quote:

or because he expressed an unpleasant opinion?

I bet it wasn't unpleasant to you was it?

Finnish Customs Thwart Four Attempts to Smuggle Russian Fighter Spares

(Source: Finnish Government news service; issued May 31, 2006)

Finnish Customs have seized four batches of Russian military aircraft spare parts on the southeast border with Russia, the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) reported Tuesday.

The smugglers attempted to ship the equipment, mainly spares for Sukhoi fighters, via Finland to China and Serbia and Montenegro.

Individuals suspected by the Finnish authorities are Russians, some of whom resident in Finland. One Russian national has been given a fine in Lappeenranta in eastern Finland.

A Customs representative who prefers to remain anonymous said there was reason to assume that none of the parts was intended for civilian aircraft.

The items held by Customs include altimeters, navigation instruments, radar systems, fighter pilot's helmets and instruments containing beryllium, an alkaline earth metal used in nuclear weapons as a reflector and moderator.

"Finnish legislation defines substances used in nuclear weapons that are subject to control. Beryllium does not feature on the list. But one does try to control the trade in pure beryllium out there in the world," said Esko Ruokola, section head at the nuclear waste management department of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.

Those suspected of the smuggling attempts were couriers who in all probability were not aware that they were bringing illegal material into Finland, Customs said. The shipments were falsely labelled, some as car spare parts.

Customs added that Russian authorities had taken the matter seriously and were conducting their own investigation. Russian Customs said they could not comment as the investigation was ongoing.

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Russia in Big Sales Pitch in South America

(Source: Rosoboronexport; issued Jun 9, 2006)

Expo Ejercito 2006 defence exhibition will be held in the capital of Venezuela Caracas from 13 till 18 June 2006. It is organised by the General Command of Land Forces of the Bolivarian Republic. Main objectives set by the exhibition organiser are: 1) to inform the country’s population of the army capability to defend national sovereignty, and 2) to facilitate business contacts of Venezuelan state agencies and armed forces with potential arms suppliers from friendly countries.

Rosoboronexport State Corporation takes part for the second time in Expo Ejercito, organising there a single national exposition in accordance with the Russian Government decision. Rosoboronexport is a federal state unitary enterprise acting as the sole Russian state intermediary authorised to export armaments and military equipment, and presenting intellectual and industrial potential of national defence industries in the international market.

Two Russian enterprises – Kazan Helicopter Plant and Izhmash Concern, the most active participants in the current Russian-Venezuelan military-technical cooperation, will set up their expositions at Expo Ejercito 2006 under the aegis of Rosoboronexport State Corporation. The Russian exposition will show defence products, both well-known in many countries round the world and prospective ones that just start being marketed in the world markets. Specialists visiting the Russian stand can be informed of about 150 items of armaments and military equipment. Given the exhibition scale, Russian arms are shown mainly in models, mockups, posters, booklets, and videos.

In line with the exhibition nature, the Russian exposition is dominated by land forces equipment. This part contains data on the T-90 main battle tank, BTR-80 and BTR-90 armoured personnel carriers, BMP-2 and BMP-3 infantry combat vehicles, KAMAZ family armoured trucks. It also demonstrates specialised simulators needed to master these complex technical systems. Besides that, use of the simulators helps to substantially cut expenses on education and training of military personnel.

The Russian defence industry puts great emphasis on unification of military equipment. Visitors will be able to acquaint themselves with a family of vehicles based on a single armoured chassis of the BTR-80 APC, such as BTR-80, BTR-80A and BTR-80K. They must be paying special attention to the 2S31 Vena self-propelled amphibious automated gun mounted on the BMP-3 chassis, now promoted by Rosoboronexport.

The Vena remains unrivalled in the world until now as it embodies leading edge technologies employed in artillery systems development. The gun is designed to defeat highly manoeuvrable and other important pin-point and group targets in the near tactical zone, and, what is worth of mentioning, can fire 120-mm Russian and foreign-origin projectiles and mines, including Kitolov-type guided munitions.

The Vena gun is distinguished by the following features: - combat autonomy; - use of a satellite navigation equipment complementing the autonomous survey system, both coupled via the onboard computer; - capability to conduct direct, low and high trajectory fire (which is critical for combat in wooded mountainous and desert areas); - high mobility and operability thanks to the amphibious chassis of the BMP-3 ICV. It is ready to fire on target in just 20 to 40 seconds. The gun can be adopted by land forces, special operations and marines units.

Rosoboronexport State Corporation will also exhibit 155-mm, 152-mm, 122-mm and 120-mm guided weapon systems capable of firing guided projectiles and mines of Krasnopol, Kitolov and Gran types. Artillery systems with guided munitions are seen as high-precision fire assets capable of defeating moving and armoured targets as well. As a result, the number of artillery pieces per mission can be reduced by 2-3 times, ammunition expenditure by 10-15 times, and mission implementation cost by 5-10 times. Guided projectiles and mines can be fired by 155-mm artillery systems, 152-mm and 122-mm guns of Russian production, as well as by 120-mm mortars of both Russian and foreign origin.

