Admiral Vinogradov escorts the ninth convoy

Pacific Fleet (PF) large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov which currently takes part in the anti-piracy campaign off the Horn of Africa started escorting another convoy, reported Prima Mediaciting Roman Martov, press secretary of PF Commander. 

"The ninth convoy of Admiral Vinogradov consists of two vessels", he said. "At present, the convoy moves through the hazardous Bab el Mandeb strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden". 

Recall that PF task force consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov, sea-going salvage tug, and tanker Pechenga arrived from Vladivostok to the Gulf of Aden on Dec 22, 2010. There are marine units on board Admiral Vinogradov, as well as two deck-based helicopters conducting permanent aerial reconnaissance.

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Underwater test launch of BrahMos missile to be carried out in 2011

Russian-Indian joint venture company BrahMos Aerospace has developed submarine-launched modification of BrahMos cruise missile; test launch is scheduled in the current year, said the company's executive director Sivathanu Pillai. 

The company has already developed the submarine-launched version, he said. It is planned to conduct the test launch from drowned platform placed on a special pontoon. The launch is supposed to be performed this year, added the executive director. 

As was previously reported, the Russian-Indian company had developed a modification of BrahMoss upersonic cruise missile designed for submarines. 

Russian-Indian joint venture company BrahMos Aerospace was established in India in 1998 for production of supersonic antiship missiles. The company was founded by NPO Mashinostroyenia (Russia) and Defense Research and Development Organisation (India).

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First frigate built for India to start trials in Feb-March

First of three frigates built for Indian Navy by Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) will be ready for trials in Feb-March 2011, said today Sivathanu Pillai, the executive director of Russian-Indian joint venture company BrahMos Aerospace. 

One ship has been fully equipped; the second one will be also completed in Feb-March, he said. 

According to Mr. Pillai, the shipyard conducts final works to prepare the frigate for trials. He also said that the new ships could launch BrahMos missiles both in the Baltic Sea and in the Indian Ocean when the first frigate arrives there from Russia. This issue is at the Russian Navy's option, said the executive director. 

The shipbuilding contract for three frigates for Indian Navy was signed on July 14, 2007 in Delhi. Overall cost of the contract makes about $1.6 bln. This is the second export contract for Russian frigates tied with India. The first one cost about $1 bln and was signed in Nov 1997. Three ships were built and handed over to Indian Navy – INS Tabar (Axe), INS Trishul (Trident), and INS Talvar (Sword). 

Dimensions and navigability of the frigates currently built at Yantar will have no cardinal differences with those exported to India earlier. The changes are related to armament and onboard equipment. In particular, the new frigates are armed with Russian-Indian cruise missiles BrahMos. 

As was reported, the first ship of new series – INS Teg (Saber) – was launched in Nov 2009, the second one – INS Tarkash (Quiver) – in June 2010. 

Project 11356 guided missile frigates are designed for antisubmarine, antisurface, and antiaircraft defenses. The ship's length is 125 meters; beam is 15 meters; displacement is 4,000 tons; crew is up to 200; fuel range is 4,500 miles.

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Sailer Pallada calls at Singapore

Known Russian sailing frigate Pallada conducting the 2-month cruise in the Pacific arrives to Singapore, reports RIA Novosti referring to a representative of the Far East Fishery University which is the shipowning organization. 

Sailer Pallada started her first in 2011 training cruise from Vladivostok on Jan 25. According to the schedule, the ship moves along the route Vladivostok - Pusan - Singapore - Ho Chi Minh - Dalian - Vladivostok. There are 107 cadets of Far East maritime academies on board the frigate including three girls from Far East Nautical College, Nakhodka. 

Pallada called at Singapore port on Tuesday, moored next to the city's largest shopping mall VivoCity and will stay there for three days. The visit of Russian ambassador to the sailer will be one of the most remarkable events", said the interviewee. 

According to him, cadets will visit Singaporean maritime academy. They will familiarize with training environment of their colleagues and have a practice with navigational simulators. Besides, Russian and Singaporean students are going to play a friendly soccer game. 

"Such international experience makes possible for students to exchange practical skills and contributes to strengthening of friendly relations between our countries", said the interviewee. 

He noted that the cadets would visit interesting spots of the international port city, and take a walk around the city. 

