Russia Reportedly Producing Up to 50 Shahed Drones Per Day

Military expert Ivan Kyrychevskyi from Defense Express has reported that Russian production capabilities have exceeded expectations, enabling the manufacturing of approximately 50 Shahed drones daily. He shared this insight during an appearance on Espreso TV.

Kyrychevskyi noted that recent statistics have shown a significant increase in drone production, estimating that Russia has ramped up its output to around 4,700 Shahed drones annually based on current data. He indicated that plans from the Alabuga facility aimed for the production of 6,000 units by September 2025. However, the timeline has shifted, with production reaching this figure by August 2024.

The expert also mentioned that the pathways for drone acquisition and production in Russia could vary. He referred to information from Reuters, which suggested that the term “Garpia-A3 kamikaze drones” might also refer to the Shahed models. Moreover, there is speculation that the production of Shaheds is not confined to the Alabuga facility. Other Russian defense industry sites, such as a subsidiary of the Almaz-Antey Corporation, which specializes in anti-aircraft missiles, could also be involved in the production process. There have even been unverified reports indicating that China might be involved in the manufacture of these drones.

Kyrychevskyi emphasized the necessity for Ukraine to bolster its air defense systems in light of these developments. He highlighted that the forthcoming military aid from the United States is expected to focus primarily on air defense capabilities, reflecting the pressing need in the current operational context. With the increasing production of Shahed drones, there is a heightened demand for enhanced air defense measures, potentially at the expense of ground-based support systems that could facilitate land operations.

As of September 30, reports confirmed that Russian forces launched 1,339 attack drones against Ukrainian territory in September, averaging 44 Shaheds deployed daily.