In response to the emerging threat posed by Ukrainian boat drones, the Russian Air Force has reactivated a 60-year-old relic from its fleet. The Beriev BE-12 amphibious patrol aircraft has been sighted patrolling the Black Sea with the specific mission of tracking down and neutralizing these uncrewed boats, which have been utilized to carry explosive payloads targeting Russian warships. The drones have proven to be a formidable adversary for the Soviet-era flying boats, given their stealthy nature and advanced capabilities, surpassing the outdated sensor systems of the BE-12.
However, experts like Frederik Mertens, a strategic analyst from the Hague Center for Security Studies, suggest that the limited availability of Be-12 aircraft in the Black Sea Fleet makes them an unreliable solution against the Ukrainian uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) attacks. Mertens further indicates that the reliance on the Be-12 highlights the unpreparedness of Russia's naval air force. Originally designed for surveillance and submarine hunting, the Beriev BE-12 first took flight in the 1950s.
Glory To Ukraine!