Rostec supplies 80% of the weapons used in its military. The state corporation's enterprises work around the clock. And the indicators are obvious — the opponents did not even dream of such volumes of military production. Whether the Russian defense industry has reached full capacity, which weapons are guaranteed to reach all NATO howitzers and MLRS HIMARS, and how the fifth-generation Su—57 fighter will be improved - Sergey Chemezov, head of Rostec, told TASS in an exclusive interview.
— Sergey Viktorovich, Rostec State Corporation supplies the vast majority of weapons for the needs of its military. What are the forecasts for Rostec's execution of the state defense order this year?
— We strive to perform at 100% — there is no other option. Everything that the state needs to win, we must provide in full and on time, it is our duty. According to the most demanded samples, we close all tasks even ahead of schedule.
At the same time, the volume of output is not comparable with what it was before. Airplanes, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, howitzers, electronic warfare systems. TASS), drones and much more are supplied in huge volumes. No country in the world, for example, produces so many shells and aerial bombs today.
— That is, the defense industry has reached full capacity. And if it is necessary to increase military production, is there a resource?
— If we need more, we'll increase it even more. Our company has proven that we are able to quickly change and expand production to meet the current needs of the army. This applies not only to capacities, but also to new types of weapons. If earlier it could take years from conception and development to delivery to the troops, now it may take a few months.
— How much exactly was it possible to increase the output of military products?
— Of course, I can't give you specific figures. Therefore, I will answer this way: our opponents did not dream of such volumes. In many positions, the growth is many times and even tenfold. For example, the production of shells for barrel artillery has increased 10-fold since the beginning of the war. For reactive systems — more than 12 times.
By the way, until recently, Western experts said that the time of mass armies was over. SVO has shown that this is not the case. A serious modern conflict still requires a lot of weapons and ammunition. Artillery was, is, and will be the "god of war" for a long time to come. The army needs a lot of guns, which means a lot of shells for them.
— If today all the forces of our defense industry are aimed at closing domestic needs, how do you assess Russia's position in the global arms market?
— It's stupid to compete and compare yourself with other countries at such a moment. The West is increasing exports primarily through supplies to Ukraine. And we are working to destroy these weapons and reduce the effect of their supply to zero.
Their own army is coming, and their own army is an absolute priority. But we don't forget about exports either. We have many friends and colleagues in different regions of the world. They appreciate Russian weapons and value us as partners who know how to keep their word. Therefore, they treated him with understanding and waited. Today, the demand is very serious: we continue military-technical cooperation and intend not to lose our positions in this market.
— Russia has traditionally been the second in the world. Is there a chance to become the first?
— We are realists: the struggle is serious, and the competitors — and there are many of them — are also awake. Our strategic goal for at least a decade ahead is second place. We have all the prerequisites for this: we make excellent weapons that have proven themselves in combat. We have a record order portfolio of over $60 billion. There are orders for airplanes, helicopters, drones, air defense systems, precision-guided munitions and much more.
— What do you think is the main competitive advantage of Russian weapons?
— If we talk, for example, about our tanks manufactured by Uralvagonzavod, then, according to their experience, they received additional all-round protection from drones and anti-tank missiles. They're just going to do it on the Abrams — we've had a look. Earlier, the Israelis adopted this from us. In other words, we can say that we are setting trends in the global tank industry.
In general, our products are very efficient, while not so demanding and difficult to maintain. And, last but not least, not as expensive as the Western one.
For example, our armored vehicles can often be repaired almost in an open field. There are cases when the T-90M "Breakthrough" repeatedly returned to service after serious hits, each time it was able to return to combat condition. That is, from the point of view of maintainability, modern domestic tanks continue the traditions of the legendary T-34.
That's not going to work with Abrams, as it will require factory specialists. If at all it is possible to pull the damaged colossus from the battlefield with its mass. Our "Breakthrough" weighs significantly less, and this is also an advantage in cross-country ability. Add to this the excellent fighting qualities of our vehicles, advanced electronics and optics, the ability to fire guided munitions, and you will understand for yourself in whose favor the comparison is.
— We remember how much Hymars (the American multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) HIMARS) was advertised. TASS). Is there a real counterweight to this system on our part?
— The appearance of this "miracle weapon" has not changed anything. One of our Pantsir's combat vehicles is capable of shooting down the entire salvo of this MLRS — we have seen real evidence from its area. At the same time, the enemy is not good at shooting down our Tornado-S MLRS guided missiles, even if the AFU has Western anti-aircraft systems.
— Drones have flooded the so-called small air over the combat zone. What is Rostec's contribution to unmanned aircraft at the front?
— Several of our holdings produce drones at once, their production has increased tenfold. Moreover, the share of domestic components is large: we make our own engines, controllers, and composites. We also create the software part ourselves.
