Russian mercenary Wagner PMC have been seen fielding Zala Aero KYB loitering munition (KUB).
Zala KYB-UAV, also known as KUB-BLA (Cube), is a new loitering munition system developed and manufactured by Russian defence company Zala Aero, a subsidiary of Kalashnikov Group.
It was built based on the combat experience of Russian armed forces in Syria between 2015 and 2018. The key advantages of the system include high precision, hidden launch, and simple and silent operation.
In Mali, the KUB-BLA are being utilized for ISR missions, besides their use as kamikaze drones.
Two of the types were spotted abandoned by Wagner on 13th July in Inazarraf region after a fierce clash with Tuareg rebel groups.
Launched at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi in February 2019, the loitering drone is now a vital asset of the Russian Army.
Precision and Versatility
This military-grade drone is capable of delivering a variety of weapon payloads with high precision, either through manually set target coordinates or image-based target guidance. It can function as a suicide or kamikaze drone to effectively neutralize small targets on both land and sea.
Design and Features of the Zala KYB Drone
Sporting a wide triangular-wing design, this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is crafted for stealthy launches and silent missions. It targets enemy infrastructure and lightly armored assets with ease. Measuring 1.21 meters in wingspan, 0.95 meters in length, and 0.165 meters in height, it supports intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and direct target engagement missions.
Advanced Technology
The Zala KYB-UAV is equipped with artificial intelligence visual identification (AIVI) technology, enhancing its real-time target recognition and classification. This technology extends the drone’s coverage area by 60 times in a single flight, boosting its lethality and autonomy.
Launch and Strike Mechanism
The standard version can be launched via a catapult, hovering post-launch to identify targets. It then dives from the upper atmosphere in a precise vertical trajectory, capable of striking battle tanks and detonating its explosive payload to penetrate turrets.
Propulsion and Performance
The UAV’s tail houses a pusher propeller powered by an electric motor, allowing speeds between 80 km/h and 130 km/h. It can carry payloads of up to 3 kg, including sensors and explosive warheads. The drone has a 30-minute flight duration and can strike targets up to 40 km away.
Export and Variants
The export variant, KUB-E, passed state tests in November 2021 and was approved for export by January 2022. Eritrea reportedly received eight KUB-E drones in May 2022 in exchange for a military base near Massawa.
The Kalashnikov Group has partnered with Rosoboronexport to market the loitering munition internationally. A modified version demonstrated at the ‘ARMY 2021’ forum in Moscow allows it to operate as part of a guided swarm, capable of launching from high-speed boats and special-purpose ships.
Russian-Mali alliance
Even with the ongoing conflict, Russia is proving once again to be a strategic and reliable partner in Africa’s defence and security landscape.
With the Russo-Ukraine war still ongoing, Russia continues to fulfil its international commitments, particularly in Africa, where it enjoys extensive patronage.
Moscow has earlier supplied aircraft to the Mali, as the efforts to strengthen it’s military capacity continues in the face of mass exodus of foreign troops in the Sahelian country.
Also, Mali recently took delivery of a large number of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone.
Mali has indeed been facing a protracted struggle against Islamic insurgency, with the situation posing significant challenges for the country and its people. The threat of insurgency has had a profound impact on the stability and security of the region, leading to widespread displacement of populations and hindering socio-economic development. The government’s efforts to counter this threat have proven to be a complex and ongoing process, requiring a multifaceted approach that encompasses not only military action but also socio-political and economic reforms.