The Switchblade is a camera-equipped, remote-controlled flying bomb with a reputation for pinpoint delivery. AP
The Switchblade is a camera-equipped, remote-controlled flying bomb with a reputation for pinpoint delivery. AP
The Switchblade is a camera-equipped, remote-controlled flying bomb with a reputation for pinpoint delivery. AP
The Switchblade is a camera-equipped, remote-controlled flying bomb with a reputation for pinpoint delivery. AP

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What are the Switchblade 'kamikaze' drones the US is sending to Ukraine?

The weapons extend the range of attacks against Russian vehicles and units

Simon Rushton
Simon Rushton

March 17, 2022

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The US is sending Ukraine 100 Switchblade "kamikaze" drones as part of a bigger military package announced by President Joe Biden.

Drone war has already given Ukraine some battlefield successes and the new weapon will be a lethal addition.

· Despite looking like a mini-aeroplane, Switchblades are more like a "smart bomb".

· The 300 model weighs 2.7 kilograms and fits into a rucksack. It is 60 centimetres long and can fly for up to 15 minutes.

· They are launched like a mortar. Once in the air, their wings unfold.

· They have on-board video cameras and colour sensors to aid with guidance.

· They are essentially camera-equipped, remote-controlled flying bombs that can be directed by an operator to find a target then, when ready, plunge on to it. They explode on contact, hence the "kamikaze" nickname.

Switchblades extend the range of attack on Russian vehicles and units to beyond the sight of the user. That gives them an advantage over the guided heat-seeking missiles the Ukrainians have used against Russian tanks.

A woman cries near a building damaged by shelling in Kyiv as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues. EPA
A woman cries near a building damaged by shelling in Kyiv as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues. EPA
A satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the damage from a Russian strike on Lviv's international airport. AP
A satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the damage from a Russian strike on Lviv's international airport. AP
Destroyed cars hit by shelling in Kyiv. EPA
Destroyed cars hit by shelling in Kyiv. EPA
A woman stands in her home after her building was damaged by shelling in Kyiv. EPA
A woman stands in her home after her building was damaged by shelling in Kyiv. EPA
A pedestrian looks at a cloud of smoke rising after an explosion in Lviv. AP
A pedestrian looks at a cloud of smoke rising after an explosion in Lviv. AP
General view of a street behind a barricade in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa. EPA
General view of a street behind a barricade in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa. EPA
The UN Security Council meets on threats to international peace and security in New York. AFP
The UN Security Council meets on threats to international peace and security in New York. AFP
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks with US troops at an army training range in Bulgaria. AP
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks with US troops at an army training range in Bulgaria. AP
Empty strollers are seen outside the Lviv city council building during an action to highlight the number of children killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP
Empty strollers are seen outside the Lviv city council building during an action to highlight the number of children killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP
Children play on the stage of the theatre of the Ukrainian House where a shelter for refugees has been installed in Przemysl, south-eastern Poland. AFP
Children play on the stage of the theatre of the Ukrainian House where a shelter for refugees has been installed in Przemysl, south-eastern Poland. AFP
Smoke is seen above buildings close to the airport in Lviv, Ukraine. Lviv's mayor said the airport was not hit, but an area nearby. Getty Images
Smoke is seen above buildings close to the airport in Lviv, Ukraine. Lviv's mayor said the airport was not hit, but an area nearby. Getty Images
Ukrainian firefighters try to extinguish a blaze at a warehouse after a bombing in Kyiv. AP Photo
Ukrainian firefighters try to extinguish a blaze at a warehouse after a bombing in Kyiv. AP Photo
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy presents flowers to Kateryna Vlasenko, 16 - who was injured as she fled with her family from the town of Vorzel - at a hospital in Kyiv. Reuters
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy presents flowers to Kateryna Vlasenko, 16 - who was injured as she fled with her family from the town of Vorzel - at a hospital in Kyiv. Reuters
Igor, a 40 year-old Ukranian soldier, embraces his wife in front of his military basement in the centre of Odesa. AFP
Igor, a 40 year-old Ukranian soldier, embraces his wife in front of his military basement in the centre of Odesa. AFP
Ukrainian refugees arrive at the reception centre near Palanca Village, about 3 kilometres from the Moldova-Ukraine border. EPA
Ukrainian refugees arrive at the reception centre near Palanca Village, about 3 kilometres from the Moldova-Ukraine border. EPA
Broken windows after parts of a Russian missile, shot down by Ukrainian air defences, hit an apartment block in Kyiv. AP
Broken windows after parts of a Russian missile, shot down by Ukrainian air defences, hit an apartment block in Kyiv. AP
People clear debris outside a medical centre damaged by the same Russian missile after it was intercepted. AP
People clear debris outside a medical centre damaged by the same Russian missile after it was intercepted. AP
A police officer looks through the window of a damaged flat in Kyiv. One person was killed and three injured when debris from a downed rocket hit an apartment in the Ukrainian capital. AFP
A police officer looks through the window of a damaged flat in Kyiv. One person was killed and three injured when debris from a downed rocket hit an apartment in the Ukrainian capital. AFP
Firemen working in the rubble after extensive damage in Kyiv. AFP
Firemen working in the rubble after extensive damage in Kyiv. AFP
Family members and comrades of Ivan Skrypny, who was killed in a rocket attack on a military base in Yavoriv, pay their last respects at his memorial service in Lviv, Ukraine. Reuters
Family members and comrades of Ivan Skrypny, who was killed in a rocket attack on a military base in Yavoriv, pay their last respects at his memorial service in Lviv, Ukraine. Reuters
A man feels the despair as his home was hit by debris from a downed rocket in Kyiv. Russian troops trying to encircle the capital have launched early morning strikes on the city for several successive days. AFP
A man feels the despair as his home was hit by debris from a downed rocket in Kyiv. Russian troops trying to encircle the capital have launched early morning strikes on the city for several successive days. AFP
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed shakes hands with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a news conference following their talks in Moscow. Reuters
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed shakes hands with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a news conference following their talks in Moscow. Reuters
The Donetsk Regional Theatre of Drama, which was destroyed by an air strike during Russia's military onslaught in Mariupol, Ukraine. Reuters
The Donetsk Regional Theatre of Drama, which was destroyed by an air strike during Russia's military onslaught in Mariupol, Ukraine. Reuters
A satellite image of the theatre before the bombing, with the word 'children' written in Russian in large white letters on the pavement in front of and behind the building. Reuters
A satellite image of the theatre before the bombing, with the word 'children' written in Russian in large white letters on the pavement in front of and behind the building. Reuters
A Ukrainian woman and her family in a taxi displaying the colours of the Ukrainian flag upon arriving in Madrid with a group of Spanish taxi drivers who drove to Poland to support the mass evacuation of refugees. Reuters
A Ukrainian woman and her family in a taxi displaying the colours of the Ukrainian flag upon arriving in Madrid with a group of Spanish taxi drivers who drove to Poland to support the mass evacuation of refugees. Reuters
A sanitised train arrives in Kielce, Poland, carrying children with oncological diseases who fled Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
A sanitised train arrives in Kielce, Poland, carrying children with oncological diseases who fled Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
A man outside a damaged housing block after it was hit by debris from a downed rocket in Kyiv. AFP
A man outside a damaged housing block after it was hit by debris from a downed rocket in Kyiv. AFP
A residential building damaged by a blast wave at the scene where debris from a downed rocket hit a nearby apartment block in Kyiv. AFP
A residential building damaged by a blast wave at the scene where debris from a downed rocket hit a nearby apartment block in Kyiv. AFP
Evacuees from Mariupol are seen upon arrival at the car park of a shopping centre on the outskirts of the city of Zaporizhzhia, which is now a registration centre for displaced people. AFP
Evacuees from Mariupol are seen upon arrival at the car park of a shopping centre on the outskirts of the city of Zaporizhzhia, which is now a registration centre for displaced people. AFP
Legislators applaud Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's president, after an address via video link at the Bundestag in Berlin. Bloomberg
Legislators applaud Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's president, after an address via video link at the Bundestag in Berlin. Bloomberg

