Loitering Munition
ZALA KUB-BLA
The ZALA KUB-BLA is a small loitering munition made by ZALA Aero, part of Kalashnikov Concern, in Russia. Unveiled at IDEX Abu Dhabi in 2019, it weighs about 7 kg, carries a warhead of about 3 kg and has been used by Russia in Ukraine since 2022.
Russia|ZALA Aero (Kalashnikov Group)What Is the ZALA KUB-BLA? Overview, History and Development
ZALA Aero, based in Izhevsk, publicly unveiled the KUB-BLA in 2019. It is a flying-wing kamikaze drone with a delta airframe, about 1.2 m in span and 0.95 m long. An electric motor with a pusher propeller drives it, and it is launched from a catapult. Manufacturer figures give a cruise speed of about 80 to 130 km/h, an endurance of about 30 minutes and a range of about 40 km, although real-world performance is lower.
An operator guides the drone through an electro-optical camera, and it can also fly to set coordinates. AI target recognition is marketed by the maker. Russia has used the KUB-BLA in Ukraine since 2022, while earlier reports from Syria are unconfirmed. Export interest has been announced but no customers are confirmed. The heavier Lancet from the same company is far more widely seen. Rivals include the Switchblade, Warmate and STM Kargu-2.
ZALA KUB-BLA Specifications: Endurance, Range, Payload and Sensors
ZALA KUB-BLA Variants and Versions Compared
The KUB-BLA is the base 7 kg loitering munition with a warhead of about 3 kg.
The KUB-2 is a related designation for the ZALA loitering munition family, with details varying by source.
The Lancet is ZALA’s heavier loitering munition with 3 kg or 5 kg warhead options and is used far more widely.
Which Countries Use the ZALA KUB-BLA? Operators and Users
RussiaZALA KUB-BLA FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How much does the KUB-BLA cost?
The unit cost of the ZALA KUB-BLA is not officially published. Kalashnikov says it is cheap compared with missile alternatives, but no verified price exists, so any figure quoted is an estimate.
What is the range of the KUB-BLA?
The ZALA KUB-BLA has a manufacturer-stated range of about 40 km and an endurance of about 30 minutes. These figures come from manufacturer and press material, and real-world performance is reported to be lower.
KUB-BLA vs Lancet: what is the difference?
The ZALA KUB-BLA is a lighter 7 kg drone with a warhead of about 3 kg, while the Lancet is heavier, longer-ranged and has 3 kg or 5 kg warhead options. The Lancet is also used far more widely in Ukraine.
Which countries use the KUB-BLA?
The ZALA KUB-BLA is used by the Russian armed forces. Export interest has been announced, but no foreign customers are confirmed. Russian drones have been displayed at IDEX and the Dubai Airshow without confirmed Arab operators.
Is the KUB-BLA used in Ukraine?
The ZALA KUB-BLA has been used by Russia in Ukraine since 2022. Reports of earlier use in Syria are unconfirmed. Unlike the Lancet, it is seen less often in published footage.
KUB-BLA vs Kargu-2: which is better?
The ZALA KUB-BLA is a fixed-wing delta drone, while Türkiye’s STM Kargu-2 is a rotary-wing loitering munition that has been exported more widely. Neither is clearly better, since they differ in design, range and customers.