Unmanned aerial vehicles find their increased application in modern all-service warfare. It refers, in particular, to the exhibited small-size real-time reconnaissance and battlefield surveillance system featuring the Pchela-1 remotely piloted air vehicle and ground-based flight control and data processing post.

The Land Forces part of the exposition includes a wide range of special-purpose close combat weapons, small arms and equipment, such as the SR-1 Gyurza self-loading pistol, SR-2 submachine gun, SR-3 small-size assault rifle, Kashtan submachine gun, and others.

The Air Defence part of the Russian exposition shows the upgraded Strela-10 air defence missile system, Polyana-D4M1 air defence brigade/mixed grouping automated command and control system, and a great number of radars intended for both air defence and land forces. They are Nebo-SVU 2-D duty-mode radar, Kasta-2E2 3-D low-altitude duty-mode all-round surveillance radar, Protivnik-GE 3-D decimetre-band tracking radar, and 1L117 3-D mobile all-round surveillance radar.

Rosoboronexport takes the opportunity offered by the organisers to show, besides land forces equipment, most advanced air and sea technologies that Russia is promoting to the region.

The Naval part of the exposition presents Amur-class submarines, Corsar patrol ship, and a long list of various-purpose boats.

A clear manifestation of Russian shipbuilders’ excellence can be seen in the Project 14310 Mirage patrol boat displacing 120 tonnes. It has no foreign rivals and boasts unique design and engineering solutions. The boat features a powerful enough armament, and high speed and seaworthiness ensured by an array of automatically controlled interceptors which ensure the increase in boat speed by 8-10 knots, and the reduction of its roll by more than two times, and pitch – by 1.2-1,5 times.

The Project 12061E Murena-E air cushion landing craft displacing 150 tonnes, is designed to ship, and land on unequipped shores, tanks, wheeled vehicles, personnel carrying their arms, and other cargos weighing more than 40 tonnes. The craft can negotiate at high speed: shoals, rifts, sand beaches, marshes, and water basins overgrown with vegetation. Its standard armament includes a 30-mm artillery gun mount.

The Air Force part of the exposition includes diverse air systems, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, as well as airborne munitions.

The Venezuelan leadership has recently declared its intention to renew the country’s air force inventory. In this context specialists will undoubtedly be attracted to the Rosoboronexport stand with promotional data on the Su-27SK and Su-30MK multifunctional combat aircraft, Yak-130 trainer, and IL-76MF military transport. Venezuelan military pilots already know Mil type helicopters, such as Mi-17, Mi-26, and Mi-35. The more they will be eager to familiarise themselves with a recent addition to the family – the Mi-28NE ‘Night Hunter’. Representatives of the naval aviation will also be interested in a series of Kamov-family helicopters – the Ka-27PS, Ka-28, and, finally, Ka-31 providing long-range airspace and sea-surface control and automatic target designation data transmission.

At Expo Ejercito 2006 Rosoboronexport presents, besides armaments and military equipment, high-tech science-intensive civil-purpose products developed by Russian defence industries within the scope of their conversion programmes.

Military-technical cooperation between Russia and Venezuela has seen progress in recent years. In full agreement with the contracts signed in 2005, Rosoboronexport delivers to Venezuela armaments and military equipment manufactured under supervision of Venezuelan specialists. The country took delivery of the first three Mi-17V-5 helicopters (from a batch of 15) in March 2006. Thirty thousand AK-103 Kalashnikov assault rifles have been handed over on the eve of the exhibition, each assault rifle bearing the hallmark of the Venezuelan armed forces. Rosoboronexport guarantees that all deliveries shall be completed by specified terms.

Military-technical cooperation between Russia and Venezuela extends beyond just arms supplies. For example, there are talks in progress on setting up industrial facilities for licence production of Kalashnikov assault rifles in Venezuela. Venezuelan operators of all delivered materiel are being trained in Russia, and Russian guarantee service teams are working in Venezuela. Other projects of mutual interest are also under consideration.

Russia’s participation in the exhibition testifies to its plans of furthering military-technical cooperation with Venezuela and other friendly states in the Latin American region. Based on objective analysis of Russia’s proposals these states can make balanced decisions on strengthening their own security. Talks to be conducted during the exhibition are expected to prepare ground for new contracts on delivery of Russian armaments and military equipment and their subsequent integration into national and collective security systems of the region.

-ends-

HI !I wanna ask somebody (west weapon specialist)do you think so (after analyzing result of the last wars )iraq,Serbia and etc.
Is eastern weapon able to meet competition to the western weapon ?
or those wars didn't show the true state of affairs in this sphere?and Nuclear Weapon is very dangerous to the west (also air-crafts.fleet )or it's not so danger (every body don't worry we are the strongest and powerfulliest in the world)

YOU BET DUDE!

Russia, Bulgaria Discuss Extension of Arms Production Licenses

(Source: Rosoboronexport; web-posted July 5, 2006)

On the 27 - 28th of June, 2006, in Sofia, Bulgaria, the 5th Meeting of the Russian-Bulgarian working group on the Military-Technical Cooperation was held. The meeting was chaired by Mikhail Petukhov, deputy head of the Federal Service on the Military-Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation, and Spas Panchev, deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria.

During the negotiations the parties came to an agreement to hasten the settlement of the problems concerning the licensing of special-purpose manufactures.

