Russia's Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov has revealed a major leap in Russia's defense industry. Alikhanov stressed that unmanned aerial vehicle production is measured in millions and that production capacity runs into tens of millions.
In an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda radio, the minister said all needs of the Russian military are being fully met. Alikhanov said, "If we look at the growth in our industrial production since 2022, i.e., since the start of the conflict, output in some categories has increased more than 20-fold. This process is not yet complete; we continue to grow."
UAV production in the millions
Alikhanov noted that under Russia's defense industry development program, emphasis is placed on innovative solutions as well as standard weapons. The minister said, "The second part is innovative developments, the UAVs we produce by the millions. Our production capacity is at the level of tens of millions."
Laser systems for drone defense and savings
Alikhanov also touched on the laser systems Russia has developed to counter drones, revealing that at one facility, around 60 drones were downed in a month using this system. Alikhanov said, "This means savings of hundreds of millions of rubles from unfired anti-aircraft missiles. In fact, only the cost of electricity is incurred."
Combined detection system and facilities vacated by foreign companies
The minister said that countering drones fundamentally requires a unified detection system. Alikhanov also noted that factories abandoned by foreign companies continue to operate, saying, "The Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad now works mainly with Chinese partners. In Kaluga, there is a joint venture between Russian investors and Chinese partners."
Sanctions and new opportunities
Alikhanov argued that decisions by foreign suppliers based on political grounds are illegal. The minister said, "These sanctions are a dishonest method of fighting against potential new technology leaders. By breaking this monopoly, we can offer India, China, Indonesia, and all countries of the global majority an opportunity to diversify their risks and free themselves from the new colonial dependence created by the Western bloc."
Noting that the West's behavior benefits Russia, Alikhanov added, "The West's unjust and crude behavior gives us an advantage in the eyes of our potential customers in Asia, Africa and Latin America."
Electric transport and domestic aircraft
The minister said Moscow is a leader in electric transport and that lithium-ion battery production will soon begin in the New Moscow area. He also said that the Il-114-300 aircraft, presented at the St. Petersburg Forum, has better fuel efficiency than its competitors.
