Ukrainian Defense Review #1 [January-March 2017]

№1 [ JANUARY-MARCH 2017 ]

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW

UKRAINE’S UAV PROJECTS

MADE IN

UKRAINE

SNIPER ARMS AND NEW AMMUNITION FROM UKRAINE

NEW UKRAINIAN REMOTE WEAPON STATIONS

THE “ISKRA” RAYS

NEW RADARS’ CAPABILITIES

[ table of contents ] initiatives

40 IRON SOLDIERS

New Ukrainian robotic platforms trends

44 UNMANNED WEAPONS

SС «UkrOboronProm»

The perspectives of UAV systems in Ukraine

8 ROMAN ROMANOV

“Ukroboronprom’s” rule of 3 “i”: interaction, innovation and integration direct speech

50 VOLODYMYR KOROBOV

We can produce R-27 air-to-air missiles independently using our own R&D and production capacities

experience

at gunshot

14 CERTIFIED BY BATTLE

Ukraine’s Armored Vehicles in the combat actions in Donbas close-up

30 “ARMATA-KILLER” AND “SILVER” BULLET Sniper arms and new ammunition from “Stiletto Systems LTD” Engineering Company

20 TANK STRENGTH OF UKRAINE

aerial fight

Broad capabilities of Ukrainian tank-building

52 R-27

made in Ukraine

«Air-to-air» guided missile

22 LINKING THE RIVER BANKS

radiolocation

Mechanized bridges from Chernihiv 171st Repair Plant weapons arsenal

in focus

25 UKRAINIAN REMOTE WEAPON STATIONS

36 THE TEARS OF ISKANDERS

A line up of new Ukrainian remote weapon stations.

DEFENSE EXPRESS MEDIA & CONSULTING defence-ua.com

54 UKRAINIAN NEXT-GENERATION RADAR TECHNOLOGIES Radars from “Iskra” R&D and Production Complex

The real situation within the military industry of The Russian Federation

SERHIY ZGURETS – head&editor-in-chief defense express media & consulting company, zgurets@gmail.com, VALERII RIABYKH – director of development defense express media & consulting company, defence_2@meta.ua, АNTON MIKHNENKO – deputy director – editor-in-chief of «Ukrainian defense review» magazine, mikhnenko_av@ukr.net, IGOR FEDYK – deputy editor-in-chief of «Ukrainian defense review» magazine, MARK KANARSKY – art director, SERGEY POPSUEVICH – photographer, JANNA DYOMINA – translator

OUR ADDRESS 10 Illinska str, of.5, Kyiv, Ukraine, 04070 phone: +38 (044) 425-42-10, +38 (044) 425-16-22 ukr.defense.news@gmail.com

Center for Army Conversion & Disarmament Studies cacds.org.ua

VALENTYN BADRAK – Founder & Director of Center for Army Conversion & Disarmament Studies VOLODYMYR KOPCHAK – Deputy Director MYKHAILO SAMUS – Deputy Director for International Affairs

news

cooperation

UKRAINE’S DEFENSE INDUSTRY DAY AT NATO HQ A Ukrainian Defense Industry Day was held on 30 November 2016 at NATO HQ in Brussels.

The event, hosted jointly by NATO and Ukraine’s stateowned defense industries

group Ukroboronprom, was aimed to promote Ukraine’s defense industrial capabilities, explore proposed initiatives on expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with international companies and organizations,

and facilitate import substitution in the defense industry.

Ukrainian participants demonstrated their proposals regarding the design, development and qualification of radar, electronic and navigation equip-

ment. The NATO participants, for their part, proposed collaboration in the development of radar technologies, upgrading of air defense capabilities and R&D on an AWACS aircraft based on the Antonov An-148 platform.

UKRAINE STEPPING UP MILITARY TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION WITH PAKISTAN At the 2016 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), which took place on 22-25 November in Karachi, Pakistan, State-run company Ukrspecexport inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pakistan’s stateowned armored vehi-

cle manufacturer Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) on the export of over USD 600 million worth of diesel engines for MBTs and other heavy armored vehicle related support.

