Photoprylad
Photoprylad is a Ukrainian research and production complex specializing in optoelectronic instruments, defense equipment, precision mechanisms, and selected medical and civil products.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Photoprylad is a Ukrainian research and production complex based in Cherkasy and focused on the development, engineering, and manufacture of optoelectronic devices and specialized equipment. Its work has served several institutional markets, including the Armed Forces of Ukraine, state agencies, public-health organizations, and other industrial customers. The organization combines research, design, prototyping, and serial production rather than operating solely as a consumer-facing product brand. The enterprise was founded in 1962 by Aydogdy Kurbanov on the site of the Pobeda artel. During its first decades, Photoprylad developed capabilities in photographic processing equipment, precision mechanics, optics, and optoelectronics. Between 1970 and 1972 it became involved in equipment for processing, drying, and interpreting aerial photographic materials. Products from this period included the PKD-1 interpretation marching kit and the PPO-1 photoprint-washing device, as well as other equipment associated with space and aerial-imaging applications. Its defense-related engineering portfolio expanded during the 1970s. Photoprylad began producing precision mechanical and optical-mechanical equipment, including the 1G-25 gyrocompass used for true-azimuth determination in the 1V12 artillery complex. Serial production of units and control equipment designated 9S475 began in the 1974–1976 period for installation on Mi-24 helicopters. In 1978, the enterprise's Sokol design bureau developed the IRIS surveillance optical device, which was tested with the Mi-24K helicopter. The company later diversified beyond military and photographic systems. In the early 1980s it introduced equipment for forensic and criminological work, including the MC-1 microscope and REUS-1 reproduction installation. In 1990, it entered medical equipment production with ophthalmological devices such as Stimul, Alkor, and FK-30. In 1994, a research and production complex was formed from Photoprylad and the Sokol central design bureau; the Strela special design bureau joined the complex in 1995. From 1996, Photoprylad developed and produced tank sighting systems using laser and microscopic technologies. Its organizational structure has included the Sokol design bureau and the Strela special design bureau, giving the enterprise in-house design capacity alongside manufacturing operations. The complex joined the Ukrainian state defense-industry concern UkrOboronProm in 2011, reinforcing its role as a state-linked supplier. The available reference material describes Photoprylad as operating across two substantial industrial sites and employing approximately 1,000 people, although these figures are tied to the period covered by the source and should not be treated as current without newer documentation. The enterprise has cooperated with customers and partners in Eastern European and European markets. In October 2014, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced that Photoprylad would be included in the 2015 state defense order, with planned production of night-vision goggles and thermal imagers for personnel involved in the Anti-Terrorist Operation. This marked a renewed emphasis on battlefield observation and low-light imaging equipment. Photoprylad's public profile is therefore primarily institutional and industrial: its importance lies in specialized engineering, defense supply, and state-sector manufacturing rather than broad retail recognition.
History
Photoprylad began in 1962 when Aydogdy Kurbanov established the enterprise on the site of the Pobeda artel. The organization initially developed industrial and photographic technologies, and in 1965 it created a special design bureau led by Petrov I., with Krivorotiy A. serving as chief constructor. Between 1970 and 1972, Photoprylad concentrated on devices for the chemical-photographic processing, drying, and interpretation of aerial photographic materials. This work produced systems such as the PKD-1 interpretation marching kit and PPO-1 photoprint-washing device, alongside other equipment associated with aerial and space imagery. In 1972, the enterprise expanded into precision mechanics, optical mechanics, and optoelectronics. One important defense application was the 1G-25 gyrocompass, used to determine true azimuth on the 1V12 artillery complex. A separate Central Design Bureau Sokol was established in 1974, with Ablyazov R. as chief constructor. During 1974–1976, Photoprylad began serial production of components and control equipment designated 9S475 for the Mi-24 helicopter. Sokol subsequently developed the IRIS surveillance optical device, which underwent testing with the Mi-24K helicopter in 1978. In the early 1980s, the enterprise broadened its portfolio into forensic and criminological equipment. The MC-1 microscope and REUS-1 reproduction installation represented this civil and institutional diversification. In 1990, Photoprylad entered medical manufacturing, producing ophthalmological equipment under the Stimul, Alkor, and FK-30 designations. A new research and production complex was created in 1994 from Photoprylad and the Sokol central design bureau. The Strela special design bureau became part of the complex in 1995, strengthening its internal design and development structure. From 1996, the organization produced tank sighting systems based on laser and microscopic technologies. Photoprylad joined UkrOboronProm in 2011. The complex has included the Sokol and Strela design bureaus and has continued to serve both defense and civil sectors. Reference material describes an industrial footprint of two large sites totaling approximately 210,000 square meters and a workforce of about 1,000 employees, though the date and continuing accuracy of those figures are not independently established here. In October 2014, Photoprylad was publicly identified for inclusion in Ukraine's 2015 state defense order. The announced production focus included night-vision goggles and thermal imagers intended for personnel involved in the Anti-Terrorist Operation. This development reflected the enterprise's continuing role in Ukrainian defense manufacturing and its shift toward battlefield electro-optics. Photoprylad has also been described as cooperating with partners in Eastern European and European markets.
