Russian Robot Imports Surged 81% as Chinese Hardware Dominated Factories
A study from Rostec subsidiary Rosel reveals that despite political pushes for domestic tech, imports still control up to 83% of Russia's industrial robotics market. Chinese suppliers stepped in, frequently undercutting local producers.
Between 2023 and 2025, Russian imports of industrial robotics surged by 81% in volume and 55% in value, according to research by Rosel, a holding under state conglomerate Rostec, cited by newspaper Vedomosti. Deliveries grew from 4,800 machines worth 38 billion rubles in 2023 to 8,700 units totaling 59 billion rubles in 2025.
Foreign hardware continues to supply 77% to 83% of the overall Russian robotics market. Following the departure of European and Japanese suppliers after 2022, Chinese manufacturers quickly established regional dealership networks and representative offices. In many industrial segments, Chinese units are sold at prices below domestic alternatives.
Local manufacturing also grew, expanding from 6.2 billion to 20.8 billion rubles to reach a 26% market share, up from 14% two years prior. Domestic builders like Promobot, Arcodim, and Eidos-Robotics concentrated on multipurpose robotic arms (38% of local production value) and autonomous logistics vehicles (22%), reporting revenue gains between 40% and 66%.
Despite the influx of machinery, factory automation remains sparse. The country's density stood at 42 robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers in 2025—up from 29 in 2023, but far below the global benchmark of 162. State-backed adoption is also stalling on budget delivery: by October 2025, the federal robotics program had distributed only 5.6 billion rubles, or 9.6% of its scheduled annual financing toward the 2030 fleet target set by Vladimir Putin.
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