Ratel S

Ratel S overview

The Ratel S is a small unmanned ground vehicle developed in Ukraine, designed for reconnaissance and light strike missions at the tactical level. Part of the rapidly expanding Ukrainian defense ecosystem that has emerged during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Ratel S represents the type of small, affordable ground drone that Ukrainian forces have adopted for close-range combat support. The vehicle is typically equipped with cameras for reconnaissance and can carry small explosive payloads.

The Ratel S and similar Ukrainian ground drones have been used for missions including trench reconnaissance, under-vehicle explosive delivery, and close-range attack on fortified positions. These small ground drones have become an important tool for Ukrainian forces operating in the trenches and urban areas of the front lines. As of 2025, production of the Ratel S and similar systems has been scaled up by multiple Ukrainian manufacturers. Its significance lies in illustrating how modern warfare has driven rapid innovation in ground-level unmanned systems, with small, expendable ground drones filling tactical niches that larger systems cannot address.

Armament

TM-62 anti-tank mine or RPG warhead (kamikaze variant)

Development and operational timeline

1. Sep 2022Ratel S ground drone enters production for Ukrainian forces
2. Feb 2023Ratel S used for reconnaissance in trench warfare operations
3. Jul 2023Strike variant with explosive payload fielded
4. Jan 2024Production scaled up with improved electronics
5. Aug 2024Ratel S continues service alongside other Ukrainian ground drones