Beyond that, Army General Stepan Poltorak, Ukraine’s Defense

2 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

Minister, had a working meeting with Vice-Chief of Army Staff (Weapons & Equipment) of the Pakistan Army, Maj Gen Hamood-ur-Rahman to discuss potential cooperation, especially in the production of military equipment, including inter alia tanks and antitank missile systems.

news

cooperation

UKRAINE BUILDING UP PRESENCE IN INDONESIA’S ARMS MARKET

Ukraine is looking to expand its military technology cooperation (MTC) with Indonesia.

The parties have been talking about the possibility of exporting An-148-300MP maritime patrol aircraft to markets in Asia-Pacific.

More specifically, Ukraine proposed to deliver a quantity of An-148MP aircraft and subsequently transfer the know-how for production of the aircraft at an Indonesian factory. This follows from an Ukrspecexport’s report summarizing negotiations with a team of Indonesia’s Navy HQ officers held by the Company on the sidelines of IndoDefence-2016 Expo & Forum (Jakarta, Indonesia).

Other potentially promising areas of Ukraine-Indonesia MTC could include Ukrainian export of armored military vehicles, gun-missile systems, air-

craft weapons, radar technologies as well as aircraft maintenance services.

In particular, in September 2016 Ukraine exported a pilot batch of four BTR-4 APC vehicles to Indonesia’s Marine Corps, un-

der a 2014 contract providing for the supply of five BTR-4M APC vehicles with an option to supply further 50.

The option for 50 vehicles, if exercised, could include the transfer of knowhow and licensed

production of a limited number of BTR-4M APCs in Indonesia.

If this program is a success, Ukraine could expect further contract awards to supply BTR-4Ms to other branches of Indonesia’s Armed Forces.

MOTOR-SICH INCREASING ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA’S AVIATION INDUSTRIES China’s aviation industries are looking to expand and enhance collaboration with Motor Sich, Ukraine’s leading aero-engine supplier, as evident from the outcome of Airshow China 2016 that took place from 1 to 6 November in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.

Besides Motor-Sich, attending the event were officials of Beijing

Skyrizon Aviation Industry Investment Co Ltd and its aero-engine subsidiary located in Chongqing, Sichuan Province.

Beijing Skyrizon Aviation Industry Investment and Motor-Sich launched collaboration in 2015 by building a joint-venture partnership in Chongqing, focusing on the design, development and producturbofan types. tion of different aero-engines, particularly of the Sino-Ukrainian collabgas turbine, propfan, and oration in the aero-en-

gine domain promises significant benefits to both partners.

Capability growth in the design, development and production of aeroengines, as believed by experts, would facilitate sustainable strategic development of China’s aviation sector in one respect, and in another, it will allow the Ukrainian partner to offer the export market more competitive, higher-quality products by exploiting the benefits of the Chinese market.

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 /3

news

land ZHYTOMYR ARMOR PLANT UNVEILS IT’S APC/IFV UPGRADE PACKAGE

Zhytomyr Armor Plant has demonstrated the capabilities of its infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) upgrade designated BMP1UMD. The demonstration took place at a proving ground outside Kiev in early December 2016.

UKRAINIAN COMPANY UNVEILS ITS BUOYANCY BODY ARMOR In late October 2016, Ukrainian R&D and production company NPP Temp-3000 unveiled its Corsaire-MPL body armor vest, designed specifically for use by security services operating on seas, rivers, lakes and other water bodies.

The Corsair-MPL vest provides all the benefits of a current-generation body armor (ballistic protection from bullets and fragmentation threats) while serv-

ing simultaneously as a positive-buoyancy personal floatation device.

The vest is of three-part construction integrating a chest protector, back protector and neck protector.

The soft armor package, which contains an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) insert, is insulated together with a buoyant element in a waterproof neoprene coating.

Corsair-MPL’s soft armor package is compliant to 1A (Ukraine) and NIJ 0101.04

ADRON COMPLETES DEVELOPMENT OF A THERMOBARIC HAND GRENADE Kiev-based R&D and production firm Adron has completed development of its RGT-16S thermobaric hand grenade. The RGT-16S grenade will destroy enemy personnel sheltered in cover positions, enclosed spaces or engineer installa-

tions, M. Arkhypov, CEO at Adron, has said.