"Pallada will be open for public during three days. Locals of Singapore will be allowed to visit the frigate. Representatives of Russian diaspora are also expected to visit Pallada", added the interviewee. 

On Feb 17 Pallada will head for Vietnamese port Ho Chi Minh. A group of Singaporean students will accompany our cadets on board. On the homeward journey Pallada will call at Chinese port Dalian. The frigate is supposed to return to Vladivostok on March 23, concluded the interviewee. 

Sailing frigate Pallada was built in 1989 at Gdansk shipyard, Poland. Russian flag was hoisted over the ship on July 4, 1989. Pallada has spent 12 years in cruises and visited 101 ports in 35 countries. The ship won the Guinness record as the world's fastest sailing vessel with her maximum speed of 18 knots.

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Baltic Fleet HQ remains in Kaliningrad

Baltic Fleet (BF) Commander Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov denied rumors about disbandment of the fleet and headquarters' move to St. Petersburg. Chirkov said in the interview to Komsomolskaya Pravda Kaliningrad: 

"Baltic Fleet HQ remains in Kaliningrad and continues to control subordinated forces". 

Also, BF command will preserve its current strength, said the commander. "The fleet command maintains previous organizational structure", Chirkov said. "Baltic Fleet was one of the first military formations to complete required arrangements optimizing the structure of forces under the military reformation program. Basic transformations have been almost finished". 

As for the officer, "the global geopolitical developments throughout recent three centuries have proved that existence of Baltic Fleet is objective and historically justified necessity, one of essential conditions of Russia's security at western theater".

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Russian Navy to receive corvette Soobrazitelny on its birthday

Corvette Soobrazitelny which is being currently constructed at Severnaya Verf shipyard will be delivered to Russian Navy in July 2011, on the Navy Day, reports Interfax. 

"Soobrazitelny is a second Project 20380 corvette and the first serial one. She was launched on March 31, 2011 and will start sea trials in Apr 2011. The ship is supposed to join the Navy on the Russian Navy Day, which is celebrated on the last July's Sunday (this year it will be July 31). 

The first Project 20380 ship Stereguschiy was commissioned into Baltic Fleet in 2008. Soobrazitelny has a number of substantial distinctions from Stereguschiy, primarily regarding arms systems. 

Displacement of Soobrazitelny is 2,000 tons; max speed is 27 knots. 

Another Project 20380 corvette - Boiky - will be launched on Apr 14, 2011. Totally, the Navy needs 30 such ships. Corvettes of this project are designed for antisubmarine and antisurface warfare, antiaircraft defense, and fire support of landing operations.

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Crewmen of a Russian vessel are suspected of attempted murder

Sri Lankan Coast Guard detained a Russian vessel which sailed off local port Panadura on Feb 10; the crewmen are suspected of attempted murder of their colleague, reported Sunday's  Maritime Bulletin – Sovfrakht not specifying the date of arrest. 

According to the source, bulker DD Vigor left the port of Panadura in the evening of Feb 10 and headed for Goa, India. There are 22 crew members on board, all are Russians. 

"A man fell overboard the bulker, but the vessel neither stopped nor tried to pick the sufferer up, and kept on moving. Motorboat of the Panadura port rescued the sailor; he needed medical aid. He is the bulker's second engineer. There is reason to suppose that he fell by no means accidentally but was thrown by his colleagues", reported the source. 

After that the ship was ordered to return back, although the bulker did not react and proceeded moving. Two Coast Guard boats were dispatched to intercept the bulker; finally, the ship was escorted back to the port of Panadura. The circumstances are being investigated. 

Bulker DD Vigor (IMO 8109034) was built in 1985; shipowner/operator is DD Shipping (Vladivostok). Deadweight is 42,069 tons; flag state is St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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Yantar shipyard to complete landing ship Ivan Gren in 2012

Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad) plans to deliver Project 11711 large landing ship Ivan Gren to Russian Navy in 2012, reports press service of JSCArmalit-1 which produces pipeline accessories for the ship. As for now, 89 per cent items have been already supplied in accordance with the contract, says the press release. The ship's completion will last throughout 2011. 

