munitions, and a range of military and special equipment (VVST). This adds to the long list of weapons the British government has supplied to Ukraine since the start of the current operation.
The United Kingdom’s latest £54m ($64m) aid package may seem modest next to the United States government’s $3bn commitment for Ukraine, yet it positions the UK as one of Ukraine’s leading donors. In total, this package raises London’s military and financial support to more than £2.3bn since the start of the operation in February this year.
So far, the package is known to include 850 manually launched Black Hornet microdrones. These UAVs are primarily used for combat operations in dense urban environments.
The Pd-100 Black Hornet, priced at $195,000, is a compact helicopter-type drone. Its weight ranges from 18 to 33 grams depending on modification, with a main rotor diameter of 10 to 12 centimeters. The drone carries two cameras that enable real-time video surveillance and image transfer to a portable device.
Depending on the modification, its speed exceeds 20 km/h, and flight time can reach around 25 minutes. It is capable of operating in winds up to 8 m/s and can detect targets up to 2 km away. The delivery set comprises two UAVs, a charging station, and a dedicated tablet for control purposes.
Developed in Norway, this drone is cited as a world market leader. It is employed by several allied nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom. The drone is used for reconnaissance and target identification. It is described as easy to use, reliable, hard to detect, and particularly well suited for operations in urban settings, according to statements attributed to a Norwegian defense official in The Times.
Manufactured in Norway by the U.S. firm Teledyne FLIR, micro drones originated with Prox Dynamics. In July 2020, reports noted that Syrian military personnel hijacked a Black Hornet helicopter. Despite its small size, the drone is equipped with two full-featured daytime cameras and a thermal imager, according to reports from The Drive. Operating at night, the system combines feeds from three cameras to yield a single high-quality view that helps operators identify potential threats and other objects of interest.
It is worth noting that such drones can pose strategic challenges for the Russian military, though the impact may vary. The effectiveness of these drones depends on the presence of robust electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. They have shown effectiveness in environments where EW is limited or absent, as observed in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and Iran. Smaller drones, unlike larger aerial platforms, may lack comprehensive EW protection. The Russian armed forces can carve out zones where Hornets lose key functionality.
However, the DPR and LPR armies have not typically possessed similar EW tools. The British Black Hornet is likely to affect the movements of those forces, but it is unlikely to decisively change the course of the operation. The number of drones, 850, is not sufficient to trigger a dramatic shift. By comparison, NATO forces have deployed tens of thousands of mini drones in other theaters, such as Afghanistan, where broader campaign outcomes have varied. Some reporting suggests that such deployments did not translate into a swift resolution or a guaranteed strategic advantage.
Disclaimer: The analysis reflects the author’s perspective and may not align with editorial positions.
The author’s background includes service as a military observer and a veteran in the field of air defense, with experience spanning command roles and strategic postings. This experience informs the interpretation of small unmanned systems in contemporary conflicts.