Uzbekistan Joins Global Nuclear Research Platform at MBIR

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Delegation of the Limited Liability Company “Leader Consortium ‘IC MBIR’” conducted a series of meetings during a working visit to the People’s Republic of China with the leadership of leading scientific and industrial organizations of the country.

During the visit, representatives of the consortium became familiar with key research facilities of Chinese partners, including the Experimental Fast Neutron Reactor CEFR, as well as the ASIPP complex, which includes the operating EAST superconducting tokamak, the under-construction BEST tokamak, and the institute’s laboratory infrastructure.

The discussions focused on prospects for Chinese specialists conducting research using the MBIR multipurpose fast neutron research reactor. Particular attention was given to its unique characteristics, which enable a wide range of scientific and applied experiments in support of modern nuclear energy development.

In particular, the reactor is expected to be used for testing materials and fuel compositions for fast neutron reactors and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, as well as for addressing materials science challenges related to controlled thermonuclear fusion technologies. Thanks to its high neutron flux density and the ability to host specialized experimental setups with various coolants, MBIR is considered a key platform for developing next-generation nuclear technologies.

As noted by General Director of “Leader Consortium ‘IC MBIR’” Vasily Konstantinov, the international research center based on the MBIR reactor has significant potential to unite scientists and engineers in advancing nuclear energy, including the closure of the nuclear fuel cycle.

Uzbekistan is also actively participating in this international project. In particular, Rosatom State Corporation and the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan signed an agreement on Uzbekistan’s accession to the international consortium based on the MBIR reactor during the ATOMEXPO-2022 forum. The document was signed by Vasily Konstantinov and Institute Director Ilkham Sadikov.

Under the agreement, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of Uzbekistan will become one of the key participants in the consortium and will gain access to a portion of reactor capacity after the facility becomes operational. This will allow Uzbek scientists to conduct research in nuclear physics, radioisotope production, and materials science.

An additional stage of cooperation development was the signing on July 16, 2025, of an agreement between the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan and the LLC “Leader Consortium ‘IC MBIR’” on cooperation in international scientific research. Thus, the Uzbek side has formally joined the international research program of Rosatom implemented on the basis of the MBIR reactor.

The implementation of this project contributes to strengthening international scientific cooperation, advancing nuclear energy technologies, and expanding Uzbekistan’s participation in global scientific initiatives.