The ship is designed for landing operations, transportation of combat vehicles and equipment. Ivan Gren is capable to carry 13 main battle tanks (up to 60 tons each), or armored personnel carriers/infantry fighting vehicles (up to 36), or 300 marines. 

JSC Armalit-1 produces shipborne fittings and offer mechanical treatment services.

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Severnaya Verf handed over two patrol vessels to Algeria

Severnaya Verf shipyard delivered two frigates (projects 1234E and 1159T) to Algerian Navy after general overhaul and modernization. 

The acceptance certificate was signed by directors of Severnaya Verf, Rosoboronexport and representatives of Algerian Navy. 

The ships' upgrade included advanced radars and communication systems, new sonar and missile attack system, reports RIA Novosti. 

About 80 per cent of onboard systems were replaced in the course of repairs; the ships' lifetime became 10 years longer. 

According to the World Arms Trade Analytic Center, the contract for modernization of Project 1234E missile boat and Project 1159T patrol boat was tied with Algerian Navy in 2007. The contract implementation took about three years. 

Severnaya Verf continues repairing and upgrading of the second pair of Project 1234E (1159T) boats; the contract was signed in 2008. Their delivery is scheduled late in 2011. 

In total, Algerian Navy has three ships of each project mentioned above; all of them were commissioned in 1980-1985. 

According to director of Severnaya Verf Andrei Fomichev, modernization of the third pair of Algerian patrol boats (projects 1234E and 1159T) will be negotiated in March.

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Deep-sea submersible Panther Plus begins service in Russian Navy

Russian Navy received a parcel of British submersible robots under state rearmament program which lasts till 2020. 

Remote operated submersible Panther Plus is designed for searching of underwater objects. It is equipped with video cameras and hi-tech manipulators capable to carry any special-purpose devices. 

Deep-sea diving armor powered with 4 motors has been also tested; it makes possible to work at the depth down to 360 meters. "It is very comfortable for deep waters and rescue operations – it needs neither compression nor decompression", said Rinat Zatulin, the head of laboratory for armored diving equipment. 

In 2005 a submersible analogous to Panther helped to salvage a Russian 7-man bathyscaph meshed by fishing nets. After that incident defense ministry decided to purchase the batch of equipment. Experts of 40th Search-and-Rescue Scientific Institute adapted the submersibles to be operated by Russian warships. 

The submersibles will be commissioned into Pacific Fleet, Black Sea Fleet, and Baltic Fleet. Presently, the vehicles perform only regular training tasks to be always ready for use whenever needed.

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Two deck-based fighters MiG-29K will be delivered to Russian Navy

First two deck-based fighters MiG-29K will be delivered to Russian Navy in the current year. They will be based on aircraft-carrying cruiserAdmiral Kuznetsov, reported ARMS-TASSreferring to Russian delegation at the Aero India 2011 international air show. 

Prior to that, interim director of the United Aircraft Engineering Corporation Mikhail Pogosian appeared at the press conference and pointed out grown interest of Russian Navy command to those aircrafts after 16 fighters had been sold to India. 

Russian variant of MiG-29K will have onboard equipment different from that of exported aircrafts. Indian Navy received first 16 MiG-29K fighters, and then the basic contract was supplemented with an option providing purchase of other 29 fighters of this kind from MiG Corporation.

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Designing of Russian analog for Mistral would take 10 years – General Staff

Construction of a ship analogous to Mistral class helicopter carrier without foreign participation could take ten years, said Gen. Makarov, Chief of Russian General Staff at Thursday's press conference. 

"Our country would need at least ten years to design aMistral-like ship. Someone could create better arms in this period", Makarov said. 

That is why he offers to import the most advanced weapons and produce their analogs in Russia. "Otherwise we will only have to buy", he said. 

Makarov added that state arms procurement program implies RUR 23 trillion spendings till 2020. Previously, it was officially reported about RUR 21 trillion. 

Late in Dec 2010 Russia and France officially declared that the consortium consisting of United Shipbuilding Corporation (Russia) and DCNS (France) would construct two Mistral class ships in Saint-Nazaire (France) and other two – in Russia under license. 

Russian defense ministry issued the appropriate tender in Oct 2010. Russian vice premier Igor Sechin and French defense minister Alain Juppe signed an intergovernmental agreement late in Jan 2011. 

