Russia has launched mass production of military robots capable of fighting independently, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at the New Knowledge marathon. The speech of the head of the Ministry of Defense was published on the YouTube channel of the department.
“Not just experimental samples have appeared, but the serial production of combat robots has begun. These are robots that can really be shown in science fiction films, ”Shoigu said.
Shoigu did not specify when these robots will be presented to the public or put into service.
Also, according to the minister, a lot of work is underway to create “weapons of tomorrow.”
In October 2018, the Tekhmash Research and Production Concern, a manufacturer of Grad, Tornado and Solntsepek multiple launch rocket systems, told RBC about the start of design work on a robotic MLRS project. RBC reported that the development of a small-caliber robotic rocket system will cost Tekhmash at least 100 million rubles, the first sample will be prepared in about four years.
In January 2019, the Kalashnikov concern reported that the Ministry of Defense had adopted the Uran-9 robotic complex, which is designed for remote reconnaissance and fire support of combined arms, reconnaissance and anti-terrorist units. Uran-9 consists of two reconnaissance robots armed with a 30-mm 2A72 automatic cannon, a 7.62-mm machine gun and Ataka anti-tank guided missiles, and fire support, a tractor for their transportation and a mobile control center.
In November 2019, the state tests of the Kungas robotic complex were completed. It includes a control point and four platforms. In 2020, it was planned to begin development work on the creation of robotic complexes “Shturm” and “Companion”.
At the same time, RIA Novosti, citing a source in the military-industrial complex, reported that in Russia by 2025 it is planned to create groups of combat robots. It is assumed that the group of five unmanned vehicles will be serviced by one operator, “who fueled them, routinely turned them on, and they went to work.” The robots themselves can be armed with a rifle-grenade launcher module and 120-mm mortars.
