At the military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the start of the Algerian Revolution, the Military showcased it’s Russian anti-drone defense system Repellent 1.
The Russian anti-drone defense system Repellent 1, which was deployed for the first time to protect the parade venue and guests.
Repellent 1 was developed by the Russian Scientific and Technical Center for Electronic Combat. It is installed on the chassis of MAZ (MAZ-6317) or KAMAZ depending on the customers requirements.
Repellent-1 is a Russian electronic warfare system designed to suppress the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles at a distance of up to 30 to 35 km (19 to 22 mi). Based on a Kamaz chassis, it is equipped with a radar that can detect drones, including micro drones.
According to a Russian manual accessed by Military Africa, it explains that the Repellant-1 C-UAS detects UAVs via their Radio Frequency links. These connect the aircraft to its Ground Control Station. This allows commands to be sent up to the UAV and imagery and other information gathered by the UAV to be shared. These links typically use frequencies of 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz. UAVs also depend on RF links to receive GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) navigation signals on frequencies of 1.1GHz to 1.6GHz. Frequencies of circa 900MHz up to 5.8GHz are utilised to transmit video imagery to the GCS or other users on the ground. Theoretically, all these links can be engaged with the Repellent-1’s jamming system.
The Repellent-1 can detect and jam signals on frequencies of 200 megahertz/MHz to six gigahertz/GHz with between 200 watts/W and one kilowatt of jamming power. The literature claims a UAV’s RF signals can be attacked at ranges of up to 19 nautical miles/nm (35 kilometres/km). Up to twelve UAVs can be jammed simultaneously. Meanwhile, the documentation says it takes the Repellent-1 up to 25 seconds to detect and jam a UAV.
The development of “Repellent-1” was completed in 2016 and the system shown at an exhibition in Moscow, and other defense exhibitions.
The system has been successfully deployed in combat during the Armenian-Azerbaijani border conflict, and current Russia-Ukraine war.
The proliferation of drone technology across Africa has significantly expanded humanitarian, and military operations, although, still an emerging technology in the continent, however, in the hands of non-state armed groups, they pose a significant threat.
As drones become increasingly accessible and affordable, their usage has grown exponentially across the African continent. While drones have numerous beneficial applications, such as in agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response, they are also being employed by non-state actors for illicit activities, posing significant security challenges. Non-state actors, including insurgent groups, terrorists, and criminal organizations, have been leveraging drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and weapon delivery purposes. Despite the growing threat posed by drones in Africa, many African militaries are falling short in fielding adequate counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solutions, leaving security forces vulnerable to emerging threats.
Meanwhile, Russia and Egypt have agreed to cooperate on the licensed production of Russian civilian anti-drone systems called Zashchita (Protection) at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2023, which is held in Cairo from December 4 to 7.
