Over 2,500 Russian Students to Build Drones in New High-Tech Cluster
A new industrial cluster in Tomsk will train and employ thousands of young engineers to develop drones, electronics, and communication systems for domestic and international markets.
In Russia’s Tomsk region, a new industrial cluster for electronics and unmanned technologies has been established. According to regional senator Vladimir Kravchenko, the initiative will create 2,500 student jobs in its first phase, giving young engineers hands-on experience in drone manufacturing and advanced electronics.
The cluster brings together six major projects and 13 organizations, including plans for a Research and Production Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Using domestically produced equipment, the center will manufacture more than 20 types of drones, ranging from agricultural mini-tractors to onboard terminals for aircraft and communication systems for drone fleets.
By 2035, the cluster’s participants aim to capture up to 30 percent of Russia’s domestic market in their sectors and expand into global markets, with localization levels expected to reach 80 percent.
The Tomsk initiative is part of a broader network of over 60 regional IT clusters across Russia. These interconnected hubs drive industrial and innovation breakthroughs while supporting the country’s transition to a high-tech, knowledge-based economy.
