A major fire broke out at the Omsktransmash tank plant, a unit of the UralVagonZavod (UVZ) Corporation, located in the Leninsky District of the Omsk Region, on September 12, local authorities reported.
The first news of the fire began circulating on social media at around 1pm local time. Although the fire is believed to have originated in one of the factory buildings, fortunately there have been no reports of casualties or injuries so far.
The fire affected about 50 square meters of the roof of this production facility, causing thick black smoke to cover the entire area.
Black smoke rises from a large fire at the Omsktransmash tank plant, September 12, 2024. Photo: Militarnyi
Google Earth image of the area where the fire is believed to have broken out, at the Omsktransmash tank plant. Photo: Militarnyi
Confirming the incident, Omsk Region Governor Vitaliy Khotsenko said, "A fire broke out at the Omsktransmash plant. During repairs, the roof of one of the workshops caught fire. Specialists are at the scene and the details are being clarified."
The regional emergency services reported that the fire was first brought to their attention at 12:55 p.m. on September 12. Rescue teams were quickly on the scene and attempted to extinguish the fire. Although the fire appeared to be severe, plant representatives insisted that production had not been affected.
"A fire broke out from roofing materials during repairs by a subcontractor. Fortunately, the fire did not affect production and there were no casualties," a spokesman for the Omsktransmash plant said.
Located in the Omsk region of Siberia, the 75-hectare Omsk Tank Plant, officially known as Omsktransmash, is Russia’s second-largest tank manufacturing facility after Uralvagonzavod. The plant is known for its expertise in the design and production of armored vehicles and various types of military equipment, most notably the T-80 series of tanks.
In addition to tanks, this facility also develops infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), armored personnel carriers (APCs), and participates in the production of advanced combat systems... Accordingly, Omsktransmash plays an important role in enhancing the mechanization and modernization capabilities of the Russian armed forces.
The Omsk Tank Plant employs a strong workforce of around 8,000 people, including engineers, skilled workers and administrative staff. The plant's annual production capacity is impressive, producing around 200 tanks and a similar number of other armored vehicles and military systems each year.
With the factory being covered with multi-layer panels with polyurethane foam core – highly flammable and easily spread throughout the structure, along with the dense presence of combustible materials in the surrounding environment and factors such as dust, oil and other industrial waste, all increase the risk of fire.
Worse, the manufacturing process of storage tanks often involves flammable liquids and gases, adding to the risk of fire. Combined with a roof design that may lack adequate fire protection features, these conditions can lead to a fire spreading rapidly.
The Omsk Tank Plant was hit by a fire in 2022, with reports suggesting the fire spread quickly due to flammable roofing materials. Fire safety experts recommend using non-combustible materials or adding fire-resistant coatings to reduce these risks.
These incidents have raised concerns about the need to improve fire safety standards in industrial facilities, especially those that store and manufacture military equipment.
Inside a tank production workshop at the Omsktransmash plant. Photo: TASS
Since 2022, Omsktransmash, also known as the Omsk Tank Plant, has been ramping up production of military vehicles, focusing on the T-80BVM tank. In 2022 alone, the plant delivered around 200 T-80BVM tanks to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The T-80BVM is a modernized version of the T-80 tank series, boasting advanced weapons, improved armor, and a new autoloader capable of firing improved ammunition.
In 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported a significant increase in tank production. It is estimated that the plant could have rolled out more than 2,000 tanks by the end of the year. This figure includes both new production and upgrades, such as the conversion of the T-72 tank chassis into the TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system. The Omsk plant has switched to a 24/7 operation model, significantly increasing its workforce to meet production demands amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
While exact export figures remain unclear, Omsktransmash’s contributions to the Russian military’s armored capabilities are significant. The facility continues to enhance its production lines to meet current military needs, aiming to improve the protection and effectiveness of deployed vehicles, thereby directly supporting Russian military operations.
Minh Duc (According to Bulgarian Military, Dagens)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/ba-hoa-lai-ghe-tham-nha-may-san-xuat-xe-tang-lon-thu-hai-cua-nga-204240913144517491.htm
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