Tender Conditions in Indian Defence Procurement Are Very Demanding: Rosoboronexport

"Competition has been on the rise in recent years. This is an objective process since Indian market is a strong attraction for manufacturers. It should be added that its tender terms and conditions are very demanding. Therefore, the fact that we are winning a considerable part of them testifies to high quality of Russian products as well as to efficiency of our marketing strategy", remarked Victor Komardin, deputy director general of Rosoboronexport. A display of the upgraded T-90S main battle tank will be the central event at the exhibition. For its demonstration ''Uralvagonzavod Research and Production Corporation'', JSC has set up a separate exposition with a full-scale prototype of the new tank in desert environment. Its spectacular multimedia presentation has been developed with the participation of Rosoboronexport's specialists and will be run for foreign delegations. A new tank turret is the main upgraded tank component. The turret is fitted with a new automated fire control system, a more precise 125-mm gun, a remotely controlled 7.62-mm machine gun, and a new explosive reactive armour providing an enhanced level of counteraction to all existing antitank guided missiles, as well as additional protection from high-precision weapons, mines and field charges. Thanks to commander's stabilised panoramic sight, gunner's multichannel sight, and all-round surveillance system the automated fire control system provides effective day and night target detection, identification and engagement at halts and on the move. The tank controllability is greatly improved due to installation of an automatic gearbox and a steering wheel sweep drive. The upgraded T-90S tank is powered by a 1,130-hp diesel engine. It is also fitted with an auxiliary diesel-generator unit which powers the tank at station, thus both saving tank fuel consumption and considerably decreasing its infrared signature. Tank designers have also managed to retain the traditional advantage of Russian tanks: small weight and dimensions. For the time being the upgraded T-90S is the best tank in the international arms market, judged by the combination of its characteristics. Among items intended for land forces the upgraded T-90S will undoubtedly attract much attention, but I would like to highlight yet another new product, namely the Kornet-EM antitank missile system which we offer also in a version mounted on the chassis of the Tigr armoured vehicle. In the naval systems sector it is the Amur-1650 submarine for which a principally new engine, an air-independent propulsion unit, is coming through the final tests. Of course, we also expect high interest in nearly all Russian air defence assets'', said Victor Komardin. There are also plans to discuss during the exhibition upgrading programmes for the T-72 and T-90S tanks supplied earlier. Rosoboronexport proposes comprehensive modernisation programmes able to substantially improve basic parameters, such as firepower, protection and mobility. Rosoboronexport presents also presents the following at Defexpo 2012: Land systems: Tigr armoured car, Kornet-EM antitank missile system, BMPT fire support combat vehicle, BMP-3M infantry combat vehicle, BTR-80A armoured personnel carrier, Smerch multiple launch rocket system, Nona-SVK self-propelled artillery gun, Khrizantema-S self-propelled antitank system, Vena self-propelled artillery system, a family of BREM type armoured recovery vehicles, a wide variety of close combat weapons and ammunition. Naval systems: Amur-1650 and Project 636 diesel-electrical submarines, Gepard 3.9 and Project 22356 frigates, Tigr and Project 11356 patrol ships, Tornado small missile ship (gunship), Mirage, Mangust, Sobol patrol boats, various sets of shipborne armaments, maritime control and surveillance systems. Air systems: Mi-28NE combat helicopter, Ka-226T multi-purpose helicopter, Ka-31 radar picket helicopter, Mi-17 type helicopters, Il-76MD military transport aircraft, Il-78ML tanker aircraft. Air defence systems Buk-M2E, Pechora-2M, Tor-M2E and Antey-2500 air defence missile systems, Pantsir-S1 air defence gun/missile system, Igla-S man-portable air defence missile system, a large variety of radars.