Russia deploys airborne FPV drone interceptors from Soviet-era aircraft

Russia has begun fitting Yak-52 trainer aircraft and An-2 utility planes with equipment designed for launching FPV interceptor drones against enemy UAVs.

A video released by the Russian unit BARS-Sarmat and published on a military blog revealed two distinct aircraft configurations built for airborne drone launches. 

One configuration is intended for ground launch, while the second version allows interceptor drones to be deployed directly from the air against approaching targets.

The Yak-52 itself is a Soviet-era training and aerobatic aircraft that first flew in 1974. Its relative simplicity and low operating cost contributed to its popularity, with more than 1,700 units produced over the years.

The modified aircraft carries six external launch rails mounted beneath its wings to hold interceptor drones ready for deployment. Footage released by the unit showed the aircraft taking off while carrying only four drones despite six visible launch positions on the airframe.

The interceptor drones used in the system are high-speed FPV platforms based on the Sting/P1-SUN design and adapted for launches from airborne carriers. In addition to the Yak-52, Russian forces are also using the An-2 aircraft as a drone carrier. Thanks to its larger internal space, the An-2 can accommodate onboard drone control equipment directly inside the aircraft.

The Yak-52’s compact two-seat cockpit has raised questions among analysts about how drone operations are managed during flight. Some experts noted that the aircraft appears to leave little room for the equipment typically required to operate FPV interceptor systems in the air.

Russian interceptor drones were also shown engaging several Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles during the exercise. Some of the drones struck reportedly appeared to be Maya decoys, alongside several other unidentified UAV types visible in the footage.

Previous modifications

BARS-Sarmat had previously announced plans to form an aviation squadron dedicated to countering drones using light aircraft such as the Yak-52 and Cessna 172. Initial concepts reportedly involved crews consisting of a pilot and a gunner armed with automatic weapons. However, the unit later shifted toward using externally mounted interceptor drones instead of onboard shooters.

The latest development follows earlier modifications made by Russian armed forces, which had already converted the Yak-52 training aircraft into a light fighter in 2025 to counter long-range kamikaze drones. Russian pro-war military correspondents at the time claimed the initiative was inspired by the Yak-52B light attack aircraft developed during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Ukrainian use of Yak-52

The aircraft type has also appeared on the Ukrainian side of the conflict. The Netherlands-based charity foundation Protect Ukraine purchased and transferred a Yak-52 aircraft to Ukraine for use as an improvised anti-drone fighter in 2025.

The foundation reportedly acquired the aircraft in the United Kingdom following a request from a Ukrainian aviation unit involved in countering Russian UAV operations.

By Nazrin Sadigova