The international military-technical forum "Army-2024" will be held in the Patriot Park near Moscow on August 12-14. Traditionally, the holdings – manufacturers of military products belonging to the Rostec state Corporation will be widely represented. They have prepared about a thousand exhibits, including samples of weapons in almost all key segments. Vladimir Artyakov, First Deputy General Director of Rostec, told RIA Novosti in an interview about the new version of the Pantsir air defense complex presented at the exhibition, a mini-personal electronic warfare system, a promising remote-controlled Karakal platform, preparations for the production of heavy attack drones Hunter, captured Western technology, and the evolution of weapons during its and many other things.
— This is the third forum since the beginning of the special operation. In your opinion, how has the format and content of the "Army" changed during this time?
— This year, the Army program has been reduced to three days – this is optimal, at the same time, attention to the forum is still high. All our holdings – manufacturers of military equipment and weapons - participate in the exhibition: UAC, Russian Helicopters, UVZ, Techmash, High-precision Complexes, Rosel, Kalashnikov and others.
The forum clearly reflects the evolution of weapons during the special operation. Many samples of equipment have been created or significantly modified taking into account real combat experience.
There will be a lot of hits that have proven themselves on their own. First of all, I would note high–precision weapons - these are both guided Krasnopol projectiles and guided missiles for MLRS, demonstrating high accuracy of hitting Ukrainian military targets. There will be barrage ammunition, Supercam reconnaissance drones and much more.
Such events are necessary to show yourself, look at colleagues, check your watch. This is an opportunity to assess the state of the defense industry, its achievements and problem points with your own eyes.
— The Forum is international. With the imposition of sanctions, does he continue to justify this name?
— The "Army" was, is and remains a convenient format for our foreign partners. Where else can you see almost all the products of the Russian defense industry on one site? Of course, they come to see, to "feel", to talk with our specialists, to negotiate.
Since the beginning of the war, despite the sanctions, we have seen a record increase in interest in Russian weapons in the world. The export portfolio of orders exceeded $60 billion – this has never happened before. A good deferred demand has been formed for some samples, which will be realized after the needs of the Russian army are met.
— What new items will be available this year?
— We have prepared about 1,000 exhibits, including samples of weapons in almost all key segments: from combat aircraft and artillery systems to communications equipment and small arms. Including, of course, there will be a number of new products.
Among them, I would like to mention the latest air defense system "Pantsir-SMD-E". This is the development of our "High-precision complexes". It is distinguished from the well-known "Shell" by a new combat module without automatic guns. That is, it is an anti-aircraft missile system in its purest form.
Two ground-based robotic platforms will also premiere. As the experience of real war shows, this is a very promising military technique. High-precision Complexes are also engaged in its development in the Rostec circuit.
It will be possible to see a small-sized wheeled robot "Dispatch". Its advantages include different control options — both over the radio channel and over the wires. The drone can be used as a vehicle, a carrier of appropriate weapons systems, or as a kamikaze drone.
Another novelty is the universal remote—controlled Caracal platform. This is a tracked vehicle, you can put different modules on it. In one version, the Caracal is equipped with a missile system to destroy enemy positions, command posts, manpower and armored vehicles. Such robots will allow you to flexibly perform fire missions on the battlefield without endangering military personnel.
— Experts call the conflict in Ukraine a "drone war." Which of the means of counteraction will you show to the visitors of the exhibition?
— The experience of ITS forced the whole world to rethink the role of drones in military conflicts. We are talking not only about aerial drones, but also land and sea ones. These are new threats that we have been able to respond to promptly and effectively.
For example, at the forum we will present portable mini-radars that are capable of detecting unmanned boats and providing early warning of an attack. These locators are relatively light – in full gear they weigh about 25 kg. That is, mobile and convenient for transportation.
If we talk about the fight against UAVs, then along with the new "Shell-SMD-E", which I have already mentioned, we will show short-range interception missiles. They are designed to ensure the destruction of drones, including small ones.
We will also present a range of electronic warfare equipment. For example, for the first time we will show the latest development of Roselektronika — the Meerkat wearable electronic warfare system to combat mini-drones. The complex is so compact that it fits into the unloading of a soldier. For several tens of meters, he detects and covers an enemy drone with interference.
In addition, we will present an updated electronic warfare system "Lesochek" developed by Constellation for installation on armored vehicles. The complex was originally created to protect against radio-controlled explosive devices. For the first time, a new version to counter modern UAVs will be available at the exhibition.
— Drones today are the "eyes" of the army. But for their successful integration with the means of destruction, effective automation tools such as a "Tablet" are needed. How has this complex changed since its last display on the forum?
