In August, the main event on the arms market was the Army-2018 military-technical forum, which demonstrated the novelties of the domestic defense-industrial complex. At the same time, there was little information on the export of weapons in the public domain. The main news concerns Algeria's interest in acquiring a squadron of MiG-29M / M2 fighters. Also in August, it became known about the appearance in Iraq of the first BMP-3 purchased in Russia and that Rosoboronexport is bringing two new products to the international arms market: the Tor-E2 air defense system and the Sprut-SDM1 self-propelled anti-tank gun.
Algeria plans to acquire a squadron of MiG-29M / M2 fighters
As it became known to the journalists of the Kommersant edition, Algeria, which is one of the largest buyers of Russian-made military aircraft, is showing interest in purchasing 14 MiG-29M / M2 fighters. As part of the Algerian Air Force, new fighters can replace used Soviet MiG-29S from Belarus and Ukraine. This contract will not only allow the MiG Corporation to receive several hundred million dollars in profit, but also ensure the loading of production for several years ahead. At the same time, the last Russian attempt to enter the Algerian market with a MiG-29SMT fighter was made in 2006, but then the customer, having received the first 15 aircraft, returned them due to the presence of substandard parts in them.
The fact that representatives of Algeria and Russia are conducting closed negotiations on the acquisition of a squadron of MiG-29M / M2 aircraft were told to Kommersant journalists by two sources in the military-technical cooperation sphere, and a source in the leadership of the Russian military department clarified that the countries are discussing the purchase of 14 new fighters … The cost of a potential contract (taking into account the included in the set of means of aviation destruction) can be up to 700-800 million dollars. Rosoboronexport (negotiating from the Russian side), the Federal MTC Service and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) refrained from commenting on this. At the same time, the Algerian military delegation visited the international military-technical forum "Army-2018" in Kubinka near Moscow, at the end of August, where the head of the supply department of the Algerian Ministry of Defense, Major General Mustafa Debbie and the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Colonel-General Alexander Fomin, discussed issues in including those related to the supply of Russian weapons.
It should be noted that today Algeria is one of the largest buyers of Russian-made weapons, including Russian aircraft. In the last 10 years alone, the Algerian Air Force fleet has been replenished with heavy two-seat multifunctional Su-30MKA fighters (44 aircraft were received under a contract from 2006, 14 under an agreement from 2015), heavy transport helicopters Mi-26T2 (14 pieces), jet training aircraft. combat aircraft Yak-130 (16 aircraft). In addition, the Algerian army began to receive Mi-28NE attack helicopters (42 helicopters were contracted in 2013). According to Konstantin Makienko, an expert at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, the intensification of Algerian purchases is associated with "NATO's intervention in Libya."If, before 2011, Algeria was still looking closely at the products of Western countries, then after these events the country realized that partners are more reliable than Russia and China in such delicate issues as the export of weapons, Makienko said.
Currently, the Algerian Air Force is armed with several dozen MiG-29S and MiG-29UB fighters still of Soviet production, which were supplied from Belarus and Ukraine. In 2006, Algeria was going to update the fleet of these aircraft, having contracted from Russia 28 new single-seat MiG-29SMT fighters and 6 two-seat MiG-29UB. But then the deal fell through. Having received the first 15 fighters, the customer accused Russia of using used parts on the aircraft and insisted on returning the aircraft. Subsequently, 28 MiG-29SMT fighters from that order entered service with the Russian Air Force, and in 2014 the Russian military received 16 more such aircraft.
The alleged Algerian order for 14 MiG-29M / M2 fighters, together with the ongoing deliveries of 46 such aircraft to Egypt, will allow RSK MiG to load its production capacities for several years ahead, according to a Kommersant source in the aviation industry. Against the background of the plans of the Russian military to purchase MiG-35 fighters (6 aircraft will be delivered in 2018-2023), the Algerian order will be a good help for the corporation.
First batch of BMP-3 delivered to Iraq
Photos that have appeared on the network and social networks indicate that the first batch of Russian BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles has finally reached Iraq. Earlier in February 2018, it was already reported that the Iraqi ground forces began to receive the first BMP-3, but this information turned out to be erroneous and was not confirmed.
The contract for the purchase of the BMP-3 by Iraq was signed back in 2014, according to the bmpd blog, but its implementation was delayed due to various kinds of problems. According to some reports, Iraq acquired about 500 of this type of infantry fighting vehicles from Russia. In addition to the BMP-3, the Iraqi military acquired T-90S / SK main battle tanks from Russia. It is known that Iraq ordered at least 73 of these tanks, we are talking only about the first batch of supplies. In June 2018, Russian media, in particular Rossiyskaya Gazeta, wrote that the Iraqi military had also met in Russia with one of the newest modifications of the BMP-3M. The reason was a photograph showing a representative of the Iraqi armed forces on one of the infantry fighting vehicles produced in Kurgan.
