The TLK-1000 is one of the largest submarine drones ever built and the Ukrainian armed forces are about to receive it
Ukraine showed the world for the first Toloka, its new large submarine drone, during the Brave1 Defense Tech Valley exhibition in LVIV on September 19. The new range of drones has three different sizes and promises to put several dilemmas to the Russian Navy of the Black Sea.
The model that arrested the eyes of all present at the weapon fair is the TLK-1000. 12 meters long and the ability to reach targets at two thousand kilometers with a huge explosive charge of five thousand kilos, this new Ukrainian weapon is the ideal equipment to attack large ships, ports and strategic infrastructures, such as the Kerch bridge, which connects the occupied peninsula of Crimea to Russian territory.
But the impressive submarine drone, which looks like a small submarine, is accompanied by two smaller variants for another type of missions. The main one is the TLK-200, an ammunition operated by a pilot capable of conducting stealing missions under water through an electric propulsion system that allows this drone to operate without being detected by Russian defenses.
This version is designed for short -range missions, less than 100 kilometers from the launch site. However, it has autonomy that allows its two electric motors to operate for 15 days. TLK-200 operators, which are almost three meters long, have at their disposal a thermal camera and defensive abilities against electronic war.
The third variant is known as TLK-400 has a hybrid engine that allows you to operate at longer distances and for more days, but also transport a higher amount of explosives.
Speaking to RBC-Ukraine journalists, the company’s representatives revealed that these drones can also be adapted to another type of missions, such as the destruction of naval mines, acoustic detection of enemies, or even sea bottom mapping.
“Our drones detect, classify and neutralize underwater mines independently, significantly increasing the safety and efficiency of maritime operations,” the company.
Although it does not say it directly, the Ukrainian military has implied that this new weapon will be incorporated into its arsenal. “Ukraine’s Armed Forces will soon receive a number of new systems, including drones, unmanned boats, terrestrial robotic complexes and electronic war equipment,” the military said.