RIA Novosti reported in Dec 2010 referring to a source involved in negotiations that the first Mistral class ship for Russia would be constructed in France late in 2013 (early in 2014), the second one – late in 2014 (early in 2015). Russia's participation in the first Mistral will be 20%, the second one – 40%. Than other two ships are to be constructed in Russia under French license. 

Provisionally, the first ship would cost EUR 720 mln, the second one – EUR 650 mln. In Russia, the ships will be constructed in Kronshtadt at new yards of Admiralteyskie Verfi specially built for Mistrals. 

Assault landing ship Mistral has displacement of 21,000 tons; overall length is 210 meters; speed is over 18 knots; operational range is up to 20,000 miles; crew is 160 men plus 450 marines. Air wing consists of 16 helicopters; six of them can be simultaneously placed on the flight deck.

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Russia will make $10 bln by exporting arms in 2011

Russia's backlog of arms export orders for 2011 is evaluated as $10 bln, said Alexander Fomin, deputy director of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC). 

"Backlog of export orders for near-term prospect exceeds $30 bln. Current year takes roughly a one third of this sum", Fomin said. 

He reminded that in 2010 Russia exported arms and military equipment for $10 bln. 

"The plan for the previous year had been fulfilled, and Russia's overall export exceeded $10 bln", concluded FSMTC deputy director.

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Russian military justifies purchase of Mistral warships

Russia has decided to buy Mistral ships from France because it would have taken at least 10 years to develop a similar domestic model, Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov said Thursday.

"It could take at least 10 years to develop a ship similar to Mistral," Makarov said. "And meanwhile someone will create a better weapon [than Mistral]."

Makarov said Russia should buy the best of modern weaponry abroad to be built under license in Russia.

He also said that the Russian state armaments procurement program until 2020 would be adjusted and would total 23 trillion rubles ($785 billion), or 2 trillion rubles ($68 billion) more than originally planned.

A consortium comprised of French DCNS and Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) won a tender on the construction of four helicopter carriers for the Russian Navy in December 2010.

Moscow and Paris signed an intergovernmental agreement to jointly build the four ships on January 25.

Under the agreement, the first Mistral-class ship, with a price tag of 720 million euros, is expected to be completed in late 2013-early 2014 and the second in late 2014-early 2015.

Russia will construct 20% of the first warship, 40% of the second and 80% of the last two, which are to be built on Russian territory.

Talks on the actual contract to build Mistral ships are still underway. A Rosoboronexport delegation is expected to arrive in France in February to continue the negotiations and sign the contract in April this year.

A Mistral-class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.

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Vandals damaged Fort Vladivostok

Illegal scrap metal seekers inflicted considerable damage to underground tunnels of 9th redoubt, Fort Vladivostok located at Russky Island; the fort is a governmentally protected monument, reported Wednesday RIA Novosti citing Arthur Romanenko, the leader of Vladivostok diggers. 

Fort Vladivostok is the biggest in the country and the only Russian naval fort registered in UNESCO's list of unique historical sites. Officially, Vladivostok received the status of fort on Aug 30, 1889. The fort occupies over 400 sq km on land and under it. 

The fort included about 50 coastal batteries, 16 forts, dozens of coastal caponiers, an array of strongpoints and land-based batteries, 8 underground quarters. There were about 130 various bastions, fortifications, and coastal batteries armed with 1,400 cannons. 

"Scrap collectors operated in 9th redoubt late January. They removed at least two metal doors made in 1914, about six doorways and metal reinforcing of at least 80 meters of stairway. The fort hosts numerous tourists in summer, and they'll be unsafe here", said the interviewee. 

According to him, it was easy for vandals to damage the fort, since it is unguarded. "Despite the fact that Fort Vladivostok is a governmentally protected monument, it has no security", pointed out Romanenko. 

Fort Vladivostok should be guarded by monument protection agencies, says Petr Samoilenko, head of local branch of Federal agency for supervision over cultural heritage. However, it is pretty hard to guard assets which have no permanent users, he said. 

"We're going to verify the information about plundering of 9th redoubt. Currently, we work with diggers who informed on that", said the interviewee. 

He added that all appropriate information will be handed over to local monument protection agencies which provide state protection of Fort Vladivostok. 

"The agency will determine whether the fort was really damaged", said Samoilenko.

