Satellite images reveal Russian military factories ramping up production

Analysis of new satellite imagery indicates Russia is actively expanding production capabilities at its military factories for tactical and strategic aircraft, combat helicopters, and cruise missiles, according to an investigation by the Ukrainian Skhemy/RFE/RL project. The noticeable construction at these defense industry plants over the past year suggests preparations for prolonged conflict, the journalists report.

The Kazan Aviation Plant, part of Russia’s state-owned Rostec corporation, is located near the civilian Borisoglebsk Airport in Kazan. Though it produces some civilian airliners, the plant also builds and repairs strategic bombers like the Tu-160, which Russia uses to launch missiles at Ukraine.

“The Kazan Aviation Plant in Soviet times was one of the most important strategic facilities, as it produced and serviced strategic aircraft of the nuclear triad: Tu-16, Tu-22, and Tu-160. So the plant’s capabilities now allow deep modernization and repair of remaining Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 aircraft,” aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi explained to Skhemy.

This year, a large new two-building hangar complex 300 meters long and over 180 meters wide was erected at the Kazan plant, satellite images show. Although Russian state television claimed it will be used for new Tu-214 civilian planes, experts say its size means it could also service strategic bombers like the Tu-160.

“The hangar has two sections. One is for large component assembly or maintenance/repair – given its size. It can fit three Tu-160 aircraft simultaneously. The other section has workshops for repairing or building aircraft components and parts,” said Khrapchynskyi.

Another state aircraft factory increasing capacity is in Irkutsk, which manufactures the Su-30 fighter jet and variants. According to The Military Balance, Russia reportedly has over 120 Su-30 aircraft. The Irkutsk plant also repairs Su-30s, notably one that crashed into a residential building in Irkutsk in October 2022. Ukraine’s military intelligence suggested the crash could have been due to “low-quality repair of the Su-30” at the plant.

Russian Su-30 fighter jet crashed on two-storey residential building in Russia's Irkutsk

Russian sources claim that the aircraft's both pilots died.

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