Kyrgyzstan has also placed a second order for another type of Russian reconnaissance drone
Despite facing international sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia continues to export its advanced reconnaissance drones. According to the TASS news agency, Russia recently sold its latest SuperCam S250 drones to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, with the deals reportedly finalized just over a month ago. These transactions were handled directly by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
“Recently, the production capacity of the plant allows for serial deliveries not just for the Russian Armed Forces, but also for the needs of the CSTO,” said a spokesperson from the Unmanned Systems Group, the company responsible for manufacturing the drones. Over the past three years, the production of SuperCam drones has surged, growing tenfold to meet both domestic and international demand.
Kyrgyzstan has also placed a second order for another type of Russian reconnaissance drone, the Orlan-10. This delivery was confirmed by Roman Ivanov, the general designer of the Center for Special Technologies (CST), who mentioned that the Russian Ministry of Defense manages most of these drone supplies, distributing them to its allies. Operators from these nations are trained in Russia before using the drones.
Interestingly, Pakistan has also entered the market for Russian drones. Reports from August suggest that Pakistan has been using SuperCam S350 drones to monitor its border with India. These drones, equipped for reconnaissance, surveillance, and border security, can fly for up to 10 hours and cover a range of 200 kilometers. They are also capable of supporting infrastructure monitoring and scientific research.
The SuperCam S350 is outfitted with electro-optical and infrared cameras for both day and night operations, a laser rangefinder, and multispectral sensors. The drone is launched via catapult and lands using a parachute, allowing it to operate in varied conditions. Built from lightweight composite materials, the SuperCam S350 is designed for long-range missions across different terrains.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus have also purchased the SuperCam S350, drawn by its versatility. Manufactured by the Russian Unmanned Systems Group, the drone serves both military and civilian needs, with applications ranging from defense to scientific research.
For shorter missions, the SuperCam S250, another model in Russia’s drone lineup, is ideal. This drone can stay airborne for up to four hours and has a range of 150 kilometers, making it suitable for surveillance. Like its larger counterpart, it is launched via a catapult and lands using a parachute system, allowing for flexible deployments in various environments.
The SuperCam S250 is equipped with electro-optical and infrared cameras that provide high-quality, real-time imagery during both day and night operations. The cameras are mounted in stabilised nacelles to reduce vibrations, ensuring smooth footage even in challenging conditions. The drone can also carry multispectral and hyperspectral sensors, making it useful for scientific research and precision agriculture.
Russia’s continued drone exports, despite international pressure, reflect its growing influence in the unmanned systems market, particularly among its regional allies and countries like Pakistan. As production capacity increases, Russia appears poised to further expand its footprint in the global drone industry.