Ros Electronics, a leading Russian producer of electronics, and TsNIITOCHMASH, a major designer and producer of weapons for the Russian military and MVD Internal Troops, have designed a new textile material to mask soldiers and their equipment.
Figure: A new textile material has been designed to mask the Russian military and their tools. Credit: REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
Rostec Chief Sergei Chemezov said that the new material has chameleon-like properties and can adapt to the color of the environment. At the initial stage, the new development will be used for the needs of the Russian military, with a range of other applications being significantly expanded later.
The level of investment in the design of the new textile material could be in the range of US$100-150 million, according to a source of Rostec. The project also involved some leading Russian producers of technical textiles and nonwovens.
“In recent years the demand for innovative textile materials from the Russian military and defense complex has significantly increased. This is very important for us, as, from our side, we constantly improve the equipment of Russian soldiers, making it more secure and safe,” commenting these Sergei Chemezov also added that “the industrial production of the new product has already begun.”
In particular, the new material will be used in the production of a special invisible military helmet, designed by experts representing Russian military design bureaus, affiliated with Rostec.
In addition to soldiers, the new development will be used for the masking of tanks and other military equipment. Meanwhile, scientists at Rostec plan to continue their activities for the improvement of technical properties of the material, as they want to expand its use to various industries.
This unique development is capable of radically changing the concept of design and production of clothing. Such unique textile materials will be especially in demand during the production of clothing, particularly those, which can withstand extreme temperature conditions or radiation.
According to the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, currently, the Russian innovative and smart textiles market is estimated at US$ 1.3 billion, however, its annual growth rates are significantly higher, than those in the EU and the US, at 7%-9% per year. Still, the consumption of innovative and smart textiles in Russia is two times lower than in developed countries.
In addition to Rostec, several other Russian industrial groups, including Russian holding AFK Systema, have unveiled plans to expand in this promising market in recent years. Russian holding AFK Systema announced its aim to start the development of innovative textile materials several months ago.
Government supports
The Russian government is supporting the launch of new investment projects in the industry, considering them to be very promising. Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, who oversees the development of innovative textile materials, said that the demand for technical textiles in Russia will grow fourfold in the medium term.
Russia has practically no chances to maintain traditional textile’s production on the same volume as in the past. The transfer of labor-intensive industries to countries with cheaper labor has resulted in the influx of cheap, low-quality products, which made local producers non-competitive.
“In this regard, a particular focus of the government is currently on the expansion of the domestic technical textiles production,” commented Denis Manturov.
