Sevastyanov igor olegovich rosoboronexport. Rosoboronexport opens up new horizons. "MIC": What is the export potential of these machines

The advanced developments of the Russian defense industry are shown both in parade formation and in conditions as close as possible to combat

September 25-28 The IX International Exhibition of Arms, Military Equipment and Ammunition Russia Arms EXPO 2013 is taking place in the Nizhny Tagil State Demonstration and Exhibition Center of Arms and Military Equipment FKP Nizhniy Tagil Institute for Testing Metals (FKP NTIIM). the latest achievements of the Russian military-industrial complex and the world's leading models of military equipment. 400 exhibitors from Russia and other countries demonstrate the unique characteristics of their products. We are publishing an interview with Igor Sevastyanov, Deputy General Director and Head of the Rosoboronexport delegation at the exhibition, taken on the eve of the salon's opening.

MIC: Igor Olegovich, Rosoboronexport traditionally takes part in all exhibitions held in Nizhny Tagil. What is the peculiarity of this show of military equipment?

- The fact that it is here that the foreign partners of Rosoboronexport and all visitors to the exhibition have a unique opportunity not only to get acquainted in detail with the advanced developments of the Russian defense industry, but also to see military products in action. And this is not just the passage of equipment in the parade in front of the stands, as at some foreign exhibitions, but, if you like, real maneuvers in front of the public, in conditions as close as possible to combat ones.

MIC: And how does Russia Arms EXPO 2013 differ from the previous Nizhny Tagil showrooms?

- This time, the actions of military units at the range will be carried out using modern means of automation of battle control.

First of all, this is the collection of information about a conditional enemy, including with the help of unmanned aerial vehicles. Then, the formulation of tasks for the advancement and deployment of equipment in combat positions, the preparation of initial data for firing, and, finally, the destruction of a simulated enemy. And this is not just a rehearsed and played performance, but an almost real battle with the participation of artillery, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, BMPT, aviation. At the same time, participants and guests of the exhibition will not only see a panorama of the battlefield, but also track individual moments of the "battle" in real time. Plasma screens and a multichannel television complex installed in front of the stands will help viewers in this. And if the spectacular video sequence is designed for ordinary viewers, then specialists and potential foreign customers of Russian equipment will certainly be interested in increasing the efficiency of combat units, a multiple reduction in the time for preparing initial data and opening fire. All this will take a matter of minutes. All Russian samples of military products of the Ground Forces can be equipped with such combat control systems at the request of foreign customers.

"VPK": What would you advise potential foreign customers of the Russian military equipment to pay special attention to?

- On a combat vehicle supporting BMPT tanks. This is a new and very promising product, which is actually a new type of combat vehicles - a fire support vehicle. Foreign military personnel are not yet familiar with its real use on the battlefield and do not know all its capabilities. And here, at the training ground in Nizhny Tagil, she will appear in all her glory and strength.

Another point of active interest is the T-90MS tank. Having retained all the best qualities of its predecessor, the T-90MS has significantly surpassed the base model in all basic tactical and technical characteristics and, we hope, will become one of the most demanded in the world. The tank has proven itself excellently in terms of high combat effectiveness, exceptional reliability and unpretentious operation. The new combat tower module, increased security and improved chassis meet modern requirements for tanks. The armament complex, the fire control system make it possible to detect, recognize and destroy targets day and night in any natural and climatic conditions. The T-90MS tank surpasses its foreign counterparts in terms of its technical equipment, a set of accuracy and time indicators of target reconnaissance processes, preparation of shots, firing and the ability to withstand the fire effects of the most modern anti-tank weapons.

"VPK": At international exhibitions everyone wants to see new samples of military equipment. Will there be debut screenings at Russia Arms EXPO 2013?

- Of course. Moreover, there will be more of them than at many foreign exhibitions. After all, we cannot always take out promising samples abroad for display, and it is easier to do this at home. Take, for example, a floating tracked conveyor (PTS-4). It is designed to cross water obstacles of artillery systems, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, tractors, vehicles, personnel and various cargoes. Weighing just over 33 tons, PTS-4 has a high carrying capacity: 12 tons on land and 18 tons on water. Its maximum speed is 60 kilometers per hour on land and 15 afloat. By the way, the cross-country ability of the amphibian is comparable to the cross-country ability of the T-80 tank. The vehicle is armored, equipped with a remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun and 400 rounds of ammunition. The new transport amphibian is of great interest to the RF Ministry of Defense.

"MIC": Now arms production is associated with innovative processes in design development, but there are few concrete examples so far. What else will the exhibition in Nizhny Tagil please us with?

- Innovation in weapons is not just a secret, but a highly secret area. Therefore, if they talk about it, then only in the most general terms. At Russia Arms EXPO 2013 we will be able to see truly unique technologies. This also applies to such models as the T-90MS tank, and small arms, and artillery systems.