The parties consented for the completion of the inventory procedure of licenses obtained earlier by Bulgaria from the Soviet Union for production of arms and military hardware. In particular, it is planned to examine more than 600 different licensing agreements, including those for the production of small and light arms among them the Kalashnikov assault riffles, the Makarov pistols, grenade launchers and other weapons.

The Bulgarian side is expected to pass to Russia in the third quarter of 2006 lists of licensing agreements that Bulgaria is interested to prolong, as well as the list of contracts and arrangements that are to be terminated after the signing of corresponding intergovernmental agreement.

By the end of 2006 the working group is to elaborate the mutually beneficial arrangements for cooperation in licensing.

On the experts level the parties also discussed the draft of an intergovernmental agreement on the reciprocal protection of intellectual property rights in the sphere of military-technical cooperation.

The Rosoboronexport management appreciated with satisfaction the balance of work of the joint Russian-Bulgarian group.

According to certain data the annual loss of the Russian Federation caused by the unpatented weapons and military equipment sales amounts up to US$5 – 6 bln. At the same time disposal by some foreign countries of unpatented armaments at the international market causes not only economic losses but also a moral and political damage to Russia and discredits its image of reliable partner in the eyes of potential customers.

The Rosoboronexport director general Sergey V. Chemezov believes that to date it is necessary to concentrate efforts on elaboration of a legislative instrument in Russia in order to provide a proper legal protection of its intellectual property. Such law instruments are especially required while signing and concluding international agreements and contracts related to the questions of scientific and technical and military-technical cooperation. This is the principal position of the Rosoboronexport State Corporation.

"Along side with that, - notes Sergey V. Chemezov, - a unified international legislative base in the sphere of intellectual property protection should be worked out".

Sergey M. Mironov, the chairman of the Federal Council of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly, drew attention to the necessity of competent legislative protection of the state rights to its intellectual property. Addressing to the members of the Expert Council on legislative protection of the Russian defence industries' development, he emphasized that the Council would pay priority attention to this problem.

-ends-

Russia Sells 24 Fighters, 53 Helicopters to Venezuela in $3bn Deal

(Source: Voice of America news; issued July 27, 2006)

The head of Russia's state arms trading agency says Russia has signed contracts to sell Venezuela 24 jet fighter planes and 53 military helicopters.

Details of the deal were not immediately clear. But the head of Russia's arms export agency said the two countries have signed contracts for Venezuelan purchase of some $3 billion worth of military equipment over the last 18 months.

His comments came as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez met in Moscow.

The newly acquired Russian fighter planes are expected to replace a fleet of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets. Venezuelan authorities say they have not been able to buy spare parts for the F-16s since Washington imposed an arms embargo on Venezuela earlier this year.

Mr. Putin said Thursday the contracts are not directed against other states. He said they are aimed at developing the economies of the two countries.

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Arms dealers decry U.S. sanctions

Items compiled from Tribune news services
Published August 6, 2006
link

MOSCOW, RUSSIA -- Russia's state-controlled arms trader and top aircraft maker criticized Washington on Saturday for imposing sanctions on them over dealings with Iran.

The Defense Ministry said the move reflected U.S. annoyance at arms sales to Venezuela, whose deal includes 24 jet fighters and 53 military helicopters.

Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi were among seven companies Washington said violated a U.S. law known as the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000, which aims to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction to Tehran.

Under the sanctions, the U.S. government is prohibited from dealing with the companies.

Ok guys. The Russian government will not fall apart in our lifetime. I see it getting stronger. I think it will unify in the near future. Russia can take on anybody. Just face it. The United States is not the strongest country. The United States is in debt! The U.S. would not even be able to fund a war against Russia. The U.S. is already in trouble due to the funds spent in the Iraq war and the future cost ahead. Social Security is all messed up. I think Russia has a brighter future than the US of A. Now that thats out of the way.

Russia doesnt depend on its exporting of weopons to support its economy. It has oil and minerals. They probably do sell weopons to terrorists. It really wouldnt suprise me. But the U.S. should be worried about N.Korea more than Russia. N.Korea hates us with all its guts. They would probably sell weopons to anybody who wanted them. It wouldnt suprise me if they already are supporting terrorist organizations.

quote:

Originally posted by 10712043:
Just face it. The United States is not the strongest country. The United States is in debt! The U.S. would not even be able to fund a war against Russia. The U.S. is already in trouble due to the funds spent in the Iraq war and the future cost ahead. Social Security is all messed up. I think Russia has a brighter future than the US of A.

...you should do stand-up.

Rosoboronexport Brings Russian Arsenal to Defendory International 2006 in Greece

(Source: Rosoboronexport State Corporation; issued Oct. 2, 2006)

The 14th International exhibition of armaments and military equipment for all services - Defendory International 2006 - will take place at Pireus seaport in the suburbs of Athens, Greece, from 3 till 7 October 2006. Defendory, one of the most important and representative European defence exhibitions, is convened bi-annually by the Institute of Industrial Exhibitions under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Defence.

Rosoboronexport State Corporation comes to Defendory for the 8th time as organiser of the united Russian exposition. Under the aegis of the Corporation 15 Russian defence enterprises will present their military and dual-purpose products, underlining high potential and constant dynamics of Russian-Greek military-technical cooperation.


