Russia's Defense Minister Shoigu Announces Drastic Increase in Missile Production

A "significant increase" in production was announced by authorities, including almost doubling the missiles used in air defenses.

The Russian Armed Forces are expected to receive many more guided surface-to-air missiles this year than originally intended, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has declared.

The defense minister made this announcement after a tour of military-industrial production facilities in Yekaterinburg, including the facilities where Kalibr cruise missiles and Iskander ballistic missiles are being manufactured.

“Colleagues, we have toured practically all production facilities. We conversed with chief engineers, a lot of new equipment has become available,” Shoigu said. “Therefore, the production volumes have been significantly increased.”

He noted that “regarding the missiles we require for our air defenses,” the production is expected to increase by more than double the originally planned amount, and he expressed hope that this year’s production goals will be met.

The minister also suggested that the ongoing modernization of Russia's military-industrial capabilities is going to result in a noticeable increase in the production of equipment for the needs of Russia’s Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry revealed that this year’s production plan for Kalibr cruise missiles is already 17 percent complete.

Farid Abdrakhmanov, CEO of the Novator Design Bureau that produces these missiles, explained to Shoigu that this result was achieved thanks to the expansion of all of the company’s production capabilities, as well as due to all of the assembly units working 24/7 on a three-shift schedule.