The history of JSC Research Institute Gidropribor has been closely linked, from the very beginning, with working-class professionals whose labor and talent created a unique engineering school in Kazakhstan. For more than half a century, the enterprise has brought together those for whom working with metal, mechanisms, and technology has become not just a craft, but a true vocation.
Founded in 1972 on the basis of the Special Design Bureau of the K. E. Voroshilov Plant, the institute has grown into one of the leading centers for the design and small-scale production of unique equipment for the Navy, ground forces, and civilian industry. Over the years, more than 100 research and development projects have been completed, resulting in over 110 patents and certificates of authorship.
For the institute, the driving force of progress has always been, and remains, its specialists—engineers, designers, technologists, and testers—each of whom has invested a part of their soul into the common cause.
The Beginning: The First Designers and Engineers
The establishment of the branch became possible thanks to the initiative and support of Plant Director P. A. Atoyan and Director of the Leningrad Central Research Institute Gidropribor A. N. Borushko. The plant not only allocated production facilities but also transferred its best specialists—more than 50 people. Among them was the first Chief Designer of unmanned underwater vehicles, Boris Aleksandrovich Sgibnev, distinguished by a rare combination of technical intuition, determination, and organizational talent.
Historical Reference
Boris Aleksandrovich Sgibnev became the first Chief Designer of the Ural branch of the Research Institute Gidropribor. Under his leadership, the first prototypes of unmanned underwater vehicles were developed in Uralsk, a production base was established, and a design team was formed.
B. A. Sgibnev laid the foundation for an engineering school that, for decades, has been developing advanced projects in underwater robotics. He authored 49 inventions and was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor. Under his leadership, the institute completed its first major projects—Katran-1 and Katran-2. These became the first unmanned underwater vehicles in Kazakhstan to reach state testing. His ability to combine scientific approaches with practical engineering laid the groundwork for the institute’s future development.
Alongside him worked other chief designers of the early years—L. I. Yakubenko and V. I. Gul—who led independent projects in the development of underwater systems and towed equipment. Deputy Chief Designers V. N. Dyachkov and K. P. Volkov ensured a high level of technological readiness and testing. Their teams included leading engineers such as R. A. Ibraev, M. N. Konyukhov, N. P. Murashkintsev, E. N. Fedorova, Yu. B. Abashkin, and others.
The first decade laid the foundation: housing for employees and a production-laboratory building were constructed, and the development of new vehicles—Dolphin, Strizh, Zalom, Dudinka—was launched. The flagship model Dolphin took part in a unique operation to search for the downed South Korean Boeing in the Russian Far East. The projects were led by Chief Designers V. I. Gul and Yu. B. Abashkin. Collaboration with leading Soviet research centers, including the Lebedev Physical Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences, the Central Research Institute Morfizpribor, and the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, enabled the transfer of best engineering practices. The team was reinforced by graduates of leading technical universities, and within ten years the staff increased sixfold.
The Second Wave: New Capacities and a Young Team
Вn the 1980s, under the guidance of experienced engineers, a young and energetic team was formed. A second laboratory building was constructed, featuring a unique testing pool, wind tunnel, and hydraulic flume. An experimental base with its own vessels was established on Lake Shalkar. The key figure of the late 1980s was Chief Designer A. A. Kazin, who in 1989 developed the STIU-2 Ketmen—a self-propelled, remotely operated vehicle designed for neutralization tasks. This project became a benchmark in applying the most advanced hydrodynamic and navigation technologies of the time.
The Test of Time: The 1990s
From 1990 to 2006, the institute was headed by Valery Ilyich Gul—an experienced designer and author of 13 inventions. Despite the economic crisis, he managed to preserve the team and continue project work. Under his leadership, projects included BMRK boats, multi-purpose raid vessels, and Sapsan-class patrol boats. In underwater technology, he oversaw the development of the OMAR and Meduza unmanned underwater vehicles, designed for the oil and gas industry and foreign customers.
The 2000s: New Horizons
In 2006, Alexander Nikolaevich Gnelomedov, formerly Chief Designer, became General Director. Having risen from engineer to executive, he contributed to the creation of more than twenty types of equipment. With his involvement, high-speed Shagala boats, Sapsan patrol boats, icebreaker-tug vessels, and mobile diving complexes were built.
Today and Tomorrow
By its 50th anniversary, the institute had employed nearly 2,000 specialists over its history, many of whom devoted their entire careers to it. Engineering dynasties work here, and the best students from regional technical universities undergo internships annually, often staying on as part of the team.
“We are proud that our enterprise not only preserves a rich engineering legacy but also actively introduces modern technologies into production. The contribution of the Research Institute Gidropribor is a contribution to the technological independence and industrial security of Kazakhstan,” noted Birzhan Erezhepov, General Director of JSC Research Institute Gidropribor.
Half a century of progress for the enterprise is not just a chronology of dates and projects. It is the names and destinies of people for whom engineering became a calling. Their perseverance, talent, and dedication created an enterprise that remains today a flagship of domestic shipbuilding and underwater technologies.
In the Year of Working Professions, the history and achievements of JSC Research Institute Gidropribor are especially symbolic. Within its walls, young and talented engineers, who joined straight from university, continue to learn from the strong hands of the “old school.” Experienced mentors generously shared their knowledge, instilling responsibility and devotion to engineering. Today, under the leadership of Chief Designer Aydyngali Aidarovich Zhinaliyev, the team unites promising engineers such as N. M. Sagitov, E. A. Sariyeva, M. M. Balsikhov, E. I. Abdulova, and D. V. Abdulov.
It is their skill, dedication, and aspiration for new achievements that ensure not only the preservation of the institute’s proud traditions but also its steady progress toward new technological victories for Kazakhstan.