Russian Defense Ministry reviews ZALA Aero UAVs and Lancet ammunition concepts
Russian defense officials highlighted the latest models of attack and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed by ZALA Aero, a group of companies under the Kalashnikov concern. The update came through the official telegram channel of the country’s military department.
On Saturday, February 10, the head of the Russian Ministry of Defense visited ZALA Aero’s leading facility in Udmurtia. The ministry’s statement confirmed that the site also manufactures Lancet stray ammunition and reconnaissance drones, underscoring the breadth of the plant’s production line.
In the release, the ministry noted that the visit showcased new reconnaissance and attack UAVs that had been refined to reflect operational experience gained in the Northern Military District. The briefing was accompanied by video footage illustrating the unmanned systems in action.
Earlier, on January 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the use of unmanned aerial vehicles during the ongoing military operation in Ukraine. He underscored the drones’ effectiveness in fulfilling battlefield tasks and stressed that Russian forces are able to achieve their objectives with these systems in a cost-efficient manner.
Reports from Ukraine have previously discussed the development of analogues to the Russian Lancet stray ammunition, highlighting ongoing interest in advancing drone-enabled capabilities on both sides of the conflict.
At a high level, the exchange of information around these UAV models reflects ongoing efforts to translate battlefield experience into next‑generation unmanned platforms. Observers note that developments at ZALA Aero, including the integration of reconnaissance and strike capabilities, align with broader defense priorities in Russia’s unmanned systems program. The emphasis on practical performance in various regional contexts suggests a continued focus on rapid iteration and deployment of unmanned capabilities described by officials as integral to modern battlefield operations [Ministry of Defense statement].