Army 2021: Russian MoD procures equipment, Rosoboronexport signs export contracts

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed 41 contracts worth RUB500 billion (USD6.8 billion) with 27 defence enterprises during Army 2021 for the delivery of 1,300 new weapon systems and the refurbishment of 150 existing systems, while Rostec's Rosoboronexport arms exporter inked deals worth EUR2 billion (USD2.36 billion), Russian officials said at the defence exhibition in Kubinka, near Moscow, from 22 to 28 August.

Deputy Defence Minister Alexey Krivoruchko announced the domestic contracts on 24 August. The MoD signed a contract for 30 upgraded Kamov Ka-52M combat helicopters with Rostec's Russian Helicopters. In 2022 the helicopters will start receiving Vikhr-M guided missiles with a range of up to 10 km.

JSC Tupolev, a subsidiary of Rostec's United Aircraft Corporation, was awarded a contract to upgrade Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers to the Tu-95MSM standard. The Tu-95MSM features updated avionics and underwing hardpoints for Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles.

A deal was signed with Rostec's United Engine Corporation for eight NK-32 Series 02 engines to be delivered through 2024 for Tu-160M strategic bombers.

The MoD also signed a contract with Mikoyan-Gurevich for the modernisation of MiG-31 interceptors to the MiG-31BM standard, and for the upgrade of Kinzhal missile-armed MiG-31K aircraft. An agreement for additional Kinzhal missiles was inked with the Machine-Building Design Bureau.

The Russian military procured five Inokhodets-RU unmanned aerial systems with Sirius unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) from the Kronstadt Group. The MoD also procured guided and unguided air-launched munitions for UCAVs. The Ural Works of Civil Aviation received an order for Forpost-R unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), while Termit and Platforma vertical take-off and landing UAVs were ordered from NPP Strela, a subsidiary of the Kronstadt Group.