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PM Medvedev Orders Building New Aircraft Plant in Kazan

12 Juni 2012

In the era of Soviet Union, the Antonov and Ilyushin are aircraft manufacturer that supplies transport aircraft to USSR air force. After the Soviet Union broke up, because the Antonov factory is located in Kiev, then included into the territory of Ukraine, while Ilyushin factory is located in Mosckow then included into the territory of Russia. (photo : Airliners)

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a construction of an aircraft manufacturing plant for production of tactical transport aircraft in Kazan, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Saturday.

The mooted plant in the capital of the republic of Tatarstan will be intended in particular for the construction of Antonov An-70 propfan tactical transport aircraft and possibly in the future for the production of a new generation strategic bombers, the minister said.

“It will be the most up-to-date plant producing An-70 aircraft, and as soon as with settle the issue with new long-range aircraft, it might be produced there as well,” Serdyukov said.

Two weeks ago Lt. Gen. Viktor Kachalkin, the commander of Russia's Military Transport Aviation (VTA), announced that the service will receive 60 Antonov An-70 propfan tactical transport aircraft by 2020.

The Ukrainian-designed An-70, which is being built together with Russia, has had a long-running and troubled gestation, with one prototype crashing in the 1990's in a collision and a second crashing in 2001 in a take-off accident in Omsk. The aircraft also had a history of snags with its propfan engines.

Russia pulled out of the project in 2006, with Russia Air Force commander Vladimir Mikhailov stating it did not need the aircraft and would prefer the modernized Il-76, but it later rejoined the program.

(RIA Novosti)

The New Russian Main Battle Tank Prototype Armata will be Completed by 2013

19 Februari 2012

Future view of Russian main battle tank Armata (image : Army Recognition)

Russia will complete the first prototype of the new Armata main battle tank by 2013 and begin production and deliveries to the Russian Armed Forces in 2015, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and the CEO of tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod Oleg Sienko told Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the Lenta.ru news portal reported.

Uralvagonzavod and the military are testing the main components of the new tank. No other details were reported. Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry has signed a contract worth six billion rubles with Uralvagonzavod to upgrade 170 T-72 main battle tanks, to be carried out at a specially prepared facility in Omsk, Lenta.ru said.

Russian-made Black Eagle main battle tank. According to the Sverdlovsk "Regional Newspaper", the Russian military, so, in fact, refused to purchase T-90 tanks, has been repeatedly criticized by the Commander of Land Forces Alexander Postnikov and Chief of General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Nikolai Makarov. (photo : Army Recognition)

“The Russian armed forces will have a new main tank with fundamentally new characteristics, fully automated loading and separate crew compartment by 2015,” Lieutenant-General Yuri Kovalenko, former First Deputy Head of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Automotive Armor Directorate said last April.Kovalenko said work from other projects, including Object 195 and Black Eagle, will be incorporated in Armata's design.

(Army Recognition)

Malaysia to Explore Opportunities for Defense Industry Cooperation with Russia

17 November 2011

TSAMTO assesses the needs of Malaysian Air Force in modern jet trainer (to replace Hawk) in the amount of 18-24 units. At the same time, according to TSAMTO, purchasing of new jet trainer is unlikely to be realized in the framework of the 10th Malaysia Plan Defense (period 2011-2015), because all procurement programs and their funding for this period has already laid out. Most likely, the purchase can be implemented within the framework of the 11th Malaysia Plan of Defense in the period 2016-2020 (photo : Airliners)

Defense Minister of Malaysia visited Irkutsk Aviation Plant

TSAMTO, As reported earlier, Defense Minister of Malaysia Ahmad Zahid Hamidi visited the Irkutsk Aviation plant - branch of JSC "Corporation" Irkut ".

As the "AviaPort.Ru", quoting a press release "NPK" Irkut ", during the visit of President of" Corporation "Irkut" Alexei Fyodorov presented his guest IAZ main divisions, which produces the Su-30MK and Yak-130 components for concern "Airbus" in the program of international industrial cooperation.

"The purpose of my visit to Irkutsk - personally seen, where a multi-purpose combat aircraft, which is used in Malaysian Air Force. What I have seen here is impressive and amazing. I am absolutely convinced that the future of the aircraft is very bright. We also discuss the possibility of future programs, and Malaysian companies are ready to cooperate in the field of "Irkut" - said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

In collaboration with the Royal Air Force Malaysia Corporation "Irkut" from 2007 to 2009 posed to this country 18 Su-30MK fighters, known as the Su-30MKM (multi-purpose, commercial, Malaysian). Now discuss the details of yet another contract for the manufacture of multifunctional aircraft.

Irkut's MS-21, baseline model with up to 162 passengers, similar to the Airbus A319, and the Boeing 737-700 (photo : Irkut)

According to Fedorov, "Malaysia for us - not just a customer, for us it is a key partner. We would like to secure a good partnership with the Malaysian aerospace industry."

In addition to the Su-30MKM, the parties discussed cooperation on the project MS-21. It is planned that the first deliveries of these aircraft will begin in Malaysia in 2017.

In addition, the defense minister of Malaysia expressed interest in the project Yak-130 and did not rule out the possibility of cooperation in this area.

Background

Su-30MKM (photo : Airliners)

The contract to supply 18 Malaysian Air Force Su-30MKM worth about 910 million dollars was signed in 2003. Deliveries of fighters under the contract have been completed in the summer of 2009.

