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As part of the preparation for the International Hi-Tech Future Skills Competition, a large-scale pilot project aimed at accelerating the development of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in Russia has been launched. The project aims to create and test advanced UAS technological solutions for key sectors of the economy: agriculture, logistics and energy. The Skill Development Agency held a strategic session with the participation of leading experts in the fields of UAS development, production and operation.
"By bringing together industry experts, technology companies and talented teams at the Hi-Tech Championship, we will be able to identify and test the most viable solutions in key areas of UAS. The solutions that pass the competitive selection will become the framework for a 3-year plan for the development of industry competencies," said Maria Elkina, CEO of the Skill Development Agency, opening the strategic session.
During the session, participants actively shared their experience of practical application of drones in the field of monitoring, logistics, energy and agriculture. The most acute factors hindering the expansive growth of the industry were identified, and common efforts will be focused on overcoming them.
Participants in the strategic session (UAS designers, manufacturers and operators) particularly appreciated the open architecture format of the pilot project events and the various ways of participating in it, namely:
- participation in the development of a three-year skill development plan
- development of industry/production challenges or technological solutions for competition
- formation of teams to participate in the competition
- opportunity to become a partner of the competition / take part in the exhibition
Developers and manufacturers were interested in the experience of their foreign colleagues and potential foreign markets for product sales.
"We plan to actively promote Russian technologies on the international market. Particular attention is paid to attracting specialists from the BRICS, EAEU and ASEAN countries - joint developments can become an important element of a technological breakthrough," said Alina Singh, Deputy Director General for International Activities at the Skill Development Agency.
The project will be implemented in three key stages:
Preparatory stage (Current):
Deep analysis and selection of the most promising scenarios for the use of UAS in the agricultural sector, logistics and energy with the participation of industry customers.
Development of competitive tasks for participants in the Hi-Tech Championship, including the design of devices for specific requirements.
Competition stage (at the site of the Final of the International Hi-Tech Future Skills Competition 2025 in Yekaterinburg):
The participating teams will present and test their technological solutions on digital simulators, and then in a specially equipped flight zone with models of real infrastructure (power lines, agricultural land).
An international expert assessment will help identify promising scenarios with maximum economic effect.
Scaling stage:
Implementation of the best solutions that have proven their effectiveness in the real sector of the economy.
Development of educational programs on UAS based on the formed qualification requirements.
Promotion and export of Russian unmanned aviation technologies.
Expected results of the project:
Formed qualification requirements for UAS specialists.
Three-year plan to develop skills in the field of unmanned aviation.
A portfolio of ready-made solutions for using UAS for agriculture, logistics and energy.
Strengthening international cooperation and positioning Russia as a Skill Center in the field of UAS.
Access to participation in the project:
The International Hi-Tech Future Skills Competition (hereinafter referred to as the Competition) is a competition of specialists from the largest Russian and international industrial enterprises in relevant hi-tech professions. The goal of the Competition is to develop the human resources potential of Russian companies to achieve technological leadership of the country on the world stage.
The final of the Competition will be held from November 10 to 14, 2025 in Yekaterinburg on the territory of the Yekaterinburg-Expo International Exhibition Complex.
