PJSC “Lugansk Cartridge Plant” is a private enterprise specializing in the production of cartridges, production equipment and souvenir products. In tsarist Russia and in the USSR, it was one of the largest manufacturers of ammunition.
Establishment of an enterprise
At the end of the 19th century, the issue of rearmament matured in the tsarist army. The base rifle is the "three-ruler" Mosin with a cartridge of 7.62 mm. The country needed a huge amount of ammunition of this caliber. The government decided to build a new cartridge factory in the south of the country.
By the highest decree of May 6, 1895, on the basis of the ironworks closed five years earlier, it was entrusted to organize the Lugansk cartridge plant. The new state-owned enterprise was designed to produce 100 million cartridges annually. The main products were cartridges of caliber 7.62 × 54R mm, invented by the Russian colonel Rogovtsev.
Pre-revolutionary period
However, in peacetime, defense plants were not always loaded at full capacity, and almost never engaged in the production of civilian products. So, in 1901 only 47 million cartridges were manufactured in Lugansk.
The situation radically changed in the Russo-Japanese war. The protracted fighting in the East led to the depletion of stocks. The warlords, not without reason, feared that in the event of a conflict in Europe there would be nothing to fight. In 1905, the Lugansk cartridge plant was instructed to produce the maximum possible amount of ammunition - 125 million pieces.
In the interwar period, despite the saturation of warehouses, the State Duma instructed to re-equip state-owned enterprises. In Lugansk capacities were significantly expanded. With the beginning of World War I, productivity increased from 200 million cartridges to 555 million. Thus, for the army, the LPZ was the leading supplier of live ammunition.
New stage
Two revolutions, civil confrontation and German occupation that completed anarchy led to a halt in production at the Lugansk cartridge plant. By agreement with the interim Ukrainian government, the Germans exported 60% of the equipment. Six months later, Lugansk passes to the white chieftain Krasnov, who partially resumed the work of some shops.
From the moment the Bolsheviks took power in the spring of 1918, part of the equipment, tools, materials, and skilled workers were taken to the newly formed enterprise in Podolsk. After the victory over the White Guards, the Soviet authorities gradually restored the plant. For example, in January 1925, Luhansk residents were instructed to produce 13 million rounds of ammunition. In 1927, the company was classified, it became known as Plant No. 60.
In the winter of 1941, LPZ equipment and personnel were evacuated to various regions of Central Asia, Western Siberia, and the Urals. Seven plants were created on its basis, over 4 billion small arms ammunition were produced.
Modern development
Production after the war was restored to its former place. In 1953, in addition to ammunition, they began to produce the latest technological high-performance equipment at the plant. Rotary automatic lines made it possible to produce cartridges much faster and with better quality.
With the independence of Ukraine, the question arose of replacing Soviet banknotes with sovereign ones. In 1991, a mint was created on the basis of the Lugansk cartridge plant. Until 1996, coins of “yellow” and “white” metal were minted here. Now they are collectibles.
In 2002, the plant was corporatized; foreign investors from the USA and Great Britain showed interest in securities. In 2009, the British (Milverton Consortium) sold their share (25%) to the Cypriot company Woodex Holdings. In 2014, according to the decision of the LPR government, the Lugansk cartridge plant passes under the control of the people's republic.
Field of activity
LPZ is one of the leading organizations for the production of rotary automatic lines for the manufacture of cartridges, sporting and hunting weapons, the manufacture of components and civilian products. According to technical indicators, the cartridges comply with high quality standards.
Thus, LPZ is both a user and a manufacturer of equipment for the production of cartridges for rifled and smooth-bore weapons. Based on the equipment of Luhansk, several automated cartridge plants operate.
Products of the Lugansk cartridge plant include:
- sports and hunting cartridges 5.45 × 39-4 with a lead-core bullet;
- hunting cartridges 7.62 × 39-8 with a lead-core bullet;
- cartridges 9 × 18-7 with a lead-core bullet;
- cartridges of the NATO standard 5.56 × 45.
On all bottom parts of cartridge cases manufactured at the factory, there is a stamp “270”. The company also produces tools and souvenirs (medals, tokens, badges, etc.). In addition to Ukraine, LPZ products are supplied to a number of states. Among the partners of the plant are companies from the Congo, Yemen, Belarus, the North Atlantic Alliance (Poland, Greece), and a number of other countries.