Su-30MKM (multi-purpose, commercial, Malaysian) is based on the Su-30MKI developed for the Indian Air Force. At the same time, this machine has a number of differences, as adapted to the requirements of the Malaysian Air Force. In the final part of the tender of the Su-30MKM competed with the U.S. F/A-18E/F.

As part of the Malaysian contract was carried out a large number of technical discussions with suppliers of foreign equipment on the Su-30MKM, in his pairing on the basis of the experience already gained by the Su-30MKI. Much has been done on the organization of international cooperation.

The contract for the supply of 18 Su-30MKM is unique in complexity and has no analogues in Russian practice. Malaysian party chooses suppliers of imported complete set for the Su-30MKM. Moreover, the contract was structured so that Malaysia provided a supply of these products in finished form on the contract. If other similar contracts usually stipulate a list of equipment and the function ends with the buyer, the buyer is assumed greater authority. This selection, coordination and delivery of spare parts as a pilot and production machines.

The company "Thales" as a subcontractor in December 2003 won a contract worth 120 million euros (147 million dollars) to supply avionics for the Su-30MKM.

The second major subcontractor became a South African company "Avitroniks" which has received an order to produce Malaysian Air Force 18 system warning about the threat to the Su-30MKM. The contract is estimated at 20 million dollars.
The third major subcontractor was Indian corporation HAL, which has put completing a $ 30 million dollars for the Su-30MKM.

In 2011, the Malaysian Air Force flight crews began training on a simulator of the Su-30MKM. The simulator was designed by Malaysian firm HeiTech Padu Bhd in conjunction with the "Sukhoi" and includes two jobs for pilots and their computer system training. The Malaysian government has entered into an agreement with HeiTech to develop and produce a simulator for training pilots of the Su-30MKM in December 2006.

At the opening ceremony of the training center for pilots of Su-30MKM Malaysian Air Force in April this year, Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that "Malaysia is the leader among Southeast Asian countries in terms of training pilots for aircraft such as the Su-30."

(ArmsTrade)

Russia’s New AWACS Plane Enters Service

01 November 2011

Russia’s new AWACS plane enters service (photo : Osdu)

A modernized A-50U airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft entered service with the Russian Air Force on Monday, an AF spokesman said.

The aircraft has an advanced onboard computer, satellite communication and radar systems, Col. Vladimir Drik said.

It now has the capability to detect various types of flying targets, including helicopters, cruise missiles and supersonic aircraft, he said.

The Beriev A-50, based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport, first flew in 1978. It entered service in 1984, with about 40 produced by 1992.

The A-50 can track up to 10 fighter aircraft for either air-to-air intercept or air-to-ground attack missions.

(RIA Novosti)

Russian Marines To Get New Tracked Amphibia

12 Oktober 2011

The new vehicle will be designed by JSC Kurganmashzavod and will be capable to move both on land and at sea staying afloat even in strong sea disturbance. (image : Kurgan)

Russian defense ministry ordered a new tracked combat vehicle to be designed specially for the Navy but not refitted from army hardware. According toIzvestiya, new self-propelled vehicle will be capable to move both on land and at sea staying afloat even in strong sea disturbance. The new naval combat vehicle will be designed by JSC Kurganmashzavod.

New vehicle will be based on multipurpose tracked carrier which will be also used in other types of combat vehicles for the Army, Airborne Troops, and air defense mounts. Naval version will be equipped with engine-driven screw making possible to sail at speed up to 25-30 kph.

By initial estimates, naval tracked combat vehicle will be fielded in 2015-2016. The military expect new vehicle to widen the range of tasks. In particular, landing troops will reach coast in half an hour during over-the-horizon discharge. Currently used BMP-1 and BMP-2 are non-effective in sea disturbance, so are not frequently used in landing drills.

At present, landing troops are mostly delivered by navy-adapted BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, landing ships or boats. According to a source, defense ministry does not order the latter ones focusing on procurement of French Mistral-class assault landing docks capable to put afloat troops beyond the horizon.

It was reported late in 2009 that all marine units would be completely rearmed by 2015. Procurement of new hardware will be carried out under State Arms Program 2011-2020. The document provides deliveries of main battle tanks T-90, infantry combat vehicles BMP-3, armored personnel carriers BTR-82A, combat reconnaissance landing vehicles BRDM-3, 120-mm self-propelled guns 2S31 Vena, modernized small arms, grenade launchers, and antiaircraft assets.

(RusNavy)

Upgraded BTR-82-A Armored Personnel Carrier Hits Targets at Speed

28 September 2011

BTR-82A Armored Personnel Carrier (photo : Army News)

Experts from the Arzamas Engineering Plant have unveiled their brand-new Tigr-6A armored truck and BTR-82-A armored personnel carrier.

Gaz 2330 Tigr-6A (photo : Oplatsen)

The developers say the revamped Tigr-6A armored vehicle is the largest Russian-made off-road vehicle to date. Although the Tigr-6A was designed in 2010, the Russian Army has yet to adopt it. This vehicle features double-layer special-steel armor and additional Kevlar-type protection against fragmentation munitions.

(RIA Novosti)

Russia Sees 1,000 T-50 Sales

10 September 2011

Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA (photo : Airwolf)

LONDON — Russia is projecting it may sell as many as 1,000 T-50 fighter aircraft in the coming decades.

