Russia’s secret drone math: one Tatarstan plant could yield 28,000 more drone bodies a year
Leaked Rosatom documents describe a Tatarstan carbon fiber plant that could lift Russia's Shahed-type drone output 78% by 2029.
Russia is quietly expanding the capacity of its drone manufacturing plant in Tatarstan, which could potentially increase the number of drones it launches against Ukraine, according to Politico. The key to this expansion lies in the production of carbon fiber, a critical material for drone construction. The Kremlin is funding new production lines, with completion expected by the end of the decade, in an effort to out-build Ukraine's defenses.
Documents obtained by Politico from Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom reveal that the Alabuga-Volokno plant will add 500 tons of military-grade aerospace carbon fiber per year by 2029. This could lead to a 78% increase in drone production. Ukraine currently estimates Russia can build over 36,000 Shahed/Geran kamikaze drones annually.
However, carbon fiber is the bottleneck in drone production, as it keeps the airframes light and strong. Russia is investing in this raw material, rather than simply building more assembly lines. Construction for the new factory is already underway, requiring rapid construction to meet the 2027 completion date. The push to expand drone production comes as Russia intensifies its use of jet-powered Shaheds, which are harder to defend against with conventional defenses.
Ukraine has recently deployed its first jet interceptor and tested a new one in September, but the plant aims to out-build these defensive measures faster than Ukraine can scale them.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
