The onset of russia’s full-scale invasion once again compelled Ukrainians to focus on self-defense and the development of new equipment to bolster the country’s defense capabilities. Among the latest Ukrainian innovations, alongside drones and missiles such as “Ruta,” “Palianytsia,” and “Neptune,” is the Kazhan drone. Below, we delve into the drone’s specifications, analyze its strengths and weaknesses, and provide examples of its use by our military.
Kazhan Drone Specifications
Kazhan is a strike-class drone capable of dropping munitions from altitude, effectively employed by our forces to attack enemy equipment since 2022. This drone can carry anti-tank mines weighing up to 20 kilograms, including 82mm and 120mm calibers, and perform remote mining operations. Consequently, it is primarily used to target stationary objectives such as tanks and artillery installations.
The Kazhan drone operates with six rotors and can ascend to 400 meters when carrying munitions like mines or explosives. Without a payload, it can theoretically reach altitudes up to 1,000 meters. Its maximum speed exceeds 70 kilometers per hour, making it a challenging target for enemy electronic warfare (EW) and air defense systems. The operational range typically extends up to 12 kilometers, allowing the drone operator to execute precise strikes on enemy equipment in areas where artillery use may not be practical. The operator remains at a safe distance from the operation site, enhancing both efficiency and safety.
In practice, drone Kazhan can stay airborne for approximately 30–40 minutes, sufficient for short-term missions such as attack operations or remote mining. Additionally, it is equipped with a camera featuring tenfold zoom, enabling the operator to observe the terrain in real-time through an eight-inch screen on the remote control. Its navigation system allows for autonomous flights based on pre-set coordinates. Notably, the Kazhan is also equipped with a thermal imager, enhancing its effectiveness during nighttime operations, which is reflected in its name (“kazhan” means “bat” in Ukrainian).
Drone Kazhan: Advantages and Disadvantages
Considering the specifications mentioned above, several advantages of this drone become evident, particularly its size, which allows for substantial payload capacity. The inclusion of a camera and thermal imager facilitates remote operation in low-light conditions, enabling our soldiers to engage the enemy from a safe distance—an undeniable benefit. Its ability to swiftly navigate predetermined coordinates enhances its resilience against EW systems, allowing it to fulfill its missions even if russian forces attempt to jam control signals. Our military personnel note that this UAV operates more efficiently and is more cost-effective compared to artillery systems. Overall, according to Ukrainian defenders, drone Kazhan has repeatedly demonstrated its effectiveness on the battlefield, particularly in the Donetsk direction.
However, like any technology, this unmanned aerial vehicle is not without flaws, and certain characteristics may limit its effectiveness in specific situations. A primary drawback is that the drone is not silent due to its design and the presence of six rotors. This factor can lead to detection and neutralization by enemy forces. Nevertheless, considering its effectiveness, the advantages of the Kazhan UAV outweigh this disadvantage.
Why Choose the Kazhan Drone?
Given all the aforementioned benefits, one might still wonder: why opt for the Kazhan over other drones, including foreign models? A crucial factor is that the Kazhan drone, priced around $12,000 or approximately 450,000 hryvnias, is more affordable than similar foreign models, which are significantly more expensive. Thus, for its cost, this device offers better economic value than foreign-made drones.
Furthermore, for a nation that must seriously focus on developing self-defense tools, utilizing domestically produced equipment is vital. This approach not only supports local manufacturing and the economy but also invests in the future—both in defense and in fostering collaboration and business. Currently, due to active combat operations, our soldiers have the opportunity to test drones in real conditions, which helps our engineers identify aspects needing improvement and demonstrates the effectiveness of our products on the battlefield.
It is also noteworthy that the Ukrainian defense industry is already attracting interest from our foreign partners, as evidenced by agreements on joint production of ammunition, drones, and armored vehicles. The price-to-quality ratio of the Kazhan and other Ukrainian products makes them competitive not only in the domestic market but also positions Ukraine as a strong contender in the international military equipment and technology market.
