Ukraine Halts Deliveries of Armor and Airplanes to Iraq

The Ukrainian side has halted deliveries of BTR 4E armored personnel carriers and An-32B airplane to Iraq, writes the journalist Mustafa Naiem in his blog on "Ukrainskaya Pravda."

According to him, Iraq's defense ministry refused to accept the first batch of equipment at the end of December 2010. Responsibility for breaking the contract, Naiem writes, lays with the Ukrspetsehksport company who is making the deliveries of Ukrainian weapons and specialized equipment abroad.

Deliveries of armored vehicles was supposed to be realized within the framework of a contract entered into with Iraq's government in August 2009. Baghdad has ordered in all from Ukraine 420 armored personnel carriers for a total of nearly 500 million dollars.

Reasons for the break in deliveries of Ukrainian weapons to Iraq still are not being reported.

Source: 13.01.11, Lenta.RU

Heading for the Skies

The civil modification of a Russian anti-submarine helicopter will operate in Europe

Russian civil helicopters are conquering a place in the skies of the world's states: in 2010 six Ka-226 and two Ka-32 were sold. Contracts have been entered into for the delivery of 14 Ka-32 helicopters and 12 Ka-226 helicopters for 2011. The fact that the Ka-32A11VS has become the first Russian helicopter recognized in Europe has enabled the advancement of Russian rotary-winged aircraft more than a little: it possesses a European EASA certificate which allows it to carry out civil operations, for example to put out fires.

The helicopter in basic outfitting flies in Mexico, Chile, China, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan. But, according to representatives of the Vertolety Rossii ((Helicopters of Russia)) holding company, the Ka-32 helicopters main users are South Korea, Spain and Portugal.   It is in special demand in Southern Europe: the frequent fires demand the presence of a "work horse" that is undemanding in takeoff and landing conditions. And it is doubtful the developers of the combat ship-based anti-submarine Ka-27 helicopter imagined that in several dozen years its civil modification, the firefighting Ka-32A11VS helicopter, would fly over the lands of the Iberian Peninsula. And last year was remarkable not only for the head, but for the burning for Southern Europe:

((Cost of fighting forest fires and different means to combat them in different countries snipped)).

  Ka-32 helicopters of various modification operate not only in Europe, but also in South Korea, in Algeria, Chile, Mexico, Thailand and even Papua, New Guinea. Overall, the Russian helicopter equipment is being used by more than 30 countries of the world.

European operators have more room for maneuvers in the direct sense: The Ka-32A11VS concluded the long certification process in September 2009 and received the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) European certification. This certification permits any operator the commercial usage of the helicopter. The blue and red aircraft with the letters Ka of course were flying over Europe before its receipt, but their work was connected with limitations and permitted only in the interests of state structures for extinguishing fires and in the mountain assembly of high voltage lines. After receipt of the European certification, the scope of the missions the helicopter carries out has been expanding appreciably, and not only huge market operators may but it, but also individuals which indicates a serious expansion of the market for the Russian aircraft manufacturer.

Source: 13.01.11, Finansovye Izvestiya, Correspondent: Zhanna Lokotkova  

An-70 Will Fly to Ul'yanovsk

Russia's interest in the An-70 project is taking shape in specific steps: the manufacturing facility for the airplane already has been chosen, and 60 units of the equipment have been laid out in the budget before 2020.

Experts connect the activation of our partners with the lack of success on other military transport projects - the Il-112 and the Il-476.

The An-70

Ukraine and Russia will assemble the military transport airplane at two main production facilities - in Kiev (the Aviant plant) and Ul'yanovsk (Aviastar-SP), they reported at the Antonov State Enterprise press service. Such a decision was adopted at a joint meeting of Russian and Ukrainian aircraft industry representatives in Kiev. Moreover, a plant in Kazan' (Gorbunov KAPO, included in OAK), at which they will assemble the wing for the An-70, will be active in the manufacturing process. The parties have not named possible schedules for start of assembly of the An-70 in Russia, indicating only that it will take place after completion of the airplane's certification tests. In the opinion of the Antonov deputy general designer, Aleksandr Kiva, 1.5 - 2 years will be needed for them to take place.

We should note the choice of the manufacturing facility for the An-70 in Russia is one of the first specific steps of our partners on the this project, together with the inclusion of this aircraft in Russia's arms program. In particular, mentioning the An-70 in this program, which forms the basis for the state order for the airplane, was the impetus for activation of the Ukrainian and Russian manufacturers' cooperation. Financing of the An-70 on Russia's part also has been resumed...