In addition to sales to the two countries already signed on to the program, Russia and India, the Tsamto analysis center associated with the Russian defense ministry sees at least 274-388 aircraft being sold to more than ten other countries.

Algeria, Kazakhstan and Syria are seen as potentially among the first export buyers of the fifth-generation Sukhoi fighter currently in flight testing. Sales to those three countries could come as early as 2025. Two aircraft are now participating in the flight test program.

In Latin America, Tsamto sees prospects for sales to Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina. Venezuela is seen as the first potential buyer, in the 2027-2032 timeframe; China also has been courting fighter sales to Venezuela, though.
Iran is seen as a prospect, assuming the arms embargo now over the country is dropped.

Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA (photo : Valka)

Regarding China, Tsamto also believes a deal could happen, but with some unspecified caveats. One concern is likely the ability to protect Russia’s intellectual property, given the country’s experience with selling Sukhoi Su-27s to China only to see them lead to home-grown copies.

Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam are seen as other potential export markets in Asia for the T-50.

Tsamto speculates even western European countries could become buyers of a version of the aircraft.

(Aviation Week)

Russia has Frozen the Project Transporter IL-112

21 Juli 2011

Model of Il-112 airlifter (photo : Allocer-Wiki)

Voronezh Aircraft Company has stopped the assembly of the first sample light military transport aircraft Il-112V. About it as informs "Interfax" , said General Director Vitaly VASO Zubarev. "Project Il-112V is frozen. All questions - to the aviation complex 'Ilyushin'," - commented Zubarev stop work. As the agency, presumably IL-112B project was shelved due to design flaws and because of the lack of interest in the aircraft from the Russian Defense Ministry.

In mid-May 2011 Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian company "Motor Sich" Vyacheslav Boguslayev said that the Russian Defense Ministry has decided to abandon the purchase of transport Il-112V in favor of modification of passenger cargo aircraft An-140. On these planes are established TV3-117VMA-SB-M1 produced by "Motor Sich". The Russian defense ministry this information has not been formally confirmed.

Design transporter IL-112V began in the first half of 1990. On this basis, also planned to create a civilian passenger version - Il-112T. First flight scheduled for the end of 2011, but in August 2010, the Russian Defense Ministry has suspended funding for the project. For whatever reason, funding has been suspended, did not specify.

It was assumed that the Il-112V can reach speeds of up to 550 miles an hour to fly a distance of 3.4 thousand kilometers. Payload transporter was to be six tons. The aircraft was planned to install engines TV7-117SE production Russian "Klimov."Earlier it was reported that as part of the Russian Air Force Il-112V replace obsolete An-24 and AN-26.

(Lenta)

Russia Signs $1.7 bln Deal for 2 French Warships

18 Juni 2011

Under details of the deal given in the past, the ships are to be built by French shipyard company DCNS along with Russia’s state-run United Shipbuilding Corp., OSK. (photo : Militaryphotos)

ST. PETERSBURG, (RIA Novosti). Russia and France signed on Friday a $1.7 billion (1.2 bln euro) contract on two French-built for Mistral class amphibious assault ships for the Russian Navy.

The deal was signed in St. Petersburg by Anatoly Isaikin, director of Russia's Rosoboronexport state-controlled arms exporter, and Patrick Boissier, president and CEO of France's DCNS shipbuilder, who are contracted to build the warships.

The signing ceremony was overseen by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The first warship will be delivered in 2014 and the second in 2015, DCNS said.

French President Nicolas Sarcozy hailed the contract as a sign of strategic partnership between the two countries.

"The signing of the contract... points to a strategic level of cooperation between France and Russia, as well as the constant support that it gets from the heads of state," the Elysee Palace said in a communique.

The project will provide 1,000 jobs over the course of four years, the Palace said.

The warships will be equipped with Russian weapon systems, Navy chief Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said.

"Construction technology used in building such ships allows Russian weapon systems to be integrated into this project, including amphibious landing assets and carrier aviation," he said.

The use of Mistral class ships will significantly increase the effectiveness of humanitarian operations, he said, adding that they could be used both in peacetime and in wartime for a variety of missions.

The program has alarmed Russia's neighbors, especially Georgia.

Russia and France in January signed an intergovernmental agreement to build two Mistral class helicopter carriers at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Another two are planned to be constructed later in Russia.

Contract talks stumbled over Russia's demand for the transfer of sensitive electronic systems.

A Mistral class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.

France has two Mistral class amphibious assault ships in service and is building a third.

(RIA Novosti)

Pacific Fleet Warship to Attend Anti-Piracy Exercise in Singapore

17 Mei 2011

The Admiral Panteleyev is a Udaloy class destroyer of Russian Navy with displacement of 7.900 tonnes full load (photo : RIA Novosti)

Pacific Fleet (PF) large ASW ship Admiral Panteleyevattends naval show IMDEX-2011 on May 16 in Singapore, and takes part in anti-piracy drill releasing a tanker from "pirates", said PF Commander's press secretary Roman Martov.

"Russian warships are regular participants of such exhibitions (as IMDEX-2011). For instance, in 2009 PF flagship Guards missile ship Varyag visited Singapore for the same purpose", he said.

Martov pointed out that Admiral Panteleyev was accompanied by salvage tug Fotiy Krylov.