Status and Prospects of Military-Technical Cooperation with the Hellenic Republic

Russia’s military-technical cooperation with Greece has been carried out since 1993, and is regulated by the Agreement concluded by the governments of the Russian Federation and the Hellenic Republic on 31 October 1995.

Russia’s foreign economic relations with Greece, as regards military-technical cooperation, have lately reached a new qualitative level, becoming both dynamic and proactive. The biggest deals in this sphere include deliveries of the S-300PMU1, Tor-M1 and Osa-AKM Russian-made air defence missile systems (ADMS) used to set up airspace defence zones over continental and insular parts of Greece, and three unique Project 12322 Zubr air cushion landing assault ships that earn excellent operational records in the Aegean Sea.

The most promising areas of cooperation include: organisation of integrated after-sale servicing of military hardware supplied earlier by employing capabilities of “Rosoboronexport-Hellas” Russian-Greek joint venture; delivery of armoured vehicles and medium-range air defence systems required by the Hellenic Armed Forces; modernisation of military equipment handed over to Greece by Germany; technical assistance in efficiently operating and maintaining military hardware supplied earlier; and training of Greek military personnel.

To expand the existing military-technical cooperation between Russia and Greece, Rosoboronexport promotes a number of projects supported by the two countries’ governments. In particular, it proposes a wider application of offset arrangements and programmes, training and retraining of Greek specialists in different disciplines, military and civil technologies transfer, joint research and development works, purchase of Greek commodities that are in demand in Russia, setting up of servicing, assembly and repair centres in Greece for the maintenance of supplied military equipment as well as plants specialised in its upgrading and producing components and spare parts for it.

The history of Russian-Greek military-technical cooperation proves that offset arrangements stimulate national industrial growth thanks to mastering and integrating unique Russian technologies into Greek economy, receiving counter-orders for the manufacture of components and units used in Russian military systems, their assembly and repairs at Greek defence enterprises. For instance, the offset contract on delivery of Zubr air cushion landing assault ships for the Hellenic Navy stipulates construction of infrastructure elements for ships’ on-shore basing and maintenance.


Russian Exposition at Defendory 2006

The united Russian exposition takes up a 355-sq.m area in the main exhibition pavilion. It is structured to cover major lines in prospective Russian-Greek military-technical cooperation and potential needs of other European customers.

At the exhibition Russian defence enterprises present over 300 samples of military-purpose products shown in models, weight-and-size mockups, stand billboards and posters, promotional videos and prints.

The Land Forces part of the exposition covers a wide range of armoured vehicles including main battle tanks (MBT), infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) and armoured personnel carriers (APC) of all generations, airborne combat vehicles, armoured repair and recovery vehicles, multiple rocket launcher systems (MRLS), self-propelled artillery guns, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems, rocket-assisted weapons and munitions, small arms and close combat weapons.

There will be showcased the T-90S and T-80U MBTs, upgraded T-72M1 tank with a foreign-made thermal vision sight, BMP-3 and BMP-3F IFVs, BTR-90, BTR-80 and BTR-80A APCs, Slepok-1 automated command and control system of Smerch MRLS brigade, Pantsir-S1 air defence gun/missile system, Kornet-E and Metis-M1 anti-tank missile systems, KM-1 Krasnopol, KM-3 Kitolov-2M and KM-8 Gran guided artillery systems.

Specialists will be able to get a complete picture of families of Russian IFVs, including BMP-2 and BMP-3 upgrades. The most popular amphibious version of the BMP world’s renowned series of IFVs - the BMP-3F marines combat vehicle - is offered for special operations units of the Hellenic Ground Forces. The baseline BMP-3 has been modified to allow the BMP-3F to navigate afloat and climb ashore without difficulty in up to 3 Sea States, endure in water for 7 hours with the engine working, and conduct aimed fire with the required accuracy in up to 2 Sea States. The BMP-3F surpasses its foreign analogues in many respects, first of all in cost-effectiveness.

At its stand the Corporation will also present the Iskander-E theatre ballistic missile system, the most advanced Russian development in the surface-to-surface guided weapons class.

In the Air Defence part of the exposition one will be informed of a variety of Russian-made air defence missile systems and equipment, such as mobile long-range Antey-2500 and S-300PMU2 Favorit, medium-range Buk-M1-2, short-range Tor-M1 with its modular version, upgraded Pechora ADMS, and Polyana-D4M1 automated command and control system intended for managing mixed air defence groupings.

The Buk-M1-2 medium-range ADMS is worthy of a special note. It is a unique air defence system capable of defeating, regardless of electronic and fire countermeasures, not only strategic and tactical aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles, but also tactical ballistic, anti-radiation and air-launched missiles. Besides, the Buk-M1-2 ADMS can also engage maritime and ground targets.

Naval weapons and equipment make up a centre-piece of the Russian exposition. With due account taken of a successful operation of the Zubr landing assault air cushion ship by the Hellenic Navy, foreign customers are also offered Project 12061 Murena landing assault air cushion craft which has a lesser displacement than Zubr has. A joint employment of the two vessels increases combat manoeuvrability and resistance of naval forces.

