New opportunities are emerging for military and technical cooperation between Russia and Southeast Asian countries, said Dmitry Shugayev, director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC).
“In general, relations between the USSR/Russia and the ASEAN member countries are developing on good neighborly and mutually beneficial terms. All countries maintain an active dialogue with the Russian side both on military-technical cooperation issues and on military, economic and political topics. Since July 1996, Russia has been a full partner for dialogue with ASEAN. During this period, a legal and regulatory framework for cooperation has been established,” Shugayev said in an interview to Russian Aviation & Military Guide (RAMG) on occasion of the 70th anniversary of Russia’s system for military technical cooperation with foreign states.
According to Shugaev, new opportunities are emerging.
“The current stage in the development of military-technical cooperation relations is primarily characterized by strong opposition and attempts by some Western countries to influence the current relations, both politically and economically. However, despite all the difficulties, it also opens up new opportunities: serious steps have been taken in the issue of settlements in national or alternative currencies, and the development of closer cooperation and the creation of joint productions are also strengthening”.
FSMTC’s head is optimistic on the plans in the ASEAN region.
“Due to the economic and political strengthening of this region and the good neighborly relations of most countries with the Russian Federation, we can give a very optimistic forecast of the development of the military-technical cooperation with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, especially with the ASEAN countries,” said Dmitry Shugayev.
The last time Russia presented its export proposals in South-East Asia at the Vietnam Defense 2022 International Defense Exhibition & Conference, which was held on December 8-10, 2022 at Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Russian single exhibit included more than 400 military, civilian and dual-use products.
At its stall, Rosoboronexport exhibited a full-scale model of the Orlan-10E unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as a line of Russian-made UAVs, including the Orlan-30, a new product of 2022, the Orion-E reconnaissance/strike unmanned aircraft system and the Kub-E loitering munition.
Russia also presented Su-57E fifth-generation fighter, Su-35 and Su-30SME supermaneuverable fighters, IL-76MD-90A(E) military transport aircraft, Ka-52 scout/attack helicopter, Mi-171SH military transport helicopter and the Ka-28 shipborne ASW helicopter; the Buk and Tor surface-to-air missile systems, Pantsir-S1 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun/missile system, Verba and Igla-S MANPADS; electronic warfare assets.
In the ground equipment segment T-90S and T-90MS MBTs, BMPT Terminator tank support fighting vehicle, TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, upgraded Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, Khrizantema and Kornet-EM ATGM systems, Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank and BT-3F and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, various models of Typhoon-type mine-protected vehicles and Linza armoured ambulance were presented.
The Kalashnikov Concern showcased its AK-200 series, AK-15 and AK-19 assault rifles as well as its other products: 9 mm Kalashnikov PPK-20 submachine gun, Chukavin sniper rifle, 9 mm Lebedev pistol.
Russia also presented a line of naval products: the Gepard-3.9-class frigate, Project 22160 patrol ship, Project 21980E special purpose craft, as well as the Karakurt-E and Sarsar small missile ships. Also a wide range of missile, artillery and torpedo armament for ships and submarines, air defense assets, communications, sonars, underwater/surface target acquisition sensors, anti-saboteur capabilities were demonstrated in Hanoi.
Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport during the Vietnam Defense 2022 expressed its readiness to discuss cooperation in the field of industrial partnership and the construction of infrastructure facilities with the Southeast Asian partners.
“We have unique competencies in this area, and our proposals are backed up by successfully completed and functioning projects on the customers’ territories,” said Alexander Mikheev.
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