The domestic market for unmanned aircraft systems is undergoing a period of transformation.

Five years ago, civilian drones were perceived as expensive toys or a highly specialized tool of surveyors. Today, the situation is radically different. According to GuideMarket analysts, the production of civilian UAVs in 2024 amounted to about 57 thousand units, which is 23% higher than the previous year. Behind these figures is the formation of a full-fledged industry with its own ecosystem: manufacturers, service providers, educational centers and a regulatory environment. Let's figure out what trends determine the development of the industry and what this means for business.

Current Market Condition: Facts and Figures

The Russian market of civilian UAVs is showing steady growth dynamics. According to a study by GuideMarket published in April 2025, the market volume of civilian commercial UAVs in 2024 increased by 27% compared to the previous year. The forecast for the coming years assumes an average annual growth of 25% until 2028.

At the same time, the structure of the market changes significantly. The share of domestic production, according to analysts, should increase from 22% to 46% by 2028. This is due to the policy of import substitution and active state support for manufacturers. The total volume of the UAS market, including the civilian and special segments, as of the end of 2024 is estimated at 335.9 billion rubles (according to a study by Peter the Great Polytechnic University for the Technet NTI).

State Strategy and Regulatory Regulation

In January 2024, the national project "Unmanned Aircraft Systems" was launched. The amount of federal funding until 2030 will amount to 696 billion rubles. The project includes 5 federal programs: demand support, R&D and serial production, infrastructure creation, educational initiatives, as well as work on future technologies.

In October 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade presented an updated version of the strategy. According to new estimates, the total volume of the drone market in the period 2031-2035 may range from 1.47 to 1.55 million units, which is significantly higher than previous calculations (989.5 thousand-1.04 million). At the same time, short-term forecasts were revised downward.

Experimental legal regimes

To develop technologies and scenarios for the use of UAS, experimental legal regimes (EPR) have been introduced in various regions:

// RCS for Russian Post - cargo transportation using heavy UAVs in the Kamchatka Territory, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
// EPR for the operation of agricultural UAS is valid in 12 regions of the country
// EPR "Aerologistics" – technological tests at the Alferyevo airfield (Moscow region) and the Orlovka site (Tver region)
// Regional EPR in the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Samara Region

The range of application of civilian drones is constantly expanding. The main consumers of UAVs in Russia are state and municipal bodies (the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Forest Guard, Rosreestr), large corporations in the oil and gas and energy sectors, the agro-industrial complex, construction and development companies.

Safety and security

For security industry organizations, drones have become a critical tool. Security companies, enterprise security services, law enforcement agencies and rescue services use UAVs when patrolling facilities, detecting offenses, organizing search and rescue missions, tracking fires and emergencies. Modern solutions allow you to integrate drone control into the overall security system of the facility through specialized software.

UAV Protection: The Flip Side of Technology

The development of unmanned aviation also creates new threats. Unauthorized use of UAVs can lead to leakage of confidential data, disruption of technological processes, and in extreme cases, to physical impact on critical infrastructure. This creates a steady demand for countermeasures systems.

Modern UAV protection systems include several levels:

// Detection and identification – RF detectors, radars, optical systems, lidars
// Suppression is electronic warfare equipment that interferes with control and navigation channels
// Engineering protection – physical barriers, mesh shelters to protect critical equipment
// Integration platforms are software for combining all subsystems into a single circuit
A wide range of anti-drone solutions is available on the Russian market. Kaspersky Lab is developing the Kaspersky Antidrone ecosystem, a comprehensive scalable solution for protecting various types of objects, from private households to critical infrastructure facilities. The system is capable of detecting threats from both serial civilian drones and specially prepared UAVs, including FPV vehicles.

Prospects and recommendations for business

Experts' forecasts point to continued market growth, although the dynamics may be uneven. According to the updated strategy of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, by 2030, the total length of unmanned transport corridors in the Russian Federation should be at least 19.5 thousand km. UAS market by 2030 may approach 500 billion rubles (according to the optimistic scenario of the Polytechnic University's study).

For security organizations, this means several practical takeaways:

// The need for an integrated approach - the integration of UAVs into the security loop requires not only the purchase of equipment, but also the training of personnel, the building of processes, and legal support
// Balance of capabilities and protection – it is important to plan both the use of UAVs and measures to protect against them
// Betting on domestic solutions reduces the risks of dependence on imports
// Focus on the regulatory environment – the regulatory framework is evolving rapidly

The market for unmanned aircraft systems in Russia has entered a phase of maturity. The stage of initial enthusiasm has passed, when drones were perceived as a universal solution for any task. An understanding of the real possibilities and limitations of the technology has been formed. The state provides large-scale support, but at the same time tightens requirements for safety and certification.

For the security industry, drones are no longer a question of "to use or not", but a question of how to use them effectively. Organizations that will be able to build a systematic work with unmanned technologies, both in terms of their use and in terms of protection against them, will gain a competitive advantage in the coming years.

Exposition "Air Safety: UAVs and Drone Technologies" at Securika Moscow

The section "Air Security: UAVs and Drone Technologies" at the Securika Moscow exhibition has become one of the key points of attraction for industry professionals.

In 2025, advanced technologies for detection, neutralization and protection against drones, including electronic warfare systems, passive barriers and integrated solutions for critical infrastructure, were presented here. The participation of such companies as KARNEEV SYSTEMS, Concern Sozvezdie, NPO KILOWATT, ELTECH-YUG, YUMIRS, PERGAM-ENGINEERING and others confirmed the demand for this area in the face of growing threats associated with UAVs.

In total, 17 companies took part in the section "Air Security: UAVs and Drone Technologies".

NPO KILOWATT, which took part in the Best Innovative Product 2025 competition, won in the Air Safety: UAV and Drone Technologies category, presenting a line of Hood electronic warfare stations with the letter "K".

Also, for the first time at Securika Moscow, the topics of the development of the unmanned aircraft systems industry were raised within the framework of the sessions "Drones vs Business: How to Build Effective and Legal Protection" and "Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Industry Development and Business Prospects".

The exhibition "Air Safety: UAVs and Drone Technologies" at Securika Moscow 2026 will feature new solutions. Among the participants: Wright, Karneev, Sozvezdie, Diagnostika-M, Pergam Engineering, Blokpost, LEMT and IMPRESA, Fensys.

Participation in the exposition "Air Safety: UAVs and Drone Technologies" will allow your company to:

// To demonstrate solutions to the target audience – 4,400+ specialists (27% of the total number of visitors to the exhibition), including representatives of energy, transport and critical infrastructure, were interested in this section.

// Hold an expert dialogue - the business program discussed trends, regulatory regulation and implementation cases, which allowed participants to adjust their developments to market demands.

// Conclude direct contracts - 39% of visitors had a purchase budget of 20 million rubles or more, and 92% influenced procurement decisions.

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Evolution of unmanned systems in Russia: what determines the future of the industry