In Taganrog, the Pervoe OKB company has begun serial production of heavy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a flight range of over 1000 kilometers and a payload of 250–300 kilograms. In terms of their tactical and technical characteristics, these drones are comparable to the Turkish Bayraktar TB2, but their cost is 16 times lower than the simplest version of the foreign analogue.

The CEO of the First Design Bureau, Alexey Fitingof, noted that the new Russian drones are designed to transport various cargoes, including equipment, ammunition, medicines and food. This allows them to be used for both civilian and military purposes, especially in emergency situations and in hard-to-reach areas.

Compared to the Turkish Bayraktar TB2, which costs about $5 million per unit, the Russian drones demonstrate a significant price advantage. At the same time, they maintain high performance characteristics, which makes them attractive to potential customers both domestically and abroad.

Earlier, in April 2024, it was reported that the First Design Bureau plans to launch the production of courier drones with a payload capacity of up to 200 kilograms and a maximum flight range of up to 1000 kilometers. Deputy Governor of the Rostov Region Igor Sorokin emphasized that this is a modern and promising direction that can make a significant contribution to the development of unmanned aviation in the region.

The start of heavy drone production in Taganrog demonstrates Russia's desire to develop its own technologies in the field of unmanned aviation, offering competitive solutions on the world market. Experts note that the successful implementation of this project can strengthen the country's position in the field of high-tech exports and increase its technological independence.

International analysts point out that the emergence of more affordable and effective unmanned systems could change the balance of power in the arms and technology market. This is especially relevant for countries looking for alternatives to expensive Western models.