Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at a strategic session on the development of unmanned aerial systems. Photo: Dmitry Astakhov/POOL/TASS
The government has announced plans to increase the production of drones: in the next 7 years, their production volume should double. This was announced by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at a strategic session on the development of unmanned aircraft systems on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Mishustin noted that there are currently tens of thousands of drones, but that they are mostly made by “technology enthusiasts.” Now the government intends to increase its production. The prime minister listed the tasks for the coming years: it is necessary to form an industrial software base, create infrastructure, develop scientific and technological competencies, national design and engineering schools.
Mishustin explained that drones can be used in various areas: from the delivery of goods to remote settlements to the prevention of emergencies and accidents. Currently the leaders in the use of drones in the civil sector are the energy sector, construction, agriculture, and they are also used for geodesy and cartography. Drones are also being tested in transportation and shipping.
The use of drones is already having an economic effect. According to Mishustin, in agriculture the productivity of labor in the treatment of plants with protective agents has doubled. And in the energy sector, the risk of emergency situations has increased eightfold due to the inspection of power lines. In addition, the speed of inspections has increased fivefold.
– In the fuel sector, the cost of air patrol of the gas pipeline has tripled. And the duration of work was reduced by 70%. Similar examples can be given for other industries: construction, mapping, geological exploration, environmental control and many more,” Mishustin said.
The government estimated that to increase drone production it would be necessary to train more than 1 million specialists, from developers to those who will operate them.