For example, NPO Pribor OJSC, a leading domestic enterprise in the development and production of small-caliber artillery ammunition for automatic cannon weapon systems, will present a wide range of its products, including a 40-mm anti-personnel grenade launcher. When developing it, a new principle was used - the so-called mortar round with a "flying away" sleeve. This made it possible to almost double the mass of the explosive used and to increase the fragmentation effect of the grenade. That is, with a significant decrease in weight, significantly increase the damaging effect. The mass of the grenade launcher, sight and machine is only 32 kilograms, the rate of fire is up to 400 rounds per minute, and the range is up to 2.5 kilometers. Each "clip" - tape contains 20 grenades.

Another innovative example of this enterprise is 30-mm cartridges for automatic cannons with shells with plastic guides. Such cartridges (while reducing their cost) significantly reduce barrel wear.

"MIC": Will the Russian defense-industrial complex be able to produce new competitive military equipment?

- Should. Otherwise, as they say, it is not given. The heavy legacy of the 90s with outdated machine tools and backward technology is becoming a thing of the past. Now in the domestic defense-industrial complex production is being modernized, cooperative ties are being actively restored, new enterprises are being created, the best domestic and foreign machine tools, equipment and technologies are being purchased. In particular, the state plans to spend 500 billion rubles only for the purchase of a modern machine-tool park until 2020, including the volume of purchases of Russian machine-tool industry products will amount to 150-200 billion. At the same time, 80 percent of new machine tools and equipment will be purchased in the interests of the country's military-industrial complex.

MIC: Do you already have specific examples?

- Undoubtedly. The Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern is building new enterprises at three sites, where large-scale production of fifth-generation air defense equipment will be mastered. I would like to note that according to the American military magazine Defense News, in the international rating of the hundred best enterprises - manufacturers of military products in the world, this concern occupies the 14th place. And this is just one of many examples.

"VPK": So, it is more profitable to build new plants, and not to re-equip old ones?

- There is no single recipe. Sometimes it makes sense to use an already operating industrial site, provided with energy, water and other infrastructure, building a new enterprise on it. And then to reconstruct the old production, eventually creating a single new plant. But sometimes it's more cost effective, faster and easier to start from scratch.

VPK: What, in your opinion, is the model for the development of the Russian defense-industrial complex?

- It is difficult to answer this question in a nutshell. In my opinion, measures, including state support, aimed at increasing the production potential of enterprises and the competitiveness of products will help to realize the capabilities of the Russian defense industry. It is necessary to replace outdated technologies, eliminate excess employment and overpricing by suppliers, stimulate efficient enterprises, educate highly qualified specialists, move the workforce to the latest technological production, and much more. In general, everything related to the innovative model of industrial development throughout the country, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is constantly talking about.

"MIC": Noting the intensification of competition in the world arms market, we usually mention the growth of supply, price and quality characteristics of military equipment. But there are also hidden mechanisms of this struggle.

- Not only mechanisms, but also resources. One of them is political. But if we are talking about specific mechanisms, then we must remember that in some countries (Russia, China, Ukraine, Belarus and some others) there is a state monopoly on export-import operations related to weapons and military equipment. As a rule, they are carried out by a special state exporter. In the Russian Federation, this is Rosoboronexport. But in a number of states, arms manufacturers independently enter the world market, where they function as autonomous subjects of economic activity. And the state is far from always able to influence their activities. Remember the recent arms supply scandals involving private firms and intermediaries from England, France and Germany. They sold weapons to countries that were subject to international sanctions. And given the fact that the states under international embargo are ready to pay big money for military equipment, some manufacturing companies, intermediaries and arms brokers are ready to go even to violation of international bans and sanctions. It is not customary to talk about this out loud, but such unfair competition heats up the market and goes to the detriment of the work of law-abiding states and firms.

"MIC": Now, when fulfilling state defense orders, enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex must switch to contracts for ensuring the life cycle of supplied military products. To what extent is this algorithm applicable to the system of military-technical cooperation of our country with foreign states?

- In its activities in recent years, Rosoboronexport has been introducing this practice. It means constant support of the entire life cycle of export military products, starting from the design and construction stage by order of foreign partners, its further operation and ending with disposal. This also includes post-warranty service, repair, modernization. For this, service centers are being created on the territory of the customer countries, which solve these problems. This approach is mutually beneficial for both suppliers and buyers of military products, increases the competitiveness and attractiveness of Russian military equipment in the world arms market.

We will discuss this and many other issues with our foreign partners at the IX International Exhibition of Arms, Military Equipment and Ammunition Russia Arms EXPO 2013.

