Russia unveils new kamikaze drone for tactical strikes

As Russia continues to expand its family of loitering munitions, defense firm Roboavia has introduced a new one-way attack drone known as KLIN.

Smaller than the Shahed series and designed for short-range missions, the KLIN is engineered for specific tactical-level tasks and resembles existing systems such as the Lancet and KUB in both role and appearance.

The drone was unveiled with a technical placard listing its core specifications and mission profile. According to the company, the KLIN features autonomous targeting, artificial intelligence, and can operate without satellite navigation. The platform is launched via a compact catapult and reaches speeds of 108 to 300 km/h, depending on the flight phase.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

Roboavia says the system is optimized for operations at the tactical edge. With a maximum flight time of up to 80 minutes, communication range of 120 kilometers, and maximum altitude of 2,000 meters, KLIN is intended to loiter over the battlefield, locate a target, and perform a terminal dive attack with a 5 kg warhead. The drone’s takeoff weight is listed at 13.5 kilograms, with a 1920 mm wingspan and 1600 mm length.


The manufacturer highlights that the drone can be remotely activated and requires no GNSS connection to function, enabling operations in environments where GPS signals may be degraded or jammed. The drone’s approach angles — from +10° to −70° — allow it to descend sharply on its target, increasing strike accuracy and reducing time to impact once a threat is identified.

drone warhead variants
drone warhead variants

The company states that the system was developed to support fast, localized strikes in frontline conditions. While lacking the range or payload of heavier systems, KLIN’s strength lies in its mobility, launch simplicity, and ability to operate autonomously in contested areas. According to the displayed information, the drone is capable of “automatic target attack” and “remote initiation,” confirming its suitability for high-tempo tactical use.

KLIN’s introduction reflects a broader trend in Russia’s drone development strategy — a shift toward compact, affordable kamikaze drones that can be deployed in large numbers to overwhelm enemy positions, disrupt logistics, or strike soft-skinned vehicles.

Readers who wish to follow our weekly coverage can subscribe to the Weekly Defense Roundup.

If you wish to report a grammatical or factual error in this article, please let us know by using the online form.

Executive Editor

Support The Defence Blog

Independent reporting takes resources. Join us on Patreon.

Become a patron

More Like This

US Navy orders 50 prototypes of its cheap new hypersonic weapon

Hypersonic weapons have long been the most expensive category of precision strike munitions in any military's arsenal, costing tens of millions of dollars per...

Russia develops new coastal drone interceptor

Russia's defense industry used its premier naval exhibition to show off a new automated system that uses interceptor drones guided by artificial intelligence to...

NATO nations form drone-killing user club

A Latvian-built interceptor drone that has already been purchased by three NATO nations just got its own international user community, as the countries operating...

South Korea builds AI defense robot hub

South Chungcheong Province and the city of Nonsan have secured selection as the site of South Korea's new AI defense robotics innovation cluster, winning...

Drone locks onto target 43km away without GPS signal

A Canadian defense software company has demonstrated that its autonomous targeting system can acquire and track a target at a range of 43 km...

Russia reveals how its new automated drone defense system works

Russia has publicly released footage of its Zubr automated counter-drone system operating for the first time, showing the weapon detecting, tracking, and engaging aerial...