Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Friday that the nation is intensifying its production of tanks and heavy flamethrower systems, but emphasized the need for further efforts to enhance the manufacturing of tank protection equipment.
During his visit to a tank factory in the Siberian city of Omsk, Shoigu praised workers for surpassing production targets.
He remarked,”The Omsk plant is fulfilling the programme – I can say it is even over-fulfilling the programme,” Shoigu was shown telling officials. “The issues and tasks that we decided on during our last visit have almost all been resolved.
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The necessity to construct new tanks arises from significant equipment losses experienced by Russia in the initial two years of the conflict in Ukraine. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Russia has incurred over 3,000 tank losses in the region, equivalent to its entire active inventory before the conflict, necessitating the retrieval of old tanks from storage for replacement.
Shoigu directed factory leaders to enhance the production of tank protection equipment and underscored the importance of strengthening supplies to tank repair units. He emphasized the need to significantly increase the deployment of additional kits for combat vehicles.
Amid Russian forces’ ongoing assaults on the strategically significant Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yar, Shoigu’s visit to the factory coincided with escalating hostilities.
“Now we need to significantly increase the additional kits that we need to put on those vehicles that are in combat,” he said.
Ukrainian authorities allege that Moscow aims to capture the town by May 9, a date commemorating Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
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Factory personnel informed Shoigu that production of “Solntsepek” heavy flamethrower systems had increased by 2.5 times, and the next shipment of a new model of the T-80BVM main battle tank was prepared for deployment to the frontlines. Factory management also highlighted the hiring of an additional 1,200 employees since the previous year and the adoption of round-the-clock shifts to boost production capacity.
Shoigu also emphasized the significance of producing anti-drone systems. Given Kyiv’s frequent drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, particularly major oil refineries, Shoigu emphasized the importance of fortifying defenses against such threats, which have impacted global oil prices.
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