"MIC": At the exhibition grounds of Nizhny Tagil, not only military equipment will be exhibited, but also products of the military-industrial complex for dual and civil purposes.

- In this regard, I would like to mention a series of KamAZ military trucks. They were created on the basis of civilian models and accumulated the best characteristics of Russian military vehicles, and also acquired additional features - increased thrust-to-weight ratio, increased safety margin of the entire structure, easy steering, reliable brakes and a comfortable cabin. All this made it possible to assign the highest quality category to the family of military KamAZ trucks.

"VPK": The cars of the Kama Automobile Plant proved themselves worthy in the Afghan war and local conflicts in recent years.

- Yes, in real combat conditions they showed high cross-country ability, reliability, endurance and unpretentiousness. Now KamAZ trucks are used for mounting weapons and military equipment, towing trailed artillery systems, special and transport trailers, as well as for transporting troops and military cargo on roads of all categories, difficult and rugged terrain.

MIC: What is the export potential of these machines?

- The excellent qualities of KamAZ were appreciated by foreign buyers. In 2004-2011 alone, more than a thousand of these vehicles were sold to Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria.

Today OJSC KamAZ continues to increase the rate of production of both army and civilian vehicles. In 2012, the two millionth truck rolled off the assembly line of the enterprise. The export potential of the enterprise is also growing. So, in 2007, 13.5 thousand units of various brands of this car were sold abroad, which amounted to 25.5 percent of the total output. Now the possibility of creating an assembly plant for KamAZ trucks in Cuba is being considered, where the volume of production is supposed to be 500 vehicles per year. Similar projects are being studied by other countries.

VPK: It remains for us to wish all the participants of the IX International Exhibition of Arms, Military Equipment and Ammunition Russia Arms EXPO 2013 successful work, constructive negotiations and promising mutually beneficial contracts.

- Igor Olegovich, at the previous Eurosatory I managed to talk to the president of the exhibition, and Patrick Cola de Frank said that he could not imagine this forum without the participation of Russia, however, as well as the world market of weapons and military equipment in general. Nevertheless, for obvious reasons, Russia is reducing its presence in European military-industrial forums. What are your plans for Eurosatory-2016 in Paris?

- The sanctions imposed on our country, of course, had an impact on military-technical cooperation with European partners. However, this is not a reason to slam the door loudly and close completely.

The Eurosatory exhibition is one of the largest and most reputable international platforms on land issues, and here we not only hold meetings with European companies, but also present Russian products for delegations from other regions of the world. However, the scope of participation varies.

It's no secret that our main partners are not in Europe, so we certainly focus on those exhibitions that take place in key regions for us.

Deputy General Director of OJSC Rosoboronexport Igor Sevastyanov (right) and Commodore Suraj Barry, commander of the Vikramaditya ship's crew, at the ceremony of handing over the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier to India, 2013

Sergey Mamontov / RIA Novosti

- Russian manufacturers actively cooperated with Safran and Thales, how are things going in “communication” with these and other French companies? Are there any prospects for the restoration of military-technical cooperation with France and other EU countries?

- New agreements are not being signed, but we continue to work on a number of contracts that were concluded before the announcement of the sanctions. Therefore, during the exhibition, of course, current working issues will be discussed.

Military-technical cooperation with French and other European partners has steadily expanded in recent years. Quite ambitious promising projects were discussed, including those in the interests of third countries. Many European companies were aimed at further deepening scientific, technical and industrial cooperation with Russia.

Today everything is frozen, but we maintain contacts with European manufacturers, who, of course, would like to restore cooperation.

- Considering the recent terrorist attacks in Europe, I cannot ignore the topic of anti-terrorism and integrated security, especially since the Euro 2016 football championship is taking place now. What does Russia offer European countries in terms of anti-terrorism and how are our proposals being met by European governments? Is there something they can actually get?

- We have global solutions that will improve the safety of cities, critical facilities, such as nuclear power plants, as well as strengthen control over state borders. The technical means available in Russia, IT solutions, all types of weapons, technology and special equipment, we have combined into the project "Integrated security systems". We will tell our partners about it at the exhibition in Paris. In a difficult political situation, it will not be easy to promote this project to the European market, but we will try.

When it comes to the safety of thousands of people, they choose the most effective and proven means. And the systems we offer are being successfully implemented

in Russia and, in particular, made it possible to ensure the highest level of security at the Olympic Games in Sochi.

- This year one of the key Russian exhibitors - the world leader in tank building Uravagonzavod - did not come to Eurosatory. Will UVZ products be presented in some form?

- Of course, we will present products at the exhibition, including the T-90S and T-90MS tanks, the BMPT tank support combat vehicle, and various engineering equipment. As the only state-owned special exporter, we have all the necessary competencies and resources to effectively promote the entire range of Russian military and dual-use products.

