MOSCOW: Russian arms manufacturer Kalashnikov, renowned for creating the AK-47 assault rifle, announced on Friday the launch of a new division dedicated to the production of kamikaze drones, a pivotal weapon employed in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Inspired by the devastating efficiency displayed by Western, Israeli, and Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) employed by Ukrainian forces in the early stages of the war, Russia turned to Iranian-made Shahed drones while simultaneously endeavoring to bolster its own production capabilities.
Kalashnikov, based in Izhevsk and recognized as Russia’s largest producer of automatic weapons and guided artillery, disclosed in a statement: “Kalashnikov is commencing new UAV production.”
The newly established division at Kalashnikov will primarily focus on manufacturing loitering munition, commonly known as kamikaze drones, which are detonated upon identifying a target.
“The division’s main objective is to produce systems equipped with guided loitering munitions, intended for the precise destruction of individual and group enemy ground targets,” the statement explained.
In addition to the drones themselves, Kalashnikov, named after renowned designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, will manufacture launchers, control technology, and conduct research and development activities.
Kalashnikov to Significantly Increase Production of UAVs
Alan Lushnikov, President of Kalashnikov, remarked, “By 2024, we expect to significantly increase the production of UAVs within our established expertise, encompassing loitering munitions and reconnaissance drones.” However, specific production figures were not disclosed.
Drones, which first gained prominence when utilized by the United States during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, have since become a crucial tool for major military powers worldwide, utilized for intelligence gathering and target destruction.
Ukraine reported on Friday that Russia had launched 31 drones against its territory overnight, while Moscow claimed that two drones had struck the southern Russian city of Krasnodar.
Last month, President Vladimir Putin expressed his anticipation that the Russian drone industry could surpass $12 billion in value once plans to augment production are implemented.
Putin has called for a significant increase in drone production, with First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov stating that Russia aims to manufacture 18,000 drones per year by the end of 2026.
