Denis Manturov: people are the foundation of Russia’s technological sovereignty

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The event "Motherland Is People. Technological Sovereignty", dedicated to the development of Russian technologies and strengthening the country's scientific and technological leadership, was held at the National Centre RUSSIA. The First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov, took part in the event. The discussion focused on key areas of Russia's technological development, including scientific and technological leadership, aviation and shipbuilding, the revival of machine-tool manufacturing, and expanding opportunities for Russian companies in international markets. The project is being held at the National Centre RUSSIA with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation as part of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, declared by President Vladimir Putin.

"Today's session provides an opportunity to discuss the state's priorities in terms of how they affect people's quality of life. It also allows us to highlight the role of our citizens in achieving the goals that have been set. This topic is particularly relevant during the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. The unity of the nation, its cultural diversity and shared responsibility for the future create a strong foundation for our country's development. They make it possible to bring together the knowledge, experience and creative energy of millions of professionals and thousands of workforces. When we talk about technological sovereignty, we usually mean the ability to independently manufacture products needed by the economy and the social sector, relying on our own technologies, raw materials, materials and components. But the main purpose of this work is always to improve people's comfort, well-being and safety. This is the principle underlying all national projects," Denis Manturov said. 

The First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation also noted that Russian enterprises and research institutes are creating a complete development and production cycle for sophisticated medical products. At the same time, production is expanding for equipment used in diagnostics, rehabilitation, cardiac surgery and the treatment of chronic diseases, while new radiopharmaceuticals and strategically important medicines are being developed. According to him, this work is centred on patients' needs and access to high-tech medical care throughout the country.

In his speech, Denis Manturov discussed key areas in the development of Russian technologies — healthcare, agriculture, aviation, shipbuilding, railway engineering, energy and the space industry — emphasising that people remain the foundation of the country's technological independence.

"Technological sovereignty is not only created in the interests of citizens — it is achieved through their own efforts. That is why advanced human capital is an integral part of our independence. These are scientists and researchers, designers, engineers and technologists, foremen, adjusters, assemblers and test engineers. They are specialists working in laboratories and design bureaux, at machine tools, on production lines and at testing grounds. These people are the main creative force of our Motherland. Their knowledge, talent and daily work turn scientific ideas into mass-produced goods and large-scale projects into tangible improvements in the quality of life of millions of citizens," the First Deputy Prime Minister added. 

State Duma deputy and First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, Denis Kravchenko, spoke about the development of key technological sectors and noted that what the country needs above all is qualified specialists.

"Shipbuilding, unmanned systems, the space sector, microelectronics and other areas — none of this is possible without people. People are at the heart of the task of achieving technological sovereignty. In the State Duma, we are actively adopting laws aimed at creating the conditions needed to achieve it. In just the past year and a half, we have adopted a major and highly important systemic law on technological policy in the Russian Federation, which, I am certain, will occupy a very important place — just as the federal law on industrial policy did when we adopted it ten years ago," the parliamentarian said.

Denis Kravchenko also addressed the training of personnel for technological sovereignty. According to him, it is important to introduce school students to the natural sciences at an earlier age — not through complex formulas, but through experiments and practical activities that spark interest and engage children. He said this approach should help create a broader pool of future engineers and technologists: "It is very important for us to build as broad a pipeline as possible, so that more young people aspire to pursue engineering education and as many as possible go into science and engineering."

The first part of the event was dedicated to scientific and technological leadership — how modern developments are turned into specific products, jobs and export solutions. Svetlana Linnik, Director General of Pegas-Agro LLC, spoke about the creation of unique multifunctional agricultural machinery that allows a single machine to perform different tasks throughout the season, reducing pressure on the soil and costs for farmers. She also highlighted the development of unmanned technologies, effective state support for research and development, and the company's growth from garage-based production to a plant employing more than 700 people. Pavel Stepanov, Director General of Geoscan Moscow LLC, in turn spoke about the company's own high-tech solutions, ranging from unmanned geological exploration and drone shows to satellite technologies: over five years, the company has placed 17 satellites into orbit, while its drones have carried out more than 300 projects across four continents.

The event also covered aviation and shipbuilding — strategic industries that determine the country's transport connectivity, regional development and technological independence. The discussion included import substitution of equipment for the fishing fleet and the development of Russian shipbuilding, presented by Pavel Zubkov, Director General of MKS LLC. In addition, the Director General of UEC-Saturn (Rostec) discussed the development of Russian aircraft engines, including the PD-8 for the Superjet and Be-200 aircraft.

"The PD-8 is an entirely Russian engine, with all imported components fully replaced, and it has already been certified. We received the type certificate in June and are now preparing for serial deliveries. We have already launched serial production of the engine. What lies behind this? Of course, painstaking work by engineers, designers and technologists. It is the work of research institutes and design bureaux. And behind all these competencies and all this experience is, ultimately, the individual — their expertise, experience and contribution to the project," Ilya Konyukhov said. 

The third part focused on the revival of machine-tool manufacturing as one of the foundations of modern industry. The discussion centred on new production technologies, the development of pilot and digital solutions, specialist training and raising the prestige of engineering professions.

Yury Koval, Director of the Lead Competence Centre for the Machine Tool and Tool Industry at STANKIN Moscow State University of Technology, spoke about the key role of machine-tool manufacturing in the development of Russian industry as a whole and the centre's work on creating modern metal-cutting equipment, including types of machinery that had not previously been manufactured in Russia. He also focused on engineering education: the centre has established a youth design bureau where students take part in designing real machine tools under the guidance of experienced mentors. He also noted growing interest among young people in engineering professions and spoke about projects aimed at promoting them, including industrial tourism and the launch of the branded "The Country Needs Engineers" train on the Moscow Metro.

The fourth part was devoted to new horizons in international trade and how Russian companies can enter foreign markets not only with finished products, but also with technologies, expertise and standards. Viktoria Yermakova, Commercial Director for International Sales at the Motorika Group, spoke about the company's development, its expansion into more than 15 foreign markets and its unique innovations, including prostheses for children from the age of two and osseointegration technologies. She also highlighted the organisation's international expansion: the company has opened an office in India and begun localising the production of bionic prostheses, with plans to use the country as a hub for the Asian market. She also emphasised the role of the company's ambassadors, who help people adapt to prostheses and return to a full life.

Throughout the event, guests took part in an interactive quiz devoted to Russia's technological achievements and records. Each participant received a special wristband that allowed them to select one of the possible answers. The host read out statements, and guests had to decide whether they were true or false. This format not only gave participants an opportunity to test their knowledge, but also introduced them to interesting facts about Russian technologies and achievements.

The National Centre RUSSIA project "What Does the Motherland Begin With?" is aimed at strengthening every person's sense of unity with the country, regardless of their ethnic background. The series of events consists of several stages involving representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation, heads of federal executive authorities, regional leaders and opinion leaders. The next stages of the project will include motivational open dialogues and lectures entitled "Motherland Is Service", as well as a series of meetings called "Motherland Is Home", dedicated to regional development, the preservation of traditions and the unity of the peoples of Russia.