In a secret factory, engineers at an active industrial center in Russia worked on a plan. The team was secretly tasked with building a 24/7 production line to manufacture self-destructing drones, weapons that President Vladimir Putin’s forces can use to bomb Ukrainian cities.
Drone Factory in Russia
A former official from the Russian Federal Security Service was appointed to oversee the security of the program. Employees’ passports were confiscated to prevent them from leaving the country. In correspondence and other documents, the engineers used encrypted language: drones were referred to as “boats,” explosives were called “barriers,” and Iran – the country secretly providing technical assistance – was referred to as “Ireland” or “Belarus.”
Russian-Iranian Arms Deal
This $1 billion deal between Russia and Iran aims to build 6,000 drones by the summer of 2025 – enough to offset the Russian army’s shortage of drone vehicles on the front line. If successful, the new massive drone factory could help Russia maintain its dwindling supply of precision munitions, hinder Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim occupied territories, and significantly bolster Moscow’s position in the drone arms race reshaping modern warfare.
Challenges of the Deal and Production Delays
Documents indicate that the factory faces challenges, including “doubts about its ability to achieve the required employment levels,” but they warn that Russia may be able to overcome those difficulties. Estimates suggest that the factory in the Alabuga special economic zone is at least one month behind schedule. The factory has assembled drones supplied from Iran, but it has only produced drone airframes, possibly no more than 300 drones, according to researchers’ estimates.
Challenges in Obtaining Components
Documents indicate that obtaining the necessary components to build the drones is an immediate challenge, as Western restrictions have hindered Russian access to foreign-produced electronics. A detailed inventory, based on data provided by Tehran to Russia, shows that more than 90 percent of the chips and electrical components needed to build the drone are made in the West, primarily in the United States. According to the document, only four of the 130 electronic components are manufactured in Russia.
Delay in Hiring
Documents indicate that the factory is struggling to fill specialized positions in the facilities, as it was supposed to have 810 employees for three shifts a day. The production team lacks experts in key and complex drone development fields, including electronic warfare systems.
Other Challenges
Russia faces additional challenges in this deal, including a lack of specialized local engine manufacturing. Russia is working on developing its own version of the German Limbach Flugmotoren L550E engine, which Iran acquired illegally two decades ago. To achieve the project’s final stage, Russia will need to create its own version of the engine, which engineers described in internal documents as their toughest task.
Despite the challenges facing this deal, Russia is working hard to improve and develop the drones. They have replaced unreliable Chinese electronic components with more reliable alternatives and have improved the drone’s airframe design.
Despite the challenges facing this deal, Russia is working hard to improve and develop the drones. They have replaced unreliable Chinese electronic components with more reliable alternatives and have improved the drone’s airframe design.
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