Accounts Chamber: In Russian drilling rigs, the share of imports is 45% of the total cost

Last Monday, the Board of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, chaired by Sergei Stepashin, reviewed the results of the expert-analytical event “Assessment of the needs of organizations under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation for the supply of equipment and the acquisition of technology and the degree to which this need is satisfied with the existing volumes and quality of equipment supplies and technology." Auditor Sergei Ryabukhin made a presentation. The analysis showed that the depreciation of fixed assets in certain industries reaches 80 percent, while the dynamics of their renewal does not exceed 11 percent. Compared to 1970, the average age of equipment in domestic industry has almost doubled. In 1970, 40.8 percent of capacity was less than 5 years old, while today it is only 9.6 percent.

As follows from the report, currently about half of enterprises are experiencing problems with equipment, while domestic manufacturers do not have sufficient capabilities to provide Russian enterprises with high-tech, high-quality equipment. A significant share of equipment and components are purchased imported. For the production of Russian telecommunications equipment, the use of imported element base by manufacturers on average reaches 80 percent. In domestically produced drilling rigs, imported equipment is contained in all components and accounts for about 45% of the cost of the entire drilling rig.

It was noted at the Board that the legislation on public procurement is focused on prices, and not on the quality characteristics of the purchased equipment. At the same time, federal legislation does not limit the participation of intermediary organizations in placing orders for federal needs.

It was also noted that accession to the WTO could create risks for a number of high-tech industries, whose development is currently moment relies on state support, for example, the military-industrial complex.

The Board decided to send an information letter to the Russian Government. A report on the results of the audit is sent to the chambers of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.