Belarus Shows Chekan-V Attack Drone With Swarm Capability
The JSC 558 Aircraft Repair Plant of Belarus has introduced an updated version of its Chekan attack drone, known as the Chekan-V, according to the State Authority for Military Industry of the Republic of Belarus
The upgraded drone is capable of operating in swarm formations of 7–10 units.
It also can function autonomously, without continuous operator control.
The Chekan-V has a stated flight range of up to 25 kilometers and a flight duration of up to 45 minutes.
The drone weighs 13 kilograms and carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing up to 2.3 kilograms.
The drone is launched via catapult and was first introduced in June 2021.
In July 2022, a drone visually resembling the Chekan was shot down over Ukraine.
At the time, images of the wreckage were released, including a distinctive spherical optical housing.
However, it was later assessed that the drone was more likely a Russian Zala reconnaissance UAV, which shares similar aerodynamic features.
Drone Manufacturing in Belarus
In late April, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressed support for building a drone production facility in Belarus to supply the Russian military.
The plan was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Volgograd.
Putin stated that a production laboratory would be established in Belarus to enable large-scale drone manufacturing.
The initiative was first proposed in March 2025, when Russian Deputy Presidential Chief of Staff Maxim Oreshkin said the envisioned facility could have a production capacity of up to 100,000 units per month.
According to Oreshkin, Belarus would contribute to the manufacturing of select components, supporting Russia’s efforts to expand its domestic defense industrial base.
