The head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) Dmitry Shugaev told reporters about the interest of foreign states in Russian air defense systems. He said that the organization received 15 requests for the supply of the Pantsir-C1 anti-aircraft missile-cannon complex (ZRPK).
“Due to the versatility and high efficiency, many countries are interested in this complex. In total, Pantsir-C1 has over 15 requests from foreign customers, including several from the Middle East, ”said Shugaev during the Dubai Airshow 2019 international aerospace show, which opened on November 17.
Russian air defense missile systems are in service with Algeria, Iraq, Syria, the UAE, Oman, Jordan and Brazil. According to Shugaev, Russia is currently working with the United Arab Emirates on the issue of modernizing the previously delivered Shell-C1.
Also, the FSMTC did not rule out that Russia would take part in building the national air defense system of Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Moscow and Riyadh signed a contract for the supply of the S-400 Triumph long-range anti-aircraft missile system (SAM), the conditions for the entry into force of this agreement are being agreed upon. In the future, the kingdom may receive other means of defense.
“With Saudi Arabia, the preliminary plan discusses the possibilities for the development of their national air defense system using Russian systems and systems,” the FSMTC noted.
"Analyze the results of combat use"
In an interview with RT in September, Dmitry Shugaev said that the portfolio of orders of Middle Eastern countries for the sale of Russian military products is $ 20 billion with a total volume of $ 55 billion. As expected by the head of the Federal Customs Service, the importance of the region for domestic arms exports will increase. In particular, the Russian Federation expects to expand military-technical cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.
At the Dubai Airshow 2019, Russia presented a wide range of weapons: Su-35S, Su-57E, MiG-35, Su-32 (Su-34), Yak-130 aircraft, Mi-28NE and Mi-171Sh, Mi-35M, Mi helicopters -26, Mi-38, Ka-52, Ka-29, S-400 air defense systems, the upgraded Shell-S1M, Tor-M2KM, Buk-M2E and Buk-M3 (Viking) .
Also at the air show, the latest Russian systems for countering small and ultra-small drones and a new radar station (RLS) for observing Sula space objects were demonstrated. The total area of the Russian exposition exceeds 750 square meters. m
- Exhibition stand with Russian military products
- © ROSTEC
“We expect a huge interest in Russian developments in the field of anti-drones. Unfortunately, the Middle East was one of the first regions in the world to learn about the reality of the threat posed by small and ultra-small drones that fell into the hands of terrorists, ”said Rosheboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheev before starting Dubai Airshow 2019.
In mid-September, objects of the Saudi company Saudi Aramco were attacked by drones and cruise missiles. After the impact, Saudi Arabia’s daily oil production temporarily fell by 5.7 million barrels. Yemeni rebels claimed responsibility for the sabotage, but Riyadh blamed the attack on Iran.
“The attack on Saudi Aramco’s facilities caused a huge commotion, and not only in the Saudi kingdom. This incident demonstrated how enormous damage can be done by very primitive means. I think that protection from them has become a headache for the governments of many states in the region. To prevent such sabotage, a new approach to the organization of air defense is required, ”Kornev believes.
As the expert predicts, it is likely that the countries of the Middle East will turn, first of all, to the Russian experience of repelling drone attacks that regularly occur in Syria at the Khmeimim air base. In addition to shock drones, domestic anti-aircraft systems shoot down rockets of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, as of the end of September since the beginning of this year, the calculations of the air defense systems of the Russian army intercepted 58 UAVs and destroyed 27 terrorist shells. As the official representative of the military department Igor Konashenkov emphasized, "the effectiveness of the defeat is close to one: one goal - one missile."
“It is obvious that Middle Eastern countries, including such wealthy players as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, are analyzing the results of the combat use of Russian weapons in general and air defense in particular. In the Syrian operation, hundreds of samples were checked, most of the identified deficiencies were eliminated, many samples were modernized or are in the process of updating, ”Kornev explained.
Based on the results of combat use in Syria, the expert expects demand from Middle Eastern states for domestic radars, air defense systems, aircraft, electronic warfare (EW), automated control systems (ACS), anti-tank systems and armored vehicles.
“An important advantage of Russian weapons, for example, air defense systems, is that they can be interfaced with foreign equipment. In addition, according to some characteristics, domestic export samples are often more effective than foreign analogues, ”Kornev added.
In competition with the USA
From the statements of Dmitry Shugaev at Dubai Airshow 2019, it follows that the Middle East states have a great interest in aviation technology. In particular, supplies of Su-35 fighters and the development of a new aircraft based on the MiG-29 are being discussed with Saudi Arabia. Also, regarding cooperation in the field of combat aviation, Moscow is in talks with Ankara.
“As for the development of promising aircraft, the parties (Russia and Turkey. - RT ) are currently conducting technical negotiations on a 4 ++ generation aircraft, as well as the first test consultations on the fifth generation. Given the existing competencies in the production of our fifth generation aircraft (Su-57), Russia could participate in this project (referring to the program of the promising Turkish fighter TF-X. - RT ), ”said Shugaev.
- The fifth-generation Russian multifunctional fighter Su-57
- © Vladimir Astapkovich / RIA News
The head of the FSVTS emphasized that the question of the possible supply of the Su-57 could only be considered upon reaching the "initial needs" in this fighter of the Russian Aerospace Forces. In August, at the MAKS-2019 (Zhukovsky) air show, Russian President Vladimir Putin demonstrated a domestic aircraft to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
On November 14, The Wall Street Journal reported that Egypt intended to continue the purchase of Russian military aircraft. The article, in particular, mentioned the Su-35 fighter. According to the newspaper, having learned of such intentions, the Pentagon and the US State Department sent a joint letter to Cairo, in which they threatened with sanctions in case of new contracts with the Russian Federation.
Military expert Yuri Knutov noted that Middle Eastern states are under powerful political pressure from the United States. However, in his opinion, Washington’s threats will not take effect on Egypt, Algeria, the UAE and other traditional partners of the Russian Federation in the region. In addition, Turkey is likely to continue military-technical cooperation with Moscow.
“The Middle Eastern states that constantly buy our weapons, as well as Ankara, are unlikely to yield to the Americans. True, negotiations and deals with Saudi Arabia could be in jeopardy. Her interest in Russian weapons is obvious, but Washington’s influence on Riyadh is extremely large. For decades, Saudi Arabia has remained the main buyer of overseas weapons, ”Knutov explained.
However, in general, the expert positively assesses the prospects for the development of Russian arms exports in the Middle East. The competitive advantages of the Russian Federation are the relatively low price of products, their quality and the transparent nature of transactions.
“Russia, unlike the United States, supplies weapons without the so-called bookmarks, which allow the seller to turn export military equipment into a pile of iron. Also, Moscow often meets partners in the field of technology transfer and production localization. In the current situation, the demand for weapons in the Middle East will increase, and our country has a good opportunity to conclude new major contracts, ”Knutov summed up.