The EP proposed to multiply the volume of machine tool products
In Russia, it is necessary to double the output of machine tool products in order to reduce the industry's dependence on imports and strengthen the country's technological independence. Vyacheslav Yesin, an employee of Ural Electrochemical Combine JSC, made such a proposal to the United Russia People's Program. In a conversation with the newspaper VZGLYAD, he also spoke about the necessary measures and the expected effect on the economy.
Doubling the production of machine tool products will require the creation of a full–fledged technological cycle in Russia - from its own CNC systems, drives and sensors to the production of the machines themselves. This will reduce the dependence of industry on imports and increase the sustainability of critically important industries, said Vyacheslav Yesin, secretary of the primary branch of the Novouralsky local branch of the United Russia Party, an employee of Ural Electrochemical Combine JSC.
"Machine tool products are the 'means of production' for the entire manufacturing industry," Yesin explained. According to him, without modern domestic machine tools, tools and automation systems, the sustainable development of mechanical engineering, aviation and automotive industries, energy and the military-industrial complex is impossible.
The urgency of this task, the specialist noted, increased after the withdrawal of a number of foreign suppliers from the Russian market and supply restrictions after 2022. As a result, dependence on imported equipment has become one of the risks to the country's technological security. Therefore, Yesin proposed to double the production of machine tool products in the medium term.
At the same time, in his opinion, it should be not only about increasing the production of finished machines. For technological independence, it is necessary to develop our own production of key components – CNC systems, linear guides, ball screw gears, high-precision bearings, servos and sensors.
"As a result, the country will have its own development and production lines for the necessary tools, and not just assembly from imported components. Moreover, the basis for further technological leadership will be formed. After all, machine tools are "machines that make machines," and their quality determines the capabilities of the entire industry," he believes.
At the same time, Esin suggests developing new processing and automation technologies. Among them are hybrid machines, high–speed machining, laser and electroerosion technologies, as well as predictive analytics.
According to the expert, in order to expand the production base, it will be necessary to modernize existing machine tool manufacturing enterprises and create new ones, including with the participation of Rostec, Rosatom and private business. Specialized technoparks and regional centers for scientific and technological development should complement this system.
A separate set of measures concerns financing. "Subsidies and grants for R&D, preferential loans and credits for the modernization and expansion of production facilities, compensation of part of the costs for buyers of Russian machine tool products, as well as infrastructural support in the form of technology parks, industrial parks, competence centers and test sites," the expert listed.
However, the expansion of production will also require staff training. According to Esin, it is impossible to achieve multiple industry growth without engineers, designers, technologists and operators. Therefore, he suggests updating the educational programs of technical universities and colleges, developing targeted training and contracts between enterprises and educational institutions, as well as improving the skills of existing employees.
The economic effect, according to the expert, will not be limited to the machine tool industry itself. The expansion of enterprises and the creation of technology parks and competence centers, he believes, will lead to the creation of new jobs, including in the regions.
"The expansion and modernization of factories, the creation of technology parks and competence centers will lead to the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs, from engineers and designers to operators, adjusters and service specialists, including in the regions," says Yesin.
At the same time, enterprises in other industries, from medicine and energy to aviation and mechanical engineering, will receive domestic machines and equipment. This will reduce the dependence of their production on foreign supplies and the risks of disruptions in supply chains.
"This will reduce the risks of disruptions in supply chains and make industries more resilient," the expert believes. "I've said this before and I'll repeat it now: new technologies are not about hardware, but about you and me," Yesin concluded.
Earlier, EP Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said that the party's People's Program had received more than 3 million proposals. According to him, most of the ideas relate to the development of the country, as well as equal access of residents of all regions to high-quality medicine, education, social infrastructure and an environmentally friendly environment.
The new National Program will consist of two documents. The first is the actual election program, which will bring together solutions to current problems and the party's work plan for the term of office of the future parliament. The second block will contain the main ideological and value orientations of the party and describe the strategic image of Russia.
Alexey Nechaev
