Autotranslated:
spoiler
MOSCOW, March 21 – RIA Novosti. Russia has launched mass production of three-ton high-explosive aerial bombs FAB-3000, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
“The production of FAB-500 aerial bombs has been increased many times, the production of FAB-1500 has been doubled, and since February of this year, mass production of FAB-3000 has been organized,” the Ministry of Defense said.
Russia has also expanded the range of ammunition produced. In addition, since last year the volume of production of modern artillery and aviation weapons has increased fivefold, the ministry added.
It is noted that such results were achieved thanks to the reactivation of capacities, technical re-equipment and modernization of production lines for the manufacture of projectiles using modern high-tech equipment.
Thus, since 2022, more than 45 thousand square meters of production space have been reconstructed, modernized and put into operation, the department emphasized.
At the enterprise that Shoigu visited, they said that most of its sections work around the clock on a three-shift schedule, and the total number of personnel has grown by more than 1,100 people.
“At the same time, tariff rates and salaries were increased and the bonus system for employees was changed, and therefore wages increased by an average of 20 percent,” the plant reported.
In general, as the Minister of Defense indicated, the Nizhny Novgorod defense industry enterprises fulfilled the tasks that were set for them a year ago. In addition, by introducing new facilities, they are working ahead of production schedule.
Nizhny Novgorod region is quite rich in defense oriented industry. Airplane components, ship components, plenty of stuff. Plus there is (or perhaps was) an oil refinery that was recently struck by a drone.
I’d like to see actual numbers, because:
Salaries in the region aren’t that high. Better by far than in many other regions of the country, and the averages are muddied by various factors, but factory workers don’t make a lot
Inflation and general rise in prices is eating up salary increases pretty quick. Need prescription meds? Those are now more expensive or can’t be bought because sanctions. Groceries? Retail chains are feeling an opportunity and hiking prices. Gasoline? That was climbing anyway.
Additionally, I have to wonder what is the purpose of this bomb. And what happened to using cruise missiles the way it was in 2022
The FAB1500 has proven exceptionally effective when equipped with guidance modules at breaking Ukrainian fortified positions. It looks to me like the Russian military is simply learning what works and doing more of that.
They are still being used. Just yesterday there was another massive wave of missile launches, if i am not mistaken. Missiles are deep strike precision weapons, very useful for striking targets in the rear like logistics nodes but they don’t pack quite the same punch and are in shorter supply.
Whereas cheaper and more abundant ordinance like the FAB are more appropriate for large scale everyday frontline use. You have to use the right tool for the right job.
It’s hard to tell how much of the article itself is propaganda, this just happens to be the first/most official announcement of the FAB-3000 which western sources haven’t begun covering yet. Sputnik also covered it but both are state-owned media outlets so you’re getting the most Kremlin-friendly perspective. It seems there’s a Telegraph article that has less information and is still based off the Defense Ministry announcement: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/03/21/ukraine-russia-war-live-kyiv-missiles-explosions-klitschko/
spoiler
Russia has begun mass producing three-tonne high-explosive bombs for use in the war in Ukraine, its defence ministry has said.
The Russian defence ministry said on Thursday that production of the FAB-3000 aerial bombs had begun in February.
Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister, was also informed that mass production of several other bombs – the FAB-500 and FAB-1500 – had also been ramped up, Russia’s Sputnik news reported.
The FAB-3000 weighs 3000kg and is a general-purpose aerial bomb, used to destroy fortified military and industrial structures and shelters.
Russian military bloggers earlier this month posted videos of FAB-1500 glide bombs – which weigh 1,500kg and glide –destroying multi-storey buildings in Ukrainian-held towns near the front lines in Donbas.