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Machine-Building Design Bureau of Russia ready to export Luchnik-E & Iskander-M missile systems 2708

Luchnik-E and Iskander-M missile ready for export

Wednesday, August 27, 2014 05:24 PM

Machine-Building Design Bureau of Russia ready to export Luchnik-E & Iskander-M missile systems.

The Machine-Building Design Bureau (KBM) of Russia , part of the holding company High Precision Systems, is ready to begin exporting its newest products, particularly the Luchnik-E anti-aircraft missile system, according to KBM CEO and Chief Designer Valery Kashin.

Russian-made Luchnik-E short-range air defense missile system

KBM developed the new SAM system on its own initiative. “We developed the Luchnik-E on our own initiative, as there are many Strela-10 SAM systems abroad, but the production of anti-aircraft guided missiles for them has been terminated. Consequently, we received many requests from other countries for a new, modern system,” explained Valery Kashin. “The Luchnik-E system utilizes the Igla-S man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) and works in the same range, but with a higher level of efficiency and increased jamming immunity.”

Luchnik-E is now ready for production. “We have received all necessary documents and resolutions authorizing the beginning of mass production,” noted Valery Kashin.

The Luchnik-E SAM system is a much more modern version of the Strela-10. The system is equipped with eight missiles similar to those used in the Igla-S MANPADS, which eliminate the difficulties of supplying short-range air defense forces. The Luchnik-E can also deploy a salvo launch of all missiles at a single target and can simultaneously track four targets. The maximum height of targets is 3,500 meters and maximum distance is 6,000 meters. The Luchnik-E SAM system can also be used alongside armored columns. An MTLB floating chassis allows the system to fire while afloat. The crew consists of four people: a driver, an arrow-radio operator, and two anti-aircraft missile operators. Previously it has been reported that Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan were all interested in the new system.

Russian-made Iskander-M ballistic missile system.

KBM is also ready to begin producing and exporting the Iskander-M mobile theater ballistic missile system upon receiving orders. “We are ready to negotiate and begin implementing production as soon as all contracts are signed,” said Valery Kashin.

According to Kashin, KBM has now entered into a predetermined production mode that will enable the company to provide the Russian Ministry of Defense with two Iskander-M systems in one year.

Valery Kashin noted that implementing state defense orders and the development of the military-industrial complex has created positive conditions for producing and exporting Iskander systems. “Production is now in such a state that if we receive an order, we can fulfill it,” assured Valery Kashin.

Previously, Kashin had expressed the enterprise’s readiness to begin exporting Iskander systems, but said that he did not recommend foreign clients to begin submitting requests before 2015. According to Kashin, this was due to a pre-existing, long-term contract from the Defense Ministry that required an increase of output by 4-5 times. At the time, Kashin noted that KBM was working alongside Rosoboronexport to renew efforts to promote Iskander for export abroad.

During Defense Expo-2014, Alexander Denisov, head of KBM’s parent company High Precision Systems, said that the Iskander-M mobile theater ballistic missile system had been approved for export and would be produced and shipped abroad upon receiving new orders.

Earlier it was reported that Kazakhstan was interested in the export version of the Iskander-M system.

In the near future, KBM expects to complete testing on a new active protection system for armored vehicles. “The requirements that Nizhny Tagil (home of the corporation Uralvagonzavod) proposed for the new active protection system differed significantly from the active protection system layout that was made for T-80 tanks,” said Valery Kashin. “As a result, it was necessary to reconfigure the entire system and conduct appropriate tests. I hope that these tests will be completed in the near future,” he added.