Russian drone manufacturer, established in same city as visited by Iranian drone delegation, also advertises Western drone components
By David Albright, Sarah Burkhard, and Spencer Faragasso
Background
The Wall Street Journal reported that on January 5, 2023, an Iranian delegation visited an “empty site” in Yelabuga, Russia, where a drone facility would be constructed.
Reporting suggests that Iran and Russia intend to produce 6,000 of an advanced type of the Shahed-136 drone at the purported facility in Yelabuga.
The Institute for Science and International Security assessed the reported information and attempted to identify through open-source research any possible unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturing entity/entities or locations where a drone facility could be established in Yelabuga, Russia.
Since at least late August 2022, Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 loitering munitions, as well as the more versatile Mohajer-6 drone systems.
The Shahed drone system is used in swarm attacks that have proven effective at seeking and destroying Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and static targets. The Russian military seeks to capitalize on this advantage and indigenize the production of the Shahed-136 UAV in Russia.
The Institute has assessed previously that Russian and Iranian drones, including the Shahed-131, Shahed-136, and Mohajer-6, contain Western-origin dual-use components and designs.
Key Findings
The Institute identified through open-source information that a Russian drone design and manufacturing company, Albatross LLC, has made an agreement with Alabuga SEZ to establish a UAV production plant in Yelabuga, Russia. The agreement was announced on January 23, 2023.
Albatross LLC and Alabuga SEZ have an agreement to establish a facility to produce up to 1,000 Albatross M5 UAV drones per year by 2037. The Albatross M5 UAV is a surveillance drone, advertised by Albatross LLC for use in agricultural GIS mapping and other functions. However, a Russian news outlet reported that Albatross LLC intends to supply at least 25 percent of its products produced through the agreement with Alabuga SEZ to the military. The specific type of drone is not mentioned.
In a Russian news outlet, a representative discusses the desire to create a domestic Russian supply chain for the drone manufacturing plant. Currently, 70 percent of the components are claimed to be Russian made and 30 percent are imports.
Western-origin dual-use goods or designs may continue contributing to Russian drone production. Indications that the drone manufacturer uses Western software and goods are found in information included in job postings and on the company’s website.
On its website, Albatross LLC advertises products made by Japan, the United States, and France as accessories and parts for the drone systems it offers.
The Institute has not identified any connection between Albatross LLC and any Iranian entity. It remains unclear what entity will be responsible for the production of Shahed UAV drones on Russian soil, or where exactly the production would take place. Albatross LLC or Alabuga SEZ could be involved.
The Institute will continue to monitor and assess any new developments involving the Iranian drone facility in Russia and on Albatross LLC and welcomes additional information and input.
Albatross LLC is not sanctioned by the United States or European Union; regardless, Western distributors of components and software indicated as being used by Albatross LLC should apply additional due diligence, as they may end up in drones used in Ukraine.
Introduction
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Iran and Russia signed an agreement to establish a drone manufacturing facility in the city of Yelabuga, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, to produce 6,000 of an advanced type of the Shahed-136 drone.[1] The Iranian delegation reportedly visited the city on January 5, 2023, and viewed an “empty site” where a drone production facility would be built.
Following this, the Institute sought to identify the entity or several entities that may be responsible for the production of Shahed drones in Russia, or involved in establishing the facility and recruiting needed personnel, as well as the location of the planned production facility. While no direct connection to Iran could be established, the Institute identified a Russian drone manufacturer of interest, with connections to the Russian government and stated intention to supply the military, newly operating in the city of Yelabuga, currently building a new, large drone production facility and recruiting personnel.
To read the full analysis, click here.
[1] Dion Nissenbaum and Warren P. Strobel, “Moscow, Tehran Advance Plans for Iranian-Designed Drone Facility in Russia,” The Wall Street Journal, February 5, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/articles/moscow-tehran-advance-plans-for-iranian-designed-drone-facility-in-russia-11675609087.
