Russian defence strategy launches focus on AI development

Russian officials have unveiled a new 10-year defence plan that places a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, reflecting Moscow's intent to advance autonomous weaponry.

This initiative comes as Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine has intensified an AI arms race, particularly in aerial and land drones, which experts predict will shape future warfare, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Russian military has already integrated AI into its operations. For instance, autonomous technologies are present in ground robots like Marker, Platforma-M, Soratnik, and Uran-9, which have been deployed in the Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the country's missile systems have historically included autonomous targeting algorithms, such as the Soviet-era Perimeter program designed for nuclear retaliation.

As equipment returns from the battlefield, it is being upgraded with new AI technologies, including remotely controlled fire modules, automatic target tracking, and advanced propulsion systems, according to Vasily Elistratov, who oversees AI initiatives at the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Despite the current AI market in Russia reaching approximately 650 billion rubles ($7.3 billion) in 2023 — significantly less than Western expenditures — a dedicated AI budget has been introduced. This budget aims to accelerate the integration of AI into defence applications, supported by a new department within the Russian Defence Ministry.

AI development will focus on enhancing systems such as the S-500 air-defence system, including threat assessment and damage prediction for ballistic missile attacks. Experts predict that AI will also advance missile defence, artillery, and drone technology, with applications extending to aviation, artillery efficiency, and battlefield logistics.

Additionally, AI will be used to improve military production processes, including automatic quality control. However, challenges remain, such as a shortage of skilled personnel within the Ministry of Defence's scientific institutes, leading to increased reliance on government-owned industries like Rostec and the Era Foundation.

Rostec’s Roselektronika Holding has established an Artificial Intelligence Technologies Research Laboratory to explore AI applications in communications, virtual reality, big data, and machine learning. Meanwhile, the Era Foundation is funding innovative projects, including unmanned boats, remote-controlled turrets, and drone technologies, to advance mass production capabilities.