The export line of Russian naval systems is well completed by a new generation of the Amur-1650 and Amur-950 class submarines. The submarines are mainly distinguished by their capability of delivering salvo missile strikes against underwater, surface and land-based targets. Their main attack weapon is an advanced integrated missile system - Club-S.

Both submarine-based Club-S and ship-based Club-N integrated missile systems can be doubtlessly ranked as novelties. These unique missile systems developed by Russian defence enterprises are still unrivalled in the world. They are designed to defeat surface ships, submarines and coastal installations despite intense fire and electronic countermeasures.

A recent derivation from these integrated missile systems, the Club-M versatile mobile coastal missile system features a maximum unification of hardware and munitions with two of them. Being as potent as Club-S and Club-N, the Club-M delivers strikes from ashore.

The participation of Russian arms manufacturers and designers in Defendory 2006 is seen as an important stage in expanding military-technical cooperation of Russia with Greece and securing our country’s position in the international arms market.

-ends-

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt_Schlappy:

quote:

Russia's Air Force Commander Vladimir Mikhailov described the deployment of S-300PS missiles as an "adequate response" to the admission of Poland and the former Soviet Baltic republics into NATO. Belarus shares borders with Poland, Luthuania and Latvia.

Its too late for Russia...their empire is crumbling and they should simply accept its inevitable annexation by the West.

Man.....u need to get a life

Why doesn't this surprise me? The Germans will probably join them soon.



Russians team up with the French to develop military systems

(Source: DCN; dated Oct. 27, issued Oct. 30, 2006)

PARIS --- At the Euronaval show in Paris, the Russian State company Rosoboronexport which performs the international activity for the benefit of the Russian defence industry, and DCN signed a letter of intent to develop technical, industrial and commercial co-operations between this French naval defence group and the Russian naval defence industry.

The letter of intent, signed by Vladimir Pakhomov, First Deputy Director General of Rosoboronexport, and Jacques Mouysset, DCN’s Director of Strategy and Development, allows the opening of co-operations in the field of R&D and military ships engineering between DCN and key players in Russian naval industry. These co-operations could later on be extended to the field of the naval systems.

This agreement will apply to the surface warships and submarines as well, and will allow the industrial partners to enrich their own R&D and to develop their naval engineering capabilities. The reinforcement of the partners’ potential for technological innovation and of the competitiveness of their commercial offers, as a result of these co-operations, will provide DCN and Rosoboronexport with better access to new markets, in particular for export.

“Both our countries’ naval defence industries are in possession of a rich technological heritage thanks to the illustrious history of the French and Russian navies, which rank among the world’s leading naval forces. The agreement between DCN and Rosoboronexport, which share the same requirements regarding the development policy on the warship market, will boost technological innovation in their products, and then allow the two companies to better respond to the expectations of the naval forces.” said Jacques Mouysset.

Vladimir Pakhomov commented: “Unifying together efforts of defense manufacturers, including those operating internationally, has recently got a character of a necessity. Positive principles of political relations between France and Russia create necessary conditions for mutual confidence to develop a military technical cooperation between France and Russia. Signing of the Letter of Intent between French company DCN and the Rosoboronexport State Corporation can be reckoned as an important step on the way of creating mutually-beneficial cooperation between Russia and France. Such a relationship is dictated by the real-life conditions, enabling them to produce new products being more competitive in the world markets.”

Russia Touts Combat Aircraft, Air Defense at China Air Show

(Source: Rosoboronexport State Corporation; issued Oct. 30, 2006)

Airshow China 2006, justly considered one of the largest international air shows staged in Asia, will be held in Zhuhai, the Guangdong Province, China, from 31 October until 5 November 2006.

The air show is sponsored by the Chinese State Commission of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defence, the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), the Aviation Industries of China (AVIC), and a number of other state departments and establishments. The Zhuhai Special Economic Zone administration is the host of the air show.

Airshow China 2006 has generated much interest among many arms and materiel manufacturers and customers. According to sponsors of the air show, this year it will see participation of over 320 Chinese and foreign enterprises and companies.

Russia is a traditional participant in Airshow China. During the "Year of Russia in China" the number of Russian participants in the show (in excess of 50 companies) and the exhibition area (1,500 sq. m) are the greatest in the history of Russia's participation in Airshow China.

The Russian exhibition, displayed by the Rosoboronexport Corporation, is based on the latest developments in the international aircraft market. It aims to demonstrate outstanding scientific and production capabilities of the national aircraft industry. The Russian exposition, covering about 1,500 sq. m, will display the entire range of contemporary Russian aircraft, helicopters, aircraft armament, air defence systems, and dual-purpose and civil products and services as full-scale systems, mock-ups, models, posters, and advertising aids.

Russia will display Su-family export versions, including the Su-35 super-manoeuvrable multi-role fighter, the Su-27SK and the Su-30MK multi-role fighters, the Su-39 multi-role attack aircraft, the Su-33 shipborne fighter, the upgraded Su-39 attack aircraft, and the Su-32 fighter/bomber.