((Rest snipped))

Source:  12.01.11, Ehkonomicheskie Izvestiya

In Far-Away Places

At the end of last year, Long-Range Aviation chief of staff, General-Major Aleksandr Afinogentov, was a guest on the program "Military Advice" which is broadcast on the Ekho Moskvy ((Echo of Moscow)) radio station and the Zvezda ((Star)) television channel.

((This translation is extracted from the longer interview.  It also discussed other topics, such as living conditions and flying hours, which are not translated here.))

"A significant fleet of the combat equipment in our military though highly reliable nonetheless requires significant renovation. Do you have the same situation?"

"The assigned service life of aircraft equipment in Soviet times was in the region of 30 - 35 years. On the whole, nothing has changed in this plan. Upgrade both of aircraft equipment and weapons is continuing. New weapons are arriving.

"And, in the 1990s, there were problems with financing, not only in the military, but in many other areas. There wasn't enough money, there was a lag in overhaul, for example. Now these problems are gone. Airplanes, engines, aircraft components of various systems and parts are all being repaired…"
"At the same time we see what is happening with civil aviation. Our passengers are flying today mainly on Boeings and Airbuses…"

"Still, the potential has been preserved in the military aviation industry. The plants that produce the airplanes are now doing overhaul. We have the people and we have the funds to do this work. Work is underway on the upgrade of this equipment at the same time and accordingly on the creation of a new future aviation complex."

"One of our listeners asks,  'Is work underway on replacing the Tu-160?'"

"Right now we are starting to upgrade the Tu-160. There already are experimental examples. Understand, it's very difficult to create a new airplane all at once. Both a lot of time and great material costs are needed for it. Prior to creating a new airplane, one must comprehend what missions it will be resolving, in what regions and with what weapons. We already understand that. We have issued our proposals and requirements which must fit this airplane. Development is underway right now…"

((Rest snipped.))

Source: 12.01.11, Krasnaya Zvezda, Correspondent: Andrey Gavrilenko

Tu-95MS Bomber Flights Resume

((The bombers were grounded on 29 December 2010 after the crash south of Tula of an An-22, which uses the same engines as the Tu-95MS.  Not further translated.))

Source:  12.01.11, Avia.RU

India to Order 42 Su-30MKI Fighters

((India should have 272 Su-30MKI in the inventory before 2020, including those built by HAL under license.  Not further translated.))

Source:  12.01.11, Avia.RU

They Will Offer T-50 Fighter for Export No Earlier than 2018 - Makienko

((Exports will begin not earlier than 2018 - 2020, according to deputy manager of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, Konstantin Makienko.  The somewhat longish article discusses prospects for export of the T-50, its costs and who may buy it.  Not further translated.))

Source:  11.01.11, RIA Novosti

Mi-28NEh Will Strengthen Russia's Positions in Worldwide Helicopter Market

On the eve of the Aero India-2011 international air salon, which will take place in Bangalore from 9 through 12 February, the magazine ESDPA Review of the European Security and Defence Press Association published in its first edition an article, "The Mi-28NEh Will Strengthen Russia's Positions in the Worldwide Helicopter Market." ((After this introduction, the Russian translation of the original English-language article appears.  It is not translated here.))

Source: 11.01.11, ARMS-TASS

"His whole work history was connected to our enterprise - after graduation from the Moscow Aviation Institute and until the last day of his life, Igor' Sergeevich worked at our experimental design bureau, proceeding along the path from young specialist to general designer. The burden of managing the enterprise lie on his shoulders in the difficult years for the aviation industry -- it is enough to remember 1997 and the state of destruction in which he took over the enterprise. From 1998 Igor' Sergeevich was chairman of the OAO Tupolev board of directors, from 2001 the general designer, and then OAO Tupolev president and general designer. The idea advanced by him for the creation of a model line of Tupolev civil airplanes was to a significant degree realized in the Tu-204/214 and Tu-334 family of airplanes. A large part of the line of airplanes was developed and certified under his management and with his active participation as an engineer. His influence was marked by the Russian Federation State Prize. Igor' Sergeevich devoted much time and effort to restoration of the potential of our combat complexes. In 2006, the Tu-160 was adopted into the inventory, in the years of I.S. Shevchuk's management the size of the state defense order increased significantly, and the upgrade of combat complexes was begun. He was not only the manager for many people, and not only at our enterprise, he was a close friend and comrade-in-arms for domestic aviation. He was a good man, father and grandfather - he spoke with delight about his grandchild," it says in the Tupolev press service's report.

Igor' Sergeevich Shevchuk, honored designer of Russia, Knight of Honor, honorable aircraft builder, made a huge contribution to the development of domestic aircraft construction.

Source: 08.01.11, Aviation Explorer