The First All-Russian Arms Forum "Russian Arms Market. Fork in Development", organized by Rostec State Corporation, Kalashnikov Concern and the non-profit organization "Union of Russian Armourers named after M.T. Kalashnikov". Oleg Yevtushenko, Executive Director of Rostec, and Bekhan Ozdoev, Industrial Director of the complex of conventional weapons, ammunition and Special chemicals of the State Corporation, took part in the discussion of topical issues in this area.
Oleg Yevtushenko, in his speech, first of all drew attention to the need to revive the culture of conscious and safe handling of weapons in our country. This practice existed earlier, when "elementary military training was taught in schools and thousands of shooting ranges operated."
"SVO has revealed a colossal, I think, gap: a lot of modern men, especially young people, have never seen a weapon with their own eyes and do not know how to handle it. Can such a man, if the moment comes, protect his relatives, his home, his homeland?" − he stated.
Oleg Yevtushenko called the formation of attractive conditions for the inflow of investments in new technologies in the production of civilian weapons another condition for the development of the domestic arms market. "Foreign companies are introducing elements of digital control, artificial intelligence, additive technologies and so on into the production of civilian weapons. We must not lag behind. The help of legislators and relevant departments is necessary here. Domestic companies implementing advanced technologies should get certain advantages," he explained.
Currently, domestic companies are forced to work in conditions of sanctions and unfair competition from Western countries that restrict access to foreign markets and access to necessary technologies and equipment, Oleg Yevtushenko said. Therefore, Russian industry structures, for their part, should take reciprocal steps to protect their interests. Thus, the Union of Russian Gunsmiths has an initiative to close from public access information on the certification of weapons and cartridges transported across the border of Russia. "That's right. It is impossible to give an ill−wisher any additional opportunity to increase pressure," Oleg Yevtushenko is sure.
The executive director of Rostec also recalled that this year a community of small arms owners was created on the basis of the Kalashnikov Club, where more than 120 thousand participants have been registered to date, and in the near future it is planned to create a mobile application for the community. "This is a very important resource where we can exchange best practices and experience, put forward important initiatives, gather opinions and, ultimately, influence the industry," Oleg Yevtushenko said.
According to Bekhan Ozdoev, Industrial director of the complex of conventional weapons, Ammunition and special chemicals of Rostec State Corporation, Rostec's priority goal at present is the unconditional fulfillment of the state defense order. Among the successful results of work in this direction, the representative of the State Corporation called the delivery of a batch of modular Lebedev pistols into trial operation and the completion of tests of the Chukavin sniper rifle.
According to Bekhan Ozdoev, the shooting industry should constantly offer more and more advanced samples to customers, departments and retail consumers. In this regard, the site of the first All-Russian weapons forum with the participation of industry leaders and experts, who should determine further practical steps for its development, is of particular importance. "Right now, the consolidated position of the industry on the prospects for the export of our products, the development of relations with the domestic consumer is important. The fate of enterprises and production sites, the well−being of our employees and their confidence in the future depend on our balanced decisions today," said Bekhan Ozdoev.
Within the framework of the forum, the participants adopted a resolution containing recommendations to all subjects of the shooting market to ensure the sustainable and dynamic development of the industry: give priority to domestic products, develop a roadmap for the development of shooting infrastructure for the period 2024-2027, take measures to popularize shooting sports to form a healthy interest in shooting training in Russian society, prepare proposals for amendments to the Federal Law "On Weapons" in terms of simplifying the circulation of pneumatic weapons, to develop and put into effect the program of the educational module "Fundamentals of shooting training for high school students" and other proposals.
"The delegates unanimously supported the need for the Russian Federation to retain the status of a reliable global supplier of small arms," said Alan Lushnikov, President of Kalashnikov Concern JSC. "At the same time, we are fully aware of the need to maintain a balance between public safety and the development of the domestic market of civilian and service weapons and ammunition, we understand the importance of developing mass shooting sports and infrastructure."