ZALA "Lancet-E": a new generation of the complex at the Dubai Airshow 2025

ZALA presented the next generation of the Lancet-E reconnaissance and strike system at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The system consists of the ZALA Z-16E reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and two loitering munitions—the Izdeliye 51E and Izdeliye 52E. The integration of all components into a single system enables a closed-loop system—from target reconnaissance to engaging them with precision weapons.

The new export version of the Lancet-E has improved performance characteristics. A key innovation is the machine vision algorithms integrated into the ZALA Z-16E reconnaissance UAV. This solution enables automatic detection, identification, and tracking of targets in real time. The Z-16E's hardware has also been upgraded: an updated data transmission platform ensures stable communication over a range of up to 50 km. The upgraded Z-16E has a flight endurance of 3.5 hours.

Loitering munitions have received improved characteristics. For example, the "Item 51E" now has a range of up to 45 km, while the "Item 52E" has increased to 35 km. The new versions of the ZALA loitering munitions are equipped with various warhead types: shaped-charge, shaped-charge fragmentation, projectile-forming fragmentation, and thermobaric. The Lancet-E RUK was first presented internationally in September 2024 at the ADEX defense industry exhibition in Baku. Since then, the system has been successfully demonstrated in more than ten countries worldwide, where it has generated significant interest from potential customers.