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Russian defence representatives have unveiled new weapon systems, vehicles and ammunition at IDEX 2023, including the world premiere of the newest Mi-171А3 offshore helicopter, Tornado-C multiple launch rocket system control unit and explosive tracer ammunition.
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Russian state-owned company, Rostec State Corporation, displayed the new equipment at the international exhibition in the United Arab Emirates late last month.
The advanced airborne avionics-equipped Mi-171А3 offshore helicopter can deliver up to 24 passengers or four tonnes of cargo to offshore platforms and perform open water search and rescue operations with a flight range of 1,000 kilometres using auxiliary fuel tanks.
It also has a digital autopilot and airborne collision avoidance system, an emergency ditching system, two airbags for helicopter buoyancy and two deployable life rafts.
Rosteс State Corporation chief executive officer Sergey Chemezov said that it satisfies the demands of oil and gas companies and meets standards set by the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers.
“The Middle East traditionally shows high interest in our helicopters. These are primarily Mi-8/17 aircraft, but Russian Helicopters holding is making extensive efforts to promote new types of civil aircraft on this market,” he said.
“The Mi-171А3, from our point of view, has a high export potential. This advanced offshore helicopter designed for overwater flights and for servicing remote offshore platforms should catch the interest of the UAE because the majority of the UAE’s oil is produced offshore.
The company also displayed their improved performance Ka-226T light utility helicopter, which has passenger, cargo, emergency rescue, medical, patrolling, assault, VIP and agricultural aero-chemical sprayer configurations.
On display for the first time at IDEX was the 20-centimetre, 150-to-600-gram 1K144-E space-saving discreet-surveillance, reconnaissance, and alarm system. The Sozvezdie Concern system is buried in the ground to detect enemy personnel (30m) and land vehicles (120m), classify and count objects, and identify the direction of motion using seismic, infrared and magnetic intrusion detectors. The system can run on its own battery power for 30 days and sends data via a radio channel to an operator’s electronic terrain map.
The Tornado-C MLRS control unit was premiered with 122mm rockets at the forum and is reportedly able to hit targets behind terrain such as in canyons or mountains using individual programmed flight missions.
The company also exhibited new 53-UOR-281U 57mm high explosive tracer rounds for the first time. The ammunition is used in weapon system mounts on vehicles or navy ships, and designed for air, unarmoured vehicles and personnel targets.
