OREANDA-NEWS. May 24, 2011. The Rosoboronexport Corporation takes part in the MILEX 2011 International Exhibition of Arms and Materiel in Minsk, Belarus, on 24-27 May, 2011.

The exhibition, sponsored by the BelExpo National Exhibition Centre of the Belarusian Presidential Administration, will see participation of over 130 companies and enterprises from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Armenia that will display their products and services. Minsk is expected to host in excess of 20 official delegations from 15 foreign states.

The exhibition will also host the Fifth International Scientific Conference on military engineering, defence and security issues, and dual-use technologies.

Defence cooperation with the Republic of Belarus has actively developed in the past few years and gradually reaches a fundamentally new level. Further cooperation development rates much depend on improving the legal basis, especially in terms of implementing the agreement on basic principles of military-technical cooperation among Collective Security Treaty Organisation member-states dated 15 May, 1992. The treaty on developing military-technical cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus dated 10 December, 2009 may give a substantial impetus to the process.

“Given a growing rivalry in the international arms market, it is a must to establish closer defence cooperation between our countries. It is common knowledge that a number of export versions of Russian-made systems include hi-tech items, manufactured in Belarus. There are also joint programmes, aimed at upgrading Soviet- and Russian-made hardware in service with many foreign states. There are lots of lines of further cooperation, thus, in this respect MILEX enables us to both demonstrate cutting-edge Russian materiel and take specific steps towards strengthening our relations and coordinating joint efforts in foreign markets,” head of Rosoboronexport’s Security Department and delegation at MILEX 2011 Valery Varlamov said.

The new Pechora-2M surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, based on the S-125 SAM system, is an example of successful cooperation. The Russian-Belarusian Defence Systems Interstate Financial and Industrial Group is responsible for manufacturing the new SAM system and developing its modifications. In 2009-2010 the Pechora-2M was upgraded to a second-generation SAM system by being fitted with improved communications systems, self-sufficient electric power supply system, optronic system, and radar data processing hardware. The design and the control compartment computer have also been revamped.

Another example of successful cooperation is the joint production of fire control systems for modernising national armour by a number of Russian enterprises and the Belarusian Peleng Joint-Stock Company. Such products feature a high export potential and are always in demand with foreign customers.

Rosoboronexport exhibit in excess of 50 defence-related products for the Army, the Air Force, and the Air Defence Forces, as well as a wide range of special hardware in the form of models, posters, promotional materials, and multi-media presentations.

For the Army: the Tigr High Mobility Tactical Vehicle (HMTV), the BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), the BTR-80A armoured personnel carrier (APC), the T-90S main battle tank (MBT), the Smerch multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS), the 120 mm Vena self-propelled gun/mortar system, Nona-S and Nona-SVK self-propelled gun/mortar systems, the Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, the Khrizantema-S self-propelled anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) system, the BMPT tank support combat vehicle, Kitolov-2M, Krasnopol KM-1, and Gran Cannon-Launched Guided Projectiles (CLGP), Metis M1 and Kornet-E anti-tank guided weapon systems, Kalashnikov Hundred Series assault rifles, etc.

For the Air Force: Mi-28NE, Ka-52, and Ka-50 combat helicopters, the Mi-171Sh troop carrier, the Mi-35M combat transport, the Ka-60 utility helicopter, the Ansat training helicopter, the Yak-130 training aircraft, the Be-200 amphibious aircraft, the Su-35 multi-role fighter, etc.

For the Air Defence Forces: the Buk-M2E SAM system, S-300PMU2 and Tor-M2E SAM systems, the Pantsir-S1 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and missile system (SPAAGM), the Igla man-portable air defence system (MANPADS), Fara-1, Protivnik-GE, and Kredo-1 radars, etc.

A number of systems are expected to generate increased interest among partners from Belarus and other CIS member-states.

The Tigr High Mobility Tactical Vehicle (HMTV) is a guarantee of safety. It meets all requirements, facing modern transportation vehicles in terms of running characteristics, reliability, and operational efficiency. An outstanding cross-country capability, a seating capacity of seven armed men, a significant cruising range of 900 km, and a good armour protection allow the vehicle to discharge any task in any environment on short notice.

The Mi-28NE combat helicopter incorporates the vast combat experience of its predecessor – the Mi-24 combat transport. The Mi-28NE is indispensable on the contemporary battlefield due to its unique survivability, a wide range of weapon systems, and the ability to operate by day and night. The helicopter has been in service with the Russian Armed Forces since 2009. Pilots have appreciated outstanding flight characteristics and combat capabilities of the Mi-28NE.

A battery of four Tor-M2E four-channel SAM system combat vehicles is capable of simultaneously engaging 16 targets, approaching from any direction, at a range of up to 12 km and an altitude of up to ten kilometres in any weather by day and night. Therefore, its combat effectiveness almost doubled as compared with that of its predecessor. According to experts, the Tor SAM system boasts unrivalled capabilities, since its rivals are two-channel systems at best.

The Yak-130, selected as a basic training aircraft for the Russian Air Force, is a versatile aircraft. It is expected to replace the famous L-39 Albatross trainers, operated by many CIS member-states. A special onboard combat mode simulation system ensures high-quality flight crew training within a very short period of time. At the same time the Yak-130 can also be employed as a light combat aircraft, which nowadays appeals to many customers.