Russia Extends Agro-Drone Experiment Until 2029
Russia will keep testing agricultural drones under a special legal regime, expanding the program to more regions as part of its push to digitize and modernize farming.
Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development will extend its experimental legal framework for agricultural drones until September 2029. The so-called ‘regulatory sandbox’ will also expand to seven new regions, including Kaliningrad, Tomsk, and Chelyabinsk.
The pilot began in 2023 across 12 regions. By creating exemptions from national flight rules, the framework allows drones to be tested in real farming conditions. These systems are already being used for aerial imaging analyzed by AI, pesticide spraying, and even releasing beneficial insects to protect crops.
Government Support and Rules
The draft regulation sets clear requirements for drone equipment, including remote ID systems and flight data transmission to an external information platform. These standards are meant to simplify approval for flights. The government is also backing the sector with preferential loans and state contracts.
Developing unmanned systems is now a national priority. Beyond farming, drones are already deployed in forestry, wildfire response, and cargo delivery. The extended program signals that Russia is betting on drones not just as tools of efficiency, but as infrastructure for a smarter, more resilient economy.
