Alexander Vorobyov, Avionica MRPC - ОАО "МНПК АВИОНИКА"
Release Date: 2008-10-17
Avionica MRPC celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2007. How did the company manage to reach its current leading position?Indeed, we have been successfully operating in the aviation instrument construction market over 65 years already. Our management strategy has changed in different periods but it has always aimed at implementing new advanced expertise in the design and production of avionics. As it is commonly described today, we have implemented an ‘innovative policy’. We have always had an advanced corporate culture and we follow traditions of forming highly intellectual products originated by previous generations of our colleagues.
The consolidation of the Russian aviation has been progressing for two years and it has also touched the segment of avionics. How is this sector positioned within the new scenario of integration in large holdings?
Just a bit of history. In 1997 there were 7 aviation instrument-making enterprises: Avionica MRPC, Aeropribor-Voskhod (Moscow), Ramenskoye Production and Design Company, RPZ (Ramenskoye), Pribor (Kursk), Tekhpribor (St-Petersburg), and ELARA OAO (Cheboksary) who implemented horizontal integration at a level of functional integration of on-board fighter aircraft equipment and thus established the first aviation instrument-making holding company - Tekhnocomplex Scientific and Production Centre. It was followed by the Decree of President V.V.Putin and the RF Government Regulation on the creation of Avionica Concern.
The state share in this concern is over 60%. So we have been participating in the integration process for over 10 years. However, it is not yet completed. This year Avionica Concern entered the Russian Technologies State Corporation. Now an analysis of the current condition of the Concern’s enterprises is underway, and a management structure is being formed. In this regard, it is difficult to speak about our positioning until the rules of the game are clear.
What are the key objectives for avionics development in the mid- and long-term prospect?
The key objective in the mid- and long-term prospect is to create highly intellectual and good quality products on the basis of a continued innovation process that covers all business activities of the Company. As a result, competitive products are being created for both domestic and foreign avionics markets.
A major part of equipment operated in the 80s and 90s is already outdated and requires high maintenance and repair expenses. Does that mean that it is a good moment for avionics manufacturers in Russia?
There is no clear answer to that because at present there is no unified policy for replacement and upgrade of the existing equipment. This problem will probably be solved in the framework of Russian Technologies State Corporation. However the current crisis of the world’s economy could make this difficult.
According to press reports, the military sector of the international avionics market is the main driver of growth for avionics manufacturers. Is this the case as well in Russia?
Yes indeed, the military sector of international avionics market is quite attractive. However we should not forget that the products are hard tied to the aircraft (a plane or a helicopter) and cannot be sold independently (except for SPTE). Besides, passed are the times when hundreds of our Su-27 and Su-30 fighters were supplied to the markets of China and India. These countries changed their approach to military-technical cooperation; now they are more interested in conducting joint experimental development of avionics for in-house designed aircraft and helicopters or upgrading aviation equipment with significant flying time purchased in Europe or USA. For this reason it is necessary to carry out a balanced policy concerning military-technical cooperation.
Which part of your activity is aimed at the military sphere compared to the civil sphere? How do you estimate this proportion to evolve in the mid-term?
The military sphere accounts for about 2/3 of the activity and the civil one - for 1/3. I think that the proportion would change towards the civil sphere but not sharply and quickly.
About 200 aircraft of all types and categories are equipped with Avionica systems. Which products of Avionica, in your opinion, have the best international potential?
First of all, I would like to emphasize our contribution in the development of Russian combat machines that are quite popular in China: Su-27 and its modifications, Su-30MC with unique flight characteristics that are to a large extent due to the capacities of on-board systems created by Avionica experts. The same refers to different modifications of MiG-29 which is sold widely.
Currently some new projects with immense export potential have appeared in Russia and Avionica has developed flight control systems for them. Among these aircraft are Su-35 multipurpose aerobatic fighter, MIG-29K shipborne aircraft, MIG-AT trainer, MIG-35 multipurpose front-line fighter.
Are the systems developed for the 5th generation fighters your main product?
Our company participated in the tender for development of an integrated flight control system for the 5th generation fighter and won this tender. The present system is our breakthrough product. In this project we implement all the possible innovative approaches - from control laws, circuit solutions to technological processes (including materials and covers). For us this is a 21st century product, competitive in the aviation instrument-making market.
At the moment the avionics market is growing in Asia. What are the competitive advantages of Avionica in the Asian market?
High level of reliability of our products is one of the main criteria of competitiveness. To achieve that level we apply new approaches and design and modeling methods, introduce redundancy and a profound extent of inspection for our systems - from primary data sensors to actuating system. Reliability of our products is at the level of foreign counterparts and sometimes exceeds them in terms of functional capabilities. Besides we, as a Russian manufacturer, can offer the customer high quality products for a relatively low price - that means that we also win in terms of price competition.
Russia is quite interested in the development of a joint regional aviation program with China. What is the position of your company in this regard?
We are actively expanding our international cooperation. Contacts of Avionica with foreign companies began back in 1990 and our first experience in establishing international contacts was, indeed, with China. We continue working together in the framework of licensed production of Su-27, help in development and simulation of flight control systems algorithms. We have had some contracts for R&D. In the course of regular meetings with our Chinese colleagues we have planned several projects for the joint creation of new aircraft equipment in PRC. We currently cooperate in a joint project for the development and manufacturing of a helicopter flight control system. This project is mutually beneficial and promising.
Taking into account the giant economic and technological breakthrough in China in recent years, we are extremely interested in the further development and intensification of our relations, in entering a new stage of cooperation with Chinese companies and the expansion of a mutually beneficial partnership with them.
What would you like to say to the readers of the Russian aviation portal about Avionica?
The peculiarity of our enterprise is its highly intellectual work. We start from the development of control laws, mathematics, and end with testing of equipment in our own testing centre where our products go through the whole cycle of ground tests. We do thorough work to attract and develop scientific and technical staff.
Today one could surely say that Avionica MRPC is one of the recognized leaders in the Russian aviation instrument-making.
| Company: | Avionica MRPC - ОАО "МНПК АВИОНИКА" |
| Position: | General Director |
| Country: | Russian Federation |