TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE U.S. AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO ENHANCE NUCLEAR MATERIALS PROTECTION, CONTROLAND ACCOUNTING TRAINING AT THE RUSSIAN METHODOLOGICAL AND TRAINING CENTER

The development of the Russian Methodological and Training Center (RMTC) has been an important element of nuclear materials protection, control and accounting (MPC&A) cooperation between the U.S. and the Russian Federation (RF). The RMTC, located at the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE) in Obninsk, Russia has been designated by the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom) to provide nuclear (MPC&A) training to Minatom and the Federal Nuclear and Radiation Safety Authority (Gosatomnadzor) personnel. Following the political changes within the RF that resulted in fragmentation of centralized control and management of nuclear materials, the RF embarked on an effort to upgrade its state system of accountancy and control (SSAC) of mtclear materials. This situation created the need to provide widespread training to Russian MPC&A specialists in new methods and modern technologies. The RMTC was established to provide centralized training and implementation support in these areas, as well as provide a forum for discussions between plant operators and inspectors. During the period of U.S.-Russian cooperation, significant progress has been made in Russian training program development and upgrades to the RMTC. Enhanced training facilities are in operation, laboratory and other training equipment has been installed, and over 800 Russian specialists have been trained, including participants from Kazaltstan, Ukraine and Lithuania. More than 35 courses have been developed jointly and taught. In addition, a number of Mobile Training Teams have been established to teach courses on-site at Russian facilities. The RMTC infrastructure has been strengthened and a strategic plan has been drafted for the long-term sustainability of the RMTC, and development of regional training capabilities. The future directions of this project will focus on initiatives designed to ensure continued development of indigenous Russian training capabilities and viability of the RMTC. This poster presents a graphic illustration of U.S.-Russian collaboration to date and highlights accomplishments in terms of training and establishment of training laboratories.