Saturday, June 27, 2009

DTN News: Russia May Export Up To 40 Diesel Submarines By 2015

DTN News: Russia May Export Up To 40 Diesel Submarines By 2015
*Sources: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - June 27, 2009: Russia could sell up to 40 fourth-generation diesel-electric submarines to foreign customers by 2015, state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday. "Russia's export potential in this market sector is very high thanks to Project 636 and Amur-1650 class submarines equipped with the Club-S integrated missile systems," Rosoboronexport said in a press release. The Project 636 Kilo-class submarine is thought to be one of the most silent submarine classes in the world. It has been specifically designed for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters. Russia has built Kilo-class submarines for India, China and Iran. The Project-677, or Lada-class, diesel submarine, whose export version is known as the Amur 1650, features a new anti-sonar coating for its hull, an extended cruising range, and advanced anti-ship and anti-submarine weaponry. Both submarines are equipped with highly-acclaimed Club-S integrated missile systems. The Club-S submarine cruise missile family includes the 3M-54E1 anti-ship missile and the 3M-14E land-attack versions, with a flight range of 275km (about 170 miles). The missile can be launched from standard torpedo tubes from a depth of 35 to 40 meters (130 feet). Overall, naval equipment constitutes about 10% of the total portfolio of orders of Rosoboronexport, which is estimated at about $30 billion. "By 2010, the share of naval equipment in Russia's arms exports will reach 15%, and by 2011 it will total 20%," said Oleg Azizov, head of Rosoboronexport's delegation at the International Naval Show-2009 in St. Petersburg. India, China, Algeria, Vietnam and Indonesia remain key buyers of Russia's naval armaments. India and China have purchased submarines, frigates and destroyers. Vietnam has ordered Svetlyak-class fast attack boats and frigates, while Indonesia will receive corvettes built in Russia in cooperation with Spanish firms.

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