Russia and Ukraine May Resume An-124 Production

Russia and Ukraine have worked out a draft international agreement to resume serial production of the An-124 aircraft and are currently coordinating technical details. This came in a statement by Yury Boyko, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, at the MAKS-2013 air show.

According to the Ukrainian official, this agreement is likely to be signed at a session of the Economic Cooperation Committee under the Ukrainian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission. “We’ll have a huge market and will be able to manufacture as many An-124 planes as to make it economically attractive. It will boost not only the producer company, but also a range of other enterprises involved in this program,” the press service stated.

It should be noted that Moscow and Kiev had agreed to set up a joint venture to implement this project. Ukraine can contribute technology and innovations, while Russia will provide funding and sales market.

“We’re interested in launching the joint venture as soon as possible. Russia and Ukraine have their own developments. If we join our efforts properly, it will certainly have a positive effect,” Mr. Boyko concluded.

Russia and ITER Conclude New Supply Agreement

Russia and ITER International Organization have concluded another agreement on the supply of diagnostic equipment for an experimental thermonuclear reactor which is currently being built in France. This was declared by Osamu Motojima, Director General of ITER Organization, at a conference held in the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center.

“ITER project enters a stage of full-scale construction. We have started performing the work to manufacture components. We have already signed over 85% of supply agreements with our international partners, and I am pleased to announce the signing of another agreement with Russia on the supply of diagnostic equipment for the ITER,” Mr. Motojima stated in his speech at the opening of the round table.

ITER is the world’s first international thermonuclear experimental reactor which is currently being built in France by efforts of the European Union, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States. ITER is designed for demonstrating the possibility of creating an inexhaustible, safe and clean energy source. Russian experts have been ordered to manufacture 19 high-technology systems for future installation.

Rosoboronexport Inks Contracts with Italian Companies

Rosoboronexport has signed five new agreements with two Italian companies for projects in the field of special aircraft. In particular, two agreements were signed with Selex (Finmeccanica) to ensure the proper operation of Be-200 and An-140-100 aircraft equipped with radio electronic complexes. The third agreement is related to the delivery of Topaz-M ground complex designed for flight data processing.

It should be noted that the fourth agreement aimed at organizing joint production of new Be-103 amphibian aircraft modification, intended for special divisions, was signed with Selex (Finmeccanica and OMASUD). The fifth agreement was concluded with OMASUD to create the conditions for joint production of a new light amphibian aircraft on the basis of the Be-112.

“These agreements are aimed at ensuring joint creation and promotion of the newest aviation complexes meeting the requirements of potential customers. These aircraft will be in demand among the states with extensive maritime boundaries and problem waters,” Alexander Mikheyev, Deputy Director General of Rosoboronexport, commented.

Russian Shipyard Starts Work on New Missile Boat for Caspian Fleet

The construction work has begun on the sixth attack missile boat for the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla. The corresponding statement was made by a representative of the Zelenodolsk shipyard on Thursday.

It’s worth noting that the shipyard, based in Russia’s Tatarstan Republic, is now building the series of six missile boats under a contract with the Defence Ministry signed in 2010. All the boats are due to enter service with the Caspian Fleet. The first two missile corvettes, the Grad Sviyazhsk and the Uglich, were floated out on June 22 and August 22, respectively. Another three, the Veliky Ustyug, the Zelyony Dol and the Serpukhov, are currently under construction.

“The sixth boat has been named the Vyshny Volochek,” the shipyard official stated without specifying when the ships would be completed or what the total construction costs would be.

It should be noted that the Project 21631 (Buyan-M) corvette has a displacement of 949 tons and a maximum speed of 25 knots. It is armed with Kalibr (SS-N-27) anti-ship missiles, 100-mm and 30-mm guns, as well as Igla-1M air defence missiles.

Ansat Receives IAC Certificate

The new Ansat light multi-purpose helicopter with the hydromechanical control system has obtained a certificate of the Interstate Aviation Committee. The ceremony was held at the MAKS-2013 international air show. The certificate confirms that the helicopter Ansat meets the requirements of design and aviation rules and regulations, thus making it possible to initiate commercial exploitation of these helicopters.

Kazan Helicopter Plant, the designer and manufacturer of the Ansat helicopter, started the certification process for a civil version with the hydraulic control system in 2011. For the earlier introduction of the helicopter in the market, it was decided to adjust the Ansat program with regard to the traditional requirements for a helicopter hydromechanical system.

According to experts, the modernized Ansat version has a number of important advantages over similar products of its type. The helicopter is reliable and easy to use; it can be operated in different climatic conditions and does not require hangar storage. The new Ansat has already been presented in key markets, including CIS countries, the countries of South-East Asia, Africa and Latin America.

