Vadym Sukharevskyi, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, believes that maritime drones equipped with portable air defense missile systems such as Stinger or Starstreak would be highly effective in countering Russian aviation.
In an interview with the Polish media Defence24, Sukharevskyi explained that maritime drones are already evolving into full-fledged surface platforms, capable of carrying a wider range of weaponry in the future.
"For example, in the future, it would be appropriate to equip these surface platforms with portable air defense missile systems like the FIM-92 Stinger, Starstreak, or heavy machine guns, which would be quite effective against aviation," said Sukharevskyi.
Using portable air defense missile systems would allow direct fire from the sea, utilizing the drones as platforms, eliminating the enemy’s air superiority and enhancing the drones’ survivability and operational effectiveness. According to Sukharevskyi, this could result in Russia losing its maritime and air control over the Black and Azov seas, which will play a key role in the operation to liberate occupied Crimea.
Ukrainian forces are already experimenting with arming maritime drones. In December, the Security Service of Ukraine showcased footage from an operation conducted on the night of December 5-6 in the Kerch Bay using Sea Baby drones. When the Russian forces attempted to intercept them, the drones unexpectedly fired back and struck Russian helicopters.
