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The Title Should Be: “DJI Consumer Drones Remain the Go-To Choice for Russian Soldiers”
Russian soldiers have made it clear that they still prefer using consumer-grade DJI drones for their military operations. Despite being aware of vulnerabilities and attempts to find alternatives, these drones continue to be in high demand due to their ease of use, versatility, and availability.
The Russian military’s reliance on DJI drones has led to a massive scale of firmware hacks. It is estimated that over 100,000 Mavic 3 drones have been modified with the Firmware 1001 by August 2024. This indicates that the Russians are willing to invest in upgrading their drones rather than replacing them entirely.
While it is true that Russia is trying to develop its own domestic equivalents, these alternatives seem to be more expensive and less efficient compared to DJI’s mass production capabilities. The Russian military also finds comfort in using a brand they trust and have experience with, which might not be the case for their domestically produced drones.
In fact, some of the Russian military fundraisers specifically request DJI Mavics in their requirements due to their ease of use and reliability. As Bendett notes, “DJI Mavic is an easy-to-use drone right out of the box,” which makes it a preferred choice among troops.
The availability and upgradeability of consumer drones have allowed them to stay ahead in the battlefield despite security concerns.
