Russia Plans to Ramp Up Production of BAS S 80 Agro Drones in 2026
Russia plans to sharply increase production of its BAS S 80 Agro agricultural drone, positioning unmanned systems as a core tool for boosting farm productivity and reducing environmental efficiency.
Russia will significantly expand production of the BAS S 80 Agro unmanned aerial vehicle in the coming years. Output is expected to reach 500 units in 2026, with production rising further to 700 units in 2027. The plans were disclosed during a meeting on autonomous transport chaired by Vladimir Putin.
The BAS S 80 Agro is a multicopter-type drone used in agriculture for crop spraying, fertilizer application, and seed sowing. According to farmers already using the system, the drone has demonstrated clear economic and agronomic benefits. Growers report higher yields after deployment, along with reduced soil compaction, lower use of plant protection chemicals, and more efficient water consumption, writes TASS.
From Drones to Autonomous Tractors
The drone has a payload capacity of up to 40 kilograms, an operational range of up to 3 kilometers, and can treat up to 18 hectares per hour, making it suitable for large-scale agricultural operations.
Beyond aerial systems, Russia is also preparing to expand the use of autonomous ground equipment. In 2030, the country plans to launch serial production of a hybrid unmanned tractor called Dontekh. The vehicle was tested on Russian farmland in 2025 and is intended for use in both agriculture and forestry. By 2035, annual production is expected to reach 150 units.
Part of a Broader Agri-Drone Push
The expansion of BAS S 80 Agro production fits into a wider strategy to integrate unmanned systems into land management and oversight. As previously reported, Russia also plans to increase the number of drones used for land supervision. In 2026, authorities expect to deploy more than 1,000 unmanned aerial systems to monitor land use nationwide.
Taken together, these initiatives signal a shift in Russian agriculture away from experimental pilots and toward scaled deployment, where drones and autonomous machines become standard tools for improving productivity, conserving resources, and managing land more efficiently.
