Ukraine’s Switchblade “Kamikaze” Drones Are Attacking Russian Tanks

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

(Washington D.C.) Switchblade Drones and loitering munitions – or what some call ‘kamikaze drones‘ – have helped Ukrainians attack and destroy Russian tanks during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The small Puma hand-launched drone can surveil enemy formations on the other side of a mountain. A javelin anti-tank missile can destroy approaching enemy vehicles from elevated positions. It is the small kamikaze drone called a Switchblade that does both of these things.

Drones and Loitering Munitions in Ukraine

All of these weapons are now in Ukraine and being used with great effect against Russian invaders, yet AeroVironment’s small Switchblade has advantages.

It is a small, tube-launched miniature loitering munition that can survey a target and then descend upon and destroy the target itself. Typically, most drones simply use electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) and infrared cameras to find targets and cue human decision-makers and weapons systems. Larger drones such as the Reaper can fire HELLFIRE missiles, but the Switchblade is a soldier portable drone munition that can launch with dismounted units facing enemy attack.

“The advantage of this type of kamikaze drone is that they are relatively much cheaper than standard air-to-ground or air-to-air missiles. According to unofficial data, the Switchblade 300 costs just $6,000, while one Hellfire air-to-surface missile costs approximately $150,000,” a Bulgarianmilitary.com report states.

Hundreds of Switchblades have been sent to Ukraine from the U.S., and the report from Bulgarianmilitary.com posted pictures showing exploded Switchblades that appear to have been used against Russian forces.