Authorities in Russia have developed a multi-level approach to build a "drone empire", becoming a world leader in this field. Their strategy is based on a significant amount of federal and regional funding, support for startups, and training for schoolchildren. This is written by military expert Linus Heller in an article for Defense news.
According to TASS, of the nearly 900 companies involved in drone production, 70% are small and medium-sized enterprises. Collectively, these small businesses employ more than 7,000 people.
According to Heller, Russia has allocated 243 billion rubles for drone production between 2022 and 2025. Another 112 billion rubles are planned for the next 3 years. This refers to dual-use UAVs (military and civilian).
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that by 2030 he would like to see the country as one of the world's technological leaders in the field of unmanned aircraft systems.
The authorities have provided funding for 11 centers where UAVs are being developed. For example, Moscow and St. Petersburg are focused on advanced R&D and high-tech developments, Tomsk produces electrical components and specialized onboard systems, and Perm creates engines.
The Defense news article also mentions the Geran-2 production plant in the Alabuga special economic zone (SEZ), the production facilities of Albatross, Integrated Robotics Technologies, and others.
In July 2025, Vladimir Putin, during a plenary session at the forum "Strong Ideas for a New Time," stated that Russia is paying a lot of attention to unmanned systems. And now there has been a significant breakthrough in this area. New effective products are attracting the attention of representatives from other countries, he noted.
Read more on the topic:
The Military Watch Magazine: Russia is capable of producing up to 500 Geran-2 strike drones per day
Defensa called the Geran-2 an exemplary example of a long-range kamikaze drone
Technology: 25,000 North Koreans may be sent to the Geranium production plant in Alabuga
Cruise missiles are not needed: reactive Geran-3 turned out to be invulnerable to air defense
