Russia to Launch Investment Fund for Drone Tech Startups

A new multi-billion ruble fund aims to boost AI, robotics, and sensor innovation by backing early-stage UAV projects.
Russia is planning to establish a multi-billion ruble investment fund to support cutting-edge projects in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector.
The fund will offer financial backing to developers working on autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, robotics, propulsion units, sensors, communication systems, and advanced materials. The initiative was confirmed by Andrey Bezrukov, chairman of the Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies, in a statement to Vedomosti.
Priority will be given to projects with Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of 4 to 7—meaning functional prototypes that have not yet entered mass production.
The fund is expected to enable Russian scientists and inventors to achieve major technological breakthroughs. Mature projects may eventually attract more substantial investment, draw in strategic partners, and move toward public offerings.