Russian Military Cooperation

Russian Military Cooperation: Three-Prong Approach

Traditionally the Russian military cooperation was considered as one-prong approach: the sale of Russian made military hardware to foreign countries with minimum purchase level of foreign equipment like thermal vision equipment (by THALES). Today in the frame of ongoing military reform in the Russian Army much more often the military cooperation is assessed as two-prong approach with deviation towards the purchase not only equipment but technologies and military hardware itself. The shining example of it is the ongoing negotiations on the Mistral (the Mistral (L9013) is an amphibious assault ship a type of helicopter carrier of the French Navy).

Together with negotiations on Mistral, a reasonable question comes up, whether the Russian Federation is able to purchase military technologies and weapon systems abroad and at the same time provide proper country security level as well as support and develop domestic military industrial complex. As it could be seen the problem is very complicated one as well as it needs complex approach and analysis.

In 2010 the State-run Armament Program for 2011 – 2020 is supposed to be developed this year. The assigned task is to reach the annual renewal of military hardware at a level of 9-11% It allows to increase the number of modern military hardware in the Russian Army units up to 70% by 2020. It is worth to mention that the State-run Armament Program is linked with the development of the domestic military industrial complex. The allocated money is around one trillion rubles, which makes the Program as a paramount activity.

Import of Foreign Made Components to Provide Export Contracts and Meet Growing Demands of Russian Armed Forces
In late of 90-es in order to fulfill export terms under previously inked contracts, Russia embarked on import of foreign made components.
One of the first outcome of this cooperation was the delivery of the Su-30 MKI (MKI abbreviation stands for Modernized Commercial for India) fighter to India. The fighter was equipped with “international” avionics, made in France and India. The delivery of the first series of the Su-30 MKI fighters was in 2002.
Another interesting and remarkable example of this kind of cooperation is the delivery of 18 Russian Su-30 MKM (the last letter M stands for Malaysia) fighters to Malaysia. The latter itself chose the complete equipment made by foreign companies for the fighter. For instance, 120 million Euro were allocated to avionics by THALES.
The similar situation formed over the MiGs export deliveries, such as MiG-29 K/KUB export to India, Su-30MKA to Algeria etc.
As far as Army is concerned, the cooperation with the THALES company allowed to equip the T-80 and T-90 tanks as well as the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle with thermal imagery device. Today the company provided around one thousand devices to Russia in accordance with the contract forged with “ROSOBORONEXPORT”. In the wake of this contract the Vologda Optical-and-Mechanical plant is said to manufacture thermal imagery devices in cooperation with the French company in this year.

Import of Foreign Made Military Hardware for Russian Armed Forces
If the first aspect of the Russian military cooperation does not stir so many disputes and quarrels, the purchase of weapon systems is a hallmark of the ongoing military reform and the import of foreign made weapons pushes politics, military experts and authorities for hard talks.
The import of foreign made weapons is assessed as a relatively new way of the Russian military cooperation. The conservatives and the followers of the Soviet Union policy point that the level of mutual confidence between Russia and Western Countries is not so high as it could be and the Russian Federation cannot import military hardware especially where it can threaten the national security. This point of view has the right to exist. However the time has changed. In 90-es only the Soviet Union and the United States of America were able to cover all fields of military production without assistance or purchase from foreign states. However this factor in conjunction with others economy factors led to the collapse of USSR, and nowadays Russia is unable to produce military hardware itself and has to opt for partial import of foreign made weapons and armament.
Another important point in the frame of foreign made military hardware is acquisition of license for all arms that are going to be purchased. Without this Russia cannot cover the technological gap in military industry. This is not totally new policy, during its history Russia appealed to foreign technologies.
Before and during WWI Russia massively purchased ships and naval systems, aircrafts, engines, small arms, artillery pieces. Together with military hardware Russia acquired licenses and organized the production of weapons on its territory. During devastating Socialist Revolution and Civil War as well as several years of ill-advised economic reforms young Soviet Union in 30-es faced relatively the same challenges as Tzarist Russia faced in the beginning of the XX century.
The Soviets had to purchase the US made Kristi (M1) tank and its production technologies, later on the Soviet BT-7 was created. It is notable fact that the Kristi's suspension was used at one of the famous T-34 modification. The same story was with the British Vickers tank. On the bases of that tank the Soviet Union produced T-26.
In all cases, and this should be underlined, Russia and the Soviet Union purchased along with military hardware the license to produce it domestically. This policy helped the country several times and the last example is the Victory over Fascists Germany.
Today Russia lagged from some western countries in some areas such as unmanned areal vehicles (however there are some Russian made UAVs that could fully compete with their American or Israeli models; read the article ….......), air-independent propulsion, telecommunications.

