Technology: Russia’s answer to countering small aerial threats with new anti-drone missile.

On April 30, 2025, Andrei_bt, a well-known defense analyst on the X platform (formerly Twitter), reported that the Russian defense enterprise Fakel Machine-Building Design Bureau has developed a new anti-UAV missile tailored specifically to counter the growing threat of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Fakel, known for its legacy in designing some of Russia’s most advanced air defense systems such as the Osa, Tor, and S-300, has shifted its focus to fill a critical capability gap on the modern battlefield: the interception of low-cost, low-speed, mini-class drones used for reconnaissance, artillery correction, and loitering munitions, including kamikaze drones.
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The new Russian anti-drone missile, developed by Fakel Machine-Building Design Bureau, features a lightweight X-shaped airframe and electric propellers, designed to intercept small, low-cost UAV threats on the modern battlefield. (Picture source: Andrei_bt X account)

While highly capable against conventional threats such as aircraft, helicopters, and precision-guided munitions, the Russian military's current air defense architecture faces significant limitations when addressing the proliferation of small, inexpensive UAVs. Although technologically advanced, systems like the Pantsir-S1, Tor-M2, and Buk-M3 are costly to operate and maintain. Their missiles, such as the 9M330, 9M338, and similar variants, were never optimized for short-range engagements against small, slow, or hovering aerial targets. These systems also operate with a high-speed missile profile, which introduces a minimum engagement range and reaction time that makes it difficult to effectively neutralize drones flying at low altitude and velocity in close proximity to ground forces.

Furthermore, the economic asymmetry between these high-cost interceptors and low-cost commercial or semi-commercial drones presents a strategic vulnerability. On the frontlines in Ukraine and other modern conflict zones, mass-produced or modified commercial drones costing a few hundred dollars can disrupt artillery accuracy, conduct real-time surveillance, and deliver explosive payloads. Using a missile that costs tens of thousands of dollars to shoot down a $500 drone is not only unsustainable but also depletes valuable air defense inventories that are needed for higher-tier threats.

Recognizing this imbalance, the development of Fakel’s anti-UAV missile responds directly to the need for a scalable, cost-efficient, and lightweight solution to neutralize mini-drones in a tactical environment. This new system deviates from traditional missile architecture by adopting a drone-like configuration. It features an X-shaped airframe with electric pusher propellers, folding wings for compact storage, and an inertial navigation system combined with an optoelectronic homing head. This allows for flexible launch profiles—both vertical and inclined—and precise mid-course corrections based on target movement.

The missile's lightweight construction—20 to 35 times lighter than current ultra-short-range missiles—makes it ideal for tactical deployment. With the ability to pack 3–5 transport and launch containers into a soldier’s standard loadout under 10 kg, it becomes a truly man-portable air defense tool. This empowers infantry units at the squad and platoon level with an organic counter-drone capability, reducing dependence on larger air defense assets.

Additionally, the production cost of this missile is estimated to be 20–25 times lower than that of existing interceptors in the Russian arsenal. This affordability facilitates mass production and allows for a distributed deployment model across frontline units, closing the gap between strategic air defense systems and localized drone threats.

The introduction of such a system suggests that Russia has recognized the evolving nature of aerial threats and is adapting its defense-industrial strategy accordingly. Rather than relying solely on high-tier systems, the integration of low-cost, flexible anti-drone solutions reflects a pragmatic shift toward layered and adaptive defense. As drone warfare becomes an enduring feature of modern combat, Fakel’s innovation represents a timely and necessary evolution in Russia’s air defense doctrine. It ensures that tactical units are equipped to address a wide spectrum of threats, from advanced guided weapons to the most rudimentary UAVs now shaping the realities of conflict.