Precise Electromechanics Plant: Import Substitution in Action
Import substitution is one of the priority areas at the Precise Electromechanics Plant republican production unitary enterprise. This is manifested in setting up the production of competitive domestically made products and their delivery to the national and foreign markets in order to reduce imports and increase the company’s export capacity.
In 2020, the company carried out research and development projects in the interests of the Belarusian Defence Ministry under the control of a military representative office. Following the projects, the defence minister signed an order on the introduction of the ATS-80IK and ATS-122IK air target simulators into service with the Belarusian army.
The products are intended for training crews of short-range surface-to-air missile systems and tactical man-portable air defence systems in order to develop and improve their skills in detecting, tracking and engaging air targets in modern combat. The products simulate speed and trajectory parameters and radiation characteristics of aircraft, cruise missiles, striking elements of high-precision weapons, and remotely piloted aircraft in the radar and infrared bands. They are also used for training and test firing of short-range air defenсe systems with an optical homing head.
ATS-122IKs can be launched from the BM-21 and BM-21A vehicles without their additional modification. ATS-80IKs can be used with the possibility of launching them from a standard aviation gun unit of the B-8 type. Being on a par with their best foreign counterparts, they are small, mobile, and easy to use.
The ATS-122IK and ATS-80IK air target simulators can also be launched from special mobile portable launchers—the MK-80 and MK-122 target systems, which are produced by the company. This significantly reduces the cost of launches.
The company is able to meet the needs of the Belarusian Armed Forces in air target simulators designed for training crews of short-range SAM systems and MANPADS.
The need to develop various modifications of air target simulators is also explained by the fact that foreign manufacturers, as a rule, offer more expensive large-scale batches that significantly exceed the needs of the Belarusian Armed Forces.
The cost of air target simulators produced by Russian companies is approximately 2–2.5 times higher than those produced by Precise Electromechanics Plant, which undoubtedly makes the Belarusian products more attractive for foreign customers.
