The Russian leadership has prioritized the approval of a national project dedicated to unmanned aerial systems, setting a deadline of September 1 and highlighting it as a key element in the forthcoming budget. This was announced by President Vladimir Putin during a forum focused on future technologies, according to TASS coverage.
Putin stressed the importance of taking a systematic view of the next wave of technological order to build the industries and markets that will define the future. He stated that the national program for advancing unmanned aerial systems was crafted with that long-term perspective in mind.
In his remarks at the future technologies forum, the president said that, in line with prior discussions with colleagues, the project should be approved by September 1, 2023, and its priority should be reflected in the 2024 budget as well as in the planning horizon through 2026. The plan aligns with the government’s broader strategy to accelerate technological modernization and foster domestic capabilities in high-tech sectors.
Earlier that month, the government press service reported following a strategic session led by First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov with Russian drone manufacturers. The session reinforced the commitment to have the national drone development project approved by the September deadline. Prior to this initiative, Russia had already established a national program dedicated to the development of unmanned aerial systems, signaling a deliberate policy shift toward autonomous aviation technologies.
Additionally, authorities referenced related measures to advance drone-related capabilities, including the deployment of a new system designed to suppress unauthorized drone activity. This broader approach underscores the government’s aim to integrate UAS technologies across multiple sectors while safeguarding security and regulation considerations.