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Shipowner of Beluga Nomination says a Russian sailor could be dead

Current status of two sailors – a Russian and a Filipino – attempted an escape from MV Beluga Nomination captured by pirates is still uncertain; the shipowner admits both sailors are dead, said Wednesday press secretary of Ukrainian foreign ministry Alexander Dikusarov referring to German company Beluga Shipping GmbH (the shipowner).

It was reported late in Jan 2011 that Antigua-flagged vessel Beluga Nomination had been captured by pirates 100 km off Seychelles. According to Ukrainian foreign ministry, the 12-man crew consists of Ukrainians, Russians, Filipinos, and Poles. One of two Russians is from St. Petersburg, the second one lives in Kaliningrad, reports Baltic branch of Russian Guild of Sailors. 

At the same time there was information that two crewmen – a Ukrainian and a Filipino – managed to escape from hijackers. They had spent two days in lifeboats before Danish ship Esbern Snare founded them. Reportedly, pirates killed one Filipino hostage; other two crewmen are considered missed [their citizenship is uncertain]. It was also said that the ship remains off Harardhere, Somalia. 

"Status of two captives (Russian and Filipino) who also tried to escape is unknown. Representatives of the shipowner say most likely the escapees are dead. For the first time in the record of piracy incidents, captors consciously killed a crewmember", reported Ukrainian press service citing Dikusarov. 

According to the shipowner, currently pirates hold seven hostages including one Ukrainian. Beluga Shipping GmbH is in permanent contact with a shipmaster and other crewmen, and reports the physical state of sailors is normal. Also, the shipowner says the negotiations with pirates are in progress. 

MV Beluga Nomination is currently anchored off Somali port Harardhere. One citizen of Ukraine is still on board the ship.

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First two Mistrals to be based in Pacific Fleet

First two Mistral class helicopter carriers built by French shipyards for Russia will be handed over to Pacific Fleet (PF), reported Wednesday RIA Novosti referring to a source in Russian defense ministry. 

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev meeting with defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov and minister of regional development Viktor Basargin underlined the necessity to provide military units deployed in the Kurils with advanced arms in order to secure Russia's outposts. Defense ministry will analyze demands for new arms till the end of February, Serdiukov said. 

"After completion and commissioning of Mistral class ships, it is planned to station them at Pacific Fleet", said the source in defense ministry. 

Besides, significant funds will be invested in infrastructure of military camps located in Eastern Military District. 

"A division deployed at the Kurils archipelago has not been transformed during military reforms in Russia. It is planned to re-equip and re-arm the division with advanced weapon systems", said the interviewee. 

The top-ranking Navy's official explained to RIA Novosti that the decision to deploy two Mistrals at Pacific Fleet was dictated by the significance of the region and the necessity to protect extended sea lanes from Kamchatka to the Kurils. 

In addition, operational strength of Pacific Fleet has not been renewed for a long time, said the official. "Unfortunately, wear and aging are typical problems for all Russian fleets, especially for PF", said the interviewee. 

We recall that the Central Navy Portal reported about possible basing of Mistrals in Vladivostok on Jan 12. 

Late in Dec 2010 Russia and France officially declared that the consortium consisting of United Shipbuilding Corporation (Russia) and DCNS (France) would construct two Mistral class ships in Saint-Nazaire (France) and other two – in Russia under license. Russian defense ministry issued the appropriate tender in Oct 2010. Russian vice premier Igor Sechin and French defense minister Alain Juppe signed an appropriate intergovernmental agreement late in Jan 2011. 

RIA Novosti reported in Dec 2010 referring to a source involved in negotiations that the first Mistral class ship for Russia would be constructed in France late in 2013 (early in 2014), the second one – late in 2014 (early in 2015). Russia's participation in the building of the first Mistral will be 20%, the second one – 40%. Two other ships are to be constructed in Russia under French license. 

Provisionally, the first ship would cost EUR 720 mln, the second one – EUR 650 mln. In Russia, the ships will be constructed in Kronshtadt at newly built yards of Admiralteyskie Verfi. 

Assault landing ship Mistral has displacement of 21,000 tons; overall length is 210 meters; speed is over 18 knots; operational range is up to 20,000 miles; crew is 160 men plus 450 marines. Air wing consists of 16 helicopters; six of them can be simultaneously placed on the flight deck.

