The pace gained by the Russian defense industry in 2023 made it possible to significantly increase the production of weapons and ammunition. Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the cluster of conventional weapons, ammunition and special chemicals of the state corporation, spoke about the work on a new heavy flamethrower system, the development of ammunition capable of destroying American Abrams, among other things, and innovations in the fight against attack drones in an exclusive interview for TASS.
— Bekhan Ibrahimovich, there has been a special operation in Ukraine for two years now. The military equipment that Russia uses during its military operation is 90% produced by Rostec enterprises. These are planes, tanks, drones, small arms, and, of course, artillery. In modern warfare, artillery has once again confirmed its leading role. How much has the rate of production of artillery systems increased over the past two years? What are the most important achievements in this field?
— If we compare the domestic "defense industry" at the beginning of 2022 and now, the difference is huge. We have reached such a pace and volume of production that until recently seemed unrealistic. Compared to 2022, the volume of production of self—propelled artillery increased 10 times, towed artillery - 14 times. Mortars — 20 times, MLRS — 2 times. In addition, the production of components has been established. In particular, the production and repair of tank guns and barrels for artillery weapons has doubled. As a result, in 2023 Rostec fulfilled the state defense order for the supply of artillery in full.
Of course, there is a great contribution from our specialists — engineers, workers, factory directors. People understand that they are working to win, and they spare no effort. At the same time, there was serious preparatory work. Over the years, our enterprises have been purchasing equipment and upgrading. They mastered new technologies and conducted promising developments. Artillery, which Stalin called the "god of war", was in a special focus of attention.
I would like to note that we respond flexibly to the needs of the army. Our designers and engineers continue to refine weapons and military equipment, improve them based on the results of their use in the area of their own. Today we produce not only well-proven samples, but also develop new ones. Engineering does not stand still.
— Can you tell me more?
— For example, everyone knows the heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1 "Solntsepek" and TOS-2 "Tosochka". This is a powerful weapon that has proven itself well in the area of its own. We are currently working on the creation of a new heavy flamethrower system TOS-3. A promising tracked vehicle will be equipped with a new launcher. This will increase the firing range and use new ammunition. The first experimental machine has already been created.
— Tell us about the production of ammunition. Is there an increase in their output? Have new munitions been developed in 2023?
— In 2023, Rostec enterprises supplied 25 times more ammunition than a year earlier. The production of the entire range of weapons of destruction has increased. For individual items, deliveries have been increased up to 50 times. In some positions, an advanced delivery of part of the volume of tasks of the state defense order of 2024 was carried out in excess of the approved schedule of 2023.
For example, last year we increased the production of shots for automatic and under-barrel grenade launchers by five times. This is compared to the period before the start of ITS. And we plan to further increase the production of such ammunition due to the high demand. Our army is advancing, and these shots increase the offensive potential of units in the near tactical zone.
In addition, in 2023, the state corporation also multiplied the production of guided artillery shells, including the Krasnopol-M2. This year we will also increase the output of these products.
I would like to add that our specialists are constantly improving the production process. Last year, Rostec enterprises began the industrial production of gunpowder from alternative raw materials — wood and flax pulp. The results are positive: a complex of tests and practical shooting has shown that such gunpowder is in no way inferior to traditional. There is no shortage of wood raw materials in Russia. In the future, the share of new raw materials in the production of gunpowder will reach 60-70%.
— ITS demonstrated the importance of unmanned aircraft. Is Rostec currently developing special ammunition for drones? Has their serial production already been established?
— The effectiveness of drones on the battlefield today is beyond anyone's doubt. We see many examples when our drones help fighters conduct reconnaissance, direct strikes and destroy Western equipment, including the vaunted Abrams.
Last year, Rostec specialists developed a line of dropable weapons for drones. We promptly launched their large-scale production and organized uninterrupted deliveries. Their output will be increased in 2024. The manufactured range is planned to be expanded in accordance with the operational needs of the troops.
Currently, the priority is the serial production of plug-in combat units with a specialized fuse. Such ammunition ensures the safe and reliable operation of kamikaze drones of various payload classes.
— Please tell us about the latest developments in the field of ammunition for the most modern tanks used in the military.
— We are working ahead of the curve and creating a new line of promising ammunition with improved characteristics. At the same time, the parameters and features of the protection of captured armored vehicles, data on the protection of promising enemy samples, information received from tankers taking part in a special military operation are taken into account. If the enemy creates a new tank with improved protection, our task is to release ammunition that will multiply their efforts by zero.
— Earlier it was reported that one of Rostec's enterprises has developed an automated gun control system that programs ammunition to explode at the point optimal for hitting the enemy. Are the enterprises of the holding developing ammunition with programmable detonation? How effective are such munitions in the fight against drones? Are combat tests being conducted?
— This is a very promising area, and, of course, such work is underway. For example, a 30-millimeter shot with a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a remotely controlled fuse was created. A remote detonation time control system has been developed for combat vehicles, which provides command detonation of the projectile at the desired point in the flight path. Last year, it was successfully tested as part of the BMPT (tank support combat vehicle — approx. TASS), they confirmed the correctness of engineering calculations. In the future, such a complex is planned to be placed not only in the BMPT, but also in the combat modules of the BTR-82A, BMP-3M, etc. This will significantly increase the effectiveness of small-caliber cannon armament.
Now our engineers are actively working on several options to expand the capabilities of air defense in the fight against drones. All options have been worked out as much as possible from a constructive and technical point of view, that is, they are practically ready and do not require time for revision. In particular, the use of 57-millimeter or 30-millimeter artillery shrapnel shots with controlled remote detonation based on the Derivation-Air defense and Typhoon-airborne complexes is being considered.
— We have repeatedly reported on the effectiveness of the use of aerial bombs with a universal planning and correction module in the area of its own. Are they currently being upgraded?
— UMPC is a vivid example of the fact that everything ingenious is simple. Today, our specialists, together with KTRV JSC, continue to work on the adaptation of standard aviation ammunition to the planning and correction module. Due to the demand for long-range weapons, the production of aviation bombs of all calibers and types of action for use with these modules is increasing.
— Many have seen footage from the front, where equipment is moving under the cover of smoke bombs, or footage of the Crimean Bridge in a smoke screen. Has the production of these products increased? Are there any new developments in this area now?
— Despite their apparent simplicity, such tools are very effective for protecting armored vehicles, ships, shoreline facilities, etc. They put up masking veils and create false targets that "take away" the attacking ammunition of the enemy. We produce a wide range of aerosol masking and jamming devices — from hand-held smoke grenades and mines to smoke protection systems. We continue to improve their characteristics and create new models that meet the latest challenges dictated by the realities of modern combat.
— Are there improvements in jamming and anti-radar cartridges for aviation based on the results of their use in the military? Is the production of these products increasing?
— To protect aircraft, helicopters and ground equipment from high-precision weapons, Rostec enterprises supply more than 20 types of jamming cartridges of various calibers to the troops. Our products can set different types of false targets, whether thermal (infrared), anti-laser, anti-radar or combined. They protect military equipment from guided missile systems with optical, infrared, radar homing heads, as well as from missiles with laser proximity fuses. Combined false targets can protect aircraft and helicopters in the visible, infrared and radar ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum. I must say that the developments of our specialists make it possible to significantly increase the combat capabilities of aviation in the conditions of its own.
Of course, our specialists are working on upgrading products, including analyzing information about the latest defeat systems used by the enemy. I can say with confidence that the existing scientific and technical potential allows us to solve these tasks quickly and efficiently.