The thermobaric grenade is designed such as to prevent it from rolling backward when thrown from an inclined surface. Further to that, it can be attached to its target object using a magnet or adhesive

4 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

Level IIA (USA) safety standards, while the ballistic package is compliant to Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 (Ukraine), and NIJ 0101.04 Level IV (USA) safety standards.

According to chief engineer at Temp-3000, Volodymyr Mykhaliov, the Corsair-MPL flak jacket has already been subjected to real-life tests in water saturated scenarios. In one scenario, a 79-kilo man wearing a CorsairMPL vest was able to maintaine afloat during some two hours.

tape. Lethal effect is achieved through generating heats of up 3000° C in the explosion epicenter. In addition, the Company is set to offer its proprietary thermobaric mixture for a variety of applications ranging from underbarrel launched grenades to air-delivered bombs.

A major part of the upgrade is re-engining with the Deutz TCD2013 L64V motor.

It took just three months to convert the vehicle to accept the German-built 6-cylinder turbocharged 330-hp Deutz TCD2013 L64V engine replacing the Russian-supplied UTD-20. The German engine can be programmed to boost its power output to 390 hp as compared to only 300 hp produced by the UTD-20 engine. In addition, the German engine has significantly longer lifespan; it is quieter and more fuel efficient.

The BMP-1UMD upgrade package additionally includes enhanced firepower, updated fire controls, improved ergonomics and comfort for the crew, and expanded functionality. Special emphasis was placed on reducing the vehicle’s signature in visible and infrared regions.

The BMP-1UMD is fitted out with an advanced digital fire control suite known as Myslyvets (or «Hunter»), providing automatic target identification and tracking functionality; it is also suitable for control of remote weapons turrets.

news

air and space

UKRAINIAN PREMIERE OF THE YEAR: ANTONOV AN-132D

SE “Antonov” demonstrated on December 20th a new light multipurpose aircraft An-132D.

The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Saudi Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed Al Saud – who traditionally cut the ribbon before An-132D left the shop – attended the demonstration of the new aircraft.

“We are confident that this aircraft has a great future. We are confident that it will have 260290 aircraft by 2035. And I thank

all aircraft manufacturers and all our partners for this celebration and for this victory”, - said Petro Poroshenko during his speech.

The head of the State Concern Roman Romanov noted that Ukrainian aircraft manufacturers in short-term created An-132D. “An-132D was created in a very short time. The decision to implement this project was made in May 2015 when the agreement was concluded with Taqnia Aeronautics, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Today

the aircraft is ready for testing and will perform its first flight in spring 2017, “- said Roman Romanov.

The decision on implementation of An-132 program was based on the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia organizations, as well as aircraft operators. An132D construction is the first stage of the program of creating light multipurpose aircraft of new generation An-132.

An-132 is designed for short distance and medium-range routes,

THE VEGA ROCKET WITH UKRAINIAN ENGINE SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH December 5, 2016 at 15:51 Kyiv time the Vega rocket with Ukrainian engine was successfully launched from the Vega Launch Complex

(SLV) in Kourou, French Guiana.

The Vega rocket sent into orbit the Göktürk-1 Earthobserving spacecraft for the Turkish Armed Forces.

The Vega rocket was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), together with the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

The cruise engine RD-

will perform a wide range of tasks on transportation; different cargo cabin configurations are avaliable. The aircraft will have a cruising speed of 500 km/h and a maximum cruise altitude up to 9000 m with a maximum payload up to 9.2 tons.

Later a whole family of different purpose aircraft will be developed on the basis of An-132.

Mass production of these aircraft is planned in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in cooperation with Ukrainian companies.

843 for the 4th stage of a rocket was developed by the State Enterprise “Yuzhnoye State Design Office” and was made the State Enterprise“The

Production Association Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant”. Mentioned launch was eighth in Vega program and second flight of the rocket in 2016.

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 /5

news

navy

ARMORED BOATS BUILT FOR UKRAINE’S NAVY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THEIR OFFICIAL TRIALS Armored boats Akerman and Berdiansk (Project 58155 Gurza-M-series) have successfully completed their Official Trials program at a Black Sea naval proving ground outside Odessa.

The Official Trials program took almost a year to complete. Over that period, the

boats traveled over 2,000 nm, and performed more than 20 sessions of live-firing at air, ground and sea targets.

