In Russia, the shortage of personnel in the civilian unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sector is estimated at approximately 14.5 thousand specialists. This was announced by Maxim Avdeev, CEO of the Federal Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, who described the situation as one of the key factors hindering the industry's development.
According to the center, the main shortage is among unmanned aircraft system operators – about 12 thousand people are needed. There is also a shortage of specialists in maintenance, data analytics, and operator training.
It is separately noted that by 2026, the greatest demand for personnel will be formed in the agricultural sector, where about 4.6 thousand specialists will be required. Significant needs are also predicted in forestry, construction and housing and communal services, as well as in the fuel and energy complex.
The industry center emphasizes that the problem is shifting from a lack of technology to a lack of trained personnel. In this regard, the development of educational programs and systematic training of operators and instructors is considered a key condition for scaling the civilian drone market.
