Drones Are Transforming Key Sectors of Russia’s Economy
The country’s drone market is expanding at breakneck speed, reshaping industries from farming to transport.
Russia is rapidly integrating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into transportation, construction, and agriculture — positioning itself among the world’s fastest-growing drone markets. Drones are taking over dangerous tasks, gathering high-precision data, and boosting efficiency across entire industries. By 2030, the market for drone-based services in Russia could reach 120 billion rubles (about $1.3 billion), with a fleet exceeding 180,000 active devices.
According to RBC, the Russian drone sector is expected to sustain annual growth of 60% through 2028, fueled by the national program “Unmanned Aviation Systems.” The initiative promotes demand for domestically produced drones and invests in manufacturing, regulation, and infrastructure — including the construction of dedicated droneports.
Agriculture Leads the Way
The biggest consumer of drones is agriculture, accounting for around 40% of the market in 2024. Agricultural drones monitor crop conditions, spray fertilizers and pesticides, and assess soil quality. Experts estimate that the technology helps Russia’s agro-industrial sector save over 500 billion rubles annually.
In construction, drones are used for surveying land, inspecting worksites, and ensuring safety. Aerial monitoring is significantly cheaper and faster than conventional geodesic surveying.
The transport sector uses drones to monitor road infrastructure and inspect hard-to-reach areas. AI-powered image processing accelerates diagnostics and decision-making, noted Anton Zhuravlev, deputy director for digital transformation at RosdorNII, Russia’s federal road research institute.
Building the Future Drone Economy
Experts agree that continued drone adoption depends on flexible regulations and strong support for pilot projects.
Russia’s push into unmanned aviation marks a turning point in its industrial modernization strategy. Beyond strengthening the domestic economy, the country’s drone ecosystem is contributing to global tech innovation, offering scalable, efficient solutions for industries worldwide.
