OREANDA-NEWS. June 28, 2011. Rosoboronexport is presenting over 70 models of naval equipment and armaments at the 5th International Maritime Defense Show (IMDS 2011) to be held in St. Petersburg since 29 June to 3 July 2011. During its existence, IMDS has entered the world’s top three naval exhibitions.

 "It is important for us that potential customers not only can be acquainted with virtually the full range of our export models, but also see some of them "alive" at the quay wall. Plus firings at the Rzhevka test ground. Naturally, such a variety of Russian military equipment is not available at foreign exhibitions. We also cannot but rejoice that the number of participants and foreign delegations is increasing. Interest in the products from the domestic shipbuilding industry is growing. This is a fact,” - said Oleg Azizov, head of Rosoboronexport’s delegation at the exhibition and Chief of Navy Special Equipment and Services Export Department.

IMDS 2011 will surpass the previous edition held two years ago already in numbers. More than 400 companies from 29 countries worldwide will show their products here. It is expected that 45 delegations from 39 countries will visit the show.

Over 40 ships, boats and seaplanes from Russia’s Navy, Border Guard Service and exhibitors will be presented at the berths of the Marine Terminal and in the water area. Among them are the Project 20380 corvettes Soobrazitelny and Steregushchy (export version - Project 20382 Tigr), Project 11540 frigate Yaroslav Mudry,  Project 677 submarine Saint Petersburg (export version - Amur-1650), etc. Three foreign ships will attend the show – the US Navy frigate Carr (FFG52), German Navy frigate Hamburg (F220) and Dutch Navy frigate Van Amstel (F831).

Experts have actively spoken about increasing competition on the international arms market during the past few years. Many countries are seeking to develop its own shipbuilding industry, so Rosoboronexport, as the sole state intermediary, has to pursue a more flexible and aggressive marketing policy. Today, the main customers of Russian naval equipment and armaments are Algeria, Venezuela, Vietnam, China and India. In addition to further strengthening ties with its traditional customers, Rosoboronexport is persistently looking for the opportunities to enter new markets.

The capabilities of the Russian defense industry capable of building all classes of ships, a wide range of weapons and equipment are certainly a factor. Some potential buyers are seeking to implement large-scale naval doctrines, while others are addressing their Coast Guard issues. In each case, Rosoboronexport strives to meet all the requirements of the importing country.

"Today we are observing increased demand for corvettes, patrol and missile boats. Most of the countries are seeking primarily to reliably protect their national interests in the exclusive economic zone. Our task as a state intermediary is to offer partners projects best suited to their needs. As the practice of recent years suggests, we can do this well," - said Oleg Azizov.

At IMDS 2011, Rosoboronexport is presenting the following models:

Submarines: Project 677E Amur-1650, Project 636 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines, small and midget boats.

Surface ships: Project 11356 and Gepard 3.9 frigates, Project 20380 Tigr corvette, Project 21633 Tornado small missile (artillery) ship, Project 12418 Molniya missile boat, Project 10412 Svetlyak guard boat, Mirazh, Sobol and Mangust patrol boats, Zubr air-cushion landing craft, Murena-E air-cushion landing boat, etc.

Armament: Kalibr-PLE and Kalibr-NKE integrated missile systems, the shipborne missile system with the Yakhont anti-ship missile, Uran-E shipborne missile system, Bastion and Bal-E coastal missile systems, Kashtan-M shipborne SAM system, 30mm AK-630M-2 Duet naval twin Gatling gun mount, Paket-E/NK ASW system with anti-torpedo etc.

Coastal zone surveillance equipment: Podsolnukh-E OTH surface-wave radar, Mys-M1E and 10M1E coastal target locators, Komor, Komor-1 and Amga submarine detection systems, etc.

Training aids like the Laguna integrated surface ship crew training simulator are becoming increasingly popular. It best suits the modern approach to personnel training.

In addition to deliveries of finished products, Rosoboronexport is interested in joint research studies, designing warships and naval combat systems. Russian specialists are ready to provide consulting services, upgrade in-service equipment. Our design offices and enterprises can design and manufacture naval equipment and build infrastructure facilities on a turnkey basis in accordance with customer requirements. Project 11356 frigates built for India's Navy are a good example of such cooperation. They carry the jointly developed BrahMos missiles. This demonstrates the ample opportunities and Rosoboronexport’s desire to develop closer relationships with its partners, including leading foreign developers of naval equipment.

