Russia Ready to Make a Combat Drone

Russian Defense Ministry has issued a technical specification for the development of an unmanned combat aircraft. Manufacture of combat drones that will be submitted to the two main contractors. Izvestia daily reported on Monday (02/04/2012).

Citing a high-ranking Russian Kemhan, the newspaper reported, system control, navigation, and electronic drones will be built by the company Tranzas, while the framework and structure of the aircraft will be developed by Sokol design bureau based in the city of Kazan.

Russian drone will have a modular structure, weighing about five tons, and capable of carrying various types of equipment and weaponry. Initial contract worth 3 billion rubles (USD 930.4 billion) by Tranzas and Sokol was signed in October 2011 for initial research and manufacture of combat reconnaissance drone.

Late March, the Russian Air Force Commander Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin told Moscovsky Komsomolets tabloid that Russia will begin to operate the drone fighter before 2020. He did not mention * how * to be operated drone Russia.

Currently only the U.S. that have been held and the strength of unmanned combat aircraft, including Predator aircraft, to carry out missile strikes against militant groups position on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.