DUSHANBE, January 14, 2016, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan will launch the nuclear research reactor ARGUS-FTI within the next few years, Farhod Rahimzoda, President of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, told reporters in Dushanbe on January 14.

According to him, the Academy of Sciences has begun implementing the national program on rehabilitation and further use of the nuclear research reactor ARGUS-FTI designed for 2016-2020.  

President Emomali Rahmon signed this program on November 2, 2015.  

The national program on rehabilitation and further use of the nuclear research reactor ARGUS - FTI has reportedly been developed for the purpose of promoting development of science and providing access to new technologies, and thereby, help develop the country’s economy.  

The first stage of the program (2016-2017) provides for drawing up general rules of providing safety of the reactor, creation of technical site, and training of specialists to operate the reactor.

The second stage (2018-2020) reportedly includes reconstruction of a building for the ARGUS-FTI reactor and construction of a nuclear and technological complex for production of radiopharmaceutical preparation.

The ARGUS reactor is an aqueous homogeneous mini reactor. This reactor has been in operation since 1981 and has shown high indices of efficiency and safety.