Rosoboronexport of Rostec State Corporation will present Russian military helicopters at the International Helicopter Industry Exhibition HeliRussia 2024. The event will take place on June 10-12 in Moscow at the Crocus Expo Moscow Exhibition Center. On the eve of the exhibition, the company's CEO Alexander Mikheev answered questions from the Russian media and spoke about the growing demand abroad for Russian weapons, the promotion of unmanned aerial vehicles to the foreign market and what place helicopter technology occupies in Rosoboronexport's order portfolio.
– The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has published a report on the state of the global arms trade for the period 2019-2023, which, in particular, states that Russian arms exports in 2019-2023 decreased by 53% compared to 2014-2018, and as a result its share amounted to 11% of the global volume. How much do SIPRI's calculations correspond to reality? What is the current volume of Russian arms exports and its share in the global arms market?
– If we talk about the SIPRI reports, now is not the time to compete for a place in the ranking of the world arms trade. Russian industry has the primary task of providing the country's armed forces.
Meanwhile, the authors of the report are trying to convince the international community that Russian weapons are becoming less and less in demand in the world. But our practice shows the opposite. Today, most of the samples offered by Rosoboronexport to partners have sufficient experience of use in real combat conditions. The objective control footage shown by the Russian Ministry of Defense testifies to their excellent work against the military equipment of Western competitors. Our customers study this experience and draw conclusions in favor of our products, honest and open mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia.
– How much has the demand for Russian weapons increased since the beginning of the war? Are there any data accumulated over two years, specific figures, ratios?
– Rosoboronexport is witnessing a significant increase in demand for Russian military products against the background of their successful use during a special military operation. Our foreign partners are interested in samples from all market segments.
We note a sharp increase in attention to Russian weapons and military equipment that have gained experience in combat operations: the Su-35 fighter, the Ka-52E combat reconnaissance and attack helicopter, the T-90MS tank, the TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, the Tiger and Typhoon armored vehicles, and the S-anti-aircraft missile system400 Triumph, Viking anti-aircraft missile systems and the Tor family, Verba and Igla-S MANPADS.
Rostec's products in the field of artillery are of interest: the Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, the Vienna self-propelled artillery gun, the Smerch MLRS, the Tornado-G and Tornado-S MLRS, the 2S12 120 mm mortar, as well as high-precision artillery ammunition, the reconnaissance and control system of the artillery unit in real-time based on the Tablet-A complex.
Due to the high efficiency shown on the battlefield, the KUB-E barrage ammunition, the newest 40 mm automatic grenade launcher 6G27 Balkan, complexes with UAVs Orlan-10E and Orlan-30, Orion-E, ATGM Kornet- were able to occupy top positions in their market segments.E" and "Cornet-EM".
– How much did Rosoboronexport sell weapons for in the first quarter of 2024 and how many contracts were signed during this period? What is the company's current portfolio of weapons orders?
– Since the beginning of 2024, Rosoboronexport has supplied Russian weapons and military equipment for all types of armed forces to 17 countries. The company's order portfolio remains at a consistently high level of about $55 billion. It includes military, dual-use and civilian products for 45 countries around the world.
– What percentage of Rosoboronexport's order portfolio is occupied by helicopter equipment today? Do you expect this indicator to grow and, if so, at the expense of which models?
– Military helicopters account for about 10% of Rosoboronexport's total order portfolio. It includes contracts for the supply of Mi-28NE and Ka-52E combat helicopters, Mi-35 combat transport helicopters, Mi-17/Mi-171 military transport helicopters and others.
Today, we see great interest from foreign partners in helicopters, which have shown high performance during a special military operation. First of all, these are the Ka-52E and Mi-171SH, as well as other modern Russian helicopters.
– How is the Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopter moving to foreign markets? How many of these machines have been contracted by foreign customers today?
– The Ka-52 combat reconnaissance and attack helicopter actually showed the highest combat and flight characteristics during a special military operation. Today it is rightfully recognized as the best helicopter of its class in the world.
Our partners are showing great interest in it, and Rosoboronexport is actively promoting the Ka-52E on the world market. For example, this year it will be possible to see it both at the Army forum and at the Egypt Airshow International Aviation and Space Salon in El Alamein.
– Earlier you reported that at the Army 2023 forum, Russia's partners, among other things, showed interest in Mi-28NE helicopters. Could you tell us which countries of the regions have shown the greatest interest in the car? Are there any agreements on the conclusion of new contracts?
– Today, in addition to the Mi-28NE combat helicopter, Rosoboronexport is promoting an upgraded version of this machine, the Mi-28NME. This machine has proven itself well in real combat operations. It meets all modern parameters of a combat helicopter.
A number of countries are interested in acquiring this helicopter, in particular, our partners from the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.
– In November 2023, you reported that the volume of contracts for the supply of combat helicopters exceeds $ 5 billion. Has this figure increased today?
– In 2023, Rosoboronexport supplied helicopters to more than ten friendly countries, and new contract documents were signed. Today, Rosoboronexport has more than 170 helicopters in its order portfolio. Deliveries are planned to more than 20 countries.
– Do you record an increase in demand for naval aviation helicopters against the background of their use in the Air Defense System to combat unmanned boats?
– Rosoboronexport records an increase in demand for modern Russian military helicopters that have shown high performance in real combat operations. All helicopter models promoted on the world market today are capable of effectively destroying unmanned boats. Today, along with helicopters, I would note the increasing role of UAVs to combat these targets, as well as means of detecting unmanned boats.
– Which drones is the Russian Federation ready to supply to foreign partners this year? There is a great demand from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
– In the segment of unmanned aerial vehicles, Rosoboronexport is promoting to the foreign market the Orion-E reconnaissance strike complex with long-duration UAVs of Kronstadt, tactical complexes with reconnaissance UAVs Orlan-10E and Orlan-30 developed and manufactured by the Special Technology Center and barrage ammunitionKUB-E" of the Kalashnikov Concern, part of Rostec. These samples showed excellent results during real combat operations and confirmed their characteristics.
Today, saturation of the domestic market and ensuring the needs of the Russian Armed Forces are an absolute priority. However, the country's military-industrial complex, and in particular manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles, have significantly increased production, and we see no obstacles both in the execution of already signed contracts and in concluding new agreements with foreign customers. In addition, we are actively developing industrial cooperation projects, including in the field of joint production of Russian UAVs on the territory of our partners.
– The special military operation has been going on for more than two years, during which time a number of countries have transferred Russian-made equipment to Ukraine. Which countries violated the agreements with the Russian Federation in this way? How is the future work with these partners going?
– Rosoboronexport and the Federal Customs Service of Russia are closely monitoring the facts of unauthorized transfer of Russian military products to third countries. If this is confirmed, appropriate measures are being taken both in the field of military-technical cooperation and in interstate relations in general. For example, licenses for the right to repair Russian military equipment are revoked from enterprises of the offending state, and supplies of spare parts and components for military products are suspended.
