Rosoboronexport Exhibits at Greek Defense Show

The Rosoboronexport Corporation will display cutting-edge Russian arms and materiel at the 1st International Defence & Security Exhibition, Defensys 2010, to be held in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 28-31 October, 2010. The Thessaloniki-based show will see participation of over 300 companies from 22 foreign countries.

Sponsors of the Thessaloniki fair point out that the official opening ceremony coincides with the Greek national holiday of Okhi Day (‘Okhi’ is Greek for ‘No’). On 28 October, 1940 the Greeks rejected Mussolini’s ultimatum, which demanded free passage for his troops to occupy unspecified ‘strategic points’ inside the Greek territory, ultimately dragging Greece into WWII.

The issues of ensuring security and preserving peace are still as urgent as they were 60 years ago. However, today’s agenda also includes the fight against terrorism and separatism and threats to regional stability. A number of effective countermeasures, including equipping uniformed services with advanced arms and hardware, are a must.


Enjoying one of the world’s leading defence industries, Russia will demonstrate a wide range of advanced systems for the Army, the Air Force and the Navy at Defensys 2010.

As far as the Army is concerned, Rosoboronexport will showcase armour, artillery systems, small arms, missile systems, rounds and ammunition, and simulators.

Exhibits will include the T-90S, one of the world’s most popular main battle tanks, the BTR-80A armoured personnel carrier, and the BMP-3M/3F infantry fighting vehicle, highly appreciated by leading foreign experts, including Greek specialists. Foreign experts will also be able to familiarise themselves with such self-propelled guns as the Khrizantema-S anti-tank system, the NONA-S/SVK gun system, and the Vena automated artillery system. Another world-wide famous weapon system, the upgraded Smerch multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS), is capable of quickly destroying almost all types of ground-based targets at a range of up to 90 km with minimal ammunition expenditures.

Promotional materials, presented by Rosoboronexport, will cover the unique Russian BMPT tank support combat vehicle, based on the T-72 MBT chassis and boasting unrivalled capabilities. The vehicle is armed with two 30 mm 2A42 cannons, a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun, two AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers, and four anti-tank guided weapons (ATGW). In addition to a powerful armament suite, it also features improved protection, which allows it to efficiently operate alongside tanks in the most adverse conditions, such as urban, alpine, and wooded terrain.

Small arms on display will comprise Kalashnikov AK-100 series assault rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, 5.45 mm and 7.62 mm Kalashnikov machine guns, sights, and various types of ammunition. In addition to that Rosoboronexport will exhibit RPO- and Shmel-family infantry rocket flame-throwers, Kornet-E and Metis-M1 anti-tank guided missile systems (ATGM), as well as RPG-7V1 and RPG-29 rocket launchers and their rounds.

Insofar naval materiel is concerned, Rosoboronexport presents Molniya- and Skorpion-class missile boats. Russia holds the lead in building missile boats, which revolutionised naval science by proving that small-displacement vessels can turn the tide of a naval battle.

Customers demonstrate an invariable interest in air-cushion craft. Given a vast experience in building such craft, Russia is considered to be the recognised leader in this field. The unique Murena-E and Zubr landing craft air cushion (LCAC) will be exhibited at Defensys 2010.

Aircraft, which account for about 50% of the Corporation’s exports, will include the Su-30MK and the Su-35 multi-role fighters, the Yak-130 combat trainer, and the MiG-35 multi-role tactical fighter, which participates in the tender, envisioning a delivery of 126 fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force.

Experts point out a growing interest in Russian rotary-wing aircraft, in particular, Mi-17-family transport helicopters. Their reliability and efficiency are proved by operation in more than 70 foreign countries. US troops, deployed in Afghanistan, appreciated the helicopter’s ability to operate in an adverse environment as well. Defensys 2010 will exhibit the Mi-171Sh version.

Experts will be able to get extensive information on Mi-35M and Mi-35P combat transports, the Ka-31 radar picket helicopter, and the Mi-26T, the world’s heaviest lift helicopter, which, for instance, can airlift 85 fully equipped troops.

Russia traditionally holds the lead in air defence systems. Weapons, offered by the Rosoboronexport Corporation, ensure a comprehensive air defence, capable of intercepting and destroying both air-breathing targets and non-strategic ballistic missiles at various altitudes and ranges. Experts will certainly pay due attention to the Buk-M2E and the Tor-M2E surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

Operation of the Tor-M1 SAM system in Greece, which is a NATO member-state, has demonstrated that Russian combat assets can easily be integrated into any air defence system. Unlike its predecessor, the Tor-M2E is capable of simultaneously engaging four targets and firing the same missiles as the Tor-M1.

In addition to that Rosoboronexport will furnish information on the Igla-S man-portable air defence system (MANPADS), the Strelets SAM multiple launcher system, the upgraded ZU-23/ZOM1 automatic anti-aircraft gun, and the upgraded ZU-23-4M4 Shilka anti-aircraft gun.

Rosoboronexport will also showcase a wide range of air weapons, cutting-edge radars (Nebo-SVU, Protivnik-GE, Kredo-1E, Fara-1, and Kasta-2E2), and command and control (C2) posts (Ranzhir-M and Polyana-D4M1).

“We traditionally bring a wide range of arms and materiel to Greek shows. I am sure that the new exhibition will live up to all our expectations and become one of the world’s largest shows in the future. Greece is our important partner. The Greek Armed Forces are a good example of Russian weapon systems meeting any standards. We have lots to offer to our European partners, including both new pieces of materiel, and modernisation of Soviet-made hardware, as well as joint research and development projects,” said Nikolai Dimidyuk, Rosoboronexport’s special programmes director and head of the delegation at Defensys 2010.