MOSCOW. July 23 (Interfax-AVN) - The Rosoboronexport state- owned arms trader has established prizes for arms makers and arms- making dynasties from Tula, a Russian city famous for its arms- making traditions.
The prizes will be given for substantial contribution to production of military-purpose hardware and development of military science, the company's press service reported on Wednesday. Arms workers can be nominated for participation in the development of up-to-date armament, participation in mastering mass-production of arms, and participation in the development or use of new technologies, including those of dual purpose. Arms dynasties can be nominated for many years of faultless work at Tula-based defense industry enterprises and for considerable contribution in strengthening the country's defense capability.
According to the press service, prizes will be given once in two years on the eve of Tula Day, which is celebrated in September. Prize winners will get the title of "Laureate of Rosoboronexport Prize" and diplomas.
This year, prizes will be given at a solemn meeting of Tula's armament makers on September 10. The meeting will also sum up results of defense industry enterprises' activity over the past year, including in development of new arms, military hardware pieces and technologies and initiation of production of efficient and reliable arms.
A few large defense industry enterprises are located in the Tula region. Among them are 17 plants, eight R&D institutes, a project institute and four design bureaus. About 55,000 residents of the region are working for national defense. Most of military- purpose products created in Tula are exported.