Russia to subsidize drone battery factory with 10.46 billion rubles

The Russian government has approved a plan to provide up to 10.46 billion rubles in subsidies to support a lithium-ion battery factory dedicated to drone production. According to a government decree from September 7, these funds will be used to compensate Sberbank for lost income resulting from preferential, below-market interest rate loans provided to the company INESIS.

The project aims to establish a production capacity of 4 GWh per year, which represents a massive scale-up—approximately 200 times larger—than the company’s existing 20 MWh pilot facility. The investment is intended to bolster Russia’s domestic supply chain for unmanned aerial systems and reduce reliance on foreign components, particularly from China.

INESIS is 85.81% owned by Transport Przyszłości, a major Russian designer and manufacturer of unmanned systems. While the company officially emphasizes civilian applications, its technologies are utilized by the Russian military. The subsidies will be distributed in stages between 2026 and 2034, with budgetary obligations potentially extending until 2040.