Export of Russian Military Hardware Abroad
Along with traditional countries in the Middle East, like Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and in the South East Asia region, like China, India, Malaysia, Vietnam the delivery of the Russian made military hardware to NATO countries is gaining momentum. Well known Russian made small arms under trademark of Kalashnikov, specially designed for the NATO caliber, such as AK-101 and AK-102, have become very popular among the members of North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Some western countries pay great attention towards Russian Anti-Aircraft missile systems, for instance, towards C-300, “BUK” and “TOR”.
Another way of military cooperation with NATO members is modernization of military hardware which is already in service and produced in the Soviet Union. In the first instance this way of military cooperation relates to the new members of the Organization: Poland, Bulgaria and Hungary. At the beginning these countries were eager to get rid of Russian/Soviet heritage including weapons. However the calculations regarding the adoption of the NATO standards cost too much, around 10-15 million US dollars, thereby the modernization is far cheaper. As an example of this fruitful cooperation is deep modernization of the “Msta” self-propelled howitzer which was rebuilt for NATO caliber of 155 mm (Russian caliber is 152 mm).
Today Russian representatives of “ROSOBORONEXPORT” hold negotiations with some NATO members and the outcome is pro missed to be positive. In 2008 Croatia received 10 Mi-171 Sh multipurpose helicopters. The contract with Croatia was inked in 2006.
Unfortunately due to the financial crisis the delivery to Greece of around 400 vehicles was suspended. The deal was considered as the most profitable in the frame of sale of Russian armament to NATO countries.

The Perspectives of Military Cooperation
2009 can be considered as a breakthrough year for military cooperation between Russia and West countries on mutual bases. Moscow is able to offer new technologies in space industry and aircraft industry both in military and civilian fields. Recently the President of the Russian Federation D. Medvedev called for unified anti-ballistic missile defense. Russian designers have great experience in such a field and are able to offer cutting-edge technologies that can be very useful to achieve the common goal.
Specialists share the common vision of promising co-operation in transport aircraft, precision-guided weapon, robotics and weapons remote control systems. In particular Russia has already embarked on cooperation in defense field with France, Italy and Germany. As far as military cooperation with latter is concerned, Russian and German representatives are discussing probability of conducting research and advanced development on warheads for missiles, anti-tank grenade launchers, close combat weapon, radars.
Since 2005 Russian experts have been taking part in NATO's working parties on shipbuilding and usage of naval and maritime aircraft. Along with this cooperation Russia participates in military cooperation in the frame of global war on terrorism. Moscow considers this cooperation far broader than arms export-import relations. The Russian experts underline that the cooperation in this field should endorse joint researches, development, manufacturing and implementing of multipurpose counter-terrorism units as well as its training.
The leading role in this field belongs to ROSOBORONEXPORT which actively involves Russian Defense Industry Complex enterprises in work with NATO institutions and with UN Counter-Terrorism Committee. ROSOBORONEXPORT reckons on establishment of good relations with European Armaments, Research and Military Capabilities Agency in a long run.
Another far reaching cooperation between Russian Federation and European countries could be subcontracting in the frame of international projects aimed at upgrading of the Soviet made or Russian made military hardware which is still in use mainly in East European countries. In this field Russian specialists can offer deep modernization of military hardware which will meet the current challenges. In a long run the optimal model of bilateral relations is industrial cooperation.
The last but not least cooperation with NATO and European countries is based on use of the “Ruslan” An-124-100 the biggest transport aircraft. NATO is planned to take on lease six aircrafts of this type to deliver bulky military cargo in the interest of NATO troops which are involved in the counter-terrorist operations.
In conclusion it is important to mention that in order to achieve fruitful and long run cooperation between Russia and NATO or European countries the normative basis and regulatory structure should be established and shall guarantee the interests of all participants. In particular confidentiality and information protection agreements as well as intellectual property protection agreements must play the paramount role. As far as Russian legislation is concerned in case if Moscow wants to cooperate with the Western countries in the field of defense technologies and research and development works it should be changed and adapted for this kind cooperation. Currently a lot of offers were done in order to carry out some joint projects and programs in the defense field. However they are limited or bounded by the Russian laws.
To overcome the “legislative barrier” Russia plans, and has already done some steps, to organize “round tables” where leading experts are going to be invited to participate in. At the “round tables” the issues on practical cooperation between Russia and NATO countries can be widely discussed that provides a fast-track solving.
I'd like to express the assurance that all problems regarding the military cooperation between Russia and NATO are going to be solved as two sides express mutual interest in such cooperation that will serve for the benefits of all participants.

