Media: Russia develops world’s first training unmanned patrol boat “Makarovets”

Russia has unveiled the world’s first training-oriented unmanned patrol boat, the Makarovets, designed to support naval education and operational training.

The vessel features simplified controls and reduced specifications compared with combat drones, but is capable of performing a wide range of training and operational tasks, Caliber.Az reports, citing Izvestia.

It can carry aerial and underwater drones, as well as a combat firearm module. Experts note the boats will be valuable not only for cadet training but also for fleet exercises.

The Makarovets has been specifically engineered to facilitate the instruction of operators in unmanned vessel handling. Equipped with radio and Wi-Fi control systems, the boat features simplified control mechanisms and is powered by two electric motors.

According to a representative of the Pacific Higher Naval School (TOVVMU), which developed the vessel, the boat can serve multiple functions: as a training platform, as a testbed for various payload modules, as a small surface target simulating an enemy unmanned boat, and for mine reconnaissance missions using remotely operated underwater vehicles.

While its specifications are modest — a range of up to 10 kilometres and a maximum speed of 10 knots — the Makarovets retains the operational versatility of full-scale combat unmanned surface vessels. It can deploy remotely controlled and autonomous underwater vehicles, launch aerial drones, and carry a combat firearm module.

Testing took place in two phases: initially in a trial pool to verify mechanisms, hull integrity, and autonomous motor function, and subsequently in open water at a naval base to assess speed and manoeuvrability under maritime conditions.

Military expert Dmitry Boltenkov believes unmanned patrol boats have a significant future and will soon be standard in navies worldwide.

He emphasised that early exposure for cadets to such technologies allows for the development of skills across a range of platforms, including attack boats, kamikaze drones, and mine-countermeasure vessels, offering extensive training possibilities while reducing costs.

The boats are also suitable for exercises defending ships or ports against unmanned threats, a capability already tested in the Black Sea. Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykhin highlighted the importance of equipping naval academies with these training platforms, noting that recent operational experience confirms their effectiveness in combat scenarios.

“Unmanned boats are much quicker to deploy than a cruiser,” he explained. “Within a year or two, such vessels could be integrated into fleets around the world. Training units should also be capable of rapid conversion to combat roles, similar to how pilots train on Yak-130 aircraft that can quickly operate as light attack jets.”

Russia is actively developing unmanned platforms of varying sizes. Last year, the Russian Navy introduced a new training programme for unmanned vessel operators, including both theoretical and practical exercises, some conducted at night.

Recent innovations include the small-displacement kamikaze boat Marlin, available in river and sea variants, capable of carrying 1.5 kg and 2 kg of explosives, respectively, for attacking enemy vessels or defending Russian ships. Control is similar to FPV drone operation.

Additionally, serial production has begun on the heavy, multifunctional, reusable sea drone Vizir, which operates autonomously or via AI-assisted programming. It can transport cargo, conduct reconnaissance, or carry guided weaponry.

Measuring 7 metres long and 2.5 metres wide, it reaches speeds of up to 45 km/h with a range of 270 nautical miles and can maintain stability in rough seas.

Multipurpose unmanned vessels, capable of carrying up to 20 kg of cargo or serving as kamikaze platforms, can also carry FPV drones or a reconnaissance UAV, further expanding their operational utility.

By Aghakazim Guliyev