- Aren't we losing potential clients due to non-participation in a number of exhibitions? After all, while Russia is skipping forums, our colleagues, for example, from Ukraine, are actively marketing and luring away our traditional partners, let us recall, for example, India, which will now make a military transport plane with Kiev?

- If Russian participation in some exhibitions is decreasing, this does not mean that our marketing activity is decreasing. Exhibitions are important, but far from the only tool we use.

You cite India as an example, but at all Indian exhibitions Russia is very representative, since for us it is a strategic partner. As for comparing our efficiency with competitors from other countries, first of all, we should pay attention not to loud statements in the press, but to successfully completed projects, specific figures and facts. Speaking of India, Russian Su-30MKI fighters, T-90S tanks, jointly developed Bramos supersonic missiles and other military products are produced there. We are working on the creation of a joint venture for the production of Ka-226T helicopters and are progressively developing a project to create a fifth generation FGFA fighter. There are prospects for organizing the production of diesel-electric submarines and frigates, and for this, proven solutions are already ready.

Which of our competitors can boast of such a scale of cooperation? But at the same time, every year we hear how we lost the Indian market. Generally,

Russia as an arms exporter has been written off many times: one competitor must oust us, then another. In fact, however, it did not work out that way,

but who will remember their unfulfilled predictions?

- Among the buyers of Russian weapons are mainly countries in Asia and Africa, and often not the richest. Is it legitimate to say that more developed countries prefer Western weapons, and if so, why is this so?

- It can hardly be argued that India, China or, for example, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea have weak economies. If we conditionally leave out the countries that rely, in fact, on a single defense industry complex, the United States and its closest allies, then in almost all other countries we are actively working to promote Russian military equipment.

I am convinced that the American military would gladly adopt much of what we offer on the international market.

But we do not live in an airless space, where there are no politics and the interests of national producers. Everything related to security is a very sensitive area, and, as practice shows, sometimes the choice is made not based on test results, technical characteristics or cost, but on the basis of political logic.

- Since the Russian military equipment arrived in Syria, it has been repeatedly reported that many countries are interested in our weapons. What types and types of equipment are of the greatest interest and which countries are they?

- First of all, there has been an increase in interest in new models of aviation equipment - Su-32 fighter-bombers (export version of the Su-34), Su-35 multipurpose fighters and Mi-28NE and Ka-52 combat helicopters. Their combat use impressed the military leadership of many countries.

I would also note the launches of the Kalibr cruise missiles, which were actively discussed in the press and among experts. We offer foreign customers an export version of the missile system - "Club". It is already being exported as part of domestic diesel-electric submarines and surface ships. The successful massive use of missiles from this complex not only once again confirms the correct choice of our partners, but also makes other countries think about it, striving to seriously increase the combat capabilities of their naval forces.

As for specific applications, it is necessary to understand that all the samples I have listed are high-tech and expensive systems, the purchase of which is planned in advance, and the negotiation process, as a rule, takes a lot of time. Therefore, we are talking specifically about the increased interest, which we will try to gradually translate into firm contracts.

The countries of the Middle East and North Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America are showing increased interest.

- Has the recent accident with the Mi-28N helicopter in Homs influenced the interest in this rotorcraft? With which countries are negotiations on these helicopters closest to finalization?

- No, it didn't. The successful use of these helicopters by the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria confirms their combat capabilities for operations in difficult climatic conditions at any time of the day. The Mi-28N / NE fleet is growing in Russia and abroad. Now these helicopters are supplied to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. We also believe that these machines have good prospects in Latin America. But in fact, we are promoting the Mi-28NE together with the Ka-52 in almost all regions. Pre-contractual negotiations are underway with several countries, but I will not name them yet.

- Has it somehow affected the demand for the transfer of the Pantsir air defense missile system to Syria? They say that African countries are lining up - how legitimate is this statement, what are the results of standing in this queue? Is there any dynamics in the contracting of "Shell" by Brazil or is the process not moving at all?

- The line for "Pantsir-C1" began to line up long before the operation of the Aerospace Forces in Syria. It belongs to the short-range complexes, which, perhaps, are the most demanded in the world arms market.

In terms of the combination of characteristics, combat capabilities and cost, you are unlikely to find anything comparable to the "Shell".

Many countries, including African ones, are interested in it, so the dynamics of contracting remains at a high level. Only under export contracts the enterprises are loaded for several years ahead. As far as Brazil is concerned, relevant pre-contract work is ongoing.

- Does Russia plan to expand arms supplies to Iran in the light of the lifting of sanctions? What specific weapons can we talk about?

- We proceed from Resolution 2231 of July 2, 2015, which implies the phased lifting of sanctions.

