Capítulo 62: Electronic Industry
In the Ministry of Electronic Industry. A hall adorned with a large portrait of Lenin looms behind the stage, filled with Soviet engineers, factory directors, and scientists, waiting for their minister, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Krutov on the stage to speak.
"Comrades, today marks a turning point for the Soviet Union's electronic industry and, indeed, for our economy as a whole. The Central Committee, under the visionary guidance of Comrade Alexei Nikolayevich Kosygin, has approved a bold new policy, a policy that will propel us into a new era of technological excellence, while staying true to the principles of socialism."
A murmur of curiosity ripples through the crowd.
"We are all aware of the challenges our industry faces. In some areas, we lag behind the capitalist world, not because of our spirit, but because of outdated methods. The fronts have raised numerous complaints about our devices, as the undead continue to cause significant interruptions. Today, we announce changes that will embrace innovation, competition, and the strength of our workers while rejecting the exploitative practices of the capitalist West."
Krutov's voice grows stronger, resonating through the hall.
"First, the state will no longer micromanage every detail of our factories and design bureaus. Instead, the Central Government will subsidize our enterprises, encouraging them to compete, remember is to compete, they are not your enemies, competition only remains in product. Success will no longer be measured by meeting arbitrary quotas, but by creating superior products that serve our people and advance socialism. The KGB will also randomly collect samples and the reputation of our product, and come out with a comprehensive evaluation."
"Second, the profit gained from these ventures will be shared fairly. A significant portion will go directly to the workers, rewarding their hard work and dedication. The rest will fund research and development, ensuring that innovation never halts and that we always gain in the advance of technology."
"Besides, you also get the priority of getting food, as you know we are still under rationing now, priority of what you have buy and still queing for, but believe me, if we prove that the policy work, not long later, we will not have the problem of queing anymore."
Crowded below the stage started to be discussing with each other. This is what Krutov expected, no matter what it says, they are transiting into a free market economy. An economy that has been criticised by the Soviet authorities for many years.
"Let me make one thing clear. This is not capitalism. We will not tolerate the exploitation of workers, profiteering, or private ownership of production. These practices are antithetical to our values and will remain strictly prohibited. This is socialism evolving, not retreating." His tone becomes passionate as he emphasizes the ideological safeguards.
Krutov pauses for a moment to let the words sink in. Wait until the crowd has become silent again, he continues.
"Third, to empower innovation, our engineers and scientists will now have access to invaluable resources. The state will open archives containing technical documentation obtained through the unparalleled efforts of our intelligence services. Comrades, knowledge is power, and now, this knowledge is yours to use in building a stronger Union."
A wave of excitement ripples through the audience. The Soviets have done a lot of research, but unfortunately, most of it just remains in the laboratory, unless when the enemies have done something more advanced and want to get something similar, then they will start looking for it.
Most of the time, they will just do some reverse engineering on all the equipment they get, duplicate another prototype first, and last, make another prototype that is fully researched by themself.
Even with all this lack of technology, the Soviets were still able to do something strong, for example, the MIG-25, which is also known as flying stainless steel, can reach a maximum speed of 3 Mach, while the Americans used a bunch of expensive and precious titanium to make SR-71, with a speed that is just a little faster than it. In other way proves the strong engineering control of the USSR.
"This is not merely an economic policy, it is a declaration of our belief in the ingenuity of the Soviet people. Together, we will create a thriving electronics industry that serves the needs of our military, our economy, and our citizens. We will achieve this without sacrificing the values of equality, fairness, and collective progress."
The hall erupts into applause. Scientists whisper excitedly about the implications. Factory directors exchange determined nods. The Soviet electronic industry is poised for a transformation.
"Alright comrades, this is all my announcement for today. Feel free to ask if you have any confusion, I will be here answering you."
The crowd is still buzzing with excitement and murmurs as Krutov finishes his announcement. An engineer raises his hand and is acknowledged.
"Comrade Minister, your announcement is inspiring, but I must admit I am confused. You've told us that we are free to innovate and compete, but without clear guidance, what exactly should we be focusing on? Even if the Central Committee no longer wants to interfere in every detail, surely we need specific goals. For example, it wouldn't make sense for us to design a better microwave oven for the army, would it?"
The audience chuckles lightly at the microwave remark.
"You are correct that we cannot simply make 'a better microwave.' But what we must do is focus on building and improving the foundations of our technology first, and then, yes, find ways to apply it. For example, take the emerging field of unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs. Marshal Ogarkov himself has called for the advancement of unmanned vehicle technology to support the Red Army. This is a critical task that requires our collective expertise."
The crowd murmurs again, this time more seriously, as the mention of Ogarkov and UAVs adds gravity to the discussion.
"Comrades, what is a UAV? It is not just one invention, it is a combination of many technologies. It needs lightweight and reliable cameras, which means improvements in optics and sensors. It needs sophisticated television systems for remote control and reconnaissance. It needs better batteries, smaller processors, and more effective communication systems. I believe this is something that as an engineer or scientist, you all should know."
Krutov gestures toward the audience, as though addressing the entire electronics sector.
"This is where you come in. Each factory, design bureau, and research institute in our industry has a role to play. If your expertise is in televisions, focus on making cameras and screens more efficient. If you work on semiconductors, push for smaller, faster processors. And if you work in communication, improve encryption and range. By advancing these individual components, you will collectively help build the UAVs our army needs."
Krutov pauses, letting his words sink in, before addressing the broader scope.
"Remember, comrades, we are not merely serving the army. These advancements will strengthen our entire economy. The cameras you design for UAVs may also be used in civilian photography. The processors you create could power better computers for industry. The communication systems could bring better radios to every home. Innovation builds upon itself."
"The West has applied what they got from the third industrial revolution, which is computers into their factory, I would say this will be one of our targets as well. Digital controlled, let's say, how many factories in the Union owned this technology? I can say it is only a few. Imagine with our products, our factory can operate in a fully automation status, what do you think of that, how much production and efficiency can we increased?"
"So, to answer your question, Comrade Engineer, you can, and should, make anything you want, as long as you aim to build something better. Whether it is a television, a radar, or a processor, the priority is to create something new or improve upon the old. From there, its applications, military or civilian, will follow."
The engineer, now nodding thoughtfully, sits down, and the hall erupts into quiet applause.
By this time, a young engineer raised his hand and asked.
"Comrade Minister, I understand the need to focus on innovation. But there is another issue we must address. Part of why our electronics lag behind is because we have spent decades prioritizing nuclear war scenarios. Our equipment is designed to survive EMP blasts, but that has come at the cost of complexity, efficiency, and production speed. My question is, should we continue on the path, or should we change to the West path, where their electronics are simpler, faster, and more adaptable."
The room is silent for a moment, the weight of the question palpable.
"Comrade, you have raised an important and honest concern. Let me assure you that this has not been overlooked. Yes, for decades, much of our electronic industry has been driven by the spectre of nuclear war. We have designed systems that can survive EMP blasts, systems that will function even after unimaginable devastation. But we need to know, our enemies have changed, without using the nukes, they can still destroy our electronic devices, remember what happened in Leningrad on the first day of war?"
"Again, using the UAV as an example. Drones scout the battlefield, relay intelligence, and perhaps even strike enemy targets. For these machines, lightness, speed, and adaptability are more important than EMP resistance. So, do I answer your question?" Krutov explained.
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