Russia proposes drone production boost in Belarus
Russia has suggested to Belarus that it constructs drone factories on its territory, which could produce up to 100,000 drones annually. Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that this represents a "huge prospect" for his country, according to reports from Russian and Belarusian media. The project was proposed by one of Vladimir Putin's key advisers.
Russia will build a drone factory in Belarus to "ensure security" for its key ally, reported Belarusian state media. The initiative came from one of Vladimir Putin's key advisers and deputy head of his administration, Maksim Oreshkin.
During a joint viewing of the Russian drone exhibition in Minsk, Oreshkin informed Lukashenko that Russia could build the factories in Belarus. He mentioned that such facilities could be constructed within a year and would produce "all key components," using Russian technical solutions.
We are ready to build a factory, Lukashenko declared. He added that this is a "huge prospect" for his country.
- It is very important for Belarus to have its own production facilities that will make the country's economy and security sector truly sovereign. These facilities will use the technologies and solutions that Russia has, said Maksim Oreshkin.
Russia is using drones extensively in the war with Ukraine
Once full production capacity is achieved, the factory would produce up to 100,000 drones annually. Moscow and Minsk need to finalise the remaining details of the factory construction, including its location.
The Belsat TV portal noted that Oreshkin pointed out that drones are "changing both the civilian and military spheres," without mentioning that Russia is using them extensively in the war against Ukraine.
He reminded that Belarus currently produces its own drones, but it is unknown in what quantities and whether they are supplied to Russia. There have been no indications suggesting that this production is on a massive scale.