Restrictions on the supply of conventional weapons to Iran remain until 2020, and missile technologies - until 2023.

However, this resolution provides for a permitting procedure for possible deliveries of military products that are under sanctions. This means that if the customer applies for the supply of combat aircraft, tanks, ships, and so on, then in each case it will be necessary to obtain permission from the UN Security Council. But we must understand that in today's geopolitical conditions this is not an easy task.

- Recently, there has been a tendency to give industrial holdings the right to independent foreign economic activity. What, then, is the distinction between what individual companies do? Will it not all end with confusion and vacillation in the military-technical cooperation sphere, and everyone will have someone who will be able to conclude contracts and supply products?

- This is primarily about after-sales service.

The military-technical cooperation system is changing, evolving in accordance with the requirements of the times, and this is good. But at the same time, Rosoboronexport remains the main think tank and the only state intermediary for the supply of the entire range of military and dual-use products. Our status, competence and vast experience allow us to offer customers complex "package" proposals, as, for example, was done in the case of Venezuela, which purchased aviation, ground equipment, and air defense systems. Or take another example, when, within the framework of an offset agreement for the supply of Su-30MKM fighters to Malaysia, we organized the launch of the first Malaysian cosmonaut to the ISS. There are a lot of such unique projects.

The same thing happens in negotiations - for example, we can immediately tell the Minister of Defense about submarines, and about "Pantsir", and about Kalashnikov assault rifles, and about combat helicopters.

About 50 of our offices are located around the world, and for our partners they serve as a "one-stop shop".

Experts remember very well, as you said, the "confusion and vacillation" that existed in the 1990s, when Russian enterprises and special exporters competed with each other, there was no single marketing policy to promote the entire range of military products. Only by acting as a united front, we were able to radically increase the total volume of arms exports and expand the geography of supplies.

When they try to squeeze us out of both new and traditional markets today, it is necessary to act even more unitedly.

- Is Russia conducting "agitation" at Eurosatory in favor of the Russian military-technical forums "Army-2016" and Russia Arms Expo 2017?

- At all international exhibitions, we always tell our partners about Russian defense salons and invite them to visit them. This is a great opportunity to show the customer dozens of full-scale samples. We will never take so many equipment to foreign sites. Therefore, in Paris, we will also invite you to Russia. In particular, visitors will be able to learn about Army-2016 at a separate counter.

The new head of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, has an interesting track record, which includes failed state projects, wasted billions and even dubious transactions with state property.

Hard landing

JSC Russian Helicopters (BP) repeats the fate of other companies involved in the Ministry of Defense. Their main features are gigantic budgetary infusions, corruption and unsinkable leaders. However, the Oboronservis case taught the officials something: having squeezed out everything that is possible from the next company close to the defense industry, they part with it quietly and without scandals. First, they decided to quietly reform Spetsstroy, mired in corruption, then it was the turn of Russian Helicopters.

Immediately after the New Year holidays, Russian Helicopters acquired a new general director - Andrei Boginsky, who previously held the post of Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade. The former general director of the helicopter holding, Alexander Mikheev, went up for promotion and became the head of Rosoboronexport. Judging by the information on the website of the BP themselves, thanks to Mikheev, things were going so well that profits grew faster than revenue. On closer inspection, Mikheev's "economic miracle" dissipates like smoke.

Income and liabilities of Russian Helicopters JSC

Alexander Mikheev has headed Russian Helicopters for the past three years. During this time, the holding lost an impressive part of foreign contracts and reoriented towards servicing foreign equipment. Reading BP's cheerful reports, it is difficult to notice the problems, although the company's debt obligations of 229 billion rubles with revenue of less than 220 billion rubles cannot but be alarming. The situation at the helicopter plants themselves is much more eloquent than dry figures. In April 2016, workers at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, hoping for a Direct Line with the president, spoke about the catastrophic underutilization of the enterprise and the plans of the management to switch to part-time work and a shorter working week. The aircraft manufacturers did not manage to get on the air, as well as to interfere with the plans of the authorities. A month later, the same fate befell the Kazan Helicopter Plant, which was transferred to a four-day period without long explanations.

The most obvious way to cut costs is to eliminate the intermediary between the state and state-owned helicopter plants. This intermediary is Russian Helicopters JSC. But managers of state-owned companies are not looking for easy ways. A state order worth 9.3 billion rubles was thrown to support the sinking industry (contract No. 1, contract No. 2), and a couple of days later it became clear how the then head of the holding, Alexander Mikheev, sees the future of Russian helicopter construction. On December 29, 2016, he announced that the holding would be engaged in the repair and maintenance of AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters (Italy). Russian-Italian cooperation was highlighted in the press as a breakthrough achievement of the helicopter holding. Note that none of these measures in any way affected the factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude.

