Russia Deploys Upgraded Kalashnikov Kvazimachta Drone With 20-Day Flight Endurance in Ukraine

The Kalashnikov Group has begun supplying Russian forces with an upgraded version of its Kvazimachta reconnaissance drone, capable of operating for up to 20 days without landing, the company confirmed.

Leonid Rokeakh, Kalashnikov’s director for exports of drones and loitering munitions, told TASS on Monday that the system’s endurance could reach 500 hours. “As a rule, it operates for 24 hours. It hovers in the air, then an operator brings it down to check if everything is all right and its diesel generator can be replaced or some other maintenance is carried out,” Rokeakh said.

The cable-powered drone is in use in the special military operation in Ukraine, providing continuous aerial surveillance for perimeter and site protection. Data is transmitted in real time to ground terminals, with optical and infrared monitoring available around the clock.

The Kvazimachta is a copter-type unmanned aerial vehicle designed to carry radio-electronic equipment for extended periods. In the event of a ground power failure, the system is capable of an autonomous safe landing.

Kalashnikov says the platform can also be adapted for civilian purposes, including security monitoring at mass events.