The boats have proved their capabilities in terms of speed performance, smooth operation of onboard systems and mechanisms, endurance and robustness of the equipment.

At a naval training ground, the

boats successfully performed gun firing at targets simulating costal defense installations, hostile armored vehicles, ships and means of air attack.

In a simulated single-combat scenario, the boats successfully performed drills in visual signature reduction, and in the search, detection and engagement of adversary ships.

The two boats offer reduced visual signature achieved through stealth technology and a smoke camouflage system designed specifically for this application.

The gunboats Gurza-M-class “Akerman” and “Berdiansk” will soon become operational with the Ukrainian Navy’s standby component.

UKRAINE TO SUPPLY GAS TURBINE ENGINES FOR INDIA’S FRIGATES Ukraine’s gas turbine engine maker Zorya-Mashproekt has agreed with the Ministry of Defence of India to supply gas turbine engines for India’s Russian-built Project 11356 frigates, Indian Defence News reported.

“Discussion was started long back. The only problem was because of the Ukraine-Russia conflict as the ship’s power plant is Ukrainian. Now, we will buy the

6 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

power plant and fit it on the ship,” India’s Defense Minister, Manohar Parrikar was quoted as saying by

Indian Defence News.

Details of the agreements have not as yet been released.

During the India-Russia annual summit held in Goa in October 2016, an intergovernmental agreement was signed wherein it was stipulated that India would buy four improved Krivak-class stealth frigates from Russia. The basic structure of two frigates has already been completed in Russia, while the other two frigates will be constructed at Indian shipyards under Make in India program.

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 /7

“UKROBORONPROM’S” RULE OF 3 “I”:

INTERACTION, INNOVATION AND INTEGRATION ROMAN ROMANOV

DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE STATE CONCERN «UKROBORONPROM»

8 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

The challenges of the modern era, which require instant reaction, dictate stringent requirements; the only answer to them is transformation of the existing management systems, manufacturing and military products into modern high-performance tools.

The new team of the State Concern “UkrOboronProm” – operating since 2014 – had radically changed the management system, having overcome the

catastrophic situation in 2,5 years, when more than 100 enterprises of the State Concern were economically inefficient and could not manufacture innovative high-tech products. In fact, it was “revival” and “rehabilitation” of the huge mechanism, and as a result today Ukrainian defense machine is successfully performing its tasks.

But today’s world dictates its own rules: those who make no headway instantly become outsiders. For this reason “UkrOb-

oronProm” is elaborating on reforming of the State Concern to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges. So I grouped all “UkrOboronProm” undertakings into the “rule of three “i”: integration, innovation, interaction.

INTERACTION

Every modern project – especially in the field of armaments – requires incredible resources that only a few states can afford. So joining efforts –

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 9

collaboration at an international level – is the only reasonable alternative.

In 2016 “UkrOboronProm” signed a number of agreements with key defense companies from NATO member countries.

For example, a Polish company WB Electronics signed an agreement on joint development of air defense systems; together with Turkish Havelsan Hava Elektronik Sanayi we are working on passive radar development.

Today An-132 prototype – produced by legendary SE “Antonov” – is getting ready for its first flight. Aircraft An-132 – designed by Ukrainian engineers

by Taqnia Aeronautics of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia order – has a maximum payload of up to 9.2 tonnes.

The aircraft has a combination of unique characteristics: efficiency, simplicity and relia-

10 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

bility. This aircraft can be operated under the most severe conditions – deserts and highlands – it can take off and land even on poorly prepared airfields.

An-132 has the latest aviation innovations, including modern electronics and “glass cockpit.”

An-132 proves that Ukrainian aviation industry is open to global cooperation. Powerful foreign companies – modern equipment suppliers – are involved in production of this powerful aircraft: Pratt & Whitney Canada, Dowty Propellers, Honeywell, Liebherr

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An-132D demonstrates that our country and our industry are ready to perform even complex tasks and are open to mutually beneficial cooperation.

INNOVATION

Innovativeness has long been a synonym for success and criteria for effective investment.

In modern arms production the main focus is placed upon development of unmanned weapons, aiming to protect the most valuable asset – soldier’s life.

