Kathrine Frich
The Arbalet can cover distances of six to fifteen kilometers and climb up to five kilometers in altitude.
The Arbalet can cover distances of six to fifteen kilometers and climb up to five kilometers in altitude.
Russia unveils new combat drone armed with Kalashnikov
Russia has introduced a new FPV combat drone, called Arbalet, which is equipped with a Kalashnikov assault rifle.
Moscow’s state media presented it as a versatile weapon capable of escorting convoys, storming fortified positions, and even acting as a makeshift air-defense system.
The Arbalet’s design and origins
The Arbalet is based on the Drozd drone platform, built around a DeviceF40SD flight controller.
Both systems were developed by Device Consulting, a company headquartered in St. Petersburg.
This shows how Russian private firms are increasingly tied to the country’s war effort.
Technical specifications of the new drone
According to its manufacturer, the Arbalet can cover distances of six to fifteen kilometers and climb up to five kilometers in altitude.
It reaches speeds of around 100 kilometers per hour and can carry a payload of up to four kilograms.
Its primary weapon is the compact AKS-74U assault rifle, carrying a 30-round magazine.
Cost and production scale
The drone has been priced at roughly 140,000 rubles, about $1,650 (around £1,270).
It remains unclear whether this figure includes the rifle and its modifications.
Device Consulting claims it could produce as many as 500 units per month, a figure that would allow large-scale deployment if proven accurate.
From reconnaissance to armed assault
The development follows earlier discoveries of downed Shahed drones, which revealed hidden modems, antennas, and cameras.
These finds suggested that even drones initially designed for surveillance could be refitted as FPV strike weapons.
The Arbalet now pushes that concept further by openly combining a firearm with a drone body.
Shaping future warfare
Analysts say drones like the Arbalet could change battlefield dynamics by merging affordability with flexibility.
Unlike high-end missiles, these drones can be produced at lower cost while still providing offensive and defensive uses.
This could make them appealing to militaries beyond Russia.
Ukrainian and Western responses
The rise of Russian drone technology has already spurred countermeasures.
Ukraine and the UK recently signed an agreement to strengthen defenses against Shahed drones, signaling how seriously Western allies view the growing drone threat.
