Goscomvoyenprom will enter new stage of development by 2020 after completing previously assigned goals

On 30 January 2015, Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT) hosted a Goscomvoyenprom collegium, headed by Sergei Gurulyov, Chairman of Belarusian State Military Industrial Committee (Goscomvoyenprom). During the session, the participants summed up the results of meeting the targets of social and economic development for 2014 and defined the measures of sustainable development in 2015.

Staff officers of the Council of Ministers, Ministry of Economy, Defence Ministry, State Border Committee, Interior Ministry, Emergencies Ministry, Goscomvoyenprom and companies under its control, directors of Belarusian defence companies, their deputies for economy, foreign economic activities and production attended the collegium. They could get acquainted with the cutting-edge solutions of MZKT.

The collegium included the exhibition of the Goscomvoyenprom companies' products that were developed and manufactured in 2014. The companies presented information on their development in 2015, mockups and full-scale specimens of military hardware that will soon enter or currently entering service with the Armed Forces and other uniformed services. The exhibited systems enjoy high export potential.

In a speech before the collegium, Chairman of Goscomvoyenprom Sergei Gurulyov thoroughly analysed defence companies modernisation that fosters the production of advanced competitive systems. He also made mention of the achievements of defence companies and products to manufacture in 2015.

"The State Military Industrial Committee’s Development Programme for 2011 – 2015 ends in the current year. The results of 2014 define new tasks for 2015 that will enable completing the previously set goals and entering new stage of development by 2020," said Chairman of Goscomvoyenprom.

According to Sergei Gurulyov, in 2014 Goscomvoyenprom was working on the implementation of 2011 – 2015 development plans and policy documents.

In his speech, Sergei Gurulyov focused on last year's main results. They were the following: creation of necessary conditions for defence industry, predictive planning, production of cutting-edge and advanced armaments, military and special equipment both for Belarusian Armed Forces and for export, as well as comprehensive upgrade of the main Goscomvoyenprom's plants. The environment for effective functioning of Goscomvoyenprom till 2020 was created; 2020 Concept of Belarus’ Military-Technical Policy was elaborated, as well.

It was noted that the tasks have been completed at large. The environment for effective functioning of Goscomvoyenprom’s companies and other defence organisations have been created.

According to Sergei Gurulyov, in 2014, defence companies were creating environment for effective functioning and development of new high quality competitive products.

"To date, defence technologies have reached their golden age; in turn, we've almost exhausted a large sci-tech potential, which we inherited from the Soviet military-industrial complex. There is few new solutions left that can be designed. In order not to fall behind completely, we should lay a new ground, think of innovations and develop our own systems," said Sergei Gurulyov.

For these purposes, a relevant institution was created. Its core comprises chief designers, construction bureaus and R&D companies.

Over the past years, chief designers were appointed; the scientific and technical (expert) council of Goscomvoyenprom and chief designers council were established.

By joining together the best experts it is possible to coordinate activities and exercise technical control over R&D works, production and development of new advanced systems.

In 2014, the Goscomvoyenprom organisations finished more than 60 projects; ten R&D works were completed. These projects create the potential for five state sci-tech subprogrammes and state research programmes.

The most important projects of the current five-year plan:

Development and production of advanced radio systems in Belarus

Production of navigation equipment

Production of special-purpose versatile unmanned aircraft systems

Establishment of the Belarusian national satellite communication and broadcasting system

In recent years, foreign armies set high priority to the development of network-centric C4ISR system.

Conducting combat operations in a common information space requires utilising complex technologies, including networks that are combined in information computation system, which enjoys precision weapons targeting.

Belarus has certain experience in the development and production of control and communication systems.

Having analysed cutting-edge communication systems of technologically advanced countries' armies, Belarus has developed basic elements for promising communication system for its Armed Forces. The specifications of radio facilities are based on this concept.

According to Sergei Gurulyov, the line-up of communication systems for the Armed Forces is almost developed. Within this framework the main task of AGAT – Control Systems, management company of the Geoinformation Control Systems Holding, is to complete development of HF digital radio stations.

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are among the most important devices to conduct reconnaissance. In 2014, several drones were developed and passed state tests: the BAK-100 tactical UAS with the range of 100 km, the Berkut-1 and Berkut-2 short-range tactical UAVs that entered into the inventory of the Armed Forces. At present, it is developed the UAV for aerial reconnaissance and monitoring territories and objects. In the mid-term it is supposed to develop combat UASs that will enhance combat capabilities.

Chairman of Goscomvoyenprom specified the tasks on establishment of regulatory and legal framework for development, performing trials and employment of UASs, as well as establishment of UASs certification centre. Sergei Gurulyov gave special attention to development of certain parts of the BAK-100, conducting research trials and its entering service with Belarusian Armed Forces.

