Russia has completely replaced French components for tank sighting systems with domestic ones, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said on Friday
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 14th September, 2018) Russia has completely replaced French components for tank sighting systems with domestic ones, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said on Friday.
Prior to the introduction of the sanctions regime, France supplied the Russia with photodetectors, which were the basis of armored vehicle sighting systems used by Russian tanks producers.
"Indeed, we experienced difficulties after the introduction of sanctions and the refusal of the French partners to supply us with these devices. However, research and development works have been launched at Orion Scientific Production Association and Shvabe holding (it is Vologda optical and mechanical plant, and Krasnogorsky Zavod). These devices have been reproduced and the supplies of matrix photodetectors for Uralvagonzavod have started this year, primarily for tank production. We do not depended on anyone in this sphere anymore," Borisov told reporters.
The deputy prime minister noted that the program of import substitution in the domestic military-industrial complex is proceeding at a planned pace, however, he did not rule out that Russia would be purchasing some electronic components in Asian markets.
"There are very good proposals from the countries of the south-east, primarily China, Malaysia, Taiwan, where the main high-tech production facilities are concentrated today," Borisov added.
Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated after 2014, when the Ukraine crisis erupted and Crimea decided to rejoin Russia after holding a referendum. Moscow has insisted that Crimea's referendum was held in line with international standards, but Western states refused to recognize the vote.
The situation prompted the European Union and the United States to impose anti-Russia sanctions, which were followed by retaliatory measures from Moscow.
