OREANDA-NEWS. May 12, 2011. The Rosoboronexport federal state unitary enterprise will present more than a hundred samples of weapons and military equipment at the IDEF 2011 International Defence Industry Fair to be held for the second time in Istanbul in the period from 10th to 13th May 2011, paying special attention to needs of the Mediterranean states.

"We take into account the fact that some states in the region are NATO members. We also know from practice that all our systems can finely integrate with NATO standards. Moreover, some of them vastly outperform their competitors, or are totally unique. There are areas where we can establish much closer cooperation with many states in the region. This is why we consider the IDEF as a good venue for demonstration of our real achievements and advantages", - pointed out Anatoly Aksyonov, chief advisor to the director general of the Rosoboronexport, who heads the delegation of the company at the IDEF 2011.

At the Rosoboronexport stand specialists will be able to familiarise themselves with major helicopter systems such as the Mi-171Sh military transport helicopter which is in great demand worldwide, as well as the newest Ka-52 and Mi-28NE combat helicopters, and Mi-35M combat transport helicopter. The last three models are being inducted into service by the Russian Army, and the Mi-35Ms have been supplied to Venezuela and Brazil in recent years. All these rotorcraft carry powerful weapons, are well protected with armour and equipped with advanced avionics systems allowing them to operate effectively day and night in any weather conditions.

At IDEF 2011 Rosoboronexport will also present a wide range of weapons and equipment intended for ground forces. The key exhibits in the armoured vehicles class are the upgraded BMP-3M infantry combat vehicle, BMP-80/BMP-80A armoured personnel carriers, BREM armoured repair and recovery vehicles, and, of course, the T-90S main battle tank (MBT) which has proved its reliability and effectiveness many a time. For instance, during comprehensive comparative tests conducted in one Arab country the T-90S MBT travelled more than 1,500 km over very hot and dusty terrain. After the tests were completed, its engine was demounted for inspection on the organisers' request, but no oil leaks at all were found under it. The tank also test-fired different types of ammunition against targets located at ranges much exceeding the maximum range, but even in such conditions it scored 60 percent of hits. Other tanks that had taken part in the tests were unable to fully perform missions assigned.

The exposition also includes missile and artillery systems such as the Smerch multiple launch rocket system, Khrizantema-S antitank system, Msta-S self-propelled howitzer equipped with automated targeting and fire control system. At the Rosoboronexport stand one will be also briefed about the newest models of grenade launchers and firing arms designed for close combat, various types of guided and unguided munitions.

These days it is vital to have modern anti-air and anti-missile weapon systems. Experts acknowledge that Russian designs of short, medium and long-range air defence missile systems (ADMS) are among the best. Visitors to IDEF 2011 will be able to get detailed information about the famous short-range Tor-M2E, medium-range Buk-M2E, and unique mobile long-range Antey-2500 ADMS.

The Tor-M2E combat capacity has increased practically twofold compared with its predecessor, raising also the capability of repelling mass strikes on a long front line. One air defence missile battery armed with four new four-channel Tor-M2E combat vehicles can simultaneously engage 16 targets approaching from any direction within the range of up to 12 km and altitude of up to 10 km, day and night in any weather conditions. High combat effectiveness is provided by a totally new algorithm of interoperation between combat vehicles teamed by pairs. They actively exchange combat data and distribute targets between them on their own. The systems are fully robotised and require minimal interference of human operators.

Many countries in the region have lengthy coastlines, this is why Rosoboronexport will also promote at IDEF 2011 naval systems such as missile boats, patrol vessels and landing craft, coast guard cutters, torpedoes, mines and missiles, coastal surveillance systems, coastal mobile missile systems and diesel electric submarines. Among others these systems include the Gepard-3.9 frigate, Tigr corvette, Tornado small missile/artillery ship, Amur-1650 advanced 4th-generation diesel electric submarine. The Rosoboronexport exposition will also comprise the Laguna integrated simulator designed to train specialists in manoeuvring and managing surface ships as well as controlling ship-borne weapons and technical facilities. 

Air cushion craft traditionally attract great attention of customers. Russia, a pre-eminent leader in this sector thanks to its more than half-a-century experience in building such vessels, will present at the exhibition the Murena-E landing craft boasting unique characteristics. The craft can take aboard one medium tank or three armoured vehicles. The Murena-E can carry 130 troops with their weapons, instead of the equipment, when removable seats are fitted on its deck. Two gas turbine engines rated at 20,000 hp allow the craft to develop a speed of up to 55 knots. When coming over land, the Murena-E easily negotiates obstacles 1.2 m high, trenches and ditches up to 1.5 m deep. Among other advantages of this Russian craft, experts point to a powerful enough weapons set: two 30-mm AK-306 type automatic artillery mounts with fire control system and eight Igla type man-portable air defence missile systems.