Russia ZALA Aero Group
Lancet-3
A compact X-wing loitering munition that has become one of the most widely used Russian precision strike drones in the war in Ukraine, employed against armored vehicles, artillery and other high-value targets. Publicly cited cost and production figures are commonly-cited estimates.
In service since 2019 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
110
km/h
40
km range
5,000
m ceiling
💲 ≈ $35,000, Heavily disputed, consistent with the general uncertainty around Russian loitering-munition pricing. The most commonly cited figure is around 3 million rubles, roughly $35,000, but this number is difficult to verify given Russian state secrecy around defense production costs. Ukrainian defense sources reported in May 2026 that specific export or upgraded variants, referred to as Lancet X-52 and X-51, run from about $40,000 to $68,000, and broader public estimates span anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the source and variant.
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Russian state channel
Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.
Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 2019. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
$88K – $123K
Acquisition is only ~30% of lifecycle cost, operating & support dominate over ~20 yrs. Rough 2.5–3.5× the unit price. How we estimate this →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 110 km/h |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 40 km |
| Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon. | 5,000 m |
| Endurance Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage. | 0.8 h |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 3 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Shaped-charge/fragmentation warhead |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span. | 1.65 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 12 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 0 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Electric motor, pusher propeller |
|---|
Sensors & avionics
Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.
| Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights. | Electro-optical seeker |
|---|---|
| Datalink Network connectivity: Link 16, MADL, national datalinks. Enables cooperative engagement. | Encrypted two-way LOS datalink |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Unit cost Approximate flyaway/unit cost where public. Defense pricing varies hugely by contract, offsets and configuration. Lower is cheaper. | $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
Specifications compiled from public ZALA Aero Group and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Harop Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3? +
The ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 has a maximum speed of 110 km/h.
What is the range of the ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3? +
The ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 has a maximum range of 40 km.
How much does the ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 weigh? +
The ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 has a combat weight of 12 kg.
How many crew does the ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 require? +
The ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 requires a crew of 0.
What is the ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 used for? +
The ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 is a uav / drone typically used for deep strike, anti armor.
How many countries operate the ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3? +
The ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 cost? +
The ZALA Aero Group Lancet-3 has an approximate unit cost of 35,000 USD. Defense pricing varies by contract, offsets and configuration, treat this as directional.
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