Vladimir Putin ended his working trip to Udmurtia by visiting the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol, which is part of the Almaz-Antey concern.
Mr Putin congratulated the plant’s workers on the enterprise’s 60th anniversary, noting that it has become a leader in the Russian defence industry over this time and has made great strides in other areas too: Output of civilian sector goods is increasing by 30 percent a year. Mr Putin noted that these goods are high-quality, modern and find demand on the market.
The President inspected the production facilities and saw models of new military and civilian goods. One of the facilities, Meteor, underwent large-scale modernisation and expansion in 2016 and produces new design high-tech goods – solid wave gyroscopes destined for use in guidance, stabilisation and navigation systems.
Mr Putin was briefed on a facility used in pharmaceuticals production. It was organised in cooperation with German partners to produce infusion solutions. The plant management said that the solutions produced go entirely to the Russian market, where demand is high, but there are plans in consideration to increase production by 2020 and enter export markets.
The President also saw a demonstration of a solar battery developed at the plant. It is two times cheaper than silicon equivalents and is 45-percent more effective.
The plant’s main product is the Tor and Osa air defence systems. More than 20 countries have air defence systems manufactured at the plant in service in their armed forces. Kupol’s civilian goods include equipment for nuclear power plants, oil production equipment, and various types of climatic equipment.
Mr Putin was presented with a model of a ZRK-TOR-M2DT military vehicle as a souvenir of his visit.
The President took the opportunity to congratulate one of the plant’s veteran workers on his 70th birthday and gave him an officer’s watch.
Mr Putin also signed the distinguished visitors’ book.