2011 Syrian Civil War

Orlan-10 in the 2011 Syrian Civil War

Russian forces used Orlan-10 UAVs in Syria for target reconnaissance, strike assessment, artillery spotting, aerial imagery, 3D mapping, and search-and-rescue support.

Weapon profileOrlan-10
SideSyrian government and alliesRoleReconnaissance & SurveillanceTargeting Support
Orlan-10, Medium-range reconnaissance and electronic-warfare UAV, Aircraft & UAVs - 2011 Syrian Civil War
Image source: File:Orlan-10 (2).jpg

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
Russian forces deployed Orlan-10 UAVs in Syria during the 2011 Syrian Civil War.

Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

The Orlan-10 was one of the Russian UAV models that saw the most action in Syria, based on available imagery, Russian MoD UAV-camera videos, and loss reporting cited by CAST.

Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

Russian drones in Syria were used for target reconnaissance, strike assessment, and artillery spotting, with Orlan-10 and Forpost software suited to automated artillery fire-control integration.

Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

An Orlan-10 helped locate the surviving Russian Su-24M2 crew member after the November 2015 shootdown near the Turkish border.

Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

Timeline

Orlan-10 In 2011 Syrian Civil War

  1. Orlan-10 helps locate surviving Su-24M2 crew member

    CAST reported that an Orlan-10 helped locate the surviving crew member after a Russian Su-24M2 was shot down near the Turkish border, enabling extraction from rebel-held territory.

    Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

  2. Russian UAV deployment reaches about 70 drones

    CAST reported that by spring 2016 Russia had 30 UAV complexes, or about 70 individual drones, deployed in Syria, including Orlan-10 and Forpost aircraft.

    Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

  3. Additional UAV complexes reportedly deployed for ceasefire monitoring

    CAST reported that three more Russian UAV complexes, comprising six to nine drones, were brought to Syria to monitor compliance with a government-rebel ceasefire.

    Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

The Orlan-10 was used by Russian forces in the 2011 Syrian Civil War as a reconnaissance and targeting-support UAV. CAST's account of Russian UAV operations in Syria says the Russian UAV fleet deployed there included several Orlan-10 and Forpost aircraft, and identifies the Orlan-10 as the Russian UAV model, apart from Forpost, that saw the most action in Syria.

The same source describes Russian drones in Syria as being used to reconnoiter targets for airstrikes, assess strike results, and serve as airborne spotters for Syrian artillery. It specifically links Orlan-10 and Forpost software to automated artillery fire-control integration, while noting that many Syrian artillery-strike videos were recorded from UAV cameras.

Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

Dated milestones

By spring 2016, Russia had 30 UAV complexes, or about 70 individual drones, deployed in Syria. CAST reported that the deployed Russian fleet included systems from Army units as well as Orlan-10 and Forpost drones operated by Navy units.

The article also describes a November 2015 search-and-rescue use: after Turkey shot down a Russian Su-24M2 near the Turkish border, the surviving crew member was quickly located with the help of an Orlan-10, enabling extraction from rebel-held territory. In December 2016, additional Russian UAV complexes were reportedly brought to Syria to monitor a government-rebel ceasefire.

Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

Operational role

In Syria, the Orlan-10 functioned as a sensor and observation aircraft rather than an attack UAV. CAST describes its payload options as including stabilized day- and night-vision cameras and electronic-warfare devices, with live video transmission over long distances and the ability to use another Orlan-10 as an airborne relay.

Its Syrian use therefore centered on finding and observing targets, supporting Russian and allied land forces, adjusting or assessing fires, collecting imagery, producing 3D mapping, and supporting search-and-rescue tasks. CAST separately notes that there was no reliable public information that experimental Orlan-10 weapon-delivery prototypes had been used by Russian forces in Syria.

Sources: CAST Russian UAVs in Syria

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Sources