Status of Russian Military Industrial Complex (MIC)

George1 wrote:Problems of defense enterprises of Kazan

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3512548.html

When you take into account everything costs less in Russia the nominal $65 billion budget buys three times the military power it would in the US

Explains how Russia is able to maintain a million-man military on a budget, in dollar terms, not much larger than UK’s which maintains a military of just 200,000 and with far fewer potent weapons...

Moscow machine-building plant "AVANGARD", founded in 1942 for the production of aircraft engines and repair of aircraft, today considered one of the key enterprises for the production of anti-aircraft guided missiles in Russia. On the current situation, achievements, plans and working conditions in the factory said its CEO Alexander Medvedev buckets.

— What is the role of the plant "Avangard" in the defense industry?

— Our plant is a part of the concern aerospace defense "Almaz-Antey" — a large holding of the military‑industrial complex, the leader in the segment systems for the aerospace defense of the Russian Federation.

Our company is engaged in serial production and repair of missiles for air defense missile systems of various ranges. Our plant is not the enterprise of a full cycle: we get components from other companies of the group, we turn them into the product and pass on to the customer.

I am proud that "vanguard" is unique: at the moment he's the only rockets all types of anti-aircraft missile systems s-400, which are on arms of the Russian army, and export contracts. Soon will start the enterprise-backup, but so far all the missiles for the complex are made only for us.

— Is there a high demand for the company's products?

— Our products are in part produced by concern "Almaz-Antey" complexes are widely demanded inside the country and abroad. Among our customers are "sophisticated" customers, such as Turkey, India and China, who would not buy weapons, not corresponding to all modern standards. I can assure you that foreign buyers are very satisfied with our products, it is cheaper and more effective than any Western counterparts.

— Are there differences between the products manufactured for our market and export?

-Export production component base can be different, by agreement with the acquiring party. In addition, export products are more constricted and "roughened" specifications.

That is, we do not create weapons against himself?

— Yes, "his" weapon for "their" a priori can not shoot. If you exaggerate, our troops are more accurate, longer-range and faster missiles. Foreign buyers know about it, is one of the conditions of cooperation.

— What are the difficulties currently facing the company, and You as its leader? (We know You take two a high post: the General Director of MMZ AVANGARD and Deputy General Director for production and technology policy concern "Almaz-Antey" how do You do it? )

In fact, it is difficult for me, I don't know how time — 24 hours in a day is not always enough. The concern's enterprises are scattered across the country, and I always have to go on business trips often require personal presence to verify the execution of a plan, a particular task or solve contentious issues. Save modern means of communication, besides, we built the logistics to get the documents online.

Share headache of any Manager of the plant, which performs the state defense order. I as the CEO are responsible for the final product, but even without that little gadget it does not work. For example, they may lack some specific nail Polish because the company anywhere in Nizhny Novgorod have suspended production. In this case, we have to get out quickly to look for doubles or to help to solve the problems of the Nizhny Novgorod enterprises. There is also the problem that occasionally someone from the suppliers refused to supply us with components or trying to deliver poor quality products — the good, the serious plant input control. Otherwise, we have everything you need: planning, personnel, and equipment. Everything runs like clockwork — you just have to have.

— What are the key results of the past year?

— Last year we implemented a new product, and production volume rose by almost a third! Recently our company was 77 years old, and we held a large-scale modernization. We are engaged in the reconstruction of distributive electrical networks launched modular boiler to replace the old, purchased and installed new equipment and carry out major repairs of buildings. It is very important for the entire enterprise stage, so control of the discipline we have in the army: all builders — two hundred people — in the morning lined up in a row, and we check the other leaders that they were provided with overalls and really wanted to work.

I can say that modernization concerns not only equipment and facilities but also the personnel management system, attitude of employees to work.

— Do you involve the factory youth?

— No doubt! We have agreements with such educational establishments as the MAI, MGTU im. N. Uh. And Bauman MSTU "Stankin". We hold open days and tours, during which you can see how we have arranged the work. For young professionals with additional payments. All these measures are very effective: we have about three thousand employees, and about a third of them under the age of 35 years. Of course, we have elders — the oldest of the employees of 94 years.

