The Algerian Ministry of National Defence has confirmed the operational deployment of the Russian-built Kronshtadt Orion (Inokhodets), marking its first official integration into the People’s National Army’s (PNA) operational order of battle.
The announcement was made following a live-fire exercise in April 2026, where General Saïd Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of the PNA, oversaw the “Ouragan 2026” tactical drill in the Guezzam sector near Algeria’s southern border. During the exercise, the Orion-E conducted reconnaissance and precision strike missions against simulated targets, using laser-guided munitions in both static and mobile engagement scenarios.
The deployment confirms long-standing reports of Algeria acquiring the system and reflects a broader shift towards expanding unmanned capabilities for border security and counterinsurgency operations in the Sahel region.
The Orion-E is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV developed by Russia’s Kronshtadt Group, designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions. It has a maximum take-off weight of around 1,000 kilograms, a payload capacity of up to 250 kilograms and endurance of 24 to 30 hours. Powered by a rear-mounted pusher propeller, the system is broadly comparable in role to platforms such as the Bayraktar TB2, but features a larger airframe and different sensor suite.
The Algerian configuration is believed to include electro-optical and infrared targeting systems along with a laser designator for precision-guided weapons employment. Its deployment aligns with a wider regional trend of expanding MALE UAV fleets, with countries such as Ethiopia also integrating the Orion-E into service.
Algeria’s introduction of the system underscores a growing emphasis on persistent surveillance and rapid strike capability along its vast southern borders, where security challenges continue to evolve.
