ZALA Kub-BLA
Russian loitering munition with precision strike and swarm capability.
The ZALA Kub-BLA, also called the Kub-UAV, is a Russian loitering munition and high-precision drone built by ZALA Aero Group, a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov Concern. Kalashnikov first showed it at the IDEX-2019 exhibition in Abu Dhabi. After launch, the drone can circle in the air, locate a target, and strike it from above. It delivers its payload based on manually entered target coordinates or an image from its guidance system. The Kub-BLA can also operate in a swarm. A variant with a larger warhead started reaching users in late December 2023. In February 2026, the Kub-10ME was presented as Russia’s first tactical guided munition with a range exceeding 100 km.
In combat, the drone has struck targets in Syria’s Idlib Governorate during the civil war and in Kyiv during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In May 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defence released footage of a Kub drone hitting an M777 howitzer. The Lostarmour project recorded at least 44 documented uses of Kub drones by December 2023. The manufacturer stated in December 2025 that it had recently obtained export licenses for the Kub-2 and Kub-10 models and had signed large supply contracts, fulfilled in March 2026.
Technical specifications: wingspan 1210 mm, length 950 mm, height 165 mm, payload capacity 3 kg, speed 80–130 km/h, and flight duration 30 minutes.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Russian Federation
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Used By
- Russian Armed Forces
- Wars
- Syrian civil war · Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Designer
- ZALA Aero Group
- Production Date
- 2019-present
- Payload Capacity
- 3 kg
- Speed
- 130 km/h
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Kub-BLA was first unveiled by Kalashnikov during the IDEX-2019 exhibition in Abu Dhabi. After launch, the drone can loiter in the air, detect a target, and then attack it from above. It delivers a payload according to target coordinates set manually or according to an image from the target guidance load. The drone can also be used in swarm mode. A new version with a more powerful warhead began to be supplied in late December 2023. The Kub-10ME version, the first Russian tactical guided munition with over 100 km range, was presented in February 2026.
Combat use includes targets in the Idlib Governorate during the Syrian civil war and during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv. In May 2022, footage of an attack on a M777 howitzer by a Kub drone was posted by the Russian Ministry of Defence. According to the Lostarmour project, there have been at least 44 documented uses of Kub drones as of December 2023. The manufacturer said in December 2025 that it had recently received licenses for the export of Kub-2 and Kub-10 models and concluded large contracts for their supply to a customer, which were executed in March 2026.
Reader's Guide
The ZALA Kub-BLA represents a significant development in Russian loitering munition technology, combining high precision with flexible targeting methods. Its ability to loiter and strike from above, along with swarm mode capability, distinguishes it from simpler drones. The introduction of a more powerful warhead in late December 2023 and the Kub-10ME version with over 100 km range in February 2026 show ongoing evolution. Combat use in Syria and Ukraine, including a documented attack on an M777 howitzer, demonstrates its operational deployment. The export licenses for Kub-2 and Kub-10 models and large contracts executed in March 2026 indicate growing international interest. The Lostarmour project's documentation of at least 44 uses by December 2023 provides a measure of its field activity. Overall, the Kub-BLA has established itself as a notable platform in the loitering munition category, with continued development and export potential.
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