AIRR Director Alexander Smekalin proposed using the Association’s resources to form a unified regional position and consolidate regional experience in developing the national strategy for autonomous systems through 2036. He noted that today, a significant portion of practical experience in civilian piloting of technologies, support measures, and implementation solutions is concentrated at the regional level. This proposal was made during the roundtable “Strategy-2036: Outline of an Autonomous Russia,” organized by the Association of Operators and Manufacturers of Autonomous Systems “National Autonomous Systems” (NAS Association). The main topic was the role of autonomous systems in ensuring technological sovereignty, their impact on the economy and industry, and the need to develop a unified regulatory approach. Participants included NAS Association Board Chairman Dmitry Afanasyev, Advisor to the Minister of Economic Development Vladimir Voloshin, representatives of GLONASS JSC, the National Technology Initiative Project Support Fund, the Federal Center for Unmanned Aviation Systems, as well as developers and operators of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). According to AIRR Director Alexander Smekalin, the development of autonomous systems requires establishing an effective management system at the regional level. “Today, many decisions in the field of autonomous systems are being tested precisely at the regional level. The federal center sets general rules and makes key regulatory decisions, while their practical testing, launch of pilot projects, support measures, and technology implementation largely take place in the regions. Infrastructure, future markets, and accumulated experience are being built here. Therefore, regional practice should become an important part of forming the national strategy for autonomous systems development. Tatarstan, Sakhalin, Yakutia, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Altai Krai, and other regions are implementing their own models of technology application, infrastructure development, and demand formation. Approaches vary: in some cases, development starts with addressing specific consumer needs and existing demand, while in others, it begins with government initiatives and pilot projects,” commented Alexander Smekalin. During the roundtable, one of AIRR’s regions—Tomsk Oblast—was invited to share its experience in operating the Territorial Industrial Cluster of Electronics and Drone Technologies. Developing a national strategy for the coming decade will help identify effective models, determine barriers, and formulate solutions that can be used in preparing regulations, support mechanisms, and interactions between customers and developers. AIRR currently unites 20 regions and is ready to take on the role of a regional platform for consolidating experience, developing joint solutions, and moderating discussions, emphasized Alexander Smekalin. NAS Association Board Chairman Dmitry Afanasyev recalled that the Russian Ministry of Transport is launching a competition on low-altitude economy to develop effective logistics services across regions and replicate best practices, with AIRR serving as the platform for collecting regional participation applications. It is planned that, with federal expert support, a comprehensive model for developing drone logistics—including routes, infrastructure, and organizational/legal solutions—will be tested in one region. This model will combine demand from major customers with the competencies of Russian UAS operators and manufacturers. The expected outcome is effective logistics services meeting regional needs. Following the roundtable, participants outlined key areas for further work on the strategy to establish a unified coordination framework for autonomous systems development. More details are available in the NAS Association’s article. We also note that the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia and the Association of Operators and Manufacturers of Autonomous Systems “National Autonomous Systems” signed a strategic cooperation agreement at the Eastern Economic Forum in September. The partnership aims to advance drone and autonomous technologies in Russian regions, expand interregional and international cooperation, and support projects focused on practical implementation of innovative solutions.