Unmanned forces will become a separate branch of the armed forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at a meeting to review the main parameters of the draft state armament program for 2027-2036.
“We are currently creating unmanned systems forces as a separate branch of the military, and we must ensure their rapid and high-quality deployment and development. We know how the enemy operates. But overall, I don’t think we are lagging behind in any way. Moreover, I believe that we have accumulated sufficient experience to create this branch of the military. We are talking about training personnel, manufacturing and supplying modern equipment capable of enhancing the combat capabilities of our troops,” the president said.
At the meeting, Putin said that at the moment, drone operators are responsible for up to 50% of the destroyed and damaged equipment and facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The president also noted that drones are actively used for reconnaissance, counter-battery and electronic warfare, and for mining and demining the terrain.
It’s interesting to see how unmanned systems are becoming a key part of military strategy. Creating a separate branch focused on this technology shows a clear shift toward modernizing armed forces. The emphasis on training and equipment development highlights how important drones have become in both offensive and defensive operations.