Flights in dreams and in reality

But even the downtime of the country's largest helicopter plants pales before the project of a promising high-speed helicopter (PSV). For the sake of fairness, it must be said that this show began in 2009, but it was under Alexander Mikheev that the noise around the high-speed helicopter reached its climax. The top management of Russian Helicopters was not shy when announcing the characteristics of the helicopter that had not yet been designed. PSV was supposed to accelerate to an unprecedented speed for helicopters of 500 km / h. Anticipating the flow of foreign contracts, they did not skimp on development.

Rachel (Russian Advanced Commercial Helicopter)

In 2011-2012, 1.1 billion rubles were allocated from the budget for the development of a high-speed helicopter, in 2013 the amount increased to 2.5 billion rubles, and in 2014-2015 a promising helicopter was financed for another 4 billion rubles. Moreover, in 2014, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Yuri Slyusar was ready to finance this brilliant project for another 7.5 billion rubles. The future miracle was even given the commercial name Rachel (Russian Advanced Commercial Helicopter). With the growth of the budget, the confidence of the designers for some reason melted away. The declared speed in the press releases of BP itself decreased, the specific terms of the project were postponed to the future, but Alexander Mikheev, who headed the holding in 2013, was in no hurry to say goodbye to the project, which was promised over 7 billion rubles.

Financing of PSV in 2014-2015

However, the economic crisis has done its job. Foreign orders dropped sharply, the factories, as already mentioned, stood idle, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade wondered whether it was worth spending money on a helicopter that could no longer be sold to the West. The BP Board of Directors, which includes the well-remembered former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, tried to carry out an additional issue of the company's shares. But the holding, which builds castles in the air instead of helicopters, has not attracted investors. The treasury paid off for the failed idea again - Russian state-owned companies bought back the shares by private subscription.

Mikheev can leave

Seeing how Russian Helicopters were going into a steep dive, Alexander Mikheev decided to choose a quieter place. Therefore, he began to prepare for the transfer to Rosoboronexport in the fall. And Andrei Boginsky, who replaced Mikheev as CEO of BP, closed the unpromising Rachel helicopter project without noise and dust. He also quietly spoke about his decision in one of the first interviews after the appointment, delicately calling it "reformatting the project."

Mikheev's swan song was not a very original scheme for putting state property at the disposal of private companies. One document signed by the head of Russian Helicopters was enough for its implementation. Order No. 0045-UK dated April 20, 2016 creates a Unified Service Center for the enterprises of the Russian Helicopters holding, which will manage the property complex of buildings “MVZ im. M.L. Mile "in the village near Moscow. Tomilino. In addition to this, BP sells the vehicles, furniture and office equipment located there to the management company on an installment plan.

Order No. 0045-UK on the creation of a Unified Service Center for Enterprises

Memo on the establishment of a Single Center and the transfer of property to LLC "LIK Service Company"

The management company was selected through procedures unknown to the legislation and is indicated directly in the order. Property "MVZ im. M.L. Mile "went to the modest LLC" VR-Resource "(formerly LLC" LIK Service Company "). Quite by chance, the general director of BP-Resource is the son of the chief accountant of MVZ im. M.L. Mile »Viktor Zelentsov. Eight months before Mikheev's transfer to Rosoboronexport, the scheme was successfully tested and can be used at a new location. Moreover, the stories of all state-owned companies involved in the defense order are surprisingly similar.

Members of the US Senate Defense Committee demanded that the Pentagon impose sanctions against Rosoboronexport ... This is how the senators reacted to the report of the American special services, claiming that under the guise of selling equipment for commercial satellites, the Russian company transferred to Iran technologies that could be used to create ballistic missiles. However, American experts doubt that the Pentagon will refuse contacts with Russian state-owned company .

The National Intelligence Council's report reached the Senate late last week. Its main conclusion is that despite international sanctions, Rosoboronexport continues to cooperate with Iran, and under the guise of equipment for launching commercial satellites, it transfers technologies that can be used to create ballistic missiles.

In May, Tehran announced plans to launch three satellites into orbit at once using a Simurg launch vehicle, but at the last moment announced the cancellation of the planned launch - according to American intelligence services, due to the unfinished construction of the launch pad. US intelligence believes that, under the guise of a space program, Iran is developing means of delivering nuclear warheads and is already close to creating long-range missiles. After the successful test of the Kashwegar-3 rocket in February 2010, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that the main goal was to launch the satellite into an orbit with an altitude of 500 km. US intelligence is convinced that the development of the Simurg rocket violates the international missile technology control regime: according to official data, an Iranian missile can put a device up to 100 kg into an orbit of 500 km, while international agreements prohibit the export of carriers and their components if the flight altitude exceeds 300 km.

