Sustainability of the MOD: Facing the Unique Challenges of Preparing Russian Federation Ministry of Defense Sites for Independent Sustainment of U.S. Funded MPC&A Upgrades

Programs of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration have been working for over a decade to assist the Russian Federation (RF) in securing its nuclear material. During the past few years, increased emphasis has been placed on sustaining installed security systems and the personnel who support them. With U.S. funding and technical assistance, installed upgrades are being well maintained. The U.S. DOE is now planning for the gradual transition of site sustainability from U.S. funding to Russian funding. Before this can happen important elements of sustainability must be in place and functional. The Russian Federation Ministry of Defense (MOD) has a distinct set of sustainability needs, goals and challenges. Project teams working with MOD sites are beginning to focus on reviewing lessons learned to develop guidelines for the future. This should be done with the understanding that sustainability planning does not work in a vacuum. Not only are there formalized training needs, but there are also site-specific job mentoring needs that require good coordination with all parties involved in MPC&A security upgrades. The process of developing a solid sustainability program for MOD sites will invariably lead to an increased understanding of site needs and a continuing refinement of sustainability plans. The ultimate goal is to institute good sustainability programs at each site in order for the MOD to maintain long-term security of Russia’s nuclear arms