By Htet Myat
(CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY)
THE tank features a new turret, upgraded power & transmission systems and chassis, and an enhanced level of armour protection. Its highly automated weapon station is equipped with a multispectral gunner’s sight and a commander’s panoramic sight. This enables the commander not only to get more information about the situation but also to control the armament of the combat vehicle. The weapon station is equally suitable for installation on new-built combat vehicles, as well as for the modernization of equipment produced in previous years.”
“The BMPT-72 is based on the idea of converting the decommissioned T-72 tanks into a new high-performance combat vehicle. It gives a unique opportunity to nearly 50 states and countries armed with the most produced tank of our time, the T-72, to quickly and at minimal cost turn their armies into a super-modern powerful, mobile, highly protected and well-armed force without purchasing new expensive armoured vehicles. Moreover, if there is a repair base, the necessary equipment and tooling, the modernization of tanks into the BMPT-72 can be carried out on the customer’s territory.”
The High Precision Systems holding company has shown the Kornet-EM mobile day/night precision-guided long-range missile system with a jam-resistant laser-beam riding control system designed to counter ground and air targets. The firing range reaches 10 km, and two targets can be engaged simultaneously.
Also, High Precision Systems showcased the Planshet-M-IR mobile automatic gun/mortar/MRL fire control system. This is a compact portable system compatible with all types of Russian UAVs and can be integrated into other control systems.
The Kalashnikov Concern presented the latest models of combat and civilian small arms, missile and artillery weapons and special equipment, overalls and unmanned aerial vehicles at Army 2022. Presentations of the AK-308 assault rifle, Chukavin sniper rifle, PPK-20 Kalashnikov submachine gun, and an improved version of the AK-12 assault rifle were held during the forum.
A feature of this year’s exhibition was the demonstration of a wide range of weapons for special operations units. Among the exhibit items were: the VSS special silenced rifle designed to defeat live targets protected by fragment-proof vests and riding in soft-skinned vehicles under conditions requiring silent and flameless firing; SR.3M compact and lethal modernized assault rifle specially designed for special operations units; SR.1M, one of the world’s most lethal pistols providing reliable defeat of live targets with penetration of a fragment-proof vest or a steel military helmet at ranges up to 100 metres; a wide variety of Lobaev and ORSIS long-range rifles.
Rosoboronexport also showed the PTKM-1R smart top-attack anti-tank mine. The PTKM-1R can selectively engage armoured vehicles and singles out only those that meet the specified parameters in terms of noise and ground vibrations.
Naval weapons
A wide range of strike and defensive systems, primarily developed by the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation and Almaz-Antey Corporation, was showcased in the naval weapons segment at Army 2022.
The UGST universal deepsea homing torpedo presented by KTRV can be fired from 533 mm torpedo tubes fitted to submarines and surface ships. A distinctive feature of the UGST torpedo is its modular design with multi-level customization potential, which enables its quick integration with the naval platform taking into account the specifics of employment. Its range is up to 50 km.
The PAKET-E/NK is a unique compact Russian anti-submarine system that combines attack and defensive capabilities. It is designed both to destroy submarines in the near field of the ship and torpedoes already fired at the ship. The PAKET-E/NK includes a control system, a dedicated sonar station, and two modular launchers with small-sized thermal torpedoes and anti-torpedoes. This configuration makes it possible to destroy a submarine attacking the ship and torpedoes it fired in one engagement cycle. Owing to its small dimensions, the system can be easily adapted to ships of different displacements.
The Shtil-1multichannel shipbased medium-range SAM system, presented by the Almaz-Antey, provides all-round collective protection of naval groups or convoys, as well as individual protection of the ships carrying the system against attacks by anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, boats and ships. The system has a variable configuration and can simultaneously engage two to twelve targets, depending on the number of radio searchlight radars in the configuration. The modular design of equipment and instrumentation ensures a high level of survivability of the SAM system, ease of maintenance and operational use. At the exhibition, the Shtil-1 SAM system was demonstrated in the form of a scale model.
During the Army 2022 Forum, the Russian state special exporter Rosoboronexport and the Marine Instrumentation Corporation signed a joint action programme to promote naval equipment in the external market in 2022-2027.
“Following the key trend in the global arms market, we have placed special emphasis in the programme on the expansion of industrial cooperation. Under the signed programme, Rosoboronexport will offer its foreign partners solutions for adapting Russian equipment to naval platforms being upgraded and built at national shipyards. In addition, we will promote various formats of joint development and manufacture of naval weapons based on the latest Russian pieces of armament,” said Alexander Mikheev, Director-General of Rosoboronexport.
The signed programme aims to promote the Bal-E and RubezhME coastal defence missile systems, various coastal surface and air surveillance radars, combat management systems, control and data exchange systems, shipborne radars, sonar and fire extinguishing equipment, as well as ship and submarine crew trainers.
Air defence
A wide range of air defence systems is traditionally showcased at Russian defence exhibitions – it is obvious that Russia has particularly serious baggage of experience and competencies in this segment. At Army 2022, Almaz-Antey Corporation unveiled a modular target acquisition radar system from the Viking mobile SAM system. This system could be seen consisting of the 9S38E modular target acquisition radar (exhibited for the first time), the 9A317ME TELAR, 9A316ME and 9A383E TELs. The Corporation stressed that the Viking system is capable of engaging current and emerging tactical and strategic aircraft, including those made using stealth technology, tactical and cruise missiles, helicopters, reconnaissance and strike complexes and unmanned aerial vehicles, and radio-contrast ground and surface targets. At the same time, the Viking can effectively operate in a heavy jamming and counter-fire environment. Its maximum range is 65 km.
The stationary fighting compartment of the Sosna automated short-range SAM system was demonstrated at the forum. The system is designed to counter almost all air threats, including precision-guided weapons like cruise missiles and guided airlaunched missiles. The system uses 12 Sosna-R high-speed precision missiles (the same as used in the Palma naval air defence missile/gun system). The missiles have a small weight which made it possible to exclude a transporter/ loader vehicle from the SAM system. The Sosna can be mounted on various chassis and is available in a modular version. In the segment of long-range air defence systems, Almaz-Antey showcased the latest Antey-4000 air defence missile system (ADMS). The maximum range against aerodynamic targets is 380 km.
In addition to the well-known Pantsir-S1 SPAAGM system, High Precision Systems presented to the guests of the exhibition its newest Verba MANPADS which is resistant to modern types of jamming and has the fire-and-forget principle of operation. It offers increased capabilities against low-heat-signature targets. The range is up to 6 km.
New developments were also presented in the field of special electronic warfare systems designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles. The novelty of the year was the RB-504A-E system presented by Rosoboronexport, which is capable of neutralizing short- and medium-range UAVs.
The Repellent-Patrol mobile electronic warfare system for countering small-sized UAVs can carry out multi-channel suppression of their communication links and effectively counter a swarm of UAVs. The UAV communication link detection range is 25 km. As noted in Russia, Repellent Patrol has expanded capabilities to identify and counter commercial UAVs. It can be supplied in both mobile and fixed versions. A version of a wheeled chassis was exhibited at the exhibition.
