Belarus to build vertical takeoff drones

Minsk, April 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Belarusian military plans to develop a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with vertical takeoff and landing capability.

"We are considering a wide range of UAVs with VTOL capability -- from mini-sized to medium and heavy class UAVs," said Sergei Gurulev, chairman of the Belarusian State Military-Industrial Committee in this Central Asian nation that was once a part of the Soviet Union.

Several Belarusian defence firms have done research and development work, and made progress in this area, he said in an interview with VPK.Belarus publication.

Belarus has already developed a number of mini-UAVs and the medium-class Grif-1 tactical drone.

Grif-1 has an operational range of 100 km and can carry a payload of up to 30 kg.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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