Kalashnikov ups rocket output by 60%, creates 700 new jobs - Reporters Post24

In a significant development for Russia’s defense industry, Kalashnikov Concern, one of the country’s leading arms manufacturers, has announced plans to ramp up its production of missile and artillery weapons by 60% in 2025 compared to 2024 levels.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

The announcement, made through the company’s press service, highlights a projected increase that would see output soar by 170% over 2023 figures. This expansion is set to take place in Russia, driven by the launch of a modern production cluster that will create 700 new jobs.

The initiative includes boosting the manufacturing of advanced weaponry such as air-defense missiles for the Strela-10 system, the Vikhr-1 air-launched anti-tank missile, and the Kitolov-2 guided artillery shell along with its variants.

The move signals a bold step forward for Russia’s military-industrial complex at a time when the country faces economic sanctions from several nations, raising questions about the resilience and priorities of its defense sector amid ongoing global pressures.

Kalashnikov Concern, widely recognized for its iconic AK-series rifles, has evolved into a multifaceted producer within Russia’s defense landscape. The company’s decision to significantly increase missile and artillery production comes against the backdrop of Western sanctions imposed on Russia, particularly following its military actions in Ukraine starting in 2014 and escalating in 2022.

These sanctions, led by the United States and European Union, aimed to cripple Russia’s economy and limit its access to critical technologies and components needed for military production. Yet, the planned 60% increase in output for 2025 suggests that Russia’s defense industry, and Kalashnikov in particular, may have found ways to adapt.

According to the company’s statement, this growth is tied directly to new manufacturing capabilities, hinting at a level of self-sufficiency or alternative supply chains that have allowed production to not only continue but expand despite external restrictions.

The weaponry at the heart of this expansion includes some of Russia’s most sophisticated missile and artillery systems. The Strela-10, a short-range air defense system, uses guided missiles designed to intercept low-flying aircraft and helicopters within a range of about three miles and at altitudes up to 11,500 feet.

Its mobility and rapid deployment make it a valuable asset for ground forces needing protection from aerial threats. Meanwhile, the Vikhr-1 missile, launched from helicopters or aircraft, targets armored vehicles like tanks with a range of up to six miles. Known for its laser-guided precision, it can penetrate heavy armor, offering a potent tool for anti-tank operations.

The Kitolov-2, a guided artillery shell, enhances the accuracy of traditional artillery by using laser designation to strike targets up to 12 miles away, making it effective against fortified positions or moving objects. These systems reflect Kalashnikov’s shift from small arms to advanced munitions, broadening its role in supporting Russia’s military objectives.

This isn’t the first time Kalashnikov has scaled up production since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. When Russia launched its full-scale military operation in February 2022, the demand for weapons surged.

Reports from that period indicate that the company quickly pivoted to meet the needs of the battlefield, increasing the output of guided munitions and drones. For instance, the KUB loitering munition, a type of kamikaze drone, saw production multiply tenfold in 2024 compared to earlier years, according to posts on X from industry observers.

These drones, designed to loiter over a target area before striking with precision, have ranges of up to 31 miles and can carry explosive payloads to destroy enemy positions or vehicles. Kalashnikov’s ability to boost drone production alongside its missile and artillery lines demonstrates a strategic focus on versatile high-impact weaponry—an approach that has intensified as the war has dragged on.

The introduction of a new production cluster marks a pivotal moment in this expansion. Located in Russia, this facility is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and is expected to employ 700 workers, a figure confirmed by Kalashnikov’s press release.

This development carries implications beyond the factory floor. For Russia’s economy, which has been strained by sanctions and the costs of war, the creation of hundreds of jobs could provide a small but tangible boost. In a country where defense spending accounts for a significant portion of the national budget—estimated at over 7% of GDP in recent years—these positions offer stable employment in a sector prioritized by the government.

Workers at the new hub will likely earn competitive wages, potentially attracting labor from other industries and supporting local economies near the facility. While 700 jobs may not transform Russia’s broader economic landscape, they underscore the defense industry’s role as a pillar of stability amid uncertainty.

