Rosoboronexport showcases Russian military might at AeroIndia 2007

Bangalore: Displays of more than 40 Russian defence manufacturers have been placed together in an impressive 1,375 sq ft display by Rosoboronexport, the Russian government defence export arm, at the Aero India 2007 Air Show under way at Yelahanka Air Force Base, Bangalore. The display comprises several hundred different types of armaments, military equipment and systems.

The united Rosoboronexport delegation is headed by Viktor M Komardin, deputy director general of Rosoboronexport, while Vyacheslav K Dzirkaln, deputy director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, heads the overall Russian delegation. Russia's strong presence at the show is meant to reinforce the strong ongoing military cooperation between the two countries, especially Indo-Russian joint defence production.

The pride of the Russian exhibition is the MiG-35 multi-role frontline fighter, which is a leading contender for the Indian Air Force's requirement of 126 MRCAs. Its main rivals are Lockheed's F-16, Boeing's FA-18, the Swedish Gripen fighter and the French Rafale. The Russians believe the MiG-35 has overwhelming superiority over its rivals owing to its superior manoeuvrability, thanks - among other things - to its optional thrust vectoring engine.

Also in the fray for orders are the Mi-17, among a range of helicopters. The IAF plans to acquire 80 multi-role helicopters, while the Navy is shopping for six new anti-submarine helicopters. The Russians are also showcasing the BE-200 multipurpose amphibious aircraft, which has both military and civilian applications, and can land and take off from short airstrips as well as from the water, for both cargo and passenger applications.

The Sukhoi Corporation is to present the Superjet 100, its regional jet. Other products on display include aero engines, trainers and courseware, missiles, bombs, the latest avionics systems, as well as navigation, flight-control,  communication and life-support systems. The importance the Russians attach to the show is seen from the fact that among those accompanying Russian President Vladimir Putin on his recent visit to India was Rosoboronexport director general Sergey Chemezov.