Russia still has sights set on Orion
The Orion MALE UCAV has been combat-tested in Syria. (Photo: Russian MoD)
The Russian MoD is set to take on strength up to seven Orion MALE UCAV systems in 2021, Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu announced in early March during a visit to privately owned manufacturer Kronstadt.
During his factory tour, Shoigu was shown Orion and other UCAV developments such as the high-speed Grom and Inokhodets-RU (which also has a reconnaissance capability), as well as the Helios-RLD, which Russian defence analysts tout as an airborne early warning platform.
Kronstadt began the development of Orion in 2011 as part of the Russian MoD-funded Inokhodets programme. The MoD required a new UAV capable
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