Russia seeks international naval partners

Rostec’s Rosoboronexport is looking to tap into foreign naval export opportunities at the IMDS 2019 International Maritime Defense Show in St Petersburg, Rostec announced on 9 July.

Rosoboronexport is seeking technology transfer partners for its naval hardware capabilities in ships of different classes, ranging from ocean-going ships to patrol and assault landing craft, as well as weapons and support equipment.

A number of Russian-built ships are on display at the event, including the Project 22800E Karakurt-E small missile ship, along with a full-scale Rubezh-ME coastal missile system and 57mm AU-220M automatic lightweight gun mount.

Other equipment being highlighted by the group includes the Gepard-3.9 frigate and the Project 20382 Tigr corvette in a new export configuration; Project 12701E coastal mine countermeasures ship; Project 22160 patrol ship; Project 12150 Mangust speed patrol craft; BK-16 transport/landing craft; as well as Project 636 and Amur-1650 submarines equipped with Club-S cruise missile systems.

Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport, said: ‘Rosoboronexport sees the growth and deepening of market interest in integrated servicing of the supplied weapons and military equipment, including naval hardware.

‘The Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is an example. Since ship delivery in 2013, its crew has been provided with qualified technical support in the maintenance and repair of shipboard equipment, regular supply of the necessary spare parts has been organised, and retrofitting of the corresponding onshore infrastructure has been underway. In 2020, Rosoboronexport and Sevmash, which is prime contractor, will take an active part in the upcoming scheduled maintenance of the aircraft carrier and upgrade of some its systems and complexes.’