— Formed does the plant labor dynasties?

— There are a few cases where we work with three or four generations of one family. It is the workers - like welcome. But we are against nepotism, especially if we are talking about procurement and supply.

— If you have a traditionally female profession?

— In one of the shops knit harness is, if to simplify, thick bundles of thin wires, some semblance of a braid of the car, only more complex. This is a very important element of the rocket, it can be compared with the blood vessels — so the work is extremely demanding. The staff of the shop made a bundle with all the connections and connectors, it is very important to distinguish between wires of different lengths. Men, of course, also can handle, but it's better this hard work turns out in women. Still don't understand why.

— What are the conditions the company offers to employees?

— I'll start with the fact that we have an average salary — more than 90 thousand rubles. In addition, there are a number of incentive payments. So, this year introduced a provision on the excellent quality, allows you to receive 20% raise. The employees themselves determine the best of the workshops and departments, guided by defined criteria.

We also have free meals in the canteen for 600 employees of hazardous industries and housing Commission, which provides place in dormitory or pays those who rents an apartment. Functioning in the Union, many employees receive vouchers to rest homes, their children to children's camps.

— Share what steps the company development planned for the near future?

— Modernization is in full swing, soon we will begin to build a new electroplating workshop. Building your own sports complex. We conducted a survey among employees and found out that it is important for them to have within walking distance a modern sports complex. Until this is implemented, we partially compensate the cost of the subscription in fitness rooms. Moreover, the factory has sports teams in various sports that show good results in urban and regional tournaments. Not so long ago, our football team took first place in the championship among the enterprises of the defense industry.

The company's management is ready to meet new challenges, to increase the amount of work and products, to execute new projects, including to implement a program for diversification of production, and of course, improve the social climate of the enterprise. Will say that my job is responsibility to subordinates and colleagues, to foreign buyers and the home country. It's a challenge that I accept every day and do everything possible to adequately deal with it.

dino00 wrote:  if they could have the full-cycle production closer, and more control with suppliers would be great.

miketheterrible wrote:

dino00 wrote:  if they could have the full-cycle production closer, and more control with suppliers would be great.

Whole thing is a catch 22.  They (Government) wants more SME's to be involved in the government and MiC.  Once they do, it ends up becoming a problem in trying to obtain the supplies of parts in a constant flow.  But if they don't, well the industrialists and the people whom are all for private enterprises and what not will cry a lot.

GarryB wrote:In the UK there is a TV show called the dragons den, where people with ideas for businesses or new products run them past a panel of 4-5 rich investors.

I hate the whole concept, where someone with a good idea is grovelling for money to try to create a viable business based on their idea or product.

The idea person gets investment, but it is basically about rich people getting richer on other peoples ideas...

And that is what the west is all about... the rich getting richer at the expense of the people actually doing the work.

kvs wrote:

GarryB wrote:In the UK there is a TV show called the dragons den, where people with ideas for businesses or new products run them past a panel of 4-5 rich investors.

I hate the whole concept, where someone with a good idea is grovelling for money to try to create a viable business based on their idea or product.

The idea person gets investment, but it is basically about rich people getting richer on other peoples ideas...

And that is what the west is all about... the rich getting richer at the expense of the people actually doing the work.

There is a similar show in Canada, it may be the same one.   The entry barrier to innovators into the business world is enormous.  This
is why I do not believe that most of the small businesses being established are genuine.   They are actually being created by larger
companies and the rich to avoid taxes and engage in fake competition for government contracts.   This may sound cynical, but the
business world is a lake of oversized piranhas that shred any insect that lands on the surface (startup).  

For sure there are actual startups, for example we had id Software in the past.   But the number of such businesses coming into
existence is tiny.   They have to catch the right moment where nobody else realizes their value.   Successful startups
often end up being bought out.      

GarryB wrote: helmet mounted sights with high off boresight AAMs