Russia is reportedly producing a hefty attack drone that could be used during strikes on both moving and stationary targets at land and sea.
The 20-ton aircraft is currently being developed by Russian manufacturer Sukhoi, according to LiveScience. Russian newspaper Pravda reported that the prototype could be finished by 2018. Although the details of the combat drones have not yet been publicized, the design and capabilities are expected to mimick American attack drones.
Russian officials told LiveScience these developments show Moscow's interest in building a strong drone program.
"From the point of view of theory, engineering and design ideas, we are not in the last place in the world," vice president of the Russian Academy of Geopolitical Issues Vladimir Anokhin told Pravda. "We have wonderful teams that have spent decades working on this, but we do not have enough hands. We do not have the industrial base, we do not have skilled workers who could produce a massive amount of those drones that we need so much now."
Russian expert on unmanned structures Denis Fedutinov agreed with Anokhin's comments, saying that Moscow still had a lot of work to do on its drone program because development of these kinds of systems have largely been deferred over the past decade.
"Indeed, due to a number of reasons, the development of unmanned aerial vehicles in Russia has been somewhat neglected. Currently, the Ministry of Defense of Russia is working to remedy this situation by initiating and funding a program to create a range of [drones] of different types and class," Fedutinov reported to Pravda.
Anohkin stressed the importance of establishing a fleet of drones, so that Russian defenses can become more self-sufficient and sustainable.
"Drones can be sent to combat zones, to explore and carry out regular observations, without risking human lives," he stated. "This is the next step in the development of aviation that has [a] future."
The American military currently sends out unmanned drones to compile surveillance, gain intelligence and execute attacks.
