Russia has unveiled its Lancet-E loitering munition system for the first time at the Aero India 2025 international aerospace exhibition, marking a significant moment in Moscow’s ongoing push to expand its global defense exports. The Lancet-E, an export variant of the Lancet series used extensively by Russian forces in Ukraine, was presented by Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms exporter.
The unveiling comes as part of Russia’s broader participation at the defense expo, where over ten major Russian defense firms are showcasing more than 500 military products, signaling continued collaboration with India in the defense sector.
Lancet-E System: A Battlefield-Proven Precision Strike Weapon
The Lancet-E system consists of several components, including:
- The Product 52-E guided munition carrier
- The Product 51-E loitering munition
- The Z-16-E reconnaissance drone, which provides target acquisition and battle damage assessment
This system was previously showcased domestically at the Army 2024 International Military-Technical Forum and made its international debut at ADEX 2024 in Baku before being introduced to a wider audience in India.
Rosoboronexport emphasized that the Lancet loitering munition has proven its effectiveness in combat, particularly in counter-battery warfare, where it has been used to destroy NATO-supplied artillery systems in Ukraine.
According to Russian military reports, the Lancet-3 variant alone has been responsible for eliminating nearly 45 percent of NATO artillery systems deployed in the ongoing conflict since February 2022.
This includes the destruction of:
- M777 lightweight howitzers
- Polish KRAB Self-Propelled Guns (SPGs)
- Leopard Main Battle Tanks (MBTs)
- Radar installations and surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries
- Small naval boats operated by Ukraine
The system’s performance in Ukraine has positioned it as one of the most widely used loitering munitions in modern warfare, a fact that Moscow is leveraging to promote it in international markets.
Russia Eyes Global Market for the Lancet-E
Rosoboronexport has high expectations for the Lancet-E, estimating its export potential to exceed 1,000 units, placing it among the leading loitering munitions available worldwide.
Speaking at a previous defense forum, Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport, revealed that Russia is open to license production agreements and technology partnerships with foreign buyers.
“Once the needs of the Russian Armed Forces are met, we have the production capacity to supply the system internationally,” Mikheev stated.
While there has been no official confirmation that Russia has offered the Lancet-E to India, its display at Aero India 2025 indicates Moscow’s keen interest in expanding its footprint in the Indian defense market. India has been actively enhancing its drone capabilities, including acquiring loitering munitions for precision strikes.
Russia has traditionally been one of India’s largest defense suppliers, and the Lancet-E could emerge as a viable option for India’s armed forces, particularly given its growing focus on unmanned aerial combat systems.
Lancet’s Combat Capabilities
The Lancet series has established itself as a highly lethal loitering munition, capable of striking high-value targets deep behind enemy lines.
Equipped with a shaped-charge warhead, it is designed to penetrate heavily armored targets, including main battle tanks and fortified structures. However, its most significant battlefield contribution has been in counter-battery warfare, where it has neutralized dozens of NATO-supplied artillery systems.
The Lancet operates in a hunter-killer configuration, working alongside ZALA reconnaissance drones. These UAVs:
- Scan the battlefield for potential targets
- Pinpoint precise enemy positions
- Relay targeting data to the Lancet for precision strikes
In electronic warfare (EW) environments, where GPS jamming and radio interference are common, the ZALA drone acts as a communications relay, ensuring that the Lancet maintains control and guidance to its designated target.
Once launched, the Lancet accelerates in its final dive, striking with high precision. Each attack is recorded through aerial reconnaissance, with footage often shared by Russian military-affiliated sources, demonstrating multiple successive strikes on a single target until it is completely destroyed.
Lancet’s Technical Specifications
- Warhead Payload: 3-5 kg of high-explosive material
- Cruising Speed: 100 km/h (62 mph), accelerating 1.5 times faster in the final attack phase
- Armor Penetration: Up to 30 cm (11.8 inches) of reinforced armor
- Strike Radius: 30-80 km, allowing for deep-strike capability
- Telemetry System: Real-time target imagery transmission for strike confirmation
- Low Radar Signature: Flying at low altitudes to evade detection
Despite occasional reports of Lancet drones being shot down, they remain highly effective due to their stealth profile, low radar signature, and short flight duration, which leaves adversaries with minimal reaction time.
India’s Growing Interest in Loitering Munitions
India has been actively expanding its drone warfare capabilities, with increasing investments in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munitions. The Indian Army and Air Force have already procured several UAV platforms, including:
- Israeli Harop loitering munitions
- Indian-made Swarm Drone systems
- American MQ-9 Reaper drones (leased for reconnaissance missions)
Given this trend, the Lancet-E could emerge as a viable contender if India chooses to explore Russian loitering munition systems for its arsenal.
Additionally, the India-Russia defense partnership has been strong for decades, with joint projects like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile setting a precedent for technology transfers and localized production.
Russia’s openness to license production deals could further enhance its chances of securing orders from India, especially if New Delhi is interested in manufacturing loitering munitions domestically as part of its “Make in India” initiative.
Russia’s Defense Presence at Aero India 2025
Russia’s participation in Aero India 2025 is one of the largest among foreign exhibitors, with more than ten Russian defense firms presenting over 500 military products.
In addition to the Lancet-E, Russia is also showcasing:
- Su-57 and Su-75 Checkmate fighter jets
- S-400 and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems
- T-90M and T-14 Armata main battle tanks
- Mi-28 and Ka-52 attack helicopters
Moscow sees Aero India as a key platform to reaffirm its long-standing defense ties with India while exploring new opportunities in advanced drone warfare technologies.