"During the visit Russian and Indonesian mariners will conduct scheduled joint anti-piracy drills. For this purpose, there is a special marine unit and an air wing on boardAdmiral Panteleyev; some of servicemen have anti-piracy experience", reported the PF spokesman.

According to defense ministry's press service, in Singapore Russian military delegation will attend the naval technology seminar NTS-2011 and international maritime security conference IMSC-2011.

PF Commander's press secretary pointed out that the crew of large ASW shipAdmiral Panteleyev had been securing commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden within the second PF anti-piracy task unit since Apr 27 till June 7, 2009. During the combat watch off Somalia Russian mariners detained 29 pirates and handed them over to Iranian and Pakistani authorities.

The visit to Singapore will last till May 20. Then PF warships will head for Indonesia to call at Makassar port in May 25-27.

(RusNavy)

Russian Defense Declassified the New Tank

08 April 2011

T-90 MBT (photo : UralVagonZavod)

Uralvagonzavod introduce a new generation of tank T-90AM at the exhibition of arms, which will be held in Nizhny Tagil in the first half of September 2011. On it informs RIA Novosti news agency quoting the press service of the company. URA.RU agency wrote that the new model is a modified version of the tank T-90.

According to CEO UralVagonZavod Oleg Sienko, Defense declassifies new vehicle and has already consented to the passport image. At the September exhibition tank will be shown in action. Sienko also said that the tank was modified based on comments the Defense Ministry.

CEO UralVagonZavod said that at a meeting held on 8 December 2009, the military have voiced a number of criticisms of the T-90AM. In particular, they claim, to the engine, transmission, charge, and a host of other things. Now, the engine became more powerful at 130 horsepower, has changed the barrel, there was a completely different, secure machine-gun installation.

T-95 MBT (photo : Militaryphotos)

Sienko also said that Uralvagonzavod plans to continue upgrading its other cars, the T-95, though the Defense Ministry in the development of the project is not interested. Back in April 2010, First Deputy Defense Minister of Russia Vladimir Popovkin said that the agency stopped funding the development of T-95. However, Sienko said that it continues to see in this machine is "more positive than negative."

Uralvagonzavod - Russia's largest manufacturer of military equipment and various types of freight vehicle. Oleg Sienko headed the company since 2009.

(Lenta)

IAI Delivers 12 UAVs to Russia in Key Deal

18 Januari 2011

Searcher II UAV (photo : Defense Industry Daily)

TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Israeli Aerospace Industries has delivered a dozen unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia under a $400 million contract that will eventually allow Moscow to manufacture advanced drones that will significantly enhance its military capabilities.

The delivery of the short-range Bird-Eye 400 and I-View Mk 150 aircraft, plus the longer-range Searcher II, in recent weeks is part of an Israeli effort to encourage the Russians not to provide Iran and Syria with advanced weapons systems that could threaten the Jewish state, The Jerusalem Post reported.

"It is reasonable … to argue that Israel viewed UAV sales and joint military technology activity as a means of bringing influence to bear on Moscow," Jane's Defense Weekly observed.

The UAVs delivered by state-owned IAI, flagship of Israel's high-tech defense industry, stemmed from a ground-breaking April 2009 contract worth $53 million. That marked Russia's first purchase of a foreign weapons system.

That, in turn, led to the $400 million deal between IAI and Russia's Oboronprom OPK Group in October 2010 under which the Russians will independently manufacture the Heron 1, one of Israel's most advanced UAVs capable of strategic missions.

I-View Mark 150 UAV (photo : Red Stars)

As part of the deal, IAI trained some 50 Russian pilots at its main facility near Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.

It isn't clear whether IAI will provide Russia with the Heron TP, or Eitan, a 4.5-ton aerial titan that is understood to be able to carry air-to-ground missiles.

That seems unlikely, in the short term at least, given the Heron's strategic capabilities, which Israel is reluctant to share. But JDW says Moscow has expressed an interest in the Heron TP.

The craft is 79 feet long and has a wingspan of 86 feet and can stay aloft for 20 hours at high altitudes, making it capable of reaching Iran from Israel.

UAVs have become a major export of Israel's defense industry.

Bird Eye 400 UAV (photo : IAI)

"Israel is the world's leading exporter of drones, with more than 1,000 sold in 42 countries," Jacques Chemia, chief engineer of IAI's UAV division, said recently.

Moscow's decision last June to scrap an $800 million contract to provide Iran with powerful S-300PMU air-defense missile systems clearly has helped Israel overcome its reservations about providing technology to Russia.

Tehran wanted the systems to protect its nuclear installations, which the Israelis have threatened to attack. The S-300s would have been a formidable obstacle for Israeli warplanes.

Israel wants Moscow to ditch plans to sell Syria the advanced supersonic P-800 Yakhont cruise missile that could pose a series threat to Israel's navy, particularly if they are passed on to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

From the Russian point of view, the deals with Israel underline how Moscow is accelerating efforts to obtain major military platforms from the West, a fundamental revision of Russian military procurement strategy.

Securing licenses from foreign defense manufacturers, such as IAI, to produce the equipment in Russia is significant as it will bolster the Kremlin's plans to revive its moribund defense industry over the next decade.

"While design bureaus and major builders have experience building major platforms such as fighter aircraft, tanks and submarines, they are hopelessly behind European and U.S. manufacturers in their ability to produce modern electronics and advanced equipment," according to an Oxford Analytica assessment in August.

