Ukraine’s military intelligence unveils technical details of Russia’s S8000 BanderoL cruise missile

The S8000 missile was developed by Kronstadt, a Russian defence contractor currently under international sanctions. The missile’s primary launch platform is the Orion UAV, also manufactured by Kronstadt, with efforts underway to adapt it for deployment from Mi-28N attack helicopters.

One of the unique features of the S8000 is its enhanced manoeuvrability, allowing it to perform tighter turns compared to other Russian cruise missiles, including the Kh-101, 3M-14, 9M727, and Kh-69. Despite this, it maintains a classic cruise missile flight trajectory.

The missile is equipped with a warhead weighing up to 150 kg and can cover a distance of up to 500 km at a cruising speed of 500 km/h. It uses aviation kerosene as fuel, contributing to its operational efficiency.

The S8000 incorporates several foreign-made components, reflecting a reliance on imported technology despite sanctions. Key parts include the Swiwin SW800Pro jet engine from China, RFD900x telemetry module (either Australian-made or its Chinese clone), inertial navigation systems likely sourced from China, and Murata batteries from Japan.

Additional components include Dynamixel MX-64AR servos by Robotis from South Korea and the CRP-shielded Comet-M8 antenna developed by Russia’s VNIIR-Progress. This antenna is also utilised in Geran drones and UMPK/UMPB guided kits.

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine also identified around 20 microchips from the United States, China, Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea embedded within the missile’s electronic systems. Most of these foreign electronic components are supplied through Chip & Dip, one of Russia’s largest electronics distributors.

In total, more than 20 key components of the S8000 missile have been identified, along with approximately 30 companies involved in its manufacturing or supply chain. The disclosure raises further concerns about the effectiveness of international sanctions aimed at restricting Russia’s access to critical military technologies.

Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.