The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, checked the implementation of the state defense order for the production of reconnaissance and attack UAVs by enterprises of the military-industrial complex in Udmurtia.

Thus, the head of the department inspected the work of production lines of drone samples at the enterprises of the Kalashnikov concern.

The management of the enterprises reported to Shoigu that the new workshops launched in 2022 made it possible to increase the production volume of drones by 60%, and in the future - to increase their production severalfold. At the same time, the introduction of new capacities will double the production of high-precision weapons, including Vikhr-1 air-launched guided missiles, Kitolov-2 guided artillery shells, and Strela anti-aircraft guided missiles.

In addition, the minister was shown new composite materials used in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles, which significantly increase their survivability.

In turn, Shoigu focused the attention of the enterprise management on the demand for anti-aircraft guided missiles.

“This is a very necessary thing, all critical infrastructure facilities, the economy - oil, gas, processing - must be protected with this product,” he explained.

  • Shoigu inspected the work of production lines of UAV samples

At the leading enterprise of the Zala Aero group of companies, which produces Lancet loitering ammunition and reconnaissance drones, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation was presented with new models of reconnaissance and attack UAVs, modified taking into account the experience of their use in the North.

At the same time, the specialists of this company are conducting proactive developments based on algorithms for analyzing and processing data in real time, advanced research in the field of data transmission channels and navigation systems. They will make it possible to link all the company’s products into a single system capable of effectively identifying and hitting enemy targets in an automated manner.

During a visit to the Unmanned Systems enterprise, Sergei Shoigu received a report on the development of a wide range of aircraft and helicopter-type drones with various payload options. The company’s employees have developed their own training and advanced training program for UAV crews, which allows them to quickly master and effectively use unmanned aerial vehicles during combat operations.

Summing up the results of his visit, the Russian Minister of Defense held a working meeting with the heads of defense industry enterprises and representatives of military command and control bodies, during which it was concluded that most of the tasks set a year ago had been resolved.

“Now we need to move on to the next stage, which is called “solving the problems received during the SVO.” Many of them are known to you. These are issues of relaying, control, guidance, target designation. The capacities that have been created allow us to solve most of the problems that we face today. I mean the fight against FPV drones, electronic warfare at the tactical level, and the use of artificial intelligence,” Shoigu said.

He also set new goals, which consisted of increasing the pace, quantity and quality of products by increasing the automation of production facilities.

  • The Russian Defense Minister held a working meeting with heads of defense industry enterprises

The day before, Sergei Shoigu visited the control point of one of the formations of the Western Group of Forces, checked the work of the headquarters of the group of troops covering the state border of the Russian Federation and held a meeting at the headquarters of the Joint Group of Forces.

In addition, he was shown footage of the destruction of enemy objects and equipment by the reconnaissance-strike complex: HIMARS MLRS, US-made M777 howitzers, positions of the S-300 division, as well as an ammunition depot of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

As noted in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the head of the department thanked the commanders of the groups for their skillful leadership of the troops, and the personnel for conducting successful offensive operations in most directions and mastering more advantageous positions by our troops.

At the same time, he instructed to keep under special control the issues of continuous and rhythmic supply of troop groups in the Northern Military District zone.