The Russian air force received no new aircraft from 1994-2003 and only three since then. These were early models of the T-50 fifth-generation fighter that was supposed to revitalize the air force by 2015. But because of design problems, particularly with the power plant, the air force is unlikely to start taking delivery of the first jets until 2018 at the earliest.

Russia has been unable to get off the ground with advanced UAVs, a shortcoming that became all too evident during the brief 2008 war with the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

It was Georgia's use of long-endurance Hermes 450 tactical spy drones, built by Israel's Elbit Defense Systems, to provide battlefield reconnaissance that caught Moscow's interest.

This issue was sufficiently sensitive that the Israelis were uneasy about to selling UAVs to Russia, particularly since Moscow was providing advanced weapons systems to Iran and Syria.

Washington was concerned enough about the proposed UAV sales that it "requested clarifications" from Israel's Defense Ministry, the liberal daily Haaretz reported in June.

(UPI)

Russia Selects Warships From France

26 Desember 2010

Mistrall class LHD (photo : Le Figaro)

Paris – Russia has selected France's controversial offer of two Mistral command and projection warships, with an option for two more units, for an undisclosed amount, a French official statement said Dec. 24.

"The president of the Russian Federation Dimitri Medvedev has today informed the president of the French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy that following the international tender launched Oct. 5 for the supply to the Russian Navy of two command and projection ships, the Russian authorities have selected the offer presented by the consortium formed by French companies DCNS and STX and the OSK Russian shipyard," the French president's office said in a statement.

The sale of the 21,300 ton Mistral class of helicopter amphibious assault ship, worth around 500 million euros ($6.6 million) per unit, marks the first major sale of military equipment by a NATO country to Moscow. The prospect of a sale of the advanced design warship has raised deep concern with the U.S. administration and the Baltic states, following the 2008 war between Georgia and Russia.

French officials have deployed various arguments to justify a sale, including emphasizing the civil standards to which the ship was built and that it would be inconsistent to call Moscow a partner of the West and then refuse to sell the warship.

"President Medvedev and President Sarkozy welcome the realization of this unprecedented cooperation, which will benefit industry and employment in our two countries, and which illustrates the determination and capacity of France and Russia to develop large scale partnerships in all domains, including in defense and security."

The deal represented the equivalent of five million hours of work or employment for 1,000 workers for four years for the French companies DCNS and STX, with most the work at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, northern France.

Mistral class LHD (photo : haborumuveszete)

"DCNS is delighted the Russian authorities have chosen the Mistral," a company spokesman said.

U.S. defense secretary Robert Gates, when asked in February about the French offer of the Mistral to Moscow, said: "Yes, we did discuss it. We had a good and thorough exchange of views. I will leave it at that."

It was not clear where the ships will be built as the industrial details have not been finalized.

"The consortium's offer initially envisages the common construction of two ships of this type, which should be extended by the building of two more units," the statement said.

The Mistral is designed around modular blocks so it is possible large blocks could be prepared in France and sent for assembly in Russia.

The first of class Mistral and sister ship Tonnerre were assembled at Saint Nazaire after blocks were built at Brest and Saint Nazaire, with a Polish yard at Gdansk subcontracted to build some of the blocks.

French officials feared that if Paris refused to sell the ships, Russia would buy rival products from Spain or the Netherlands.

Russia has insisted on a transfer of technology and construction of some of the ships, while the French government wanted the first two ships to be built at Saint Nazaire, and the second two assembled in Russia.

France owns a stake in STX France, which is a subsidiary of the Korean STX group. Defense electronics company Thales holds a 25 percent stake in DCNS, with an option to raise this to 35 percent.

The Mistral is a highly automated warship, with a crew of 160. The 199-meter long ship is designed to embark a headquarters command staff, equipped with a hospital, can carry 16 helicopters, landing ships and accommodate around 450 troops.

The French government last year ordered a third Mistral vessel to be built under a 2.3 billion euro defense stimulus package.

(Defense News)

Ukraine, Russia Plan to Build 13 Modernized An-70 Military Transport Planes

04 Oktober 2010

Antonov An-70 engine (photo : aviation.ru)

KIEV, (Itar-Tass) -- Ukraine and Russia plan to build 13 upgraded An-70 short take-off and landing tactical military transport aircraft, the president and chief designer of Ukraine’s Antonov state enterprise told Itar-Tass on Saturday.

According to Dmitry Kiva, An-70 flight tests will soon be over, static tests are underway, and the enterprise is getting ready to launch mass production in Kiev. The new version of the plane has been profoundly modernized to be equipped with an upgraded power unit, a new generation secondary power unit, an electronic display system, an electronic environment control system, new aircraft instrumentation, a new radar complex and a fly-by-wire system. All these modifications, Kiva said, will help the An-70 retain its competitive advantages, since in every aspects it is superior to the European A-400M military transport plane.

Antonov An-70 heavyweight transport aircraft (photo : Airliners)

According to Antonov experts, the An-70 market capacity is estimated at 700 planes.

Currently, the enterprise is building first two modernized An-70 planes to the order from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. The first plane is expected to be turned out in 2011, the second one – in 2012.

It is planned to build two more An-70 aircraft in 2013, fourt – in 2014, and five – in 2015.

