MAKHACHKALA. Oct 8 (Interfax-AVN) - The Dagdizel plant located in Dagestan plans to allot 1 billion rubles in 2015 to arrange the serial production of torpedoes out of Russian-made components, the Dagestani Industry, Trade, and Investments Ministry told Interfax.
"The enterprise earlier had problems with components for torpedoes brought from abroad, primarily from Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan, but now the plant has switched to Russian components. Dagdizel designers have invented a new torpedo, and its prototypes have already undergone tests," a ministry spokesperson said.
As much as 100 million rubles will be allocated for this production from the federal budget, and the rest should be loans and investments, he said.
"Tests have proven the new product's efficiency and perfection. Compared to old torpedoes, it is higher by 10%-15%. Test launches have been conducted in the Black Sea, near the Crimean Peninsula. It is expected that some components will be shipped from plants located in the country's regions. In particular, batteries for torpedoes will be supplied from the Chelyabinsk region," he said.
Dagdizel's participation in an import substitution program is under consideration now, he said.
Dagdizel Commercial Director Grigory Gordin told Interfax that about 80% of the advanced payments the plant receives under a contract with the Defense Ministry is being spent on purchasing imported components.
"If we produce these components at home, this money will remain in the republic," he said.