MOSCOW. Oct 22 (Interfax-AVN) - Participants in the Euronaval 2002 international naval show are taking interest in Russian naval armaments and assets exhibited by the Rosobornexport state-owned arms trader.
Russian exhibitors plan to, first of all, draw attention of potential customers to advanced naval systems meeting requirements to littoral operations, protection of sea borders, water areas near seaports and naval bases, and exclusive economic zones, as well as to struggle with smuggling, terrorism and piracy at sea, the Rosoboronexport press service told Interfax-Military News Agency on Tuesday.
In this connection, special interest is drawn to multi-purpose submarines of medium displacement (Amur-1650 and Amur-950 designed by CMDB Rubin, St. Petersburg) and of small displacement with air- independent power units (Piranha, P-130, P-170, P-550, P-650 and P- 750 designed by MDB Malakhit, St. Petersburg). These boats feature improved maneuverability in shallow waters, narrow passages and straits, powerful weapons of various type, a high degree of automation and autonomy of combat operations, increased covertness and survivability, small complement.
Various projects of Russian-made surface ships from destroyers to patrol boats incorporating advanced technologies, materials and components are showcased at the stands. Among them one can find multi-purpose frigates Korsar and Gepard, a Project 11356 frigate as well as attack, ASW and patrol corvettes designed by Severnoye PDB, the air cushion vessel Bora, and Zubr and Murena-E landing ships.
Visitors can find at the exposition new Russian shipborne antisubmarine, anti-ship, antiaircraft missile and artillery weapon systems, distinguished by high fire productivity, accuracy, combat survivability and reliability.
Russian-made anti-ship missile systems are represented by unique missile systems employing Moskit and Yakhont heavy supersonic missiles. The Moskit missile is capable of penetrating any of existing ship's air/missile defense systems and destroy an important sea target thanks to a gigantic cumulative impact of the warhead and fuel remnants explosion and kinetic blow of the missile body weighing more than three tons at a speed of 2.5 Mach. A new versatile missile system named Club can be installed both on surface ships (Club-N) and submarines (Club-S). The system employs three missiles: a one-stage low-altitude subsonic cruise missile, a three-stage subsonic cruise missile with a supersonic warhead employed against surface targets and a ballistic missile with a homing torpedo employed against submarines.
Rosoboronexport offers to potential customers not only naval equipment, but total solutions for maritime defense taking account of their economic situation. Offers can include modernization of customer ships with modern weapon systems refitting, construction of ships on customer specifications with integration, if necessary, of subsystems of different national origin, joint ship design and license manufacture in customer shipyards, execution of customer- defined research and development projects, logistic support and servicing based on CALS-technologies during entire life cycle of the equipment, etc.
Euronaval is among the world's most prestigious naval exhibitions. It is held biannually in the Paris suburb of Le Bourget. The current show involves about 300 companies from 25 countries.