Russia unveils TOS‑3 "Drakon": Game-changing long-range flamethrower

The Russian Ministry of Defence presented the new flamethrower TOS-3 "Drakon" for the first time, reports the Military Service. This may indicate the start of its deliveries to the army. The released footage shows the artillery system alongside other weapons that have been equipped in the newly formed 1st Mobile Guard Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces. Here is a reminder of what TOS-3 "Drakon" is.

TOS-3 "Drakon" is the successor to the TOS-1 "Solntsepyok" and TOS-2 "Tosochka" artillery systems, for which the Russian arms factory Omsktransmash has focused on increased range. TOS-3 combines the first-mentioned system's chassis and the second launcher. As we have already reported, this thermobaric weapon was patented in February 2024, and two months later, the Russians created a test copy. It seems they are now introducing it to the army.

Bekkhan Ozdoev, industrial director of Rostec State Corporation, interviewed the Russian state news agency TASS in April about the capabilities of the new Russian weapon. From his statements, it appears that the TOS-3 "Drakon" will be mounted on a tracked chassis and, thanks to the new launcher, will gain greater range. It will also allow for the use of new types of ammunition.

It is worth noting that the TOS-1 has a range of 6 to 10 kilometres, the TOS-2 ranges from 16 to 26 kilometres, and the TOS-3 will likely exceed 26 kilometres. Increasing the weapon's range will allow it to be positioned further from the front line, reducing the possibility of it being destroyed by enemy forces.

Available photos and videos indicate that the TOS-3 has 15 guides arranged in three rows of five. The Topwar.ru service notes that the TOS-3 will employ modern, improved navigation, data exchange, and fire control systems. Thanks to these, it will be ready to operate faster, and its accuracy will increase compared to the TOS-1 and TOS-2.

This is not the best news for Russia's adversaries, as such systems use powerful thermobaric missiles. As we have already explained, during an attack with such a weapon, the temperature at the epicentre reaches 3000 degrees Celsius. In such conditions, in the zero zone, everything evaporates, and all the surrounding oxygen is consumed. The site of the attack thus turns into a deadly trap.