"It's no secret that under current conditions it is already impossible to be number 1 in everything. Therefore, Rosoboronexport is actively cooperating with major European manufacturers on a number of joint R&D projects, particularly in the area of hydrodynamic and underwater acoustics studies, joint ship design and use of advanced systems on Russian-built ships. This helps domestic companies achieve a new technological and scientific level, as well as best meet the customers’ needs"- noted Oleg Azizov.

Rosoboronexport’s specialists expect increased attention to the following models:

Amur-1650

Amur-1650 new generation submarines belong to promising export models, which should strengthen Russia's position in the diesel-electric submarine market. The principal feature of this submarine is the capability of launching missile strikes against underwater, surface and ground targets. Its main attack weapon is the Club-S advanced integrated missile system. In addition, the boat carries a rocket-torpedo complex that includes six 533mm torpedo tubes (the ammunition load is 18 torpedoes and rockets).

The Amur-1650 is equipped with modern underwater and above water situational awareness sensors, communication and control systems, and EW equipment. Its sonar system is far superior to the previous models. Control of the submarine, weapons and equipment is automated and carried out from operator consoles in the main control room.

The Amur-1650 can accomplish missions in all regions of the oceans, in any weather, in shallow and deep waters. Effective ventilation and air conditioning systems are designed to operate in tropical regions and provide comfortable climate in crew quarters in all modes of navigation.

Gepard 3.9 frigate

Gepard 3.9 frigate. It is currently in service with the Russian and Vietnamese Navies. The frigate is equipped with a new-generation combined gas turbine power plant and can move at up to 28 knots. Owing to its combat and operational capabilities, the ship can remain at sea for long time, control vast sea areas and operate under any climatic conditions. The Gepard-3.9 has been designed in accordance with the Russian Navy’s survivability requirements for actions in any combat situation. The ship has embodied stealth technology to minimize its signature.

To accomplish strike missions, the ship is equipped with the Uran-E anti-ship missile system. Its air defenses include the Palma missile/gun system with two 30mm rapid-fire autocannons and the Sosna-R guided missile. The 76.2mm AK-176M gun mount can destroy surface, coastal and air targets. For antisubmarine warfare, the ship is equipped with two twin 533mm torpedo tubes and rocket-assisted ASW system. All the armaments can be employed at sea state up to 5. For strike and ASW missions, the ship can accommodate a helicopter.

Tornado

Tornado small missile (artillery) ship. The ship has been designed in three versions (missile, artillery, patrol) sharing a common platform and is ideally suited to perform patrol and coast defense missions in the littoral zone. Its counterpart, the Project 21630 ship Astrakhan, became operational with the Russian Navy in 2006 and has proved effective, including in storm conditions.

Due to its shallow draft (up to 2 meters), the ship can perform missions in shallow waters, in river mouths, particularly deliver troops directly to the beach. At the same time, its design features enable safe navigation in stormy conditions (at sea state up to 6) and use of weapons at sea state up to 4. Its water jets ensure speeds of up to 25 knots under any conditions, provide high maneuverability and controllability, reduce noise and running vibration, and are not prone to damage in shallow waters.

Molniya

Project 12418 Molniya missile boat is another unique warship. In terms of armament mix, it is unrivalled in the world. It should be noted that it was the USSR where the world's first ship of this class was developed in 1957. And precisely Russian designers are leading the world in the development of missile boats. With its relatively small displacement, the Molniya is armed with 16 Uran-E missiles with a range of 130 km. In addition to the strike missile weapons, the boats carry a SAM system and automatic gun mounts.

In firepower, many larger ships cannot match this version of the Molniya. Its high combat efficiency has been successfully proved by firings, exercises at sea and operating experience in Russia and abroad.

"Our objective at IMDS is to demonstrate the capabilities of the Russian shipbuilding industry to foreign partners as fully as possible. Especially, the country's leadership has paid great attention to the industry in recent years. Quite tangible results have already been achieved in some areas, - said Oleg Azizov. - Russia has a powerful potential, which will surely interest our new partners, including in Latin America and several countries in the Asia-Pacific region".