Getting these weapons from production lines to the front lines in Ukraine involves a complex supply chain. Once manufactured, missiles and artillery shells are transported from Kalashnikov’s facilities—likely in regions like Izhevsk, where the company is headquartered—to military depots across Russia.

From there, they are distributed to units deployed in the conflict zone, often via rail or heavy trucks capable of navigating the vast distances between Russia’s industrial heartland and the Ukrainian border. The process requires coordination between Kalashnikov, the Russian Ministry of Defense, and logistics providers, ensuring that stockpiles remain replenished as fighting continues.

Observers have noted that Russia has leaned heavily on its rail network, a legacy of Soviet-era infrastructure, to move munitions efficiently, even under the strain of war and sanctions-related disruptions to international trade routes.

The announcement of Kalashnikov’s production increase has not gone unnoticed on the global stage. Geopolitical reactions vary, reflecting the polarized views surrounding Russia’s military activities. Western nations, particularly those enforcing sanctions, may see this as evidence that their measures have failed to fully hobble Russia’s defense capabilities.

A senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously to media outlets in early 2025, expressed concern that Russia’s ability to ramp up production “shows the limits of export controls when third countries step in to fill gaps.” This likely refers to nations like China or others not aligned with Western sanctions, which may be supplying components or raw materials indirectly.

Conversely, Russian officials have framed the expansion as a triumph of national resilience. A spokesperson for the Kremlin, quoted in state media, said, “Our industry proves that no external pressure can stop us from defending our interests.” The move could also embolden Russia’s allies, such as Iran or North Korea, who have reportedly provided support in the form of drones and munitions, according to U.S. intelligence assessments.

BulgarianMilitary.com offers a nuanced take on this development. The publication suggests that the war in Ukraine and the accompanying sanctions may paradoxically be driving Russia’s production surge rather than hindering it. “Before 2022, Russia’s defense industry operated at a steady but unhurried pace,” the analysts note. “The conflict forced a shift, turning necessity into a catalyst for innovation and scale. Sanctions cut off Western parts, but they also pushed Russia to streamline domestic manufacturing and seek alternative partners.”

This perspective highlights a dual reality: while sanctions have disrupted some supply lines, they’ve also compelled Russia to prioritize and modernize its military-industrial base, with Kalashnikov emerging as a key player in that transformation.

The broader question of whether Russia’s military production has suffered or thrived amid war and sanctions remains complex. Early in the Ukraine conflict, U.S. and European officials estimated that Russia’s missile production slowed for at least six months in 2022 due to restricted access to foreign electronics and machinery.

A 2023 report from the Royal United Services Institute in London found that prewar output of certain missiles, like the Kh-101 cruise missile, was around 56 units annually, but by 2023, it had climbed to over 460 despite sanctions. Kalashnikov’s own trajectory mirrors this trend. While the company faced initial challenges—such as delays in sourcing precision components—it has since adapted, possibly through domestic innovation or rerouted imports via neutral countries.

The war has undeniably depleted Russia’s stockpiles, with estimates suggesting losses of thousands of armored vehicles and artillery systems since 2022. Yet, the push to increase production, as seen with Kalashnikov, indicates a determination to outpace those losses.

As 2025 approaches, Kalashnikov’s plans signal a new phase in Russia’s defense strategy. The 60% production increase, coupled with a 170% jump from 2023 levels, reflects not just a response to immediate wartime needs but a long-term commitment to bolstering military capabilities.

The new cluster’s 700 workers are already being trained, according to company statements, and the first batches of Strela-10 missiles, Vikhr-1 rockets, and Kitolov-2 shells are expected to roll off assembly lines by mid-year. Whether this escalation will shift the balance in Ukraine or provoke stronger international countermeasures remains unclear.

For now, Kalashnikov’s expansion stands as a testament to Russia’s ability to navigate a challenging landscape, blending industrial ambition with the stark realities of conflict and global isolation.