Ukrainian Sargan-3000 wins “first-ever battle between uncrewed surface vessels”

The Ukrainian Navy has released footage showing it destroying a Russian naval drone using its own uncrewed vessel. The Navy’s press service states that this is the ‘first-ever naval battle in history between uncrewed surface vessels’.

The Russian USV was detected by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine personnel. To destroy it, the Navy used a Sargan-3000 drone fitted with an automatic Protector turret. This remotely operated weapon station is manufactured by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

The footage shows servicemen firing from the turret, recorded by cameras mounted on the uncrewed vessel and on an aerial drone.

The Sargan drone in service with the Navy has previously also been used to strike ships. Servicemen used it to sink the Russian FSS patrol ship Izumrud this summer.