Techmash plans to develop tank shells jointly with India
The Russian concern "Techmash", which is part of the state corporation "Rostec", within the framework of the "Army-2018" forum, held negotiations with the Indian side on the joint development of a promising 125-mm round with an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile intended for the T-72 and T-90 tanks … Vladimir Lepin, General Director of the Tekhmash concern, said that the forum is planned to discuss the issue of joint creation of such an ammunition that would have improved characteristics relative to the Mango shot, the official website of Rostec reports.
As a reminder, back in March 2014, the Indian Ministry of Defense and Rosoboronexport signed a contract to organize the licensed production of 125-mm rounds with the Mango armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile for the D-81 tank gun (GRAU 2A26 index) in India. This ammunition was developed by specialists from the VV Bakhirev Scientific Research Machine-Building Institute (NIMI) of the Tekhmash concern.
In early 2017, Russian specialists from NIMI carried out the installation and commissioning of the supplied equipment, assisted the Indian side in launching their own production on the basis of the existing artillery plants of the Indian Ministry of Defense. The set of measures for organizing the production of tank ammunition also included training of personnel in the production of Mango shots in India, certification of employees and the implementation of a comprehensive audit of the readiness and equipment of production. Rostec reports that the first batches of shots that were fired at Indian factories have already passed control tests with a positive result. The Indian manufacturer now supplies the army with Mango tank rounds under its own brand.
Rosoboronexport introduces the Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank and the Tor-E2 air defense system to the international market
JSC Rosoboronexport, which is part of the Rostec State Corporation, is introducing the Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank (self-propelled anti-tank gun) produced by the Tractor Plants Concern to the international arms market. According to Alexander Mikheev, General Director of Rosoboronexport, this is a unique domestic development that has no analogues. Sprut-SDM1 is the only light amphibious combat vehicle with the firepower of a main battle tank. "Octopus" can be dropped from the ship, used at any time of the day, including on impassable terrain for other similar military equipment. Rosoboronexport believes that this development will be in demand on the market, primarily from states with difficult geographic conditions, combining the presence of mountainous terrain, numerous water barriers and swamps. In particular, the countries of Southeast Asia are showing great interest in this combat vehicle.
"Sprut-SDM1" is intended for fire support of subunits, including landing troops, fighting against enemy armored equipment, including tanks, destroying defensive structures and strong points, conducting military reconnaissance and organizing combat security. According to Rostec, the vehicle can be offered to foreign customers to equip the Marine Corps and armored units of the ground forces. Armament "Octopus" corresponds to the armament of the main battle tank - it is a full-fledged 125-mm tank cannon, paired with a 7.62-mm machine gun and 7.62-m remote-controlled machine gun mount. Like the Russian main battle tanks, the Sprut-SDM1 is equipped with a guided missile system designed to destroy armored targets, including those equipped with reactive armor, at a distance of up to 5 kilometers.
A unique feature is that the combat vehicle is floating, while having a sufficiently high level of protection (for its class). Light weight and the ability to easily overcome various water obstacles afloat provide the "Sprut" with a high level of maneuverability. Moreover, it can fire from a gun while afloat, it can also be used in hostilities in hot tropical climates and highlands.
In addition to the Sprut, Rosoboronexport is beginning to promote the latest Russian Tor-E2 air defense system on the international arms market. This vehicle is designed to cover units and formations in all types of combat, as well as columns on the march and to protect military and important infrastructure facilities from attacks by manned and unmanned enemy air attacks. This anti-aircraft missile system is capable of striking aircraft, helicopters, cruise, anti-radar and other types of guided missiles. In addition, it can effectively fight against attacking elements of modern high-precision weapons, such as gliding and guided bombs, as well as drones within the affected area. The complex is able to operate in any meteorological conditions, around the clock, as well as in conditions of active fire and electronic countermeasures from the enemy.
Unlike most of its foreign counterparts, the Russian Tor-E2 air defense system is an autonomous mobile combat unit with high maneuverability. The complex is able to detect air targets and fire at them not only in the parking lot, but also in motion. The battery of the Tor-E2 four-channel air defense system, consisting of four combat vehicles, is capable of simultaneously hitting 16 air targets flying from any direction at an altitude of 12 km and a range of up to 15 km. The ammunition load of one combat vehicle of the complex was doubled to 16 missiles.
According to the general director of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, the Tor-E2 air defense system is one of the long-awaited innovations in the segment of short-range air defense systems. It is for this reason that many foreign customers from different regions are showing interest in this complex. According to him, the new version of the complex has retained its best qualities, while becoming an even more formidable weapon, and in terms of survivability and mobility, the complex today simply has no equal. For example, in order to disable the battery of the "Tor" air defense missile system, it is necessary to destroy all combat vehicles. At the same time, in most analogs, it is enough to destroy the battery radar or command post. Also combat vehicles "Tor-E2" are able to work in the "link" mode, exchanging information about the air situation and coordinating joint combat work. In this mode, one of the combat vehicles, acting from an ambush, can receive the necessary information from the second vehicle, remaining undetected by the enemy until the missile is launched, Mikheev noted. The export potential of the complex is also significantly increased by the fact that the Tor-E2 air defense system can be integrated into any existing customer's air defense system, including those developed according to NATO standards.
