MOSCOW. May 12 (Interfax) - The Kh-35E missile and its Kh-35UE modification are not just equal to foreign analogues but also surpass them in many parameters, being the best in their class, Kh-35E chief designer Nikolai Vasilyev told from Tactical Missiles Corporation told the Izvestia newspaper in an interview published on Friday.
"Frankly, as the designer, I am pleased to hear clients' conclusion that the Kh-35E is one of the best in its class. I can assure you that the Kh-35E and its Kh-35UE modification are not just equal to foreign missiles but also surpass them in many parameters," Vasilyev said.
The Kh-35E is Russia's first unified missile, which can be used by various types of delivery vehicles, he said.
"Prior to that, it was standard practice to create separate types of missiles for various delivery vehicles and branches (planes, helicopters, ships and coastal complexes). It is rather expensive to design these kinds of weapons. So, it was decided to create a unified missile for firing from planes, helicopters, ships and coastal complexes and, as need be, from submarines in order to optimize expenses. [...] Engineering solutions, which ensure the missile's ECM protection, are a state secret. I can only tell you that this ability of the Kh-35E is way greater than that of foreign analogues," the designer said.
As to what foreign missiles are rivals for the Kh-35E, Vasilyev said, "first and foremost, these are the U.S. Harpoon and French Exocet missiles."
"In fact, any modern country which maintains the combat ability of its army should have such weapons. In addition to U.S. and French missiles, there are also Swedish products, the RBS-15 missile. China has a similar missile, C-801. Japan and North Korea are trying to create missiles of the sort, too," he said.