The Samara region is moving ahead with a new drone platform, with plans to begin production in the region during 2024. The governor of the Samara region, Dmitry Azarov, stated this during a public briefing. A regional drone production cluster is taking shape, and several drone models are already undergoing pilot testing in controlled environments. Early results are encouraging, and some configurations are anticipated to receive verification from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation before any large‑scale manufacturing is launched.
Azarov also noted that the region intends to build additional manufacturing plants and expects the introduction of a completely new drone design in 2024. The plan includes expanding capabilities to cover a broader range of unmanned systems, with the goal of delivering domestically produced platforms for defense and civilian uses.
Earlier reports indicated that a major state‑owned defense concern signaled intentions to raise output and advance the development of new tactical drones in the coming year. Industry observers have also mentioned that the government plans to establish a working group within the State Radio Frequency Commission to help determine the optimal frequencies for unmanned aerial vehicles, ensuring compatibility and safe operation across national airspace.