Experts: Russia is increasing production of solid fuel rockets

Illustrative photo from open sources

Satellite images available to researchers indicate a significant expansion of five Russian production complexes where work is underway to create solid-fuel rocket engines. According to Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), this indicates the Kremlin's intention to significantly increase missile production during the war against Ukraine.

Hinz identified the above-mentioned production complexes based on Russian media reports and declassified CIA documents from the Cold War. These documents list the facilities where solid-fuel rocket engines were produced in the USSR.

These objects are located in Altai, Rostov, near Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as in Perm, Reuters reports.

Satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies in July, September and October show cleared vegetation and extensive new construction next to buildings that Hinz identified as research and production facilities at five solid rocket motor production complexes. As he launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Vladimir Putin ordered increased funding to expand defense production.

“Satellite imagery indicates that solid rocket motor production facilities appear to be a major focus of this work,” Hinz’s report, published on the IISS’s Military Balance Plus blog, noted.

Recall that the Russian government plans to increase national defense spending to 6.3 percent of GDP next year, the highest figure since the Cold War.

As Ukrainian officials note, expanding the production of solid-fuel rocket engines could help the Kremlin meet its military needs without resorting to external suppliers, in particular North Korea.

Solid propellants are a mixture of fuel, such as aluminum powder, and oxidizers, most commonly ammonium perchlorate, as well as a solid rubber binder, which is poured into a rocket motor.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

Solid propellant rockets are often simpler and safer to operate than liquid propellant rockets. They are usually ready to launch immediately, have a longer shelf life, and require less logistical support.

Russian defense industry expert Pavel Podvig also believes that the expansion of the complexes' territory indicates plans in Russia to increase production of solid propellant rockets, particularly surface-to-surface missiles.

“If you produce fuel, you need to use it somehow… this suggests that missile production will be increased,” he said, adding that he saw no other explanation for the production expansion.

However, it should be recalled that back in May, a senior Russian diplomat said that Russia would have to increase its entire missile arsenal due to the confrontation with the United States and its allies.

Hinz noted that satellite photographs do not provide information on which solid-fuel engines are planned to be increased in production.

Russia produces a number of solid-fuel missiles, including the Grad and Uragan missiles launched from mobile launchers, anti-tank missiles, modern S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft missiles, and Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles.

Russia's nuclear arsenal also includes solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles – the Topol-M and Bulava, which are launched from submarines. Their deployment is limited until the New START treaty, the last remaining Russian-American arms control pact, expires in February 2026.

Hinz told Reuters that any Kremlin plans to ramp up ballistic missile production could face major hurdles, including Western sanctions and export controls that hamper the supply of key raw materials, most notably ammonium perchlorate, an oxidizer needed to make solid fuel. At the same time, the expert noted that Russia can obtain raw materials from domestic sources.

Another obstacle, according to Hinz, could be the shortage of skilled labor in Russia, since many young specialists have left the country, trying to avoid mobilization, while others have been called up for military service.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga