Skip to main content

Russian armored vehicle exports exceed 7,000 systems



Russia’s exports of land hardware have exceeded 7,000 systems since 2000, a spokesperson for the Rosoboronexport arms exporting company (a subsidiary of Rostec) told the TASS news agency on November 18 : “Rosoboronexport has exported more than 7,000 land armored platforms worth approximately USD30 billion to 44 countries,” he said.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link


Army Recognition Global Defense and Security news
BMP-3 (Picture source: Army Recognition)


Since the early 2000s, Russia’s defense industry has dramatically reinforced its land portfolio. Previously, it was built of mostly Soviet-designed weapon systems, for instance, the T-72-family MBTs, BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), BTR-70 and BTR-80 armored personnel carriers (APCs), and BRDM-2 4×4 reconnaissance vehicles. It should be mentioned that now the portfolio includes more sophisticated land systems.

Russia’s cluster of export-oriented MBTs is built of the baseline T-90S and the upgraded T-90MS tanks. The T-14 Armata new-generation MBT is on its way to the global market; however, it has yet to receive a license permitting the platform’s export to foreign countries. Therefore, it is the T-90MS MBT that holds the title of the most sophisticated ready-to-use heavy vehicle developed by the Russian industry. The T-90MS is a net-centric land system that features an advanced fire-control unit with a thermal imager and a number of sophisticated sensors. Its smoothbore gun allows the tank’s crew to fire a wide range of 125 mm munitions and anti-tank guided missiles.

The Russian defense industry is intensively updating its assets that date back to the early 1990s. For example, the BMP-3 IFV is still a subject to various upgrades, including dramatic ones. New models sometimes see daylight: at the Army 2020 international military-technical forum held in Kubinka near Moscow, Rostec’s holding High-Precision Weapons showcased the Manul IFV with updated protection, a remotely operated weapon station, and a frontally mounted powerpack. In late April, the Bumerang 8×8 wheeled armored fighting vehicle was unveiled in its export-oriented configuration.

The well-proven Russian-designed land systems are also in demand on the market: the BTR-82A APC still has its renown.

Since 2000, Rosoboronexport has entered the lucrative realm of 4×4 protected utility vehicles. In the early 2000s, the BRDM-2 scout car was the only system of the type in the Russian defense industry’s land portfolio. Some 15 years ago, the company brought the Tigr 4×4 utility vehicle to the market, and now the platform holds its place among the world’s most popular 4×4 military-grade automotive vehicles. The Tigr now serves as a chassis for some 20-30 export-oriented wheeled support systems.

The Russian defense industry has also paid specific attention to its artillery portfolio, which now includes the newest Tornado-G 122 mm multiple rocket launch (MRL) system, the Tornado-S 300mm MRL (MLRS), the TOS-1A Solntsepyok rocket launcher (heavy flamethrower), and the Msta-S family of 152mm and 155mm self-propelled howitzers.

Russia has entered the market of light tanks with the Sprut-SDM1 125mm self-propelled anti-tank gun (SPATG) being the latest platform of the type in its industrial portfolio. Unlike its market competitors (for instance, Turkey’s Kaplan and China’s Type 15), the Sprut-SDM1 is armed with an almost full-scale 125mm gun capable of firing the rounds and anti-tank missiles of the T-90S/MS MBTs.

It should be mentioned that Rosoboronexport has fully switched from the shipment of ready-use hardware only to delivery of multifaceted solutions. At present, all Russian export-oriented land platforms (including the T-72 and T-90 tanks, the BMP-3 IFVs, and the TOS-1A heavy rocket launchers) are complemented with sophisticated electronic/virtual reality training systems developed by JSC Trenazherniye Sistemy (Training Systems).


© Copyright 2020 TASS / Army Recognition Group SPRL. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


 

Copyright © 2019 - 2024 Army Recognition | Webdesign by Zzam