In an apparent bid to reduce dependence on Chinese drones, Russia’s state-owned defense contractor Almaz-Antey Concern has begun manufacturing small civilian aircraft at scale. The company says its aim is to assemble 400 drones in November, with another 1,000 units being produced in December when the product goes on sale.

Almaz Antey’s North-West Regional Center (NWRC) in St. Petersburg is the designated production hub for this project, which was envisioned as part of a program to diversify Russia’s military-industrial complex. Almost all the components of the drone, including the carbon fiber for its body, flight controller, and software, are being produced indigenously by Almaz-Antey.

The company says the final product will be a high-performance device, boasting popular consumer drone features, but with functionality that is simple enough for even a novice user. It will be lightweight but have enough strength to withstand strong winds and extremely cold…

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Source: dronedj.com