# Russian drone manufacturing expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russian-drone-manufacturing-expansion
> Updated: 2026-09-20T21:23:30.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

Russia is implementing measures to expand its domestic drone manufacturing and supply chain capabilities. In early September 2026, the government approved subsidies totaling 10.46 billion rubles to support a lithium-ion battery factory operated by INESIS. This project aims to scale production capacity from a 20 MWh pilot facility to 4 GWh per year to reduce reliance on foreign components.

By late September 2026, efforts to increase production capacity were also noted in Tatarstan at the Alabuga-Volokno facility. This expansion involves constructing new production halls and logistics buildings to increase the manufacturing of Shahed/Geran-type attack drones. A key part of this development is the production of aerospace-grade carbon fiber, with plans to add 500 tons of annual capacity by 2029, potentially supporting the manufacture of 28,000 additional jet-powered drones per year.

Internal Rosatom documents and satellite imagery from mid-2026 indicate that land clearing and foundation work have already commenced at the Alabuga-Volokno site. Experts, including David Albright, estimate this raw material increase could enable the production of approximately 28,000 additional armed drones per year, representing a 78 percent increase in capacity. Furthermore, investigations revealed a shipment of 46 tons of carbon fiber chemicals from a Chinese state-owned company, highlighting defense sector cooperation between Moscow and Beijing. The Alabuga-Volokno plant and its parent company, UMATEX, are currently subject to sanctions by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western nations.

## Claims

- Rosatom plans to expand the Alabuga-Volokno facility in Tatarstan. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The expansion aims to produce an additional 500 tons of aerospace-grade carbon fiber annually by 2029. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The increased carbon fiber production could enable the manufacturing of 28,000 additional armed drones per year. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Satellite images from May to July show land clearing near the Alabuga-Volokno site in preparation for construction. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The expansion represents a 78 percent increase in potential drone production capacity. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Ukraine estimates Russia can currently produce more than 36,000 Geran kamikaze drones annually. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Alabuga-Volokno plant and its parent company UMATEX are under sanctions by the US and UK. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A shipment of 46 tons of carbon fiber chemicals was sent to the facility from a Chinese state-owned company. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Russia expands Alabuga-Volokno carbon fiber plant to boost drone production

Russia is expanding its Alabuga-Volokno facility in Tatarstan to increase carbon fiber production by 500 tons annually by 2029, potentially boosting drone manufacturing by 28,000 units per year.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-expands-drone-manufacturing-facility-in-tatarstan

### 2026-09-08: Russia to subsidize drone battery factory with 10.46 billion rubles

Russia will provide up to 10.46 billion rubles in subsidies for a new lithium-ion battery factory to support domestic drone production and increase industrial self-sufficiency.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-to-subsidize-drone-battery-factory-with-1046-billion-rubles

---
Cite as: Russian drone manufacturing expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russian-drone-manufacturing-expansion