Russian-Jordan Military Cooperation

Jordan – a path to the Middle East Arms Market

Middle East market is assessed to be on the up trade. The volume of Russian arms, represented on the market, is traditionally very high. During the Soviet Union time a bulk of then up-to-date weapon systems were delivered to Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Yemen etc. The number of Arab-Israel wars encouraged the ammunition and military hardware deliveries. After the collapse of USSR, Russia has been continuing the close relations on the field of military-technical cooperation with the countries where weapons produced by the Soviet Union are used. At the same time Moscow seeks new countries that are interested in the cutting-edge Russian military hardware.
Despite of financial crisis and some features of the Middle East Arms Market, which is characterized by leaps and bounds, the figures of last years are impressed. Based on SIPRI Yearbook 2009 the expenditures on arms purchase in the Middle East increased by 45 % and in 2008 the volume of spending amounted 75.6 billion US dollars. Saudi Arabia was the last but one among 10 top military spenders in 2008 with 38.2 billion-dollar spending. Expanding on arms purchase in Middle East, it worth to mention that the large rise in Iraq was observed in 2008. Another Middle East country, UAE was in the five largest recipients of major conventional weapons within 2004-2008 years.
As was mentioned above the Middle east Arms Market is a very sensitive one. The are several factors that make it like this. The first one is stipulated by the ongoing peace process and in case when a state purchases a modern strike or defense weapon system the overall situation can be aggravated. In this connection USA and Israel are about to go ballistic over Iranian nuclear program, if not already have gone.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and due to the end of Cold War the traditional spheres of influence at the global arms market are getting disappeared, the “borders” are dissolved. It is fair for the Middle East Arms Market as well. A lot of countries of the region, like Jordan or Saudi Arabia tries to diversify the purchasing of military hardware and equipment. However, the traditional big players like Russia, France, Germany, Great Britain and USA try to impede the entrance to the markets they used to exercise full control.
Another factor is appearance of a group of new arms export countries, like Brazil, China Finland, Iran, Israel, South Africa, Turkey etc. Apart of China, which currently dominate in Africa, other countries rapidly penetrate into the Middle East Arms Market, offering sophisticated cutting-edge weapon systems that are in great demand of Arab country's top militaries.
The last but not list peculiarity of the Middle East Arms Market is the tendency to decrease a bulk purchase of military hardware. It could be explained as following. A lot of systems and ammunition delivered last decades are still in good shape and condition. These countries aim at the modernization of its stocks, but at the same time seek new generation weapons, which allow them to save money by purchasing multipurpose strike and defense systems. Firstly, it stems from financial problems caused by the crisis, secondly new generation wars demand integrated and complex systems that can combine both defensive and strike abilities and capabilities.
Several words should be said on the products which dominate on the Middle East Arms Market. The tendency to buy different types of combat airplanes, verity of missile systems, including AA ones, different armed vehicles, artillery systems, ammunition etc will remain. Among these products special-purpose weapon systems have shown up. In the wake of Global War on Terrorism special weapons are widely used by special forces and law enforcement units.
For instance, Russia exports special arms and equipment to more than 50 states mainly in Middle East countries. Advanced weapon systems, manufactured by Russian leading companies, are armed vehicles APCs (BTR-90), IFV's (BMP-3), Armored Mine and Obstacle Clearing Vehicle (BMR-3M), airplanes, ship-based antisubmarine helicopters Ka-28, rescue and search helicopter Ka-27PS as well as small arms specially designed for special forces. Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems are noteworthy to be mentioned as well. Russia offers the Kredo 1E Small-size Multi-purpose Radar and FARA-1 Small-size Warning Radar.
Kredo 1E is intended for the automatic all-weather detection and surveillance of personnel, vehicles, helicopters and armor disposition. It can be used for artillery system fire adjustment by the detection of projectile impact place. FARA-1 is all-weather automatic surveillance radar to detect moving targets (personnel and vehicles) against background of earth and water surfaces.
Jordan stands one of the first countries which is interested in diversification of weapons and shows its interest in Russian arms. During the last visit of King Abdallah II to Moscow, an issue to purchase Russian Anti-Aircraft Systems and aerotechnics was widely discussed. Currently Russia and Jordan exploit Joint Venture for “Hashim” antitank grenade launcher. It shows that Amman does not want to buy weapons but also to produce it, and this opportunity was provided by Russia. Moreover, Jordan will reexport the launcher. Another field of the cooperation is modernization of stocks. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has powerful armored forces totaling over 1,000 M60A1, M60A2, Khalid (Chieften) and Tarig (Centurion) main battle tanks, Scorpion light tanks, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, M113 and BTR-94 armored personnel carriers. The above fleet needs upgrade and partial substitution, which is extremely promising for the Russian and Jordanian cooperation.
Jordan expresses its interest in buying modern airplanes and helicopters. It has already purchased two cargo aircraft Il-76MF and six Ka-226 helicopters.
In conclusion I'd like to mention that despite of difficulties the Russian Federation faces at the Middle East Arms Market the quality, reliability and prices on the Russian weapon systems make them competitive and the SOFEX 2010 is one more show-floor where professionals from all over the world can judge Russian military products on their merits.

