October 29, 2014. Burevestnik Central Scientific Research Institute (a member enterprise of Uralvagonzavod Corporation) hosted a meeting of heads of Volga Federal District-based defense industry enterprises. The meeting was chaired by Plenipotentiary Representative of Russian Federation President in Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich.

The corporation’s press service reports the meeting was dedicated to looking into the ways of meeting the target figures for import replacement of spare parts that are used for design, production, and operation of Russian arms and special vehicles.

The enterprises’ directors talked about the technological, personnel, and financial resources of their enterprises that could help reach the goal. Russian Deputy Minister for Industry & Trade Alexander Popov and Deputy Chair of Russian Federation Defense Industry Collegiate Oleg Bochkarev took part in the discussion as well.

At the start of the meeting, Mikhail Babich said he felt the current situation was actually good for the defense sector.

‘The sanctions imposed on Russia by Ukraine and NATO member states gave us an additional encouragement to break out of the vicious circle of cooperation with the Western partners that we do not need in producing the goods for the defense sector. We must make sure defense sector produce is made as much locally as possible, this will boost the development of science and industry and, most importantly, this will create the conditions necessary to achieve military and defense independence. In terms of the state development strategy, this is an absolute priority,’ the official said.