Eyes off the land: Russian Navy bases are guarded by unmanned boats

Unmanned boats began to be used to protect Russian naval bases, Izvestia found out. They must control the water area and, if necessary, destroy enemy naval drones and other surface objects that attempt to attack the bases. The use of such tools makes it possible not to risk the crews and is cheaper. The boats can detect targets that radars cannot see, and if equipped with sonar equipment, they can track the underwater situation, experts say.

The role of unmanned boats in the protection of bases

Unmanned boats (BEC) began to be used to protect the bases of ships of the Russian Navy. The relevant units have been created as part of the naval bases, sources familiar with the situation told Izvestia.

The task of the backups is to patrol the water area, and if necessary, to repel attacks by enemy unmanned boats and larger surface objects. The latest Russian-made devices have already been put into service.

"This is a time requirement, because it is the backups that can destroy them when enemy boats approach," military expert, Captain 1st rank Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia. — We are a little behind in this area, but now everything is catching up. Firstly, the use of unmanned boats is safer, because it allows you not to risk people. Secondly, it is less expensive than using ships with crews.

According to him, the main task of backups is to destroy the attacking enemy. And besides, they can conduct reconnaissance.

— There are such opportunities now. And it will be a combined work, both from the air and from the water. Unmanned boats will operate in conjunction with aerial drones, the expert believes.

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Rear Admiral, Candidate of Military Sciences Mikhail Chekmasov called this decision a modern requirement.

"It was worked out for a relatively long time — back at the logistics center of the Russian Navy in Tartus, Syria," he told Izvestia. — It's effective. In general, the protection of naval bases is assigned to units fighting underwater sabotage forces and means. They included boats of the Grachonok type. But the personnel must rest sometime. In addition, it is necessary to maintain the material part, periodically carry out routine maintenance, etc. So it is difficult to ensure constant patrolling. Or you need to keep several such boats in the squad. Unmanned boats are a cheaper solution.

Such a boat is controlled by a crew of no more than two people, provided with appropriate equipment, the rear admiral added.

"They're at the forward command post. As the ship's watch changes, I assume they also have combat duty organized. So this is quite a normal, good decision," Mikhail Chekmasov concluded.

What tasks can unmanned boats perform?

First of all, unmanned boats should patrol the water area, military expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia.

— The boat will see what is happening where the radar does not see. And if you install sonar equipment, he will be able to listen to the water. Together with drones, the back can be used as a means of additional inspection of detected targets. And if necessary, destroy suspicious objects," he said.

The expert recalled that Russian bases in the Black Sea are regularly attacked by unmanned boats.

— The radar sees only at a certain distance, it does not see beyond the horizon, — Dmitry Boltenkov explained. — Removal of observation points using unmanned boats will increase the field of view. The back can fight surface boats, and in the presence of sonar, combat swimmers. Depth charges, anti-tank guided missiles, and kamikaze attack drones can be installed on it.

Earlier, Izvestia reported that anti-ship protection control points had been set up at the naval bases of the Russian Navy. They control the repelling of attacks by air and sea drones. Twin ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns are installed along the perimeter of individual naval bases to destroy UAVs and backups. In addition, air surveillance points with a watch service are equipped on the approaches to them. They should be used to warn of an approaching threat.

Also last year, the Navy created helicopter search and assault teams, whose tasks include protecting naval bases from attacks by unmanned boats. They are manned by military personnel from units of the anti-sabotage forces and fleet assets.

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Earlier, unmanned marine boats began to arrive in the units of the radiation, chemical and biological Protection Forces (RCBZ). The new vehicles can be used to force rivers, conduct amphibious operations and protect naval bases. They are capable of putting up smoke screens. Electronic warfare (EW) systems and equipment can also be installed on boats, which will enhance the protection of our troops, equipment, ships and ports from drones or high-precision enemy weapons. The RCBZ troops are now increasing the capabilities of their units using sea, air and ground unmanned robotic systems.