Arms Markets

The Russian-Malaysian Military Cooperation Promises Bright Future

The history of the bilateral relations between Russia and Malaysia starts in 1966 when the first direct contacts between representatives of the Soviet Union and Malaysia took place in Moscow in September. Later on, in the wake of the contacts in Moscow Kuala Lumpur hosted a meeting in March 1967. As far as first agreements are concerned, an intergovernmental agreement on air communications was signed in 1969, after that Aeroflot, then Soviet Union Airlines, established a direct link between Moscow and Kuala Lumpur. The same year saw the first Soviet trade and industrial exhibition held in Malaysia. An important event in bilateral relations happened in 1972, when Prime Minister Abdul Razak of Malaysia paid his first official visit to the USSR to sign economic-and-technical and cultural-and-scientific cooperation agreements.
The nowadays history is marked by the visits of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to Russia in 1987 and 2002, as well as his working visits to Khabarovsk and Ulan Ude in 1999. In 2007 Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hold negotiations with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin concerning space and defense cooperation, energy partnership and bilateral trade.
Regarding the visits of some Russian high ranking officials, the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2003 became a landmark event in bilateral relations where their effectiveness was concerned. Noteworthy that the visit was postponed one time. Due to the terrorist attack in Tushino (a Moscow district) in June of 2003, the visit was canceled. The Malaysian authorities fully understood the decision of then President V. Putin. It once again proves the importance of the development of cooperation between two countries.
The most dynamic component of Russian-Malaysian economic relations is cooperation in the aerospace sphere. It is no wonder that the first breakthrough took place in 1994 when the first 18 MiG-29 fighters were delivered. That deal marked the breakthrough of Russia to the South-Asian market and showed that not all countries would follow the United States after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Currently the two countries have been developing the $900 million worth project on acquiring 18 Russian serial Su-30MKM Flanker-C fighters (six of them were delivered in October 2008). The Su-30MKM fighter is very similar to a Su-30MKI version which is delivered to India. However the differences are that the Su-30MKM fighter is not equipped with Israeli avionics, has thrust vectoring nozzle, canard surfaces and a phased array antenna radar.
The chose of Su-30MKM Flanker-C fighters does not mean that Malaysia has not considered MiG-29 as a up-to-date fighter. The decision to purchase 18 Sukhoi jets shows the intention to increase the sector of its defense as the Fulcrums well provide closer sector. The task of the Flankers to enhance Malaysia's strategic capabilities to defend.
The Russia-Malaysia project is also a unique one, as all Russian governmental bodies, such as the Government Ministry of Defense, Defense Export State Corporation Rosoboronexport, Joint-Stock Company Sukhoi Design Bureau etc. A very important role of this project belongs to the Russian President. So huge participation of the state bodies proceeded from the competitors, who also took part in the tender. First of all it was an American fighter, F/A–18E/D.
The success of the Russian companies on the Malaysian market is also stipulated by the verity of military hardware, some Russian enterprises are able to offer, and creation of some service centers, in particular for Su-30MKM Flanker-C.
The bilateral cooperation can be assessed as good and the tendency of the future development offers great opportunities. In 2001 Malaysia bought the “Metis”anti-tank system and in 2002 the “Igla” air-defense system.
As far as future-oriented projects are concern, it is necessary to mention the interest of purchasing the Be-200 and multipurpose amphibious aircraft and Be-103, a seaplane. Both designed by the Beriev Aircraft Company and manufactured by Irkut. The high performances of these planes were tested by Indonesia in 2006, when the authorities decided to rent the Be-200 aircraft for one year, by Azerbaijan EMERCOM, that purchased one Be-200 and by Greece. The latter ordered five planes of this type.
Besides, Malaysia is interested in the Russian combat ships and purchasing of some modern tanks T-90. Rosoboronexport actively participates in tenders for the supply of BTR-90 APC, the “Vodnik” and “Vystrel” 4-wheel drive armored vehicles and the “Avtobaza-M” radio-electronic surveillance system. Malaysia expresses interest in the Russian transport helicopters, Mi-26MT, Mi-171 and Mi-17, as well as in some anti-aircraft systems, such as BUK-M2E and Igla.
In conclusion I'd like to mention that apart of pure military cooperation, Russia and Malaysia actively seek collaboration in commercial space reclamation, development of scientific and technical cooperation in the sphere of advanced technologies, aircraft and shipping development as well as realization of investment projects in Malaysia oriented to local markets and Third Word countries, first of all the ASEAN countries, realization of investment projects in Russia and cooperated promotion in markets of Third World countries.