MOSCOW. July 11 (Interfax) - Russia has increased its output of ammunition and other weapons for the army, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday.
"A great deal, if not more, is being done. All this work began in the past, in 2022. Over a very short period of time, our defense enterprises have managed to increase the production of much-needed types of weapon, military and special hardware, and means of destruction necessary for completing missions. And crucially, to ensure their expedited delivery to the military," Shoigu told reporters.
Since March 2022, the number of purchased and upgraded main types of weapon, military and special hardware delivered under the State Defense Order, has increased by 80%, he said.
"And in 2023, more than five-fold compared with the start of 2022," Shoigu said.
Shipments of the Orlan-10 and Orlan-30 drones have increased 53 times, of Kamaz multirole automobiles 17.6 times, and Uralvagzavod has increased delivery and repair of T-72 and T-90 tanks 3.6 times, the minister said.
"Kurgan Machine-Building Plant has increased delivery and refurbishment of BMP-3 [infantry fighting vehicles] 2.1 times, Arzamas Machine-Building Plant's delivery of BTR-82A [armored personnel carriers] has quadrupled, and of Tigr-M has doubled," Shoigu said.
"As for the army aviation, shipments of Kamov Ka-52 helicopters have doubled and Mil Mi-28s have tripled," he said.
"Purchases of requisite means of destruction in 2022 were doubled [...] this year we have increased the number of our domestically produced munitions more than tenfold compared with the beginning of last year," Shoigu said.