Russia Approves Military Robotics Program

The Russian Defense Ministry has approved a program for developing a concept on military robotics, according to Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.

"This year, a complex program 'Creating of Advanced Military Robotics for 2025' has been developed and approved," Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov was quoted as saying in the report.

He said that the military scientific industry has teamed up with military administration institutions for developing a conception of military robots, which is headed by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

"Alongside with the development of new models, we plan to train specialists for maintaining the advanced models. The task will be carried out by the ministry’s system of education," Popov said.

Popov added the importance of robotic developments comes, in particular, from taking care of soldiers’ health on the battlefield. According to him, other reasons are the length of Russia’s border and the need for ground, overwater and submarine operations in places unsafe for humans, including the Arctic Region.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that robotics will be one of the top priorities of the new Russian arms program from 2016 to 2025.