The Antonov-70 is a new propfan powered medium-size wide-body short take-off and landing transport aircraft designed as a replacement for the An-12 ‘Cub.’ The aircraft is capable of delivering 20-35 tons of cargo over the range of 5,000-6,600 kilometers at cruising speed of 750 kilometers per hour.

(ITAR-TASS)

India and Russia Signs Deal to Develop PAK-FA

11 September 2010

Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA (photo : Sukhoi)

India, Russia to Ink gen-5 fighter pact

Each side to pledge $6 bn to co-develop plane.

Late on Thursday evening, in a triumph for the Russia-India defence relationship, the two countries signed off on a joint venture to co-develop a 15-20-tonne payload, 2,500-km range multi-role transport aircraft (MTA), which will replace the Indian Air Force’s venerable AN-32 at the end of the next decade.

But this path-breaking $600-million co-development of the MTA is likely to be dwarfed soon, when India and Russia each pledge $6 billion to co-develop the world’s premier fighter, a step ahead of the US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor, which currently rules the skies.

Senior defence ministry sources have confirmed to Business Standard that years of tortuous negotiations have been successfully concluded in time for Russian President Dimitry Medvedev’s visit to India in December. Russian and Indian negotiators have finalised a preliminary design contract (PDC), a key document that will allow designers from both sides to actually begin work on the fighter.

“The negotiators have done their job, and the Cabinet Committee for Security will consider the PDC, probably this month,” says the ministry official. “If the CCS gives the green signal, as is likely, the contract will be signed during Medvedev’s visit.”

HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak had indicated to Business Standard on a recent visit to HAL, Bangalore, that the deal was done. “It is in the system for approval,” said Nayak. “The respective work shares have been agreed to by both sides and once we sign the preliminary design contract, we will finish the design in about 18 months. Developing and building the fighter could take 8-10 years, and each side will pay $6 billion as its share.”

The Russian and Indian Air Forces each plan to build around 250 fighters, at an estimated cost of $100 million each. That adds up to $25 billion, over and above the development cost.

These astronomical figures prompted Russia into co-development with India. The inescapability of cost sharing was reinforced last year when the Pentagon was forced to shut down its F-22 Raptor programme. Since the technologies in the F-22 were deemed crucial to America’s technological superiority, the fighter was developed and built entirely within the US. As a result, its prohibitive cost — $340 million per fighter — forced the Pentagon to cap the programme at 187 fighters, just half what it planned to buy in 2006.

“If the US could not afford to go it alone on a fifth-generation fighter, Russia clearly cannot,” points out a senior Indian Air Force officer. “There was no choice but to co-opt India as a partner.”

Russia initially offered India partnership in the fighter programme around eight years ago, but there was little clarity then on crucial issues like work-share, ie, what systems and components each side would develop. From 2005-07, India’s growing closeness with the US slowed down the project. Progress received a boost from the Russia-India inter-government agreement in November 07.

But HAL sources recount that, even after the agreement, Russian negotiators’ concerns about sharing top-secret technologies meant that a green signal from Moscow was needed for every step of the negotiations.

“This is the first time that Russia is co-developing a cutting-edge military platform with another country. Therefore, they were unclear about how to share work in a top-secret project like this,” says a senior HAL official. “Before each step, the Russian officials wanted clearances from the highest level in Moscow. Those ‘presidential decrees’, as they call them, took their time.”

Consequently, says the HAL chairman, it has taken almost three years from the inter-government agreement to negotiate a general contract and non-disclosure agreement. In March 2010, a tactical technical assignment was signed, in which the work-shares were agreed upon.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau has built a basic fifth-generation fighter, which Russia terms the PAK-FA, an acronym for Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsy (literally Prospective Aircraft Complex of Frontline Aviation). A prototype, tailored to Russian Air Force requirements, made its first flight in January 2010.

India’s work-share for the joint fighter programme, according to HAL officials, will amount to about 30% of the overall design effort. This will centre on composite components and high-end electronics like the mission computer, avionics, cockpit displays and the electronic warfare systems. Additionally, India will have to redesign the single-seat PAK-FA into the two-seater fighter that the IAF prefers. Like the Sukhoi-30MKI, IAF prefers one pilot flying and the other handling sensors, networks and weaponry.

(Business Standard)

India, Russia Form $600-m JV for Transport Aircraft

11 September 2010

India-Russia Medium Transport Aircraft's concept (all photos : Militaryphotos)

New Delhi: Ahead of the annual Indo-Russia summit in December, both countries have inked a $600-million (aprox Rs 2,900 crore) agreement for setting up a joint venture company to design and develop a multi-role transport aircraft.

The new aircraft is proposed to replace the 110 An-32 transport aircraft in India. The JV will be formed between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Russian partners: United Aircraft Corporation & Rosoboronexport to co-develop and produce Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA).

The development cost will be shared equally by both sides. The companies in the JV will manufacture 205 aircraft in 50:50 partnership. There is also scope for exporting the aircraft, both for civil and military use.

The $600-million JV was expected to be finalised during Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in March, 2010 to develop MTA for Air Force of both countries to transport 18.5 tonne payloads over 2500 km. The expectation was belied and both sides continued to bargain hard during negotiations.

