Votkinsk Machine Building Plant

Russian Defense Company

JSC Votkinsk Machine Building Plant (Воткинский завод) is a machine and ballistic missile production enterprise based in Votkinsk, Republic of Udmurtia, Russia. Its production includes the RS 24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, Russia's most recent ICBM development, as well as the submarine launched Bulava SLBM. Incorporated as a Federal State Unitary Enterprise until 2010, it is now an open joint stock company. The company has two separate facilities: a final assembly plant located some 12 kilometers outside of Votkinsk where missiles are assembled, and the main plant, located in downtown Votkinsk, where missile components as well as civil and consumer goods are produced.

During the mid 18th century, there arose a need for ironworks due to the depletion of forests around the existing mining operations in the Urals. This led to increased costs in transporting firewood from far off areas, putting a strain on production expenses. To combat this issue, it was determined that the most practical solution would be to move the production facilities to regions with plentiful forests. As a result, the Izhevsk ironworks was founded between the years 1760 and 1763 with the sole aim of addressing this particular concern. The primary factor in choosing the plant's location was its convenient proximity to the Kama River, which is located about 15 20 km from the present day city of Votkinsk. In addition to this, the decision also took into consideration the availability of nearby forests, which were crucial for providing the necessary energy for the iron and steel industry during that period. Furthermore, the plant was strategically situated close to mining companies for easy access to essential resources. Between the years of 1754 and 1763, a total of 42 privately owned factories were established in the Russian Empire. These plants were prestigious establishments, owned by esteemed individuals such as Count Pyotr Shuvalov and Count M. E. Vorontsov. However, tragedy struck in 1763 with the passing of Shuvalov, which resulted in the factories located in Votkinsk and Izhevsk being transferred to the control of the state. This decision was made in order to settle the debts left behind by Shuvalov and, consequently, the once private enterprises were transformed into state owned entities. The plants went on to manufacture anchors, railway equipment, ships, drilling machines, gold mine tractors, and various military equipment. Notably, starting in 1773, under the directive of Catherine the Great, the factory commenced the production of steel anchors for national military shipbuilding. Furthermore, during the initial half of the 19th century, the plant accounted for no less than 62% of the total anchor output in Russia. In 1811, the plant began its production of steel and cast iron, a remarkable feat that was considered highly advanced for its time. This achievement was made possible by the ingenuity of engineer Badaev, a self taught metallurgist who revolutionized the industry with his innovative and game changing method. The steel that was produced at this plant boasted an exceptional level of quality. This high quality steel was then utilized in the manufacturing process of an extensive array of tools, ranging from metal cutting instruments to medical equipment and even stamping devices. The plant's ability to produce such a diverse range of tools showcased its versatility and adaptability, solidifying its status as a pioneer in the field of metallurgy. It is worth noting the skilled craftsmanship exhibited by the craftsmen in Votkinsk, as they were granted the opportunity in 1858 to undertake the construction and assembly of the framework for the tower of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg. In 1871, the plant embarked on the construction of Russia's second open hearth furnace and the first in the Urals. Additionally, it diligently supplied armored steel for the nation's military shipbuilding purposes. In the 1840s, under Ilya Petrovich Tchaikovsky's supervision, the enterprise underwent a reorganization, shifting from purely metallurgical work to machine building. By 1847, the plant had started producing boats, and in 1868, it expanded its production to include steam locomotives. The plant was situated near a shallow and small river and lacked connectivity to the country's railway network. As a result, the production of steam ships and other vessels had to be completed before the annual spring floods. To accomplish this, reservoirs were created by constructing weirs on the enterprise's premises. When the spring arrived, the reservoirs filled with a significant amount of meltwater, which used to flood the entire shipyard area, allowing newly constructed ships to surface. Once the sluice gates were opened, the newly built steam ships descended the Votka and Siva rivers, eventually reaching the Kama River. Overall, approximately 400 ships of various types were constructed. Similarly, during the annual spring flood season, steam locomotives were transported from the plant to the nearest railway station using specialized barges. This practice continued until 1916, when the plant finally became connected to the national railway network. In total, the plant produced a total of 631 steam locomotives from different series. By the end of the 19th century, as the Trans Siberian Railway was being constructed, the plant started manufacturing steel components for bridges. In 1915, the Ironworks became the top contributor in terms of the total length of bridges constructed in the Russian Empire. Over time, the company's focus shifted towards the production of steam locomotives, which accounted for approximately 40% of its manufacturing capacity.

During the Russian Civil War, the factory was heavily looted by all warring parties, and as a result it basically ceased operations and was closed in 1922. On September 9, 1925 the factory reopened as a manufacturer of agricultural machinery. Between 1930 and 1937, the plant was controlled by the All Heavy Industry Union. It produced high performance steam and gold drilling machines. On January 1, 1938, the plant was transferred to the USSR People's Commissariat of Defence Industry of the USSR and switched to the production of ammunition and weapons. On March 11, 1938, it was renamed Plant number 235. At the out break of the Great Patriotic War in 1941, the factory began production of 45 mm antitank cannon M1937 53 K, and starting from 1943 – 76 mm divisional gun M1942 (ZiS 3). From the early post war period until 1957, the factory produced 100 mm air defense gun KS 19 and 57 mm anti tank gun M1943 (ZiS 2). It also produced civilian products, such as agricultural traction engines, narrow gauge locomotives and tower cranes.

In 1957, by the resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the USSR and the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the enterprise was converted into the country's primary producer of ballistic missiles for the Soviet Armed Forces. In 1958, the plant delivered the first short range attack missiles 8A61 developed by the Design Bureau 1 with a liquid fueled engine and with a range of 150 km, adopted in July 1955. Also, the plant produced a nuclear modification of 8A61 called 8К11, and starting from 1960, its successor was released the tactical ballistic missiles 8K14 developed by the Design Bureau 385 with a range of up to 300 km. This rocket was mass produced for over 25 years and used by the Armed Forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for more than 30 years. In 1962, by resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the USSR and the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant started to master the production of more powerful tactical missiles 9M76, being a part of the mobile theatre ballistic missile TR 1 Temp. The first serial missile systems rolled out of the plant in 1966. "TR 1 Temp" became a first missile system with a solid fuelled piloted ballistic rocket adopted by the Armed Forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Subsequently, however, those missiles were terminated in accordance to the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the USA and the USSR from 8 December 1987. In 1974, the plant began to produce intercontinental missiles 15ZH42 for the mobile intercontinental ballistic missile complex SS 16 Sinner, in 1975 the intermediate range ballistic missiles 15ZH45 for the complex SS 20 Saber, in 1976 the short range attack missiles 9M714 for the complex OTR 23 Oka, and in 1989 the tactical missiles 9M79 1 fot the complex OTR 21 Tochka. In 1998, the plant launched the production of one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles 'RT 2PM2 Topol M'. In 2006, the plant started mass production of the missiles '9K720 Iskander' (its NATO reporting name is SS 26 Stone).

The company's products include R 11/SS 1B Scud A and B SRBMs; RT 21M/SS 20 Saber and SS 23 Spider IRBMs; RT 21 (SS 16 Sinner), RT 2PM (SS 25 Sickle) and RT 2UTTH Topol M (SS 27) ICBMs. It also manufactures oil and gas equipment, refrigeration equipment, metal cutting equipment, castings, forgings, stampings and domestic electric appliances. Votkinsk was also responsible for the production of the Cold War era SS 20 intermediate range ballistic missile and many other well known designs by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology.