Latest news with #AleksandrMikheev
Russia Today
24-05-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Russia ranks among top five global arms exporters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the country's formidable position among global arms exporters. He emphasized that being ranked among the world's top five sellers highlights the quality of Russian-made weapons. 'Russia continues to remain among the top five leaders in the global arms market and maintains its leading export positions in many areas,' Putin said on Friday during a meeting on military and technical cooperation. The president stated that the order portfolio for Russian military products amounts to tens of billions of dollars, and he called for a further increase in the volume of exports. Putin highlighted the need to improve cooperation with foreign partners by offering not only specific weapons and equipment but also a broader range of services, in order to boost Russian arms exports in a highly competitive environment. He noted that such services could include 'technological cooperation and the joint development of advanced models, assistance in their repair and modernization, as well as the supply of spare parts and training of foreign professionals.' In November, the CEO of Russia's state-run arms agency Rosoboronexport, Aleksandr Mikheev, told Vedomosti newspaper that the nation's export order portfolio remained at a record level of $55 billion in 2024. He noted that the agency signed contracts for the supply of more than 30 types of modern weapons and military equipment to foreign customers. Earlier this month, the head of the Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, said that Rosoboronexport had signed over 20 contracts worth a total of about $7 billion since the beginning of the current year. In 2024, Russia ranked second in global arms sales, with exports accounting for 12.32% of the international market, according to data compiled by the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT). The US dominated the sector (37.92%), and the other top sellers were France (6.90%), South Korea and Italy (5.10% each).
Russia Today
17-04-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Russia's Kalashnikov looking to expand gun supplies to Indian police
A Russian-Indian joint venture has submitted a bid for a contract to supply Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles to the police force in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport said in a statement on Tuesday. Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), formed by Rosoboronexport and the Kalashnikov Concern along with two state-owned Indian firms – Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited – started manufacturing the rifles in India in 2023. AK-203 rifles are manufactured using Russian technology and certified equipment. They are produced in the town of Korda in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, following the 'Make in India' initiative of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'The capacities of the Korwa Ordnance Factory make it possible to equip the personnel of the Ministry of Defense and other law enforcement agencies of India with AK-203 assault rifles, which, due to their high adaptability, are suitable for various operators,' Rosoboronexport CEO Aleksandr Mikheev said in a statement. In addition, the joint venture will be able to export its products to third countries, according to Mikheev. Manufacturing of AK-203 rifles has progressed rapidly since 2019, when Modi visited the Amethi district where the Korwa ordnance factory is located, reports said. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement in 2019 that 'the new joint venture will manufacture world famous Kalashnikov assault rifles of the newest 200 series and eventually will reach full localization of production. Thus, the Indian defense-industrial sector will have the opportunity to fulfill the needs of national security agencies in this category of small arms, resting upon advanced Russian technologies.' Since then, more than 35,000 Kalashnikovs have been delivered to the Indian Army by the joint venture, Srihari Pratap Shahi, additional CEO of UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), told RT. He added that further manufacturing of nearly 600,000 AK-203 rifles will be spread over ten years. READ MORE: Flying high: The world's 4th-largest military spender is kicking its dependency on foreign weapons UPEIDA is part of the Uttar Pradesh state government, tasked with establishing 'defense industrial corridors' in the northern part of India. Earlier this year, India proposed exporting the AK-203 rifle to Nepal, potentially replacing the outdated INSAS platform, as part of a broader effort to standardize modern assault rifles, according to a report in media outlet ThePrint.
