Russia’s Arms Exports Amount to $ 15.2 Bln in 2012

According to Alexander Fomin, the head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), the Russian arms exports amounted to 15.2 billion dollars in 2012.

At the same time, it’s necessary to mention that in late January Mr. Fomin pointed out that in accordance with preliminary results the corresponding figure was estimated to be equal to 15.16 billion dollars, with the target being exceeded by almost 12%. According to the verified data, the arms exports of the Russian Federation amounted to 15.2 billion dollars last year.

As explained by the director of FSMTC, in January 2013 the arms exports have already reached 1 billion dollars out of 46 billion dollars presented in the dealing portfolio, thus reducing the portfolio amount by 1 billion dollars. “However, we are currently negotiating new contracts. Therefore, the dealing portfolio is a changeable system”, – Alexander Fomin said.

As for the situation in Mali, Mr. Fomin stated that our country is specialized in supplying firearms, such as rifles and grenade launchers, for Mali’s national army.

Tiger-M Armored Vehicle to Be Adopted By Russian Army

The special Tiger-M armored vehicle will be included in the inventory of the Russian Army during the first half of 2013. This statement has been made by Sergey Suvorov, the press-secretary of Military Industrial Company (MIC).

“It is expected that the Tiger-M advanced version of Tiger armored vehicle will be formally adopted by the Russian Army during the first half of 2013,” – Mr. Suvorov said.

According to the information available, Tiger-M has already passed all the state tests and is now being updated to fulfill the customer requirements, including the higher mortar resistance.

Despite the fact that Tiger-M has not yet officially been put into service, it is currently produced at the Arzamas Machine Building Plant for export purposes. In particular, the Tiger armored vehicles are now supplied to the Republic of Congo, Brazil, Uruguay, and Guinea.

The side and rear projections of the Tiger armored vehicle GAZ-233014 are characterized by the 3^rd class of ballistic protection, with the front projection having the 5^th class of protection. The axle arrangement of the vehicle is 4×4, load capacity – 1500 kg, transportation capacity – up to 10 people, unladen weight – 5300 kg, maximum speed – 125-140 km/h, transmission – 6-MKPP or 5-AKPP.

Russian Military Inspectors to Perform Surveillance Flight Over Italy

According to the official information provided by a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, the Russian military inspectors will begin on Monday a surveillance flight over the territory of Italy under the international Open Skies Treaty, which entered into force on January 1, 2002. This agreement, ratified by Russia in May 2001, establishes a regime of unarmed air reconnaissance flights over the territories of its 34 member states to promote openness and transparency of military forces and activities.

During the abovementioned flight, Russian and Italian specialists should operate surveillance onboard equipment in compliance with the provisions of the international Open Skies Treaty.

The group of Russian experts will conduct the inspection flight in the Anotonov An-30B surveillance aircraft, designed and manufactured by Antonov Design Bureau, on February 11-15. The aircraft will take off from the Ciampino airport to cover a total distance of 2,015 kilometers.

This operation will become the Russia’s second observation flight this year within the framework of the Open Skies agreement. Last week a group of Russian military inspectors performed a surveillance flight over Greece.

Bangladesh to Purchase Russian BTR-80

Russia will supply weapons to Bangladesh as part of a 1 billion USD loan granted to the southeastern country. According to Alexander Fomin, the director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), the proper range of items has not yet been determined, with Bangladesh being mostly interested in the purchase of BTR-80 armored personnel carriers.

The credit agreement to the amount of 1 billion USD was signed between Russia and Bangladesh on January 15 after negotiations between Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, and Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

It has been recently reported that Bangladesh also plans to purchase vehicles for the Ground Forces, anti-aircraft missile systems, and Mi-17 helicopters.

It should be noted that the BTR-80 armored personnel carrier, which entered series production in 1984, has been modified several times and is considered to be the main armored personnel carrier of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and some former Soviet republics. The latest model of this armored personnel carrier (BTR-82A) has been accepted for service in February 2013.

Russia Denying Intrusion Into Japanese Airspace

The military spokesman stated Thursday that two Russian fighter jets didn’t violate Japanese airspace and acted within international rules.

According to Alexander Gordeev, the spokesman for the Eastern Military District, all sorties have been strictly controlled by the command and conducted under air traffic control in accordance with the international rules.

The Japanese Defense Ministry earlier said that two Russian combat fighter jets briefly entered the Japan’s airspace just off the northern island of Hokkaido. It was the first time since 2008 that Tokyo has accused Russia of breaching its airspace.

Mr. Gordeev stated that Russian Air Force has conducted several flights over the Sea of Japan as a part of large-scale exercises. Besides, according to the information received, the Pacific Fleet’s naval aviation flies in this region regularly, and in strict compliance with international law, using airspace without violating the borders of other states.

The Japanese government issued a “severe protest” with the Russian Embassy in Tokyo, and it demanded that Moscow investigate.