The Russian Aerospace Force will get 143 new aircraft, two regiments of S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems and the first S-350 Vityaz surface-to-air complex next year, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at the Ministry’s year-end enlarged board meeting attended by President Vladimir Putin.

“There are plans to deliver 143 new and upgraded aircraft, two regiment sets of S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems, one S-350 Vityaz surface-to-air complex and seven battalion sets of Pantsyr air defense missile/gun systems to the Aerospace Force, naval aviation and the Navy’s air defense forces,” Shoigu said.

According to the Minister, the share of modern weaponry, military and special hardware will reach 65% in the Air Force and 81.8% in the Aerospace Force.

Furthermore, reconnaissance and attack drones will start arriving for the Russian Army from 2019, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu added.

“Work is nearing completion to create medium-range reconnaissance and attack drones. From next year, they are expected to start arriving for the troops,” the defense chief said.

Under the defense procurement plan, the Russian Army annually gets over 300 short-range aircraft, the Defense Minister said. “Their number has exceeded 2,100 drones in the Armed Forces.”

Russia is developing several types of attack drones. These are the strike version of the Forpost medium reconnaissance drone, the Orion medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, the Altair reconnaissance and strike drone with a weight of up to 5 tons, the sixth-generation Okhotnik (Hunter) heavy strike drone and the Karnivora small strike/interceptor drone.

At the Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square on May 9, 2018, Russia showcased Korsar and Katran strike drones.