Russia, Iran building combat drone factory in Tatarstan – report
Moscow and Tehran are discreetly intensifying their collaboration on combat UAV production by constructing a dedicated factory in Russia’s Tatarstan, Financial Times reported on July 6.
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The new factory will be operated by Albatross, a company specializing in "agricultural drone development." While this company is known for selling reconnaissance drones to the Russian Ministry of Defense, it is suggested that the factory might also manufacture Iranian-designed kamikaze drones, according to FT.
Ilya Voronkov, the co-founder of Albatross, acknowledged that he supplies drones to the Russian military. He also revealed that 70% of the components for these drones are sourced within Russia, while the engines are imported from China.
Albatross, previously known for its work in "agricultural technology," has constructed its new plant within the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan. The United States views this location as a hub for Tehran-backed efforts to enhance Moscow's drone production capabilities.
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The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security first reported Albatross’s presence in Alabuga in February, noting the region's surge in job postings for drone engineers. Starting from October 2022, the business park started seeking applicants for roles such as drone production director, drone designer, and chief drone technologist. Additionally, job postings for Farsi translators, required for business trips and translating technical documents, were listed by the business park.
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In June, the White House disclosed satellite images pinpointing two buildings in the Alabuga area as instrumental in Iran's endeavors to assist Moscow in augmenting its UAV production. "We are also concerned that Russia is working with Iran to produce Iranian UAVs from inside Russia," said White House National Security spokesman John Kirby.
FT identified Albatross as the company responsible for constructing the drone factory in one of these buildings.
Samuel Bendett, an expert in autonomous weapons at the Center for Naval Analyses, stated: "If Russia wants to do something covert with Iran, this is an advantageous location. It’s on the river that flows into the Volga, so you can bring parts by ship from Iran covertly."
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"It is very close to Kazan, one of Russia’s high-tech manufacturing hubs," he added. "All you have to do is take a boat cruise."
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