File image.
The advanced REX-1 anti-drone system which was developed by the ZALA Aero Group, a subsidiary of Russian defense giant Kalashnikov Concern, has been spotted in Syria.
A photo showing the system, which was built on the shape of a rifle, carried by a Russian private military contractor in central Syria surfaced online on May 7.
Wagner 🇸🇾 Kalashnikov REX 1 Anti UAV rifle pic.twitter.com/2TDbiGuPRM
— ZOKA (@200_zoka) May 7, 2021
The system was designed to counter small drones, like those available in the commercial market or made locally with off-the-shelf components. The non-lethal system suppresses satellite navigation signals, like GPS and GLONASS, as well as the control channel between the drone and its operator.
The REX-1 system has an effective range of 2 km and can operate up to three hours on a single charge. The entire system wrights 4,5 kg only.
Terrorist groups in Syria, mainly ISIS and al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, have been using commercially-available and locally-made drones against the Syrian military and its allies for more than six years now.
Small-sized drones are usually used by terrorist groups to spy on or even attack military posts in government-held parts of Syria.
