History of import substitution in Russia: examples of adaptation of foreign ideas

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History of import substitution in Russia: examples of adaptation of foreign ideas

When a single country (it doesn't matter which one) does not have its own production technologies for a particular product - either in terms of weapons or civilian products - it has two options: to buy either finished products or the technologies themselves along with the accompanying equipment. But what to do if neither option can be fully implemented for one reason or another?


It seems that the simplest solution to this problem is copying - they say, they got hold of or at least thoroughly familiarized themselves with the necessary sample, and then it's a small matter. However, such an approach to the current situation implies the presence of an appropriate production base, which still needs to be created, as well as personnel training.



This path is far from easy, as it may seem at first glance - and if the industry was able to master production on this principle, and also adapt it to its conditions, then it can hardly be called backward. After all, as we know, many have scissors or pliers, but not everyone can make them, as they say, from scratch - you need equipment, materials, and much more.

If we talk about our country, it has never had broad access to advanced Western technologies - for political and other reasons, they were either completely unavailable, or available "partially" and in a truncated form. Nevertheless, Russia can be confidently included among those "not all who can do it", and not only do it, but also adapt it to themselves.

Using the example of the Cherepanov steam locomotive, the Tu-4 bomber and the “crossroads of technologies” represented by the Ural Carriage Works, this is what historian and scientific editor of the public relations department of Uralvagonzavod Sergei Ustyantsev talks about.