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Vladimir Putin’s military chiefs revealed the drone taking to the skies for the first time – with the clip showing its takeoff, manoeuvres and landing.

Special coating over the body of the Russian aircraft make the unmanned craft “almost undetectable”, its designers boast.

The Okhotnik – meaning Hunter – drone has the capacity to fire unspecified missiles to a distance of 1,250 miles.

Designers boast it will be able to fly without a human operator using its “brain”.

And it is intended to be controlled by an operator based in a warplane when it comes into service with the Russian Air Force.

"The possibility is also envisaged for the drone’s completely autonomous flight without the operator’s participation when it takes off, performs its programme and lands only under the control of its own guidance system,” said a Sukhoi source.

The Siberian-made drone which lacks a tail wing has been under secret development for at least eight years.

Despite a takeoff weight of 20 tonnes, it is reported to be "practically invisible to radars” and has a range of up to 3,100 miles with a speed of 625 mph.

Russian deputy defence minister Alexey Krivoruchko has said that the Okhotnik was a priority for the Russian military.

(Image: EAST2WEST)

Last year, Russian defence chief Alexei Krivoruchko said: “The work on this project is a priority and it is proceeding at a good level. In the spring, we are expecting the first flight of this drone.

“This is a serious task for us.”

Russian Su-57 fighter planes have also been pictured carrying a new insignia showing the V shape of the Hunter.

It comes as military engineers around the world are attempting to develop more sophisticated unmanned weapons.

(Image: EAST2WEST) (Image: EAST2WEST)

Russian military chiefs have confirmed the test was a success – with the aircraft having a sleek flying wing design similar to the US’s much larger B2 Bomber.

The single-engine drone bears a visual resemblance to Lockheed Martin US RQ-170 Sentinel.

It is equipped with electro-optical spying, radar and other types of reconnaissance.

The recent maiden flight was at just under 2,000ft when it was controlled from the ground at an airfield near Moscow.

(Image: EAST2WEST)

Drone tanks, warships and bombers are all being rolled out by nations such as the US, China and Russia.

And countermeasures for the aircraft are also being developed so troops can disrupt the signals controlled the unmanned weapons.

Russian state media claimed the Kremlin signed a deal to develop the Okhotnik with the Sukhoi Aircraft Company in 2011.

Tensions continue to rage between Putin and the West, with today the Royal Navy intercepting a Russian warship in the English Channel.