During a visit to Moscow, Russian defense leadership observed ongoing work at the Avangard machine-building plant, a facility known for its production of modern anti-aircraft missiles. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the visit highlighted key developments in the plant’s output and technological upgrades. The officials were shown how the enterprise is intensifying its manufacturing capabilities to meet strategic needs, with a focus on improving efficiency and expanding capacity to support national defense objectives.
According to the defense ministry, the plant has pursued significant capacity growth in recent years. A branch established in the Moscow region in 2023 has become a core node for production, while four additional workshops are in various stages of construction. These expansions have enabled Avangard to roughly double its output, and after modernization, the expectation is that production will double once more, reinforcing the plant’s role in delivering essential defense systems and components.
On 28 February, the defense chief emphasized the importance of aligning delivery schedules with the needs of the Armed Forces. The plan calls for adjusting timelines so that weapon systems and related equipment are supplied more evenly throughout the year, with a shift of some deliveries to the second and third quarters. The objective is to ensure uniform, predictable deliveries that support military readiness and operational planning across all quarters.
The visit also touched on the broader directive issued by the highest levels of leadership. President Vladimir Putin has instructed the preparation of a comprehensive program to guide weapon supplies, including funding decisions and the approval process for missiles, projectiles, vehicles, and transport-loading and launching systems for multiple launch rocket systems MLRS. Officials stated that work on these instructions is actively underway to translate strategic priorities into actionable procurement schedules and funding allocations.
Previously, Dmitry Medvedev, who served as Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, was associated with efforts to ensure that anti-aircraft missiles and related defense capabilities are steadily integrated into the Armed Forces. The current discussions and ongoing projects underscore a sustained focus on strengthening air and missile defense, technological modernization, and the reliable delivery of critical defense assets across all levels of government and the national security apparatus.