Russia Today
08-03-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
India signs deal with Russia for T-72 tank engines
New Delhi signed a $248 million contract on Friday with Rosoboronexport, the Russian state agency for defense exports, to procure engines for the Indian Army's T-72 tanks. The deal includes technology transfer to support local production under New Delhi's 'Make in India' initiative, which aims to increase self-reliance on domestic defense manufacturing. The agreement includes the procurement of 1,000 horsepower engines for T-72 tanks, the Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement. It noted that the deal includes transfer of technology from Rosoboronexport to India's Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited in Avadi, Chennai, which aims to facilitate the integration and licensed production of the engines domestically, in line with the 'Make in India' initiative. The T-72 has long been the mainstay of the Indian Army's armored fleet, currently equipped with 780 HP engines. Upgrading the tanks with 1,000 HP engines is expected to enhance their battlefield mobility and offensive capabilities, providing a boost to the army's operational effectiveness, the statement said. The agreement highlights the longstanding defense partnership between India and Russia. From 2005 to 2025, Rosoboronexport has signed contracts with India worth $50 billion, with total Russian military equipment supplies to the country reaching $80 billion. Speaking at India's largest aerospace exhibition in February, Rosoboronexport General Director Aleksandr Mikheev described India as 'the most important strategic partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region and one of Rosoboronexport's key partners in the world.' At the air show, Russia presented over 500 defense products, including advanced aircraft, helicopters, engines, and air defense systems, with the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet drawing significant attention. India continues to be one of the largest importers of weapons globally, with Russia serving as a long-term supplier and technological partner for some of the most advanced platforms, including the Su-30MKI fighter and BrahMos missile, co-developed by the two countries. Around 60% of the Indian military's hardware is of Russian origin, and the two countries have expressed their willingness to further deepen ties. On Friday, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Moscow for high-level consultations. According to New Delhi's statement, the two sides reviewed bilateral ties and also shared perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest. During the visit, Misri held talks with President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, the deputy head of the presidential administration, Maksim Oreshkin, and the deputy minister of industry and trade, Aleksey Gruzdev.
Russia Today
10-02-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Russian Su-57 faces off against American F-35 in India
Russia's fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Su-57, has made its debut at India's largest air show, Aero India, where it was displayed alongside America's F-35. This is the first time that both Russian and American fifth-generation fighters have been present at the show, amid intense competition between the two nations for the South Asian country's defense market. Speaking to the media in Bangalore, where the airshow kicked off on Monday, the head of Rosoboronexport – Russia's state-owned arms export agency – Aleksandr Mikheev, said Moscow is ready to supply the advanced fifth-generation Su-57E multirole fighter to its partners. 'Today, we are presenting this aircraft in India for the first time with a new flight program that will showcase its outstanding flight and technical capabilities, as well as the clear advantages of the Russian aircraft over its competitors,' Mikheev told TASS. According to him, the debut of the Su-57E has generated significant interest in the global market, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. Read more Why Russia is here to stay, making India's military stronger Meanwhile, the US Air Force canceled planned demonstration flights of its F-35A stealth fighter and the upgraded F-16 fighter just days before the show, according to media reports. The Russian ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, suggested that the cancelation is linked to the participation of Russia's Su-57 in the show. 'As practice shows, our competitors are not ready for fair competition,' he told TASS. The Su-57 is the world's only fifth-generation fighter jet that has proven its effectiveness in combat situations against Western air defense systems. The aircraft is capable of using a wide range of precision-guided munitions and features low radar visibility against enemy detection systems. Over a dozen major Russian defense companies will take part in Aero India, showcasing advanced air defense systems, aircraft, helicopters, and aircraft engines in India for the first time. READ MORE: India eyes fifth generation fighters: Can Russia's Su-57 make the cut? Russia has been India's primary partner in the defense sector, particularly in military aircraft. Up to 60% of the Indian Air Force fleet is of Russian origin, including Sukhoi-30s, MiG-29s, MiG-21s, Mi-17 helicopters, and Il-76 heavy-lifters. Some of these aircraft are assembled in India. The Su-30MKI has been manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's state-owned aerospace and defense company, since 2004 under a license. As many as 222 aircraft have been produced at HAL's Nashik factory. In September last year, the Indian Defense Ministry signed a $3.05 billion contract with HAL for 240 Lyulka-Saturn AL-31FP turbofan engines for the aircraft. HAL will supply 30 engines annually from the Koraput factory, with deliveries expected to be completed in eight years.
