24-06-09 Russia may export up to 40 diesel submarines by 2015

Russia could sell up to 40 fourth-generation diesel-electric submarines to foreign customers by 2015,state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday."Russia's export potential in this market sector is very high thanks to Project 636 and Amur-1650 class submarines equipped with the Club-S integrated missile systems," Rosoboronexport said in a press release.The Project 636 Kilo-class submarine is thought to be one of the most silent submarine classes in the world.It has been specifically designed for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters.Russia has built Kilo-class submarines for India, China and Iran.The Project-677,or Lada-class,diesel submarine,whose export version is known as the Amur 1650,features a new anti-sonar coating for its hull,an extended cruising range,and advanced anti-ship and anti-submarine weaponry.Both submarines are equipped with highly-acclaimed Club-S integrated missile systems.The Club-S submarine cruise missile family includes the 3M-54E1 anti-ship missile and the 3M-14E land-attack versions,with a flight range of 275km (about 170 miles).The missile can be launched from standard torpedo tubes from a depth of 35 to 40 meters (130 feet).Overall,naval equipment constitutes about 10% of the total portfolio of orders of Rosoboronexport,which is estimated at about $30 billion."By 2010,the share of naval equipment in Russia's arms exports will reach 15%,and by 2011 it will total 20%," said Oleg Azizov,head of Rosoboronexport's delegation at the International Naval Show-2009 in St.Petersburg.India,China,Algeria,Vietnam and Indonesia remain key buyers of Russia's naval armaments.India and China have purchased submarines,frigates and destroyers.Vietnam has ordered Svetlyak-class fast attack boats and frigates,while Indonesia will receive corvettes built in Russia in cooperation with Spanish firms