MOSCOW: The Soviet chemical industry, which at one time was the second-most powerful in the world and first in Europe, was largely squander...
MOSCOW: The Soviet chemical industry, which at one time was the second-most powerful in the world and first in Europe, was largely squandered, and this is a shame, an affront to all the people who helped build it up, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed in his speech at the plenary session of the Future Technologies Forum (FTF).
He also noted that sanctions against Russia have helped stimulate scientific progress as well as manufacturing inside the country.
The President also talked about the Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile, lauding it as a technological marvel of Russia, particularly its ability to resist heat.
TASS has assembled the key statements of the head of state.
On Soviet legacy and technological sovereignty
The Soviet chemical industry, which at one time ranked second in the world and first in Europe, was largely squandered and this is "so shameful":
"I am ashamed in front of the people who devoted their entire lives to creating the chemical industry of the Soviet Union, working for future generations," Putin said.
The President added that Russia needs to strive for superiority in the field of chemistry and new material development.
"Unfortunately, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, our biggest enterprises were shut down, and sometimes simply destroyed. Their equipment was taken away, sold for scrap. Together with the degradation of our own chemical industry, we fell into strong external dependence, eroding our industrial technological sovereignty. Therefore, from our negative experience, we understand what systemic problems vulnerability in the chemical sector causes," he said.
"It is important to ensure not only development, but also subsequent testing, pilot production, and then widespread industrial use and scaling of domestic solutions," Putin said.
On metal mining
Russia must increase the production of rare earth metals: "There is work to be done here."
In particular, Russia must mine lithium itself, Putin stressed.
On investments and science funding
Russia will develop mechanisms to support private investment in research and development.
Funding for scientific research must be increased to 2% of GDP and pay special attention to breakthrough technologies.
"It would be short-sighted and wrong to be satisfied with simply replacing technological processes that have already been mastered somewhere."
On sanctions
Sanctions "have played an important stimulating role" for Russia, despite all the difficulties. "Moreover, domestic solutions often turn out to be more effective than foreign ones," the President noted.
Domestic manufacturers must be propped up in the event foreign ones return to the Russian market.
"We must do this strategically, carefully. But we must do it," Putin said.
Russia invites foreign collaboration in science, "our doors are open."
About Oreshnik
Warheads mounted on Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missiles can withstand heat equal to the temperature on the Sun’s surface.
"The entire world is talking about the Oreshnik. And what are its materials? These warheads endure temperatures comparable to those on the Sun’s surface," Putin said.
Back in the late 1980s, there were already plans to develop such systems: "They couldn't do it because the materials did not exist. That was the problem. The missile would fly and melt, like an ice cream."
About engine building
Foreign engineers have "outpaced" Russia in the field of engine building, but this is nothing to be ashamed of, as this gives the country "something to work on."
About the Arctic
Russia is the undisputed leader in the Arctic, many countries want to cooperate with it in the construction of icebreakers.
About bioeconomics
Bioeconomics is an emerging global phenomenon.
"It is no coincidence that the focus is now on advanced solutions in the field of genetics, bio-and nature-like technologies, as well as the creation of materials that reproduce the processes of living systems," Putin said.
It is important that global scientific development be fair and balanced.
"Therefore, we need to achieve further industrial technological progress, while reducing the negative impact on the environment, preserving the fragile ecosystem of the planet, its flora and fauna."
On underwater gas carriers
Russia is developing underwater nuclear gas carriers.
"This is the future, of course, and quite feasible," the President noted.
-News Feed
COMMENTS