Kalashnikov Unveils the KUB-2-E: New Suicide Drone at IDEX 2025
The Kalashnikov consortium will debut the KUB-2-E at IDEX 2025, its latest innovation in loitering munitions, also referred to as suicide drones. Featuring advanced targeting capabilities and designed for extreme operational conditions, the system represents a significant milestone in unmanned battlefield technology
The Kalashnikov consortium will present to the public for the first time its latest development in loitering munitions, also known as suicide drones. This system, named KUB-2-E (the "E" indicates it is for export), will be showcased during the IDEX 2025 international arms and defense technology exhibition, taking place from February 17 to 21 in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
The system was jointly developed by the Kalashnikov Concern and the Izhevsk Research and Production Association of Unmanned Systems. The drones in the KUB-2 family are offered in two versions: a lightweight version designed for anti-personnel missions and a medium-class version equipped with a more powerful warhead. The latter can destroy artillery positions, helicopter bases, drone launch sites, as well as unarmored and lightly armored military equipment.
According to Rostec, both munitions weigh over 10 kg and stand out for their sophisticated optronic targeting system, enabling them to operate both day and night under adverse weather conditions. They can withstand winds of up to 15 m/s near the ground, function in environments with smoke and dust, and overcome both active and passive electronic interference on the battlefield. Additionally, their operational temperature range spans from -40°C to +50°C.
The development of the KUB-2 systems was carried out independently by Kalashnikov, without external funding or any request from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
Although the system is relatively new, Kalashnikov has already supplied some units to the Russian Army, presumably to evaluate their performance under real combat conditions. The system’s deployment on the battlefield was recently confirmed through a video published by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, showing the interception of a KUB-2 munition by a Ukrainian drone as it headed toward its target
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Apasionado por la aviación, la historia, la política y la defensa. Editor-in-Chief en Aviacionline Defensa, combinando estos conocimiento para ofrecer un contenido valioso sobre temas estratégicos y de seguridad.
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