- 2014
Selected for 2015 defense procurement
[1]The enterprise was announced as a participant in Ukraine's 2015 state defense order, with night-vision and thermal-imaging production identified as priorities.
- 2011
Joined UkrOboronProm
[1]Photoprylad became part of Ukraine's state defense-industry concern UkrOboronProm.
- 1996
Tank sighting systems introduced
[1]Photoprylad began producing tank sighting systems using laser and microscopic technologies.
- 1995
Strela bureau joins the complex
[1]The Strela special design bureau became part of the Photoprylad research and production complex.
- 1994
Research and production complex formed
[1]The Photoprylad and Sokol organizations were combined into a research and production complex.
- 1990
Medical equipment production begins
[1]Photoprylad entered medical manufacturing with ophthalmological products including Stimul, Alkor, and FK-30.
- 1978
IRIS surveillance device tested
[1]The Sokol bureau's IRIS optical surveillance device was successfully tested with the Mi-24K helicopter.
- 1974
Central Design Bureau Sokol created
[1]Sokol was established as a separate central design bureau under chief constructor Ablyazov R.
- 1972
Precision and optical-mechanical production begins
[1]The enterprise began producing precision mechanical, optical-mechanical, and optoelectronic equipment, including the 1G-25 gyrocompass.
- 1965
Special Design Bureau established
[1]Photoprylad created a special design bureau led by Petrov I., with Krivorotiy A. as chief constructor.
Products and positioning
A Ukrainian state-linked engineering and manufacturing complex for defense optoelectronics, precision instruments, and selected medical and civil technologies.
Aerial-photography interpretation equipment
PKD-1
An early interpretation marching kit developed for work with aerial photographic materials. It belonged to Photoprylad's 1970s family of devices for processing and interpreting aerial imagery.
Photographic processing equipment
PPO-1
A device for washing photoprints, developed during Photoprylad's expansion into chemical-photographic processing and related aerial-imaging equipment.
Military navigation instrument · 1972
1G-25
A gyrocompass designed to determine true azimuth. It was mounted on the 1V12 artillery complex and illustrates the enterprise's move into precision military instrumentation.
Military surveillance optics · 1978
IRIS
An optical surveillance device developed by the Sokol design bureau and tested with the Mi-24K helicopter in 1978.
Forensic microscope
MC-1
A microscope introduced as part of Photoprylad's early-1980s expansion into forensic and criminological equipment.
Forensic reproduction equipment
REUS-1
A reproduction installation for criminological applications, introduced alongside the MC-1 microscope.
Ophthalmological equipment · 1990
Stimul, Alkor, and FK-30
A group of ophthalmological devices that marked Photoprylad's entry into medical equipment production during the 1990 period.
Armored-vehicle fire-control optics · 1996
Tank sighting systems
Sighting systems for tanks using laser and microscopic technologies. Photoprylad began producing this class of defense equipment from 1996.
Military electro-optics · 2014
Night-vision goggles and thermal imagers
Low-light and thermal-imaging equipment identified for production under Ukraine's 2015 state defense order for personnel involved in the Anti-Terrorist Operation.
Brand decisions
2014
Planned production of night-vision and thermal-imaging equipmentProduct launchBackground
Ukraine's armed forces required additional electro-optical equipment during the Anti-Terrorist Operation.
Action taken
Photoprylad was included in the announced 2015 state defense order for night-vision goggles and thermal imagers.
Aftermath
The announcement reinforced Photoprylad's role as a supplier of defense electro-optics, although the available source does not provide delivery volumes or subsequent performance data.
2011
Integration into UkrOboronPromStrategyBackground
Ukraine reorganized elements of its defense-industrial sector under the state concern UkrOboronProm.
Action taken
Photoprylad joined UkrOboronProm.
Aftermath
The enterprise became part of Ukraine's state-linked defense-industry group.
1994
Formation of an integrated research and production complexStrategyBackground
Photoprylad and the Sokol central design bureau had developed complementary manufacturing and design capabilities.
Action taken
The organizations were combined into the Photoprylad research and production complex.
Aftermath
The combined structure provided a broader base for design, engineering, and serial production.
Sources1 sources
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