A 23-foot Ukrainian drone boat with a .50-caliber machine gun on a Norwegian remote mount ran down a Russian drone boat in the Black Sea, shot its antennas off from 3,300 feet so nobody could steer it

Key Points:

• Ukraine's Navy showcased a new type of unmanned boat, the Sargan-3000, which differs from previous explosive drone boats by being armed with a 12.7mm machine gun, enabling it to engage and sink enemy drones without self-destruction.
• On September 12, a Ukrainian Sargan-3000 remotely operated by military intelligence successfully sank a Russian uncrewed drone boat in the Black Sea, marking what Ukraine called the first naval battle between unmanned boats.
• The Russian drone boat, identified as an improved Orcan or Zefir, was unarmed and designed as a one-way explosive vessel, contrasting with the reusable, armed Ukrainian drone that can engage multiple targets.
• The Sargan-3000, introduced in April 2023 and built by Nordex, is a multi-purpose platform with variants equipped for air defense and electronic warfare, though detailed specifications remain classified.
• This engagement signals an evolution in naval drone warfare, with the potential for increased use of armed unmanned boats on both sides, as Russia has operated drone boats since 2022 and is likely to respond with armed versions soon.