KOLOMNA, Moscow region, July 12 (AVN) - The local machine-building design bureau is completing the modernisation of its Malyutka antitank missile system into Malyutka-2 variant, Valery Kashin, first deputy director of the bureau told the Military News Agency on Wednesday.
According to him, Malyutka is employed by over 35 countries of the world. A total of 300,000 plus systems has been produced by now. Most of them have already exhausted their technical resource. The modernisation will allow to extend the service life for a minimum of 10 years, Kashin said.
The deputy director stressed, that the modernisation programme developed by the bureau will allow to upgrade the systems on site thus turning it into a quite up-to-date killer. The modernised Malyutka-2 boasts an increased penetration level of 700-800mm (the same characteristic for the standard variant makes 480mm the maximum.)
The system is also now capable of hitting armoured vehicles with dynamic protection. The semiautomatic anti-noise control unit considerably facilitates the operator's work.
Kashin also said that the modernisation of Malyutka will be twice as cheap as the purchasing of any new antitank system. Currently the bureau is holding negotiations on the subject with several foreign customers.