"The creation of such a missile would have been impossible without the participation of third countries, which provided the Iranian government with the necessary equipment and technology," the document, submitted to the Senate, says. The US intelligence services believe that "Rosoboronexport" played a key role in the implementation of Iran's space program. The report emphasizes that the Russian state-owned company, which back in 2006 supplied Tehran with missile defense systems, still maintains "business relations with the Iranian authorities." At the same time, the American special services believe that the Russian state-owned company is acting almost bypassing the position of the Russian leadership. "The findings indicate that Moscow is most likely not pursuing a policy of supporting the Iranian missile program," says the National Intelligence Council. In his opinion, the contracts signed by Rosoboronexport indicate that "the Russian government is unable to control the activities of state-owned companies and cannot prevent them from participating in illegal transactions with the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The US intelligence services stipulate that in recent years Moscow has "taken a number of steps to strengthen control over the export of missile technology," but so far "these actions cannot be called completely successful" ... In addition, the Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that they do not consider cooperation with Tehran in the field of space exploration a violation of international treaties.

The US intelligence report drew an angry reaction from senators. On Monday, a member of the Senate Defense Committee, John Cornin, sent a letter to the head of the Pentagon, Leon Panetta, demanding to review the contracts that the military department signed with Rosoboronexport and impose sanctions on the Russian state-owned company. The senator recalled that in March 17 representatives of the upper house of Congress had already appealed to the Minister of Defense, demanding to cancel the contract for the supply of 21 Mi-17V5 helicopters to the Afghan Air Force. The total amount of the deal with the Russian state-owned company is estimated at $ 550 million and, according to the senators, Rosoboronexport can use this money to increase the volume of arms supplies to Syria.

According to the research service of the US Congress, in 2011 alone, Syria ordered weapons worth $ 3.5 billion from the Russian Federation, providing the Russian military-industrial complex with at least 10% of export earnings. The list of supplies includes 24 MiG-29 M / M2 fighters, 36 Yak-130 aircraft, eight Buk-M2E air defense systems, Pantsir 1C missile and artillery systems, Kh-35E anti-ship missiles and other equipment. Washington believes that in addition to this, Rossvooruzhenie intends to sell to Damascus the Bastion coastal complexes with SS-N-26 Yakhont missiles. As John Cornin announced, "lawmakers are deeply concerned that the US Department of Defense is working with a company that is involved in the killing of civilians in Syria: this activity deserves new sanctions against Rosoboronexport, not a billion-dollar contract."

Rosoboronexport categorically rejects the logic of the US senators. Deputy Director General of the department Igor Sevastyanov explained yesterday that the company intends to fulfill contracts for the supply of weapons to Syria until the world community adopts other decisions binding on the Russian Federation.

And American experts also doubt that the Pentagon will refuse contacts with the Russian state-owned company. On Friday, it became known that five American general contractors of the Pentagon approached Rosoboronexport with a proposal to supply Russian-made ammunition to the Afghan army and police - the amount of the contract has not yet been disclosed.

Kirill Belyaninov

From 2017, JSC Rosoboronexport plans to expand the scope of its foreign economic activity. It is planned to add the export of security equipment of various levels to the import of the entire range of military and dual-use products and services.

At the meeting of the Company's Press Club at TsNIITOCHMASH JSC held on September 27, Deputy General Director of JSC Rosoboronexport Igor Olegovich Sevastyanov said that this year the right to export civilian and service weapons was obtained, due to which it is planned to increase the portfolio of orders and enter new markets.

As noted by Sevastyanov, since 2001 Rosoboronexport has sold arms and military equipment for the ground forces for $ 25 billion, and today there is an increase in demand in the countries of Southeast and Central Asia, Central and West Africa and Latin America. According to him, due to its characteristics, the criterion "efficiency-cost", as well as the ability to operate in the most difficult natural and climatic conditions, Russian military equipment is much more attractive than foreign counterparts.

At the same meeting, Yuri Aleksandrovich Kaptelkin, Chief of Staff of the General Director of JSC Rosoboronexport. He told that in 2017-2018. the repositioning of Rosoboronexport's image will be carried out, the joint-stock company begins cooperation in the sale of civilian and service weapons with countries that previously had no opportunity to purchase these weapons in Russia. Also "Rosoboronexport" will expand the range of exports by means of security and counter-terrorism means. According to him, today the company has the competence to work in this area with the ministries of internal affairs, border services, the forces of the National Guard and the coast guard of the countries of potential buyers.

In its work, Rosoboronexport focuses on expanding its market presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Military equipment is in demand among foreign countries, as well as equipment for protecting state borders. With the adoption of amendments to this law, the market of the company's presence will expand.

