Russia to Commence Mass Production of Drel Gliding Bomb in 2024

The new weapon, equipped with precision guidance systems and potential cluster munition capabilities, marks a significant advancement in Russia's military arsenal.

• Russia has announced plans for the mass production of the PKB-500U Drel gliding aerial bomb in 2024, following successful trials and its strategic deployment in the Ukraine conflict.
• The Drel bomb, manufactured by Rostec, is a cost-effective weapon due to its lack of expensive engines and its unique gliding mechanism, allowing it to bypass short-range air defenses.
• The bomb is typically equipped with guidance systems to enhance its precision, and its effectiveness was demonstrated in Ukraine, where older bombs were upgraded with kits to augment their capabilities.
• The new bomb reportedly has cluster munition capabilities, potentially making it extra deadly. Cluster munitions work by releasing multiple smaller bombs, or submunitions, over a wide area.
• Despite concerns about the indiscriminate nature of cluster munitions and potential to leave behind unexploded ordnance, Russian state media said the new bomb can fly independently and open up at the 'right moment,' suggesting it may indeed have cluster capabilities.

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