Russian mechanical engineering in the mirror of statistics

Abstract

In modern periodicals, undeservedly little attention is paid to the basic investment branches of mechanical engineering. Meanwhile, statistical analysis shows that these industries are in critical condition. After 1991 they experienced the greatest decline in comparison with other types of mechanical engineering, in many of them the decline continued until 2016, and the number of employees is still declining. The scale of production has almost not recovered, the dependence on imports has increased, and the possibilities of overcoming it have decreased. The scientific base has been largely lost, the costs of technological innovations have frozen at the level of 2010, and investments in fixed assets are declining. The low profitability of investment engineering products blocks the possibility of its recovery. The development strategies of its branches do not promise the expected breakthrough in the next 10–15 years, which is unacceptable in the current geopolitical situation.