Drones can spend hours in the air, monitoring hundreds of kilometers, obtaining surveillance information and attacking the enemy. Drones conquered the sky, though they can not evacuate wounded, deliver armament and ammunition.

To meet these challenges “UkrOboronProm” and private enterprises developed tactical unmanned multipurpose vehicle “Phantom”. Its characteristics allow performing a wide range of tasks. “Phantom” can deliver ammunition and loads, safely and quickly evacuate wounded from the battlefield regardless the weather, both by day and at night.

Different types of armament can be mounted on “Phantom” for fire support. For example, if “Phantom” is equipped with anti-missile system – the army receives nearly invisible, mobile and effective means of enemy armored vehicles’ destruction.

Given the experience of “Phantom” development, “UkrOboronProm” initialized creation of innovative development platform. Built on the model of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), USA, this platform will bring together developers, start-ups, investment funds and the military.

This platform will accumulate advanced scientific thought, investment, exchange and protection technology mechanism.

INTEGRATION

Three years ago, Ukraine made a final choice, choosing Euro-Atlantic values and standards as the main strategy for development. Quality control system ISO 9001is already implemented at 70% of “UkrOboronProm” enterprises. Establishing application of NATO standards system – regulating implementation of management systems and quality assurance AQAP (Allied Quality Assurance Publications) 2000 series – is already initiated.

“UkrOboronProm” set a key objective: integration of Ukrai­ ne’s defense industry into the global defense market. Therefore the State Concern launched Reform of the military-industrial complex of the country.

Reform Strategy provides clear sequential steps: corpora-

tization, audit, clusterization, technology protection and innovations development. Corporatization of “UkrOboronProm” enterprises will allow creating transparent management structures, Supervisory Boards, establish common rules including those for international investors.

Each of these steps aim at a qualitative shift of Ukrainian defense industry to a modern level.

Strengthening cooperation between all the enterprises of Ukraine – regardless their form of ownership – is of vital importance. Clustering will attract capacities of the private enterprises. This will allow building a system of scientific and industrial complexes with a clear specialization and sufficient financial capacity.

I am sure that following these rules will allow meeting today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges, becoming a universal mechanism for successful adoption of even the most complex solutions. UDR UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 11

[ experience ]

Igor Fedyk, UDR

CERTIFIED BY BATTLE UKRAINE’S ARMORED VEHICLES IN THE COMBAT ACTIONS IN DONBAS 14 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

Prior to the start of combat actions in Donbas, Ukraine’s Armed Forces and other security forces were armed largely with weapons left behind by the Soviet Army after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Additions of newly-made weapons, for different reasons, were quite rare and very limited in numbers. But Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has changed the situation regarding the provision of security forces with upgraded as well as newly made Ukrainian weapons, especially armored vehicles.

Combat units started receive newly produced tanks, armored personnel carriers, armored cars which were then delivered immediately to the East of Ukraine, in order to subject them to baptism of fire in actual combat scenarios. Given below are a few examples of use of Ukrainian armored vehicles in the combat actions in Donbas.

Since the start of combat actions in 2014, the armored vehicles, including tanks, were used most extensively among other types of armaments available to Ukraine’s military. Prior to the annexation of the Crimea and the beginning of Donbas combat actions, the tank inventory of Ukraine’s Land Forces consisted of 735 tanks, including the most recent upgrade of the T-64 MBT - BM Bulat, and exclusively Ukrainian product known as BM Oplot. Both are currently in production by SE “Malyshev Plant” in Kharkiv.

Given the fact that armored vehicles of the Land Forces’ tank and mechanized units were used in combat operations in

the combat actions in Donbas, it is certain that new Ukrainian developments have also got their baptism of fire.

In particular, as evidenced

by Ukrainian soldiers, BM Bulat showed itself to advantage in the battlefield. It won numerous tank duels with hostile Russian tanks.

For example, Ukrainian Army’s 1st Tank Brigade units equipped with BM Bulat, defeated Russian tank units in a direct engagement outside Debaltseve. The engagement ended up with two destroyed hostile T-72B tanks. It is significant that these tanks were destroyed by another Ukrainian development – the Kombat anti-tank guided missile system, which was developed by Kyiv SE “State Kyiv Design Bureau “Luch”.