ISS Completes KazSat-3 Communications Satellite

The construction of the new KazSat-3 communications satellite for Kazakhstan is reaching its completion. The launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2014. This information was presented by Nikolay Testoyedov, General Designer of Information Satellite Systems named after M.F. Reshetnev.

It’s worth noting that KazSat-3 communications satellite is being created on the basis of the modern Express-1000N platform developed by Information Satellite Systems. Its capacity equals to 28 Ku-band transponders that will provide communications services in the territory of Kazakhstan.

“Under the contract, KazSat-3 is to be launched in the first quarter of 2014. The specialists are currently being trained in Kazakhstan. We meet all the requirements both for the satellite and the ground-based management system,” Mr. Testoyedov emphasized.

It should be noted that KazSat-2 was launched on July 16 and is designed for television broadcasting and data transmission in the territory of Kazakhstan, Central Asia and Central Part of Russia. The satellite was put into regular operation in November 2011.

Airbus and VSMPO-AVISMA Ink Addendum to Cooperation Agreement

Airbus and VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation have signed another Addendum to the existing contract valid till 2020 for delivery of forgings for A320neo and A350-1000.

“This contract is considered to be another step in strengthening our cooperation with VSMPO-AVISMA. In 2013, we are celebrating a very important milestone, i.e. 20 years of cooperation with our strategic partner in Russia, which reflects our technical and commercial relationship very well,” Olivier Cauquil, Senior Vice President for Materials and Parts Procurement at Airbus, stated.

It should be noted that VSMPO-AVISMA is a key supplier of titanium for Airbus, providing over 60% of the company’s demand in this material. The companies began to cooperate in the 1990s, when the first agreements for supply of raw materials were signed. Over time, a range of purchased products has changed to include machined parts of higher added value. Signing of this Addendum represents a development of the basic contract between the companies and is in line with the intention of both companies to expand cooperation towards value-added products, including machining and supply of near-net shaped parts.

Ruselprom to Supply Motors for Leningrad NPP

Russia’s Ruselprom Concern has won a tender of Rosatom State Corporation to supply motors for the Leningrad NPP-2. Following the results of tender procedures, Ruselprom will deliver two 4AZMA high-voltage asynchronous motors (5000/6000 UHL4). These motors are intended to be used with the pump equipment in nuclear power plants, including feed and condensate pumps.

According to Alexander Plotnikov, Director of the Directorate for Nuclear Energy at Ruselprom Trade House, the basic requirement of the customer for supplied products consists in its compatibility with existing equipment. “Nuclear facilities are considered to be high-risk objects, so the manufacturers of electrical equipment for nuclear power plants shall comply with all safety standards,” Alexander Plotnikov commented, adding that motors for the Leningrad NPP will be manufactured at the Leningrad Electric Machine Engineering Plant, one of the production sites at Ruselprom Concern.

Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant is an operating nuclear power plant located in Leningrad Region. Its construction was started in 1967, with power units being commissioned successively in 1975, 1979, and 1981.

UAC to Double Production Output by 2015

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation plans to double its output by 2015 to reach 350 billion rubles. This statement was made by Mikhail Pogosyan, President of United Aircraft Corporation, at a news conference in the town of Zhukovsky, Moscow Region.

“By 2020, the company’s output will exceed 600 billion rubles, and by 2025, the corporation’s production will be worth 800 billion rubles, which is equivalent to 300 jets, including 150 civil aircraft,” Mr. Pogosyan commented.

According to the President of United Aircraft Corporation, the diversified policy will enable Russia to become a global leader in the aircraft production. It is necessary to increase labor productivity and wages in order to achieve this goal.

“The wages are slightly above the regional average at a majority of UAC companies. It is 15-20% higher at the enterprises in Irkutsk and Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Our task is to have similar figures at other companies. We plan to increase average monthly wages to more than 40,000 rubles by 2015. At leading UAC companies, they might reach from 60,000 to 70,000 rubles,” Mr. Pogosyan concluded.

Russia Dominating Multi-Role Fighter Sales Market

Russia is the world’s leading exporter of new multi-role fighter jets. This information was presented by the Center for Analysis of Global Arms Trade.

According to figures from Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport, when calculated in volume terms, Russia was the market leader for the supply of multi-role fighter jets in 2009-2012. In that four-year period, Russia supplied 224 new jets worth about $9 billion.

Russia has enjoyed most of its combat aircraft sales success in Asia in the last decade, winning orders from India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, but has also broken into the South American market with a deal to sell Su-30 fighters to Venezuela. Most of the ordered aircraft included Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 series jets, but some MiG-29 fighters and Yak-130 combat trainers have also been sold.

Russia is expected to maintain its leading position through 2016, based on predicted sales that include a potential deal with China for 24 Sukhoi Su-35s, a new contract with Vietnam for 12 Su-30MK2s, and a possible deal with Syria for 24 MiG-29M/M2s.