The Sukhoi Aircraft Holding Company will exhibit the new Su-27SK multi-role single-seat fighter, the upgraded Su-27SKM, boasting flight characteristics comparable to those of a 4+ generation aircraft. The new aircraft is capable of destroying the whole scope of air-, ground-, and sea-based targets with precision guided munitions (PGM). The highly manoeuvrable aircraft may carry a wide range of guided and unguided weapon systems.

The world-wide famous Russian Knights aerobatics team and aces from the Gromov Flight Test Centre will demonstrate unique flight characteristics of Su-family aircraft over Zhuhai. Visitors of the show will be able to examine a mock-up of the Su-35 fighter cockpit.

MiG type aircraft are represented at Airshow China 2006 by the unique MiG-29M lightweight tactical fighter with thrust vector control, MiG-29SMT advanced upgrade, MiG-29K shipborne combat aircraft, MiG-29SE front-line fighter, MiG-31 interceptor, shipborne MiG-29KUB combat trainer, as well as MiG-AT dedicated trainer.

Airshow China 2006 visitors will also be able to see high performance of the Yak-130 combat trainer, the Il-76MF medium-to-long-range military air transport, and the Pchela-1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

UN-led peacekeeping operations and armed conflicts in alpine and desert terrain in Asia and Africa have proved the special role of rotary-wing aircraft, including attack and utility helicopters. Thus, the Russian exposition places a special emphasis on the following export modifications of Mil- and Kamov-family helicopters: the Mi-28NE, the Ka-50, and the Ka-50-2 attack helicopters, the Ka-60 utility helicopter, the Mi-35, the Mi-35P, and the Mi-35M combat transports, the Mi-17-1B troop carrier, the Mi-171Sh air transport, the Mi-26 heavy transport, the Ka-29 shipborne combat transport, and the Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopter.

The Mi-26 heavy transport is sure to stir up interest among experts and visitors of the show. It is designed to airlift troops, combat vehicles, and cargo with an overall weight of up to 20 tons. The troop carrier modification is capable of airlifting up to 82 paratroopers. At the present time the Mi-26 successfully operates in many foreign states.

The Mi-35M combat transport, promoted by Rosoboronexport jointly with the Rostvertol Company, is a deep modernisation of the famous Mi-35 combat transport. The Mi-35M, fitted with cutting-edge avionics, a precise navigation system, and night vision systems, enjoys significantly improved combat capabilities and can operate by day and night in any weather.

Rosoboronexport will also demonstrate a wide range of air defence systems from Igla man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) up to the S-300 long-range systems. Participants in the show will be able to examine characteristics of the S-300 PMU2 Favorit air defence system, capable of destroying theatre ballistic missiles with a range of up to 1,000 km. They will also stand a chance of familiarising themselves with such medium- and short-range air defence systems as the Tor-M1, the Pechora-2M, the Tunguska-M1, the Osa-AKM.

The corporation will display a wide scope of other Russian defence products including turbojet and turboshaft engines for combat fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, state-of-the-art air-to-air missiles, aircraft radars, sights, avionics, ground-based avionics laboratory test means, and aircraft flight data recording, processing, and analysis systems.

The Rosoboronexport Corporation is certain that Russia's participation in Airshow China 2006 will boost Russia's defence co-operation with China and other Asian states.

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Rebound Forecast for Russian Arms Exports

(Source: Forecast International; issued Oct. 31, 2006)

NEWTOWN, Conn. --- Predictions of an imminent decline in the Russian arms export market have been premature, according to a Forecast International Military Market Report. While the long-term picture remains unclear, the “Russia Market Overview” notes that not only have Russian exports rebounded in the short term, but they have placed the country in a solid position behind only the United States in terms of total arms sales worldwide.

Russian arms sales reached a post-Soviet peak of $6.1 billion in 2005, reflecting a steady rebound from 2003 when they totaled $4.4 billion. Defense exports are expected to reach $5.5 billion in 2006, further escalating to $7 billion in 2007.

Under Russian President Vladimir Putin, the defense industry has largely been reorganized under Kremlin control, with state arms trader Rosoboronexport acting as its chief instrument. Since coming to power, Putin has been using arms sales as an aspect of the Kremlin’s newfound diplomatic and foreign policy confidence.

Russian defense industry estimates for the coming years are increasingly optimistic, with claims of $7 billion in annual sales since 2007 and $23 billion in future orders on the books. Already, Rosoboronexport deals with 60 countries worldwide, primarily in Asia and the Middle East. Furthermore, greater efforts to penetrate markets in Africa and Latin America have been under way, in addition to the recent sales pitches that have been made to NATO member Greece.

However, heavy reliance on the Chinese and Indian arms markets may be a potential detriment to the long-term survival of Russian arms sales. Critics point out that by relying so heavily on these two markets, Russian arms trade faces possible obsolescence should these markets become saturated by other countries.

While this is true, counters Forecast International European Defense Analyst Dan Darling, it also overlooks the fact that the EU arms embargo on China is unlikely to be lifted in the immediate future. And India – which already conducts arms deals with several European nations – is unlikely to become beholden to one supplier, such has been speculated on as a result of Washington’s tighter ties with New Delhi.

“A bigger concern for Russia than facing direct market competition,” says Darling, “would be if China and India became self-sufficient within their own defense industries, thereby freezing them out of the market altogether.”

