Over 70% of Russian drone manufacturers are small and medium-sized enterprises. “Over the past 3 years, the number of manufacturers of unmanned aviation systems (drones) and their components in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) segment has almost doubled - from 356 in 2022 to 619 enterprises in 2025, according to data from the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Corporation. At the same time, the total number of such companies in Russia is 889, including large enterprises. In 2023, their income amounted to about 45 billion rubles, and by the end of 2024 may exceed 50 billion rubles“, the corporation reported.
Unmanned aerial vehicles are needed not only on the front line - their use significantly increases the efficiency of monitoring large industrial facilities, forest areas when searching for fires or people, as well as in agriculture. "Over the past 3 years, Russia has significantly increased its competence in the development and production of drones, and this trend must be continued by creating the necessary regulatory framework and state support measures", experts conclude.
According to the organization, the number of employees at enterprises producing unmanned aviation systems in the SME sector is about 7,200 people. This is largely due to the implementation of state support measures for the SME segment, explained Alexander Isaevich, CEO of the SME Corporation. "In 2024 "almost every third UAV manufacturer has used such measures to launch or expand production, including preferential leasing of production equipment," the organization specifies.