Russian University, Rostec to Create Base for UAV Electronic Components

The Southern Federal University (SFU), with the support of Rostec are establishing a base for the production of electronic components for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Taganrog by 2026.

Russia had been hit by sanctions that has throttled the supply of even the most basic electronics needed for drones.

The work is being carried out on the basis of the advanced engineering school of the Southern Federal University, established in 2022 in partnership with Rostec organizations - the United Instrument-Making Corporation, the Radioelectronic Technologies Concern and the Element company (a joint venture between the Corporation and AFK Sistema). The project provides for the joint solution of scientific and technical problems and the training of modern personnel for the enterprises of the radio-electronic complex of Rostec.

“By 2026, we want to set a big task that will bring together technologists and designers in the field of group control UAVs – the creation of a special electronic component base, which is important; raw materials for its production (this is an urgent task today) and signal transmission systems for various purposes, so that it can be used both in military affairs and in civilian applications,” said Inna Shevchenko, rector of the SFedU.

The rector noted that one of the main scientific and technical tasks of the SFedU advanced engineering school is the creation of autonomous and group unmanned aerial vehicles, the so-called robotic complexes of various bases, including as part of groups.

“We are not engaged in the creation of unmanned vehicles themselves, we are engaged in intelligent control systems, which requires us to use the most modern methods and technologies in the field of artificial intelligence,” added Inna Shevchenko.

As part of the joint work, Rostec and the university are creating a system of advanced training of engineering personnel. This, in particular, is the aim of the Rostec Code program launched by the Corporation in 2023.

“The Rostec Code program was developed to provide Rostec organizations with engineering and IT personnel capable of creating new technological solutions and equipment, including in such interdisciplinary areas as robotics, geoinformation technologies, programming languages, 3D modeling, IT architecture, IT security and others. Our initiative is more than timely, it is aimed at improving the quality of training for the radio-electronic complex for the implementation of urgent scientific and technical tasks,” said Nikolay Volobuev, Deputy General Director of Rostec State Corporation.

90% of the projects implemented at the site of the advanced engineering school are special and dual-purpose projects.