In the meantime, other markets beckon: Venezuela, Belarus, Syria, and Iran are just some of the countries that have signed arms deals with Moscow in the past year.

“The global arms market may be drying up in some regions, but in some isolated states or conflict areas, there is still a demand for arms,” says Darling. “And where Western nations are reluctant to penetrate them, Russia is more than happy to conduct business. It is these areas that will help sustain Russia’s arms exports for the short term.”

But the main issue underlying Russian arms sales in the future is whether Moscow will essentially underwrite its own manufacturing base through increased procurement orders. Russian equipment has steadily atrophied, with only 21 percent of current inventory in the armed forces considered contemporary. However, a new $184 billion state arms program is being implemented over the course of the next nine years, which will provide a needed jolt to an industry that has become overly reliant on exports to sustain it.

“Should the Kremlin remain true to its re-equipment pledge, then the Russian defense industry just might be able to sustain itself well into the next decade,” Darling said. “However, if the state arms program amounts to nothing more than an empty promise, then that would alter the equation entirely. Basically, the Kremlin ignores the need to supplement its own domestic defense industrial base through state orders at its own peril. The arms industry is a big business for Russia, and its collapse would have seismic effects across the country.”

um, the russians used to be our enemies, why are we even thinking about deals with them? they still support communist oppresive countries.

Russia first in selling arms to third world

Deals with Iran and China worry U.S.


By Thom Shanker / The New York TimesPublished: October 29, 2006
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WASHINGTON: Russia surpassed the United States in 2005 as the leader in weapons deals with the developing world, and its new agreements included selling $700 million in surface-to-air missiles to Iran and eight new aerial refueling tankers to China, according to a new congressional study.

Those weapons deals were part of the highly competitive global arms bazaar in the developing world, which grew to $30.2 billion in 2005, up from $26.4 billion in 2004. It is a market that the United States has regularly dominated.

Russian agreements with Iran are not the biggest part of its total sales - India and China are its principal buyers. But the sales to improve Iran's air-defense system are particularly troubling to the United States because they would complicate the task of Pentagon planners should the president order airstrikes on Iranian nuclear weapons facilities.

The Bush administration has vowed a diplomatic solution in dealing with Iran. But as UN diplomats argue over potential sanctions against Iran for its nuclear ambitions, Russian officials have expressed reluctance to vote for the most stringent economic sanctions, partly owing to Moscow's extensive trade relations with Tehran.

Russian weapons sales to China also worry Pentagon planners. Although China has joined the United States to press for a resumption of six-party talks to end the North Korean nuclear weapons program after its recent test, Taiwan remains a potential flash point between Beijing and Washington.

Thus, China's ability to refuel its attack planes and bombers to enable them to fly farther from Chinese soil could require the U.S. Navy to operate even farther out to sea should the United States military be called to deal with a crisis in the Taiwan Strait. That would have an impact on the range and number of air missions that the U.S. Navy could launch from carriers.

Details of the specific weapons deals in the global arms trade last year are included in an annual study by the Congressional Research Service that is considered the most thorough compilation of statistics available in an unclassified form. The report was delivered to members of Congress on Friday.

Among other arms transfers described in the study was a statistic that a single, unnamed nation - but one identified separately by Pentagon and other administration officials to be North Korea - shipped about 40 ballistic missiles to other nations in the four-year period ending in 2005, the only nation to have done so. Transfers of these weapons are prohibited under international agreements to control the trade of ballistic missiles.

UN sanctions passed this month after the North Korean nuclear test include a new and specific ban on trade or transport of ballistic missiles and missile parts to or from North Korea.

The report, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations," found that Russian arms agreements with the developing world totaled $7 billion in 2005, an increase from its $5.4 billion in sales in 2004. That figure surpassed the United States' annual sales agreements to the developing world for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

France ranked second in arms transfer agreements to developing nations, with $6.3 billion, and the United States was third, with $6.2 billion.

The leading buyer in the developing world in 2005 was India, with $5.4 billion in weapons purchases, followed by Saudi Arabia with $3.4 billion and China with $2.8 billion.

The total value of all arms sales deals worldwide, counting both developing and developed nations, was $44.2 billion in 2005.

The Russian sales in 2005 included 29 of the SA-15 Gauntlet surface-to-air missile systems for Iran; Russia also signed deals to upgrade Iran's Su-24 bombers and MIG-29 fighter aircraft, as well as its T-72 battle tanks.

"For a period of time, in the mid- 1990s, the Russian government agreed not to make new advanced weapons sales to the Iran government," wrote Richard Grimmett, author of the study by the Congressional Research Service.

"That agreement has since been rescinded by Russia. As the U.S. focuses increasing attention on Iran's efforts to enhance its nuclear as well as conventional military capabilities, major arms transfers to Iran continue to be a matter of concern."

Russia Offers Mi28NE Attack Helicopter for Export

(Source: Rostvertol; issued Nov. 17, 2006)

The Rostov Helicopter Production Complex Rostvertol plc is showing the export version of a new Russian attack helicopter Mi-28N at the Airshow China-2006 held in China.