It was designed a number of structural components for the unified navigation, timing and positioning system of Belarus within the framework of the radiocommunication and navigation state scientific-technical programme and radionavigation sub-programme.

In this context, Sergei Gurulyov tasked to improve national standards, establish navigation equipment certification centre, commercialise the received technical systems, launch manufacturing and start deliveries to customers.

Chairman of Goscomvoyenprom highlighted that the previous year's faults in these projects were eliminated.

Gurulyov noted that almost all employees of Goscomvoyenprom companies will be involved in these projects.

Belarusian Armed Forces annually phase in up to 25 new and upgraded weapon systems, due to defence companies' activities.

In the report Sergei Gurulyov detailed state policy, promising development and maintenance of arms, military and special equipment. Goscomvoyenprom accomplishes this task in cooperation with the republican governmental authorities and National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Goscomvoyenprom held working meetings with Defence Ministry, Interior Ministry and Border Committee in the framework of promoting cooperation with uniformed services. As a result, the relevant projects are implemented.

State Military Industrial Committee has become a state customer of the most important armaments, military and special equipment.

Following the meeting, Gurulyov noted that when Goscomvoyenprom issues licences for defence products manufacturers, it will consider their contribution to country’s defence capability.

This approach will be applied both to state-owned and private companies.

"This year, we will try to prepare legal base. Contribution to country’s defence capability will be on the first place when issuing any licence. It means what you are doing for national defence. Such approach will be applied to production, R&D and experimental development works," Gurulyov said. Companies' management must understand that the main goal of Goscomvoyenprom is to enhance the country’s defence capacity. Some directors were arguing that according to a statute, the main task is to make profit; defence capability is a secondary matter. Such approach is unacceptable."

According to Chairman of Goscomvoyenprom, making profit will be on the second place.

"I think that such posing the issue is actual and right," said Chairman.

In addition, he noted that problems of defence companies are not connected with currency fluctuations and financial crisis. It is important to elaborate a clear action plan.

The main task in 2015 will be fulfilling of the presidential order, considering development and maintenance of arms, military and special equipment. The President gave this order while visiting the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant, 2566th Radioelectronic Armament Repair Plant and 140th Repair Plant in 2014.

The head of state gave a special attention to the role of defence industry in strengthening of the country’s national security. The President tasked to establish a closed production cycle of advanced weapons: from means of mobility to firing systems. He announced this on 23 September 2014 at a meeting related to establishing production of advanced armaments.

"It is important to equip our army with cutting-edge and effective high-precision weapons," said the head of state. "Military hardware should provide protection, high mobility, manoeuvrability, conduct of reconnaissance and precise fire attacks at large distances. Foreign armies demand only the best and the most reliable armaments. We should keep up with others."

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko demands to rapidly develop new lines, design up-to-date armaments that would be in demand not only with the Belarusian army, but with foreign militaries as well.

The most important current task of defence industry is to ensure national security and defence by means of military-technical support and implementation of the state defence order, which is based on the state armament programme.

In 2015, chief designers in cooperation with uniformed services' experts define the key systems that will greatly enhance national security and defence capacity.

The task is of higher priority; its performing will be reflected in the 2025 Concept of Belarus’ Military-Technical Policy and 2020 plan of its implementation.

Last year's business environment was difficult for defence companies. The majority of defence companies have managed to perform the Military Industrial Committee’s Development Programme and carry out their own plans. They have developed new products, upgraded production capacities and adjusted directions of further development in accordance with new trends.

The planned social and economic development targets were achieved on the whole.

During the first eleven months of 2014, profitability of sales reached 12.7 %, energy saving index was minus 7.5 % at year-end.

The production volume is dynamically growing. Annual growth rate equalled about 123 %.

The export volume gradually increases. In 2011, the increase of export was 105 %. In 2014, the export increased up to 118.6% in relation to the same period of the previous year.

Positive results in the foreign trade provide positive financial status of the Goscomvoyenprom companies.

As well, Chairman of Goscomvoyenprom noted that 2015 is the final year of implementing 2012 – 2015 comprehensive modernisation programmes.

"I am expecting that the directors will create the environment for promising development for the next five years. In the second half of the year we will consider drafts of 2016 – 2020 programmes," Gurulyov said."Goscomvoyenprom realises the necessity of advanced technologies and innovations for all defence industry in general."

Belarusian military-industrial complex is able to manufacture highly qualitative and competitive products with condition of investments in design departments and production upgrade. Those companies that accepted this fact are the leading ones in the defence industry.

As a result of work in the 2014, the best industrial company is MZKT; Peleng is the best among scientific organisations; Belvneshpromservice is number one among special exporters.