Russia expands air defence, drone capabilities, defence minister says

Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has discussed plans to strengthen air defence systems and expand the country’s unmanned systems capabilities during a meeting with military correspondents.

The meeting covered measures to improve air defence across Russian regions and in the conflict area, including the use of mobile fire groups to counter drone threats, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Belousov also discussed the development of Russia’s unmanned systems forces, including the production, contracting and deployment of drones, heavy unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned combat aircraft systems and unmanned boats.

The defence minister said the effectiveness of drone operations by specialised unmanned units is approximately three times higher than that of conventional military crews.

He added that mobile fire groups are being actively deployed in Russia to respond to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats, while a unified information system designed to improve awareness of drone attacks has been under development since April.

Belousov also announced that Russia is integrating an artificial intelligence system into its air defense network, saying the technology is expected to become operational by November.

By Sabina Mammadli