The Russian Armed Forces will commission medium-range attack drones for the first time in 2019, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated on Monday during a session of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Defense Committee.

"Starting this year, we will be receiving medium-range attack and surveillance systems" (Picture source: Valeriy Matytsin/TASS)

He noted that since 2012, 38 military units have been formed in the Russian army, equipped with over 2,000 military drones.

"Starting this year, we will be receiving medium-range attack and surveillance systems", the minister said.

Shoigu stressed that a breakthrough in drone aviation has provided new opportunities for reconnaissance and attack operations. "Thanks to drone laser illuminators, we have managed to give a second life to precision artillery weapon systems "Krasnopol", which had not been in demand before. As a result, we have decreased their expenditure - no more than two projectiles for one target - and increased their range," the minister explained.

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