Media Reports: Introduction Of Magura V5 With R-73 Missiles Marks Historic Milestone For Ukrainian Armed Forces

The naval drone is considered the world's first remotely controlled air defense system.

The appearance of the Magura V5 maritime drone with R-73 air-to-air missiles is a historical event in several senses.

Defence Expres analysts explained what this could mean in a war against Russia at sea.

“To begin with, the Magura V5 with the P-73 is the first armed naval drone at the disposal of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Even if the functionality of this unmanned boat is not fully known — it’s either a kamikaze with air defense equipment, or just a drone to cover a swarm of kamikazes, this is still the latest and important weapon, which means an increase in the capabilities of our country in the confrontation with the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation,” the message notes.

As noted, the case of the first real use of a multi-purpose maritime drone at sea against an enemy is already known. The United States and Turkey also have developments in multi-purpose armed unmanned ships and boats, but have not yet tested them in practice.

In addition, the Magura V5 with the R-73 can be considered the world's first remotely controlled air defense system, even if it is designed only for short range. There have been no such developments anywhere in the world before.

According to analysts, it can be assumed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are at least close to the ability not only to attack important targets with a “swarm” of naval kamikaze drones, but also to cover them with multi-purpose unmanned boats. This will increase pressure on the Russian Black Sea Fleet and subsequently clear the Black Sea as much as possible from the threat from the aggressor country.