Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) published technical specifications of a new mass-produced, low-cost Russian cruise missile code-named “Banderol”.
Russian Banderols have been used on the battlefield, as evidenced by debris preserved following an impact or failure of the warhead, a stark contrast to reports of Ukrainian Palianytsia missiles presented and seen exclusively at exhibitions.
The five-metre-long Banderol air-launched missile, developed by Russia’s Kronstadt Engineering Company, was first spotted during a visit by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev to the Kapustin Yar rocket test site.
According to the HUR, Banderol missiles have a warhead of about 50kg and are assembled using components from China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Russia itself. The missile reaches speeds of about 500-600 kph (311-373 mph), and its main feature is that it can be carried by helicopters and Orion unmanned aerial vehicles. This, analysts say, extends the operational range beyond Ukraine’s air defence systems.
The missile’s fuel reserve is enough to overcome up to 500 kilometres. Military experts claim that this advantage makes it possible to save strategically important Russian aircraft.
Low-cost cruise missiles are an area that many countries are currently working on, including the United States, which is engaging heavy transport aircraft, and Turkey, which aims to engage drones. However, Russia has become the first nation capable of deploying cheap and mass-produced cruise missiles, as the nation is focused on simple logistics and low-cost production rather than exclusivity or record-breaking specifications.
In addition, the missile can supposedly perform turns with a smaller radius than the Kh-101, 3M14 Biryuza, Iskander missile, or Х-69 cruise missiles, while maintaining a specified flight trajectory, HUR said.
If the Ukrainian intelligence data is confirmed, the deployment of Banderol missiles will ease the firepower and logistics load on Russian troops, at the same time improving strike efficiency on the frontline.
THE ARTICLE IS THE AUTHOR’S SPECULATION AND DOES NOT CLAIM TO BE TRUE. ALL INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM OPEN SOURCES. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT IMPOSE ANY SUBJECTIVE CONCLUSIONS.
Serkan Özdilek for Head-Post.com
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