MTA is a 15-20 tonne payload capacity Aircraft which will meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Russian Air Force. The main features of MTA are: Maximum take-off weight 65 tonnes, Payload Capacity 15-20 tonnes, Cruise Speed 800 kmph, Range 2500-2700 km, Service ceiling 12 km. The aircraft will have two engines, state-of-the-art features such as fly-by-wire, full authority digital engine control, modern avionics and glass cockpit.

In 2001, the protocol on the commencement of work on the development of a joint multi-role four-engined turboprop transport aircraft IL-214 was signed between the two countries.

While working out details of the MTA project and harmonising requirements of both the countries, the project was significantly changed from the Il-214 baseline and increasing the aircraft’s payload capacity and cargo compartment dimensions. None of the engines currently manufactured in Russia can be applied to the new aircraft.

The decision on MTA’s full-scale launch was made in November 2007, when a special agreement between the countries’ was signed. This long-planned project will bring to life a next-generation tactical airlifter with maximum takeoff weight about 70 tonne and a payload capability of 20 tonne.

In March 2008, HAL clarified that the withdrawal of the Russian company, Irkutsk Aviation and Industrial Association as a partner from the $600-million, Indo-Russian MTA joint venture is an internal Russian affair and did not indicate a collapse of the project. Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state-owned monopoly liaison agency for the export and import.

(Financial Express)

China Makes Modifications to Russian Salyut AL-31F Jet Engine

09 September 2010

AL-31F engine (photo : baidu)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has developed its own service life extension modifications for the Russian-made Salyut AL-31F engine, a Moscow-based defence and foreign policy think-tank has reported.

The modifications to the AL-31F/FN P.2 series engine increase its operational limits by more than 65 per cent - from 900 to 1,500 flight hours, according to the privately owned Centre for the Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST).

The AL-31F engine is the powerplant for several types of aircraft in the PLAAF inventory: the Sukhoi Su-27 (which is also licence-produced at the Shenyang Aircraft Works as the J-11), the Su-30MKK and the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation J-10. The AL-31FN is a special derivative of the original AL-31F design that was developed by the Salyut plant in Moscow for a single-engine application to be fitted to the J-10.

The service life modifications were reportedly developed at the PLAAF Overhaul Plant Number 5719. The key to the service life extension is a specific set of improved, Chinese-made components that are part of what is described as a "re-manufacturing kit" that is introduced during the process of a full-scale remanufacturing and overhaul process.

The plant is located near the city of Chengdu in Sichuan province, employs 2,000 personnel and is reported to be a model of innovation within the PLAAF's network of repair plants. During the past several years the facility has initiated 63 different research and development programmes and has been awarded more than 20 state prizes for achievements in technological innovation. In the same time period, the plant's assets have more than doubled from CNY1.1 billion (USD147.2 million) in 2004 to CNY2.9 billion today.

The plant's officials credit the success of their overhaul process to a decision taken in 2004, when some of the first AL-31F engines were presented to the plant by the PLAAF for overhaul. A decision was taken, according to the Chinese news sources originally cited, to completely reorganise the overhaul process. This streamlining of the overhaul disassembly and servicing line resulted in a 27.3 per cent decrease in the time required to complete an overhaul and increased the plant's production capacity by 60 per cent.

This level of improvement in the engine's design demonstrates that the Chinese have achieved near autonomy in the support of these Russian-made engines. Russian specialists who spoke to Jane's state that this is "another example of how the technology sold to the Chinese during the 1990s has now been fully assimilated by them. It is only a matter of time before the engines that China produces will be as good as or better than anything designed here in Russia".

(Jane's)

Russia to Assemble Italian Armored Vehicles for its Military

09 Agustus 2010

Iveco LMV M65 tactical vehicle (photos : thierry lachapelle)

The Russian Defense Ministry is going to set up a joint assembly line with the Italian automaker Iveco to produce LMV M65 tactical vehicles in Russia, the Kommersant daily said on Friday.

The Italian vehicles have already been included on the list of Russian military equipment, the paper said.

The LMV M65 is a light multirole armored vehicle developed in 2001 by Iveco Defense Vehicles. It is designed primarily for strategic and tactical mobility with a high level of protection against anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

Italian LMVs have been used in Iraq, Afghanistan and other NATO missions, where their performance has been praised.

The Russian state corporation Rostekhnologii is currently holding talks with Iveco on launching the joint venture with planned minimum capacity of 500 vehicles per year.

The move is a serious blow to the interests of the Russkie Mashiny company headed by tycoon Oleg Deripaska. His company produces Tigr (Gaz-233014) vehicles with characteristics close to LMV M56 ones. The Gaz-233014 vehicles entered into service in 2006.

The LMV M65 assembly line will be based at one of the sites belonging to leading Russian truck manufacturer KamAZ, the paper said, citing a source close to the Defense Ministry.

"This project has been approved at the highest level, the country's top leadership is abreast of the situation," the source said.

"The Iveco vehicles assembled in Russia are expected to be acquired by the Russian Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service of Russian Federation," he added.

A representative of the state Rostekhnologii corporation also confirmed the plans, adding that the details were being negotiated.

The Russian Defense Ministry will acquire 278 Italian vehicles in 2011 and 2012, and during the next two years the volumes of supplies will be increased to 458 vehicles per year. In 2015, the ministry will buy 228 vehicles and 75 vehicles in 2016, the source said.

