Breaking News
Russia is Ready to Start Production of SKAT 350M an Advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
The unmanned aerial system (UAS) SKAT 350M, developed by Izhevsk Aviation Plant LLC (IAZ)—a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov Group—has been officially entered into the register of products manufactured in the Russian Federation. This major step, achieved under Government Resolution No. 719 of July 17, 2015, allows the SKAT 350M to participate in public tenders and execute government orders, marking progress for Russia's domestic drone industry.
The SKAT 350M is designed for a variety of missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and potentially electronic warfare support. (Picture source: Kalashnikov)
The expert report confirming the system's compliance with the requirements to be recognized as a product manufactured in Russia was issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Udmurt Republic.
The SKAT 350M is designed for a variety of missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and potentially electronic warfare support. It is believed to be equipped with advanced avionics, sophisticated communication systems, and offers payload versatility to meet various operational requirements. The drone likely has an extended operational range, allowing it to cover vast distances for intelligence-gathering missions.
The inclusion of the SKAT 350M in the official register has several strategic implications. For the Russian military, it is an opportunity to integrate a high-performance domestic drone, enhancing situational awareness and operational effectiveness on the ground. For the Izhevsk Aviation Plant and the Kalashnikov Group, it paves the way for increased revenues through government contracts and greater investment in research and development. This approach also supports Russia's objective of strengthening its technological independence by reducing reliance on foreign technologies and promoting domestic innovation in critical defense sectors.
The Izhevsk Aviation Plant has a long history in aircraft manufacturing and has recently focused on developing unmanned systems. As an integral part of the Kalashnikov Group—the largest Russian producer of automatic weapons and precision munitions—the plant benefits from extensive expertise and substantial resources in defense technology development.
The adoption of drones such as the SKAT 350M reflects a global trend toward the use of unmanned systems in military applications. Drones offer several advantages, including reducing risks to human pilots in hostile environments, increased economic efficiency over their operational life cycle compared to manned aircraft, and great versatility due to the ability to equip different sensors and payloads suited to various missions.
Government Resolution No. 719, issued on July 17, 2015, establishes the criteria for classifying products as manufactured in the Russian Federation. Compliance with this resolution is essential for manufacturers wishing to participate in government procurement processes. The inclusion of the SKAT 350M under this resolution attests to its adherence to national production standards.
The entry of the SKAT 350M into the Russian register of domestically manufactured products is an important step. It demonstrates Russia's commitment to improving its military capabilities through indigenous technologies. Of course, this drone will very likely be sent to Ukraine, where massive use will allow us to determine its quality and real impact on the battlefield; it also remains to be seen whether Russia will be able to produce this drone in substantial numbers.