The dive-bombing Switchblade, made by AeroVironment, has been used by US commandos since it was secretly sent to Afghanistan in 2010 for use against the Taliban.

The larger 600 model is effective against armoured targets and can fly for more than 40 minutes. It was not immediately known which models are being sent to Ukraine.

The Switchblade cruises at 100kph and provides “operators with real-time video downlinks for a centralised view of the area of operation” and also has a “wave-off capability” to adjust targets in flight.

Turkish drones in Ukraine

Ukrainian servicemen with a Bayraktar TB2 drone during military exercises last year. Barcroft Media / Getty Images
Ukrainian servicemen with a Bayraktar TB2 drone during military exercises last year. Barcroft Media / Getty Images

Ukrainian forces already have a fleet of Turkish-made drones that drop precision-guided weapons.

The Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles, which carry lightweight, laser-guided bombs, normally excel in low-tech conflicts.

They carried out unexpectedly successful attacks in the early stages of Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, before the Russians were able to set up their air defences in the battlefield, said land warfare expert Jack Watling, of the Royal United Services Institute in London.

“The (TB2s) shouldn’t be making a meaningful impact because they are medium altitude, slow-flying aircraft with a large electromagnetic signature and a large radar cross-section. And the Russians have very capable air defence systems, so they should be being shot down. The terrain is very open and gives good radar coverage,” Mr Watling said.

He said Ukrainian forces “have been essentially flying in at a low-level and then coming up and raiding with them. So striking targets of opportunity”.

In a briefing to the British Parliament, Defence Minister Ben Wallace praised the drones, as he did other weapons donated to Ukraine by the West.

“One of the ways they are delivering close air support or actual fire in depth is through the Turkish TB2 UAVs, which are delivering munitions on to their artillery and indeed their supply lines, which are incredibly important in order to slow down or block the Russian advance,” Mr Wallace said.

Turkey began selling the TB2 drones to Ukraine in 2019.

Other US weapons

The newly-promised weapons and equipment include:

  • 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems
  • 2,000 surface-to-air Javelin missiles, which can be shoulder-launched or fired from a launcher
  • 1,000 light anti-armour weapons
  • 6,000 AT-4 portable anti-tank weapons
  • 100 tactical unmanned systems, which officials say is the Switchblade
  • 100 grenade launchers
  • 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns and 400 shotguns
  • More than 20 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds
  • 25,000 sets of body armour and helmets

The US has already delivered or promised $1.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. This includes:

  • More than 600 Stinger anti-aircraft systems
  • About 2,600 Javelin anti-armour systems
  • Five Mi-17 helicopters
  • Three patrol boats
  • Four counter-artillery and counter-unmanned aerial system tracking radars
  • Four counter-mortar radar systems
  • 200 grenade launchers and ammunition
  • 200 shotguns and 200 machine guns
  • Nearly 40 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and more than a million grenade, mortar, and artillery rounds
  • 70 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and other vehicles
  • Secure communications, electronic warfare detection systems, body armour, helmets, and other tactical gear
  • Military medical equipment to support treatment and combat evacuation
  • Explosive ordnance disposal and demining equipment
  • Satellite imagery and analysis capability
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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