I found an interesting article about Russian major arms exports in 2006. What really attracted my attention was #8, confirming a deal with Indian Navy for three Backfires. Any thoughts?
Here is the complete article:
http://www.royfc.com/news/feb/0707feb01.html
According to information that I ((the author)) have uncovered from particularly open sources, last year, not counting the CIS states, the Russian Federation delivered huge batches of weapons and military equipment to 19 countries of the world. It looked like this:
1. Algeria Tula Instrument Building Design Bureau began upgrade of the BMP-2 into the BMP-2M “Berezhok” variant and began deliveries of the “Metis-M” and “Kornet-Eh” anti-tank complexes. In December, two of the first MiG-29SMT and two MiG-29UBT were delivered in three An-124 and An-22 trips.
2. Bangladesh: a contract was entered into for delivery of 60 BTR-80.
3. Burkina Faso: Helicopters were delivered.
4. Chad: Six Mi-17 helicopters were delivered.
5. China: delivery of the last of the eight project 636 submarines and the second project 956EhM torpedo boat of those ordered in 2002 took place. The first 12 Mi-171 helicopters were delivered in the civil version within the framework of a 2006 contract for the delivery of 24 helicopters, and also one Mi-26T in fire-fighting variant was leased for 3 years. Moreover, RD-93 engines were delivered, and also AL-31F/FN aircraft engines in accordance with a 2005 contract, according to which 100 AL-31FN and 180 AL-31F were purchased.
6. South Korea: The last two of three project 12601Eh “Murena-Eh” air-cushion assault boats were delivered.
7. Czech Republic: a contract was entered into for 3 Mi-35 helicopters.
8. India: Delivery of three Tu-22M3 bombers and 15 Su-30MKI production kits ((TEKHNOLOGICHESKIE KOMPLEKTY)) according to a 7-year contract for the licensed production of 140 such airplanes took place. Two upgraded Il-38SD antisubmarine airplanes were handed over, 3 ZS14Eh vertical launchers for the “Club-N” ((in English)) anti-shipping complexes to be installed on project 17 frigates were delivered, a “Shtil’-1” anti-aircraft complex for project 17 frigates was delivered, and fulfillment of a contract for the delivery of air defense “Tunguska” anti-aircraft missile and gun complexes began.
9. Indonesia: a contract was entered into for delivery of 36 BTR-80A.
10. Iran: A contract was executed at the end of December 2006 (which had been entered into a year earlier) for deliveries from the Izhevsk Electro-Mechanical Kupol plant for 29 “Tor-M1” anti-aircraft missile systems, including the delivery of 17 caterpillar complexes, which still remained from a Greek contract, and 12 towable “Tor-M1T” anti-aircraft missile systems.
11. Iraq: a contract was entered into for 10 Mi-17 helicopters with the participation of the Polish partners.
12. Morocco: Fulfillment of a contract for the delivery of air defense “Tunguska” anti-air-craft missile and gun complexes was begun.
13. Mexico: Several helicopters were delivered.
14. Sudan: Several BTR-80A and helicopters were delivered.
15. Syria: a contract for delivery of the “Strelets” anti-aircraft missile complex (the “Igla” ground-to-air missile complex)) was fulfilled and execution of a contract for the delivery of air defense “Tunguska” anti-aircraft missile and gun complexes was begun.
16. Uganda: several BTR-80A were delivered.
17. Uruguay: 48 GAZ-3971 “Vodnik” armored vehicles and other motor transport were delivered.
18. Venezuela: a contract was executed for the delivery of 100,000 AK-103 automatic weapons manufactured by Izhmash, 6 Mi-17V-5, 3 Mi-172, 8 Mi-35 and 1 Mi-26T helicopters were delivered and at the end of the year the first four Su-30MK2V fighters were delivered.
19. Vietnam: the first project 12418 “Molniya” missile patrol boat ((RAKETNYY KATER)) was transferred in accordance with a 3-year contract for delivery of tow and the licensed production of ten more patrol boats.
2006 also brought new contracts which are intended for future realization. Among them should be emphasized:
1. Algeria: bought weapons (in exchange for cancellation of the Soviet debt) for a total of more than 7.5 billion dollars. These are 28 Su-30MKA, 34 MiG-29SMT and MiG-29UBT fighters, 16 Yak-130 training airplanes, 8 S-300PMU-2 air defense system battalions, 180 T-90S tanks and 2 project 636 submarines.
2. China: purchased a new batch of eight S-300PMU-2 air defense systems for one billion dollars in addition to the eight systems of this type already contracted in 2004.
3. India: signed a contract worth 1.6 billion dollars for 3 new project 11356 frigates.
4. Syria: at the end of December 2006, during a visit of President Assad to Moscow, he had a private meeting with Vladimir Putin during which the question of deliveries of armaments and military equipment was discussed. One may expect entry into corresponding contracts worth 2 – 3 billion dollars as early as during 2007.
Within their framework, Syria may obtain “Kornet” anti-tank missile complexes, “Pantsir’-S1” anti-aircraft missile and gun complexes, project 1650 “Amur” Diesel submarines, MiG-29 and Yak-130 airplanes, and also the “Iskander-Eh” tactical missile complex.
5. Venezuela: purchased for 3 billion dollars 24 Su-30MK2V fighters, 38 helicopters of various types, 100,000 AK-103 automatic weapons and two plants for production of automatic weapons and the cartridges for them. Contracts also are possible for the sale of 20 “Tor-M1” air defense missile complexes and 9 “Amur-950” Diesel submarines, the same as those that Indonesia is buying.
6. Vietnam: obtained 2 small project 11161 “Gepard-3.9” patrol boats and 1 “Bastion” stationary shore-based missile complex.
One must single out especially directly in the coming year the deliveries of Su-30MKA and MiG-29SMT fighters to Algeria, the Su-30MK2V to Venezuela, the Su-30MKM to Malaysia, MiG-29K to India, and deliveries of air defense systems thanks to contracts with China (S-300PMU-2 complexes), the United Arab Emirates and Syria (“Pantsir’-S1” complexes). Besides this, as is expected, overhaul and upgrade of an ordinary project 877EhKM submarine for India and 2 similar submarines for Algeria will be concluded, and a second project 12418 “Molniya” missile patrol boat will be transferred to Vietnam.
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February 26, 2007 at 12:34 am