Demand for anti-drone defense systems in Russia has surged in 2026 as businesses scramble for protection from Ukrainian drone attacks and the threat of state seizures, the Kommersant business newspaper reported Thursday.
According to estimates from Ruselectronics, a holding company under the state defense conglomerate Rostec, the domestic market for drone defense systems is projected to reach 56 billion rubles ($675.7 million) this year.
Commercial and civilian buyers reportedly now account for more than half of all orders, surpassing traditional military demand.
Industry analysts and executives say the expanding geography of Ukrainian drone attacks and President Vladimir Putin’s August decree threatening owners of unprotected critical facilities with nationalization are the main drivers behind the boom.
Ukraine has ramped up its attacks against Russian oil refineries and, increasingly, warehouses and logistics hubs belonging to major online retailers since the start of the summer. Kommersant reported that Russia’s fuel and energy sector accounts for up to 70% of all anti-drone system orders, followed by network, transportation and logistics companies.
Putin’s decree grants the government power to take temporary control of critically important infrastructure sites if they are deemed to be poorly protected against Ukrainian attacks or other threats.
Broader spending across the anti-drone sector has grown tenfold to at least 250 billion rubles ($3 billion) this year, according to Alexander Zamyatin, head of strategic projects at state satellite operator Glonass.
Ruselectronics forecasts the market will grow another 20% to reach 67 billion rubles ($808.2 million) next year as companies continue building out anti-drone infrastructure.
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