Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, paid a working visit to Uralvagonzavod in Nizhny Tagil. The plant stands as a cornerstone of Russia’s defense-industrial complex, widely recognized for its large-scale production of armored vehicles and railcar systems. The visit highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the government and the country’s leading heavy industry sites in the Urals, underscoring how strategic manufacturing hubs help sustain national security objectives, support regional employment, and contribute to the broader defense export potential. The day offered a chance to observe the integration of design, production, and testing under one roof, a hallmark of the sector’s capability to deliver complex systems at scale.
He thanked the facility’s workers for their dedication and the precision of their work. He said the operation “runs like clockwork,” a description that underscored disciplined scheduling, tight quality control, and seamless coordination across multiple production lines. For a plant handling mission-critical assets, reliability on time matters, and the leadership’s message resonated with teams focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement during peak cycles.
Medvedev noted that it was necessary to significantly increase capacity within a defined period. The remark pointed to a strategic push to expand throughput, upgrade tooling, and streamline the supply chain so that orders can be fulfilled without compromising safety or reliability. In the context of rising global demand for defense products, the ability to scale production quickly becomes a differentiator for the industry and signals a robust, responsive domestic manufacturing base.
He also observed that several core departments effectively operate around the clock. This around-the-clock activity includes machining, assembly, testing, and quality assurance, all coordinated to minimize lead times and ensure that stringent standards are met. The statement highlighted the workforce’s stamina and the plant’s readiness to absorb peak workloads as defense programs require longer sequences of production and rapid iteration of prototypes into fielded assets.
The deputy chairman’s tour extended beyond the shop floors to the facility’s test site, where a tank firing demonstration was conducted. The live-fire observation offered a tangible glimpse into how subsystems—fire-control, suspension, armor packages—perform under simulated combat conditions. Seeing the weapons platform in action helps policymakers and industry partners gauge integration, reliability, and the pace of development, reinforcing the value of close collaboration between designers, engineers, and operators.
Medvedev also posted a video of the visit on his VKontakte page, providing followers with a window into the day’s proceedings. The clip captured the scale of the production halls, the precision of automated systems, and the disciplined movement of teams on the floor. Such footage can serve as a transparent record of industrial capabilities and may shape perceptions among international customers and allies who monitor defense production trends.
Earlier, in late September, systems designed to counter small drones—developed by Russian enterprises—were showcased in a separate demonstration sequence. At the Kapustin Yar training ground in the Astrakhan region, demonstrations highlighted devices that include the Typhoon-Air Defense system, a Diversion module, and upgraded ZU-23 installations. The exercises demonstrated intercepting simulated drone targets, illustrating progress in air defense technology and the resilience of the defense-industrial sector as it adapts to evolving aerial threats.
Around the same period, the former Governor of the Moscow Region visited Klimovsky Pipe Plant in Podolsk, inspecting production lines and modernization programs. The plant, known for its steel pipes and pipeline components, sits within a network of factories pursuing capacity expansion and efficiency improvements. The visit underscored efforts to strengthen regional industry and supply chains, reminding observers that leadership engagements often accompany broader modernization initiatives that support domestic infrastructure and export opportunities.