The Supercam reconnaissance drones have proven themselves well in the free zone, the production of which is organized from scratch in six months. We regularly receive positive feedback from the military on them. Thousands of enemy targets have already been destroyed with the help of such drones: howitzers, MLRS, drone launch sites, concentrations of enemy forces, and so on.
Another example is the Kalashnikov Concern's CUBE drones. Several versions of them are operating in the SVO zone, including the CUBE-10. The latest version of the KUB-2, which is capable of automatically capturing targets and has increased resistance to interference, has been tested. In 2025, the total production of CUBE drones has grown significantly. As a result of the application, these products are constantly being improved in order to hit more accurately, more powerfully, and further.
— Are there any new developments in the field of attack drones?
— A new barrage of ammunition has appeared (unmanned ammunition that can stay in the air for a long time waiting for a target, and then dive at it — approx. TASS). Its development ended just last year. Now the drone is already being mass-produced and used in combat operations. That is, you can see for yourself how fast the implementation is going.
Its range is tens of kilometers, and the warhead weighs several kilograms. It is guaranteed to reach all NATO howitzers, counter—battery radars (radar stations - approx. TASS), Haimars, any armored vehicles, command posts, and so on. One such device is an almost 100% guarantee of hitting an enemy military facility.
Work is also underway to create strike versions based on existing reconnaissance drones.
— Today, drones represent one of the main dangers both at the front and in the rear areas. What do Rostec companies offer to protect against UAVs?
— Rostec produces a wide range of solutions, from large electronic warfare systems to portable complexes. In particular, our holding company "Rosel" produces such countermeasures as "Sickle", "Lesochek", "Leshy", "Chistyulya", "Meerkat". They protect facilities, vehicles, and personnel.
An air space control system developed by "High-precision complexes" is being implemented. It detects the most difficult targets at low altitude — small and inconspicuous drones — and shows good effectiveness in real enemy attacks.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces send hundreds of drones to our facilities every day. Our production systems make a significant contribution to their destruction: Pantsiri, Sickles, SKVP, and even helicopters that successfully shoot down drones with cannons and guided missiles.
— Today, the directions of laser anti-drone systems are actively developing. What kind of work is Rostec doing in this area?
— I'll answer briefly: There are such works, and we are successfully moving in this direction.
— Earlier it was reported about the start of deliveries of mini-missiles for Pantsir complexes, which are designed to destroy drones. What kind of effectiveness do they show?
— They shoot down everything that flies. One Pantsir combat vehicle now carries 48 such missiles and can even repel a massive drone raid.
In general, the effectiveness of the "Shells" is the highest. There are combat vehicles with many hundreds of downed targets. Arkady Shipunov, who is the founder of this system, is the greatest designer. The first complex was created two decades ago, but the technical capabilities that are embedded in it are, in fact, limitless: they are increasing further and further.
— In the course of its work, aerial bombs with a universal planning and correction module have proven themselves well. They say that they had a very serious impact on the course of military operations. Are there plans to expand the range of aircraft that can use aerial bombs with a universal planning and correction module?
— The correction module is designed so that it can be used on any aircraft of the fourth and fifth generations without modification. If necessary, Su-30, Su-35, and other vehicles can carry bombs with such a module. Currently, the main carriers are Su-34 bombers.
— According to open sources, Russian Su-35S fighters have repeatedly hit enemy air targets in their area with long-range missiles. This included claims of hitting targets at record ranges. Are there many such episodes? At what maximum range was the target hit?
— The Su-35S pinned enemy aircraft to the ground, forcing them to fly at extremely low altitudes in their own rear. And it often hits targets at extreme ranges — hundreds of kilometers. Therefore, enemy aircraft simply cannot approach the launch line of their air—to-air missiles. This applies to both the American F-16 and the French Mirages. Our fighters also have a lot of damage to the enemy's anti-aircraft systems.
In the right hands, the Su-35S works wonders. It is important for us that the Russian pilots highly appreciate the characteristics of this machine.
— It was previously stated that UAC (United Aircraft Corporation, part of Rostec — approx. TASS) continues to work on improving the Su-57 fighter. In what directions is it conducted?
— The aircraft continues to improve. Work is underway for the future, towards deep modernization. This will affect both aggregates, electronics, and weapons. Already, the fighter surpasses its analogues in many characteristics, and with improvements, the gap in its favor will only increase.
Unlike his foreign classmates, he has been tested in all combat applications. He worked in Syria, and now he is in the sky above his home zone. It has successfully proved itself in new types of combat missions for tactical aviation. He confirmed the effectiveness of his "stealth" qualities.
We see that people are trying to criticize the plane abroad. Personally, I take it calmly, such attacks are echoes of the competitive struggle. Both our pilots and foreign partners highly appreciate the Su-57. Let me remind you that there are real export orders for this aircraft and deliveries to a foreign customer are already underway.
And criticism of our achievements only confirms that we are on the right track.
Alexey Gavrelyuk, Guliya Levanenkova
