How manufacturer from Bashkortostan “hides” drone deliveries to Russian army

Defense Express reports on this.

Several Russian defense contractors have found ways to skirt sanctions through third-party nations or other tactics. Some, despite supplying the Russian military, manage to stay under the radar of Western scrutiny.

One such firm is IRT LLC from Bashkortostan, which quickly shifted from agriculture and energy markets to producing reconnaissance and combat drones.

According to Defense Express, which reviewed a presentation from the Bashkortostan government on January 15 of this year, the company manufactured six different types of drones for the Russian military in 2023 — totaling 1,049 units annually. This includes 332 kamikaze drones, 14 long-range IRT-5 UAVs, and hundreds of quadcopters and hexacopters.

As noted in the report, IRT LLC was established in September 2021 as an innovative drone manufacturer and employs around 20 people, according to public records.

The company, Integral Robotic Technologies, has received financial backing from Russian state entities and participated in programs to expand drone production, including factory construction, research centers, and more.

Additionally, customs data reveals the company imported drone components and 3D printers from China.

It’s highly likely IRT acts as a “procurement hub” for other manufacturers, making it difficult to assess the extent of Russian dependence on foreign-sourced components.