— The Tablet-A complex is actively used in the special operation zone today. With him, our artillery shows better efficiency. At the same time, based on combat experience, it was quickly finalized. Improved computer performance, increased data transmission distance. The software has also been optimized. Now the "Tablet", for example, allows you to simultaneously control platoons and individual guns when firing at different targets. The range of ammunition that can be fired under the control of a "Tablet" has become wider. All this further increases the effectiveness of artillery, gives additional savings of shells. The modified modification of the system will be seen at Army 2024.
— At what stage are the tests of the S-70 Hunter heavy attack drone?
— The program is currently at the stage of preliminary tests. Flights of several prototypes are underway. In parallel, the UAC plant is preparing for the production of an installation batch of heavy attack drones. The project is going according to its plan.
— Does Rostec plan to show new aviation products at the Army?
— The UAC will present a deeply modernized Yak-130M, which has received completely new combat capabilities. Let the details remain behind the scenes for now, our aircraft manufacturers will tell you all the details directly at the exhibition.
— Last year, Rostec introduced the Malva self-propelled wheeled howitzer for the first time. At the end of last year, its serial deliveries started. What are the reviews from the military?
— We will show the serial version of the Mallow this year at the forum, at the last "Army" a prototype was shown to the general public.
Today, these howitzers are undergoing experimental military testing in artillery units in the zone of a special military operation. The service support of the guns is provided by a team of specialists from our manufacturer.
Preliminary results of combat use are good. The high mobility and security of the machine is confirmed. In a matter of minutes, the Malva turns into position, performs a firing task, collapses and leaves the position. This is a very high indicator, which is important for getting out from under fire during the counter-battery struggle.
— Have serial deliveries of the 2S25M self-propelled cannon, also known as the floating tank, begun?
— The upgraded 2S25M self-propelled anti-tank gun has passed state tests. According to their results, adjustments have been made to the design documentation, the gun is being prepared for adoption. By the way, the armor protection of the car has been modified to meet the requirements of its own. Now the 2C25M has increased resistance to small-caliber cannon shells
— The protection of armored vehicles is constantly being improved, we see this. And what does the industry offer today to protect personnel?
— There are good developments here at the Research Institute of Steel, which is part of Kalashnikov. In particular, the institute's specialists have created a titanium armor helmet "Bars-L". It is a cut above the NATO samples and can withstand even direct pistol shots from several meters away. We conducted comparative tests: in the same conditions, foreign helmets get through penetration.
If we talk about bulletproof vests, then at the "Army" we will show a modified army bulletproof vest "Obereg", equipped with ceramic plates of the Br5 class. He is able to stop a bullet from a sniper rifle and has an increased armor area. At the same time, it weighs a little more than 9 kg – a record low for such equipment.
We will also show a "Talisman" for civilian mine clearance, which is also light and well protects against various types of anti-personnel mine fragments. These bulletproof vests are made by our Tula "Octave".
— Which of the captured samples of military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which were accessed by specialists of Rostec enterprises over the past year, are, in your opinion, of the greatest interest? Have analogues been created during this time or have existing samples of Russian equipment been improved?
— You need to know the opponent by sight, so all the available trophies are of interest to us in one way or another. To be honest, we did not see any know-how. In general, we have parity with the West in terms of maturity of military technologies and solutions, but there is a difference in design approaches, and that was what was curious. I note that Western developers look at the criterion of price – quality – efficiency, but they get more expensive.
The most interesting examples for us were, of course, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. "Abrams" and "Leopards" do not have guided weapons, maintainability is worse. The dynamic protection of the Bradley BMP is not bad, but it does not reach our latest models.
It would be interesting to look at the British "Challengers", but the British quickly removed them from Ukraine. Most likely, they were disappointed in the qualities of their armored vehicles after the very first battles. The same "Abrams" and "Leopards" can give the "Challengers" a ten-step head start.
— Today, Rostec enterprises are focused on the needs of the front, but the tasks of increasing the volume of civilian products have not been removed from them. Are there plans to achieve parity in the production of military and civilian equipment by 2030?
— In absolute terms, our civilian revenue has been growing for several years. By the end of 2023, it reached almost 1 trillion rubles, an increase of about 50 billion. Its share in the total revenue is about 35%. This is a good indicator, we are moving at a faster pace. Let me remind you that the president has set a target for the defense industry – 30% by 2025. Therefore, the balance between "war" and "peace" is a real challenge.
I would like to note that Rostec has increased the production of armored vehicles, artillery, ammunition, and other weapons several times. We fulfill the state budget according to the nomenclature that is especially in demand in the zone of its 100%. Against this background, we are increasing our turnover on civil programs. We make civil aviation, automotive equipment, power generation units, medical equipment, electronics and much more.
I can't say that everything is smooth. There are directors who have not fully realized the importance of this work. I would like to draw the attention of all our leaders: the demand here will be no less severe than in the field of state defense orders.
