Russia expands drone production in Tatarstan

Russia has significantly expanded production capacity at the Geran-type drone factory (an analog of the Iranian Shahed) in the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan, according to satellite imagery from May 2026. Analysis shows the facility's area increased by 340 hectares, indicating accelerated output of combat unmanned aerial vehicles. Alabuga is Russia's primary production hub for Geran drones used in the war against Ukraine. Additionally, there are indications that Russia has begun re-exporting manufactured drones to Iran, developing military-technical cooperation. The expansion of production capacity reflects growing demand for combat unmanned systems in the Eastern European theater of operations.