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​russia Wants to Create the Dragon Flamethrower Tank Based on TOS-1, TOS-2

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russian TOS-1 Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system / Open source illustrative photo
russian TOS-1 Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system / Open source illustrative photo

This project looks like an attempt to remove weakness of russian TOS-1 Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system

russian Omsktransmash plant has patented a development under the TOS-3 Dragon index, which can essentially be called a flamethrower tank. This development has only been registered as a trademark with a schematic image so far. According to this, it can be concluded that russia's Omsktransmash wants to use the chassis from the TOS-1 Solntsepyokheavy flamethrower system as well as launchers from the TOS-2 Tosochka multiple launch thermobaric rocket system for its TOS-3 Dragon flamethrower tank.

russia Wants to Create the Dragon Flamethrower Tank Based on TOS-1, TOS-2, Defense Express
Sketch of russian Dragon flamethrower tank / Open source image

So, this may mean that russians are trying to solve the main problem of their TOS-1 Solntsepyok system in such way.

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As hostilities have shown, firing range of 6 to 10 kilometers is the main problem for russian TOS-1 Solntsepyok. Because of this, russian systems should get closer to the operative range of Ukrainian combat UAVs.

However, the TOS-1 Solntsepyok system has good cross-country ability due to the use of tank chassis.

russia Wants to Create the Dragon Flamethrower Tank Based on TOS-1, TOS-2, Defense Express
russian TOS-2 Tosochka multiple launch thermobaric rocket system at the battlefield in Ukraine / Open source photo

In turn, russian TOS-2 Tosochka has firing range of 15 kilometers to 24 kilometers, and this characteristic allows this self-propelled flamethrower to stay away from the possible affected area. The only one confirmed case of use of russian TOS-2 Tosochka in combat in Ukraine in January 2024 is known from open sources so far.

In particular, russians do not know yet how long it may take to create a self-propelled flamethrower using elements of the TOS-1 Solntsepyok and TOS-2 Tosochka as well.

Earlier Defense Express reported about whether russia has resources for the production of ammunition and weapons in general.

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