The Defense Ministry plans to spend some 30 billion rubles ($1 billion) on the project in the next few years, and Rostekhnologii has pledged that the average price of a vehicle will not exceed 300,000 Euros ($395,340).

(RIA Novosti)

Russia's Zala Aero Flies Long-Endurance UAV

05 Agustus 2010

Zala 421-20 medium-altitude long-endurance UAV (all photos : zala aero)

Russia's Zala Aero has flown a new medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle named the Zala 421-20.

Representing an upgrade to the manufacturer's earlier 421-09 design and developed over the last two years, the surveillance and reconnaissance asset has an improved endurance of 6-8h. This increase has been achieved by installing fuel tanks in the aircraft's 6m (19.7ft)-span wing, Zala says.

Capable of carrying a mission payload weighing up to 50kg (110lb), including an electro-optical/infrared camera or synthetic aperture radar, the 421-20 has a projected range of 215nm (400km).

The company is targeting further increases in payload and fuel capacity, however, and also plans to further boost its endurance by making engine modifications.

The new system uses the same ground control station equipment as Zala's earlier designs, but can carry two autopilot-equipped dispensers. The company says each can carry over 15kg of supplies and can glide for over 13nm after being released from an altitude of 9,840ft.

Zala believes the 421-20 could also be used to perform maritime or border patrol tasks, support law enforcement activities or monitor forest fires.

(Defense Aerospace)

The Mighty Su-35 Has No Friends

31 Juli 2010

Su-35 (photo : knaapo)

Russia is hustling to find export customers for its latest Su-30 model, the Su-35. The Russian Air Force will receive the first of these later this year, and export customers have been promised early delivery. There are few takers so far. There's just too much competition out there, from late model F-15s and F-16s, plus Rafale, Eurofighter and Gripen. The U.S. F-35 is on the way as well.

That said, the Su-35 is an impressive piece of work. It’s pitched as more reliable and durable than past Russian fighters, good for 6,000 flight hours (compared to 2,500-4,000 hours for earlier models). The big selling points are the sensors. There is a phased array radar that can spot large targets (like B-52s or AWACS) at up to 400 kilometers, and an infrared (heat sensing) passive radar with a range of 80 kilometers. The active radar can also track targets on the ground and use smart bombs. The Su-35 is more maneuverable than earlier Su-30 types.

Irbis E radar (photo : Vitaly Kuzmin)

At one point, the Su-35 was touted as competition for the F-22. It isn't. That competition would be the PAK-FA, which had its first flight earlier this year. There are only three prototypes of the Su-35, and one of those crashed last year. The cause was a problem with one of the two engines. Russia had hoped to have the destroyed prototype fly over the May Day parade in Moscow on May 1st. The crash was really bad PR, since one of the consistent shortcomings of Russian warplanes has been the unreliable engines.

Su-35 radar coverage (image : ares)

Two years ago, the Su-35 had its first flight. Progress has been slow. The Su-35 has been in development since the 1990s. At one point, it was called the Su-37, but the name was changed back to Su-35. Since the 1990s, two different Su-35 prototypes were built. There were many disagreements over what direction the development should take, and by the late 1990s, the project was basically suspended for lack of funding.

The Su-35 is a 34 ton fighter that is more maneuverable than the original, 33 ton, Su-27, and has much better electronics. It can cruise at above the speed of sound. It also costs at least fifty percent more than the Su-27. That would be some $60 million (for a barebones model), about what a top-of-the-line F-16 costs. The Su-27 was originally developed to match the F-15, which is larger than the single engine F-16. The larger size of the Su-27/35, allows designers to do a lot more with it in terms of modifications and enhancements. The Su-35 will carry a 30mm autocannon (with 150 rounds) and up to eight tons of munitions, hanging from 12 hard points.

This chart compares graphically the peak power aperture product estimates for the Flanker radars, and the APG-79. The latter is depicted with some provision for growth. Hybrid array technology used in the BARS and Irbis E provide similar total noise figure for the antenna-receiver design to that of AESA designs like the APG-79. Growth JSF APG-81 radars will be similar to the APG-79. Block upgrades to the BARS to convert it into an Irbis E configuration will not present difficulties as the latter is an uprated derivative of the former. (ausairpower)

Russia's effort to develop an F-22 class fighter (the PAK FA) is going to require a lot of work. The prototype, that took its first flight recently, was clearly the basic Su-27 airframe modified to be stealthier. This included changing the shape of the aircraft to be less radar reflective, and providing internal bays for bombs and missiles. But there's much more to do in order to achieve anything close to the stealthiness of the F-22. It took fifteen years for the F-22 to go from initial flight, to entering service. The PAK FA could proceed faster, learning from the F-22 experience (especially if some of the Internet based espionage carried out in the last decade was Russian). But such development speed has not been a Russian characteristic.

Another problem is the engines, which were not ready for the first flight. Older model engines were used, because initial flights are mainly to confirm the basic airworthiness of the airframe. The new engines, also being used in the Su-35, are suffering development problems. The Russians have always had difficulties with their high end military engines, and that tradition continues. Currently, the Russians say it will take several years to perfect the new engine.

T-50 PAK FA (photo : knaapo)

Russia will also need a new family of air-to-air missiles, as the current ones are too large for the internal bays on the PAK FA prototype. These are already in the works, along with more compact versions of air-to-surface missiles. There are also problems with the electronics and, well, you get the picture.

(Strategy Page)

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