Russia’s UAV Push: From Prototypes to a National Drone Ecosystem

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Belousov announced in Novosibirsk at Archipelago-2023 that a new industry could be born from the efforts underway. The official noted that the Russian industry still lacks some elements necessary to produce fully finished drones. Still, he argued that the prototype line is largely complete, with only a few components left to source.

On drones themselves, Belousov stated that the work is nearly complete. He emphasized that Russian drones are not inferior to foreign models and, in some aspects, may outpace them. The official added that domestic engine manufacturers are in demand among foreign partners, highlighting the growing international interest in Russian propulsion and power systems.

Preliminary projections place around 300 billion rubles into a national program dedicated to unmanned aerial systems for 2024 through 2026.

Belousov described the program as a substantial investment that requires careful budgeting. He cautioned that exact figures were not ready for disclosure, but shared initial estimates: 48 billion rubles for 2024, 117 billion for 2025, and 148 billion for 2026. He noted that roughly 70 companies in the Russian Federation are already involved in unmanned systems, with about 20 of them operating at a large scale. The plan for 2024 foresees production of approximately 18 thousand large and medium UAVs weighing under one kilogram, excluding certain UAV variants.

The topic of UAVs has gained prominence in national policy. President Vladimir Putin described the field as one of the most important areas of activity during a meeting with industry representatives earlier this year. He cited a projected spending trajectory that begins with a conservative estimate of 500 billion rubles and could rise to around one trillion rubles with active state participation, underscoring a major strategic commitment to unmanned aviation.

Putin also pointed to the broad potential of unmanned aviation to boost the economy and to address practical needs across the country. Drones are seen as tools to deliver food, medicine, and mail to remote regions, monitor industrial facilities and infrastructure, and support the reliability of power lines and pipelines.

Armed forces are also set to expand their reliance on drones. The head of state announced that efforts to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles and robotic attack systems will continue, including accelerating mass production through updated programs, and emphasized the inclusion of drone operation courses in educational curricula, from schools to higher education. He suggested that teaching young people how to manage, assemble, and design drones could engage them in useful, productive work.

A six and a half year plan is in place to shape the sector. In late June, the government approved a strategy for unmanned aircraft development through 2030 and beyond to 2035. The strategy envisions a new branch of the economy centered on civilian drone creation and use within that period. It highlights five focus areas: stimulating demand, advancing system development and mass production, building large production hubs, expanding infrastructure, and prioritizing education and research. Parallel to the strategy, a national project for unmanned aerial systems is being developed. Regional authorities have until October to outline their programs for unmanned aerial system development and to declare land availability for route networks and necessary infrastructure, ensuring alignment with the broader national plan across connected regions. This coordinated approach aims to transform UAVs from a niche capability into a pervasive element of national industry, security, and daily life. [citation attribution to official government and executive communications]

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