ZALA Z-16 / 421-16E
An electric Russian reconnaissance aircraft identified in GUR’s catalogue as Z-16 (421-16E). The ZALA family also contains several differently configured aircraft.
- Country / region
- Russia
- Programme status
- Use documented
- Sources reviewed
- 20 Sept 2026
- Primary domain
- Air
- System type
- Reconnaissance aircraft
- Developer / manufacturer
- ZALA / CST
- Origin / production countries
- Russia
- Other names
- Zala 421-16E; Z-16
- Variants / configurations
- Z-16 baseline; other numbered ZALA variants differ
- Operators / programme customers
- Russia
Evidence & current status
Identification and specification are attributed to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence. Captured-airframe evidence is stronger than a promotional claim, but one specimen does not establish every production variant or an independently verified fleet size.
Role & capabilities
- Reconnaissance aircraft
- Pneumatic launch; parachute recovery
Specifications in context
- Airframe
- Electric fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Launch / recovery
- Pneumatic launch; parachute recovery
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Propulsion
- Electric motor
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Dimensions
- 2.815 m wingspan
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Mass
- 10.5 kg maximum take-off mass
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Endurance
- More than 4 h
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Range
- More than 75 km communications distance
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Speed
- 65–110 km/h
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Altitude
- Up to 5,000 m
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Payload
- More than 1.8 kg declared payload
GUR-published assessment or declared specification. A party to the conflict; not an independent performance test.
Source ↗ - Sensors
- Not established from the reviewed sources.
Public data gap; no estimate substituted. Follow the source for subsequent releases.
Source ↗ - Communications / navigation
- Not established from the reviewed sources.
Public data gap; no estimate substituted. Follow the source for subsequent releases.
Source ↗