Russian Aircraft Output Jumps 117% in April as Putin Pivots War Toward Drones
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 2
Russian Aircraft Output Jumps 117% in April as Putin Pivots War Toward Drones
1 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 2
Russia’s aircraft sector expanded 117% in April from a year earlier, a sharp acceleration in output covering both manned military planes and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Thousands of drones are driving that surge as the Kremlin shifts its war effort toward drone-heavy combat, sustaining one of the fastest-growing pockets of Russia’s defense industry.
April’s gain outpaced the sector’s 68% average year-on-year growth in 2025, according to Bloomberg calculations based on Federal Statistics Service data.
The jump stands out even as Russia’s broader war machine begins to lose momentum after years of rapid expansion, underscoring how drone demand is reshaping military production.
Is Russia's new Unmanned Systems Forces branch revolutionizing its military for future conflicts?
With Russian drone output soaring, why is Ukraine reportedly regaining the upper hand in the drone war?
How does Russia fuel its drone production with Western parts despite sweeping international sanctions?