Official: Russia to expand interference-resistant UAVs, strategic forces

Russia’s Defence Minister Andrei Belousov announced plans to modernise the country’s unmanned systems and strategic military capabilities during the Russian Defence Ministry’s year-end meeting, highlighting the growing importance of artificial intelligence and interference-resistant technologies.

Belousov said that Russia’s unmanned systems forces will need to be equipped with new types of reconnaissance and strike drones, including those with artificial intelligence, alongside ground control stations, repeaters, autonomous power sources, and enhanced communication systems. He emphasised that the current provision of robotic platforms meets only 20% of the armed forces’ demand and stressed the need to expand capabilities in the coming year, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

The minister also drew attention to developments in Russia’s strategic nuclear forces, noting that the nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Pozharsky, armed with Bulava missiles, had been added to the naval nuclear component this year.

Belousov outlined what he described as a shifting military-political landscape over the past three years. He claimed that NATO continues to build up coalition forces, modernise air and missile defence systems, and prepare for the deployment of medium-range missiles. 

According to the official, NATO is also reforming its mobilisation and deployment systems, enhancing the operational readiness of its troops on the eastern flank, and planning a so-called “military Schengen” to facilitate troop movements.

He warned that NATO’s military spending is rising sharply, with the alliance’s annual budget currently at $1.6 trillion. Belousov projected that, with gradual increases to 5% of member countries’ GDP, the budget could reach $2.7 trillion, which he said is part of NATO’s broader plan to achieve readiness for potential confrontation with Russia by 2030.

By Sabina Mammadli