Russia has gone from importing drones to pouring billions of dollars into producing its own. It says it will soon be able to make 4,000 drones a day. The increase is having a big impact on the war in Ukraine.

Moscow

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Russia has rapidly scaled up its drone production, now manufacturing close to 4,000 drones daily through the use of 3D printing and advanced technologies. The country's drone arsenal has expanded from 140,000 units in 2023 to 1.4 million in 2024, including a variety of models such as first-person view (FPV) drones, low-cost kamikaze munitions, and heavy stealth drones.

These drones are being deployed for various purposes, including reconnaissance and combat, with some models capable of carrying explosives over long distances and returning to base. Russian officials estimate the domestic demand for drones could reach $12 billion by 2030, citing technological advancements that provide advantages in speed, altitude, and payload capacity over Western counterparts.

Russia ramps up drone production, reshaping the war in Ukraine

They're easy to print, cheap to mass-produce, and in Moscow, hundreds of drone quadcopters are made every day using 3D printing. Russia had just 140,000 drones in 2023, that's gone up to 1.4 million in 2024. And now it claims that factories like this are rolling out close to 4,000 drones every single day, and the number keeps rising. This drone is now being produced in large quantities and falls into a first-person view or FPV class. This drone can carry a mine over a distance of 10 kilometres, drop it and return. It can also be a reconnaissance drone. And in addition to cheap FPV and quadcopters, Russia's arsenal now includes low-cost kamikaze munitions built like Iran's Shahid family. The long-range Lancet has been one of the most effective weapons in the past three years of conflict. Russia is also expanding the production of reconnaissance drones such as the Orlan-10, and with the Okhotnik, is pushing towards heavy stealth drones. These multimillion-dollar drones usually accompany fighter jets. And that's why Russia's defence minister projects his country's demand for drones will be worth an estimated $12 billion by 2030. We use the latest technology and enhanced motors that allow us to carry more explosives over longer distances. We control the sky in speed and altitude due to new parts, electronics and artificial intelligence. This gives us superiority over Western developments.

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City operation

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Washington

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Brussels

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North Carolina

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New Delhi

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Hong Kong Island

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East Coast of the United States

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Los Angeles

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La Paz

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Kyiv

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Paris

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Russia ramps up drone production, reshaping the war in Ukraine

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