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Norway ratified the Arctic treaty signed with Russia

On Tuesday Norwegian parliament ratified the treaty on maritime delimitation and cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean signed with Russia in 2010, reports AFP referring to Norwegian media sources. 

The treaty lets both countries develop oil-and-gas fields of Arctic continental shelf in the territory of 175,000 sq km after the 30-year long moratorium. Norwegian MPs unanimously ratified the document; to come into force, it should be also ratified by Russian parliament. 

"As far as I know, Russian party examines the document now", said Norwegian foreign minister Jonas Gahr Store addressing to MPs. As for him, ratification of the agreement by the countries will open new epoch of Russian-Norwegian cooperation. 

Russia and Norway signed the Treaty on maritime delimitation and cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean in Sept 2010. The parties were about to ratify the document simultaneously. With signing of this treaty, Moscow and Oslo had closed almost the 40-year long talks on delimitation of exclusive economic zones and continental shelf of the two countries. 

Disputed territory was somewhat 175,000 sq km of maritime space. The dispute had been settled gradually. In 2007 the countries managed to sign the agreement on Varangerfjord, a bay in the Barents Sea. The document provides maritime delimitation of exterior part of the bay and resolves some problematic issues. 

In Apr 2010 the parties had reached definitive agreement. The entire disputable area is subdivided roughly in halves; as a result, both countries would finally obtain clear borders of exclusive economic zones and continental shelf. 

According to U.S. Geological Survey, about 13% of world's unexplored oil resources and 30% of natural gas resources can be located in continental part of Arctic.

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Russia to create hypersonic cruise missiles for the Navy

Russia works on creation of hypersonic cruise missiles for the Navy, reports Interfax referring to Alexander Leonov, director general of defense-oriented corporation NPO Mashinostroyenia. 

"This is not a time for talking on how this project can be implemented. But I see no technical obstacles to realize these plans in the current decade", said Leonov having noted that development of such missiles was provided by State Arms Program 2011-2020. 

The director of NPO Mashinostroyenia did not detailed performance capabilities of developed missiles, but pointed out that the general trend is to "increase speed up to hypersound" and expand operating range. Besides, the new missiles will be multifunctional and capable to hit both land- and sea surface targets. In addition, "versatility of launch platforms is also of great importance, it is when the missile can be used with any delivery vehicle". 

According to Leonov, up to 80% of cruise missiles currently in service in Russian Navy were designed byNPO Mashinostroyenia. In particular, this company developed missiles for attack submarines; Project 1144Orlan nuclear-powered missile cruiser Petr Veliky is armed with antiship missiles Granit; Project 1164 Atlantcruisers Moskva and Varyag have BazaltPublish Post

 missiles in their arsenals.

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President of USC refutes rumors that the company leaves Mistral talks

United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) continues to participate in negotiations on Mistral ships; information that the company withdraws from the talks is incorrect, reports RIA Novosti citing the head of USC Roman Trotsenko. 

According to Tuesday's Kommersant, French shipbuilding company DCNS which is about to sell Mistral technology to Russia negotiates directly with Rosoboronexport, while USC which is to build two out of four landing ships takes no part in the talks. 

"Rather, we were not withdrawn from talks. That does not reflect reality. We do participate in the consortium", said Trotsenko. 

The information which had emerged in media surprised him much. 

Late in Dec 2010 Russia and France officially declared that the consortium consisting of United Shipbuilding Corporation (Russia) and DCNS (France) would construct two Mistral class ships in Saint-Nazaire and other two – in Russia under license. Russian defense ministry issued an appropriate tender in Oct 2010. 

RIA Novosti reported in Dec 2010 referring to a source involved in negotiations that the first Mistral class ship for Russia would be constructed in France late in 2013 (early in 2014), the second one – late in 2014 (early in 2015). Provisionally, the first ship would cost EUR 720 mln, the second one – EUR 650 mln. 

Assault landing ship Mistral has displacement of 21,000 tons; overall length is 210 meters; speed is over 18 knots; operational range is up to 20,000 miles; crew is 160 men plus 450 marines. Air wing consists of 16 helicopters; six of them can be simultaneously placed on the flight deck.

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