Translated material
Exploration exhibition
Russia is trying to conquer the new Asian arms market
Yesterday, the Asian exhibition and conference on defense technologies Defense&Security 2007 began in the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand, Bangkok. It dates back to 1985,traditionally gathering leading manufacturers and customers of weapons and military equipment of the ground forces, navy, aviation and air defense systems. However, for the first time, the word Securiti was added to the title of the exhibition. This circumstance marks the growing global need for modern and highly effective means of countering terrorists. The exhibition organizers have significantly expanded the display of security equipment and special weapons.Although this exhibition is not one of the largest in the world, more than 250 exhibitors from 25 countries demonstrate their products here. The Russians are traditionally represented by FSUE Rosoboronexport. Under its “roof”, leading enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex display their products in Thailand. Among them are the production association “Uralvagonzavod”, OJSC “Motovilikha Plants”, the state scientific and production enterprise “Splav”, Arzamas Machine-Building Plant, Marine Research Institute of Radio Electronics “Altair”, NPO “Proekt-Tekhnika”, OJSC “Radiozavod”. And, of course, the Izhmash concern is a regular participant in such exhibitions, where the great weapons designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, recently included in the world ranking of 100 living geniuses, continues to work. Let us remember that he is also a consultant to the General Director of Rosoboronexport, Sergei Chemezov.
As the head of the Russian delegation, Director for Special Assignments of Rosoboronexport Nikolai Dimidyuk (formerly Colonel General, Commander of the Missile Forces and Artillery of the Ground Forces) told Vremya Novostei, the Russians will show in Bangkok about 300 models, layouts, brochures and posters. samples of weapons and military equipment of all types of armed forces. Based on the content of Russian stands, one can determine the areas of military-technical cooperation with Thailand and other countries of Southeast Asia. In this region, Rosoboronexport already has representative offices in Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia. And so, as it was announced, in the second half of November the representative of the state mediator will begin work in Thailand.
The army of this country is armed mainly with outdated American weapons. Thailand has not purchased modern weapons for a long time, but it seems that it intends to do so in the future. We are talking, in particular, about aviation and armored vehicles. Among the contenders for conquering the Thai arms market are the Swedes, who are offering their Grippen fighter, the Ukrainians, who are trying to sell armored personnel carriers, and Israel with small arms. Thailand does not yet have major contracts with Russia, but Nikolai Dimidyuk believes that the prospects are good. Among the military goods already supplied to this country are the AU-12 airship and individual samples of small arms. The Thai delegation was once shown firing from multiple launch rocket systems in Russia.
The Thai military has a great interest in Russian aviation, small-tonnage ships for operating in the coastal zone and in shallow waters, fast boats for border protection, as well as for the fight against terrorism and piracy. Representatives of the Russian delegation are ready to talk in detail about any type of weapons brought to the exhibition. Military delegations that express an interest are provided with a separate room with a large plasma screen.
Visitors to Russian stands can get acquainted with the unique technical characteristics of Russian armored vehicles, including T-90S, T-80-U tanks, the modernized T-72 with a fire control system, BTR-90 Rostok armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles. Since the region has shown interest in multiple launch rocket systems, the Russians are showing at Defense&Security 2007 the well-proven 300-mm Smerch and 122-mm Grad, as well as rockets for them with various warheads - detachable high-explosive fragmentation, thermobaric, cumulative fragmentation, with small-sized self-aiming elements and even with reconnaissance aircraft.
The full export range of missile and artillery weapons is also presented here: the Iskander-E operational-tactical missile system, the Metis-M1 anti-tank system, the Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, guided weapons of various calibers such as "Kitolov" and "Krasnopol" . Traditionally, small arms are widely represented, including those manufactured to NATO standards, air defense systems and complexes, and radar reconnaissance equipment. Of the latter, the Fara-1 portable reconnaissance and weapon guidance radar should be highlighted. It automatically detects moving people and equipment at any time of day and in any weather conditions. The station has been tested by Russian security forces and may well be used in the region in anti-terrorist operations. There is a small, troubled Muslim enclave in southern Thailand. The government understands that the army may be needed at any time and needs to be rearmed.
The aviation and maritime sections of the Russian exposition contain the entire list of equipment purchased in the world. But for the first time, Rosoboronexport presented a field hospital in the region, created on the basis of a unified automobile container body, which is very easily removed. The block design of the hospital allows it to be easily transported by any type of transport, including on the external sling of a helicopter; a crane is not required for unloading; the hospital has an autonomous power supply. The new product will be very useful in conditions of local conflicts, accidents, natural and man-made disasters.
Two years ago, the Russians held a presentation in Malaysia of a comprehensive coast guard system to combat piracy, which is widespread in the region. But the sale has not yet come to fruition - mainly because of the price. Therefore, the Russians are now offering a new option.
Rosoboronexport plans to hold a number of meetings and negotiations with representatives of the ministries of defense and procurement organizations of Southeast Asian countries at Defense&Security 2007. The list of planned meetings, which Nikolai Dimidyuk showed to Vremya Novostey, includes 21 foreign delegations. Negotiating partners include Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan and some European countries. Potential customers are attracted by Russia's significant position in the arms markets of Indonesia and Malaysia.
On the opening day of the exhibition, the Russian exposition was visited by the Minister of Defense of Thailand Bulrod Somdat. He was keenly interested in the BTR-80 armored personnel carrier, the Mi-17V helicopter, and the entire range of small arms. In general, this region accounts for 15-20% of Rosoboronexport’s revenue. In addition to Defense&Security 2007, the region hosts exhibitions in Malaysia and Indonesia. After Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Indonesia, a good contract is brewing with this country, as they say in the Russian delegation.