The plans for repositioning were prepared due to the fact that there is a gross demand on the international market for samples of Russian military equipment, dual-use equipment, as well as an increase in the demand for special and civilian weapons, and especially for complex solutions to security problems, including cybersecurity, state and infrastructure security.

Also at the last Press Club, representatives of JSC Rosoboronexport said that the company will offer for consideration to potential customers such areas as:

Security facilities for objects of special importance and critical infrastructure;

Utilization of ammunition, since Russia has excellent ready-made, which proved to be excellent in operation, ammunition disposal lines);

There are competitive developments in cybersecurity;

Means of ensuring security and protection of extended perimeters, sections and borders in general (both by land and by water);

Anti-unmanned aerial vehicles;

To ensure infrastructural security, there are such developments as the "Integrated automated system" Safe City ", delivery vehicles for law enforcement units (including aviation and sea), special vehicles for ensuring public law and order, non-lethal weapons, special small arms for the police, individual body armor;

Search and inspection equipment;

Means for detecting explosive and narcotic drugs;

Means for working with explosive objects;

Robotic complexes.

The world market is currently interested in purchasing complex solutions. To achieve this goal, Rosoboronexport has ready-made products. Moving to the foreign market, the company plans to focus on this. This will allow the enterprise to gain competitive advantages and enter a contractual system of cooperation with states that have not previously shown interest in Russian weapons.

“In order to develop a new direction of the special exporter's activity, a special thematic cluster of enterprises of the State Corporation Rostec has been formed, producing products for anti-terrorism. The developments are being carried out in cooperation with experts in countering terrorism and offenses from all Russian law enforcement agencies, ”the press release says. "The products offered by Rosoboronexport include a whole arsenal of special tools and systems." The country's long borders by land and water require comprehensive protection. And the enterprise already has a set of ready-made solutions. These are combat aircraft for border protection, patrol aircraft and communications equipment for foot border patrols. These are warships and submarines to protect the borders of states, defined by water.

In the structure of supplies as of 2017, military equipment and aviation account for more than 60%, about 40% falls on complex means and special support to maintain the safety and operability of infrastructure of national importance.

In 2018, completing the rebranding program, Rosoboronexport, together with Rostec State Corporation, plans to preserve the system of direct arms supplies and expand arms supplies to government agencies. The company plans to increase competition in the Asian market by increasing its share of its presence there. The countries of this region have already recorded an increased demand for products supplied by Rosoboronexport. Since the effectiveness of Russian systems has already been confirmed in practice, the use of combat aircraft and equipment to provide protection.

The enterprise intends to move further into the international market, using the proven regularity of the optimal ratio of efficiency and cost of Russian weapons. An additional advantage of Russian weapons is that they can be used in a wide variety of climatic conditions and remain functional. Melee weapons and small arms are in high demand among foreign countries. At the end of 2017, the company reported that it holds up to 17% of the international arms market. In some regions of the world, this figure reaches 30%. The order book at the end of 2017 increased to $ 45 billion, arms deliveries are planned for the next 3-4 years with the possibility of increasing the portfolio of current orders. JSC "Rosoboronexport" as part of the State Corporation Rostec positions itself as a reliable supplier and tester of military equipment, while counting on the fact that the latest models of military equipment are already actively used by the Russian army to defend its borders.

State Corporation Rostec currently includes 11 holdings of the military-industrial complex; 3 civilian holdings are taking part in the development of dual-use equipment. The development, testing and production of equipment for equipping the army is carried out by Russian specialists. Rosoboronexport does not plan to trade in development and production technologies, but only to become a leading player in the international arms market. For this, the company has all the necessary resources. Namely, the amended Law on Weapons, which simplifies the scheme of cooperation with international organizations for the supply of weapons, investments from the state, developed infrastructure and established ties with permanent partners in the defense sector. In addition, within the framework of repositioning the enterprise, it is planned to expand sponsorship activities and the company's participation in financing investment projects that are of interest to the defense industry.

It should be noted that the press service of Rosoboronexport, represented by the press secretary Vyacheslav Nikolaevich Davidenko, is actively promoting the company in the Russian and foreign press. Cooperation with the media has been established at a very high level. Quality and timeliness, professionalism and attentiveness in working with media editors make it possible to fully cover the positive development of JSC Rosoboronexport.

JSC ROSOBORNEXPORT is the only Russian state organization for the export, import of the entire range of products, services and technologies of military and dual-use. Part of the State Corporation Rostec. The company was founded on November 4, 2000 and is one of the leaders in the world arms market. The company accounts for over 85% of the export of Russian arms and military equipment. Rosoboronexport interacts with more than 700 enterprises and organizations of the Russian military-industrial complex. The geography of military-technical cooperation of Russia covers more than 70 countries.