“The Rostvertol is active in the serial-production programme for the Mi-28NE. This aircraft is already known in many countries as the Night Hunter. Its NATO designation is Havoc. Today, we are offering the Mi-28NE for the supply to China and other countries”, Vadim Barannikov, deputy director-general of Rostvertol said.

He told that last September acceptance tests were completed of a successive serial Mi-28N.This helicopter was handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defence to undergo joint formal tests and trials.

“The design of the Mi-28N incorporates all Russian and international long experience of development and operation of the military rotorcraft. This helicopter could be used to cover land forces during day and night under normal and adverse weather conditions using its fire power,” Barannikov said.

According to him, the Mi-28N has it all that is required, i. e. high airspeed, combat survivability, wide range of weapons and countermeasures. Moreover, the Mi-28N features a low signature against SAM sites and armoured cockpit.

Installed in the Mi-28N is an up-to-date armament system for the all-weather deployment of the entire range of weapons carried. The helicopter armament comprises a 30-mm turreted cannon, guided and unguided missiles. Wing racks are provided to carry Ataka ATGM, Igla air-to-air guided missile with heat-seeking warhead and rockets of S-8 and S-13 type.

All vital systems and components of the helicopter are armour-protected and the crew is safe against 12.7-mm, 20-mm and 23-mm rounds.

“The Mi-28N helicopter is capable of advanced manoeuvres such as looping, barrel roll etc. It is a new-generation aircraft of high reliability and powerful armament system. It is due to this fact that the Mi-28N was chosen as the main battle helicopter for the Russian defence forces. In due course they will replace the Mi-35/24-type helicopters now in inventory of the Russian air force,” Barannikov said.

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Russia Defends Arms Sales to Iran

(Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; issued Nov 28, 2006)

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a November 27 interview in the German magazine "Der Spiegel" that his country's delivery of the Tor-M1 air-defense system to Iran is under way, Radio Farda reported.

He described this as a defensive weapons system that will not adversely affect the regional balance of power, Radio Farda reported. Lavrov added, according to Radio Farda, that he is certain Iran does not want to build a nuclear weapon.

Russia is building the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, and Lavrov said this facility cannot be used for a weapons program. Lavrov explained that Russia is providing the enriched uranium for use there, and the depleted fuel will be returned to Russia.

Lavrov also advised against the imposition of stringent sanctions by the UN Security Council, warning that this could push Iran to leave the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

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Russians Making Major Gains in a Rebounding Latin American Defense Market

(Source: Forecast International; issued Nov. 30, 2006)

NEWTOWN, Conn. --- Russia’s efforts to market military equipment to Latin America are bearing fruit. According to Forecast International’s annual survey of the Latin American defense market, while initial market penetration came in the form of helicopter orders from Mexico, Venezuela is now chalking up the biggest sales. A series of orders for helicopters and assault rifles, among other items, was capped by a July sale of 24 Sukhoi Su-30 fighters, bringing to $3 billion the value of deals signed with Venezuela in less than two years.

The Venezuelans are now expected to place orders for additional helicopters, as well as tactical transport aircraft, submarines, and air defense systems. However, while high oil prices are funding these procurements, the recent softening of these prices could force Venezuela to reduce the scope of its planned purchases.

The Russians have made inroads in other Latin American countries as well, including Colombia and Uruguay, with Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador potential customers. Argentina may prove a major sales opportunity, now that the Argentinian legislature has approved a military accord signed by the two governments. The Russians are offering an array of products, but the Argentinians are primarily interested in helicopters, transport aircraft, and air defense systems.

Argentina’s interest is directly tied to a revitalization of the military’s force structure, which follows years of tight funding. The Argentinian military has considerable pent-up re-equipment needs, although spending levels will remain contingent on economic conditions.

“The reviving defense market in Argentina appears to be only part of what is developing into an overall regional move toward re-equipment after long years of austere budgets,” said Latin America analyst Tom Baranauskas. “The Chilean military has been at the forefront, using windfall copper income acquired via the so-called Copper Law to carry out a thorough re-equipment program that has included the purchase of F-16 fighters, used frigates, and new submarines. Venezuela has now taken over the lead, but other nations are dusting off requirements lists or drawing up new lists.”

Chile and Venezuela’s arms buildup has raised some concerns in neighboring countries. Colombia plans to increase spending on conventional warfare after concentrating for years on counterinsurgency. The Brazilian military appears to be using Venezuela’s military buying spree to prod the national government into action. Indeed, the Air Force’s next-generation fighter requirement now shows signs of being revived after what appeared to be a cancellation. Meanwhile, Bolivia and Peru field dated and inadequate force structures compared to Chile’s, while Paraguay is increasing military spending in the face of Bolivia’s closer ties with Venezuela.

While some might characterize these developments as an arms race, much of the activity still only represents attempts by governments to finally address long pent-up requirements. Since so much of the equipment is obsolete, the scope of the replacement needs is significant. FI’s forecast for overall military spending in the region calls for a moderate rise to $39.9 billion in 2010, after which spending will ease slightly. Of this amount, only about 20 percent is earmarked for procurement of equipment (of all types), but this still represents a sizable market.


Forecast International, Inc., is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, Conn., USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments used by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide.

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