Regarding BM Oplot, there are no official reports confirming that the tank was used in combat actions in Donbas. At the same time, according to the unconfirmed reports BM Oplot was used by Ukrainian army in the battle of the Bakhmut Road. In particular, at one of the Road sections, a 3-tank raiding team, including 2 BM

BM Oplot tank

Oplot tanks, attacked Russian Armed Forces’ 136th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade units during their redeployment. As a result, 2 hostile tanks and a KAMAZ truck carrying enemy personnel were destroyed.

A very important component of the Ukrainian heavy armored vehicles’ survivability in the Donbas battlefields is the Explosive reactive armor (ERA). Many of the tanks used by Ukrainian Army units are equipped with ERA modules “Nozh” developed

by Kyiv SE «Microtec Base Center for Critical Technologies».

The vehicles withstood multiple direct hits by Russian anti-tank missiles, but thanks to the elements of the “Nozh” ERA did not get significant damage.

There was a demonstrative engagement, when three BM Bulat vehicles of the 1st Tank Brigade attacked enemy positions outside Lohvynove on February 12, 2015. This is how the events were described by the tank company commander, Captain O.Moroz: “First I saw the undershot in our tank on its right-hand side. Then – a direct hit at the turret of Kostenko’s

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 15

[ experience ]

The BTR-4 showed itself to advantage in combat as a robust, low-maintenance vehicle with impressive firepower and high-level protection

tank! Thank God, the robust ERA protection on the Bulat had worked. The tank not just survived, but remained combat ready and went back into combat immediately after the hit”.

Another example is the combat near Shyrokyne out-

16 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

side Mariupol when Azov Regiment’s T-64BM1M tank equipped with “Nozh” ERA was fired by hostile anti-tank system. Two ERA panels worked very well and thus prevented penetration of the core armor.

The tank retained its combat

The “Nozh” ERA

capability and continued performing its combat mission.

As for Ukrainian armored vehicles on wheeled platforms, it has be mentioned that they have been used in the combat actions in Donbas from the very beginning.

The BTR-4 and BTR-3 APCs (produced respectively by SE “Malyshev Plant” and SE “Kyiv Armor Plant”) showed themselves to advantage in the battlefield.

The National Guard units were the first to add BTR-4 vehicles to their APC inventories. Particularly in the first part of 2014, the National Guard took delivery of over fifty BTR4 vehicles in various configurations, which were later sent for service to the combat units deployed in Donbas. The BTR4 showed itself to advantage in combat as a robust, low-maintenance vehicle with impressive firepower and high-level protection. BTR-4 crews spent much of the time performing

checkpoint security missions where the vehicles served as armored weapon emplacements.

The BTR-4 got its baptism of fire in the battle of Slovyansk in June 2014. The vehicle’s armor withstood direct hits of heavy machine gun bullets, while mounted armor provided protection against anti-tank rockets, and a bullet-proof window withstood a direct hit of the bullet of large-caliber sniper rifle.

Also, since 2014 the BTR-3 APC has been actively used in the combat actions in Donbas.

Unlike the heavier BTR-4, the BTR-3 can cover long distances at relatively high speeds, offers good maneuverability, firepower and water fording capabilities that make it a basic vehicle for rapid response missions.

Ukrainian-built light armored vehicles are also being baptized of fire in Donbas. For instance, the KrAZ Cougar armored vehicles of the State Border Service of Ukraine, have repeatedly defended border patrols from the enemy fire.

Particularly on January 25, 2015, the Cougar vehicle performing a border policing outside Opytne, Donetsk Oblast, came under enemy mortar fire.

The crew and passengers escaped the incident uninjured, while the vehicle suffered only minor damages to its hull and windshield, caused by impacts of shell fragments. A few days earlier, a Cougar vehicle saved the life of Ukraine’s NSDC Sec-

The Cougar armored vehicles have repeatedly defended border patrols from the enemy fire

retary, O.Turchynov, who visited the ATO area as head of an official team that was to decide whether to procure the KrAZ Cougar vehicle for the country’s security forces. The Cougar vehicle carrying Turchynov went under enemy fire near the village of Opytne. The crew and passengers escaped uninjured behind the vehicle’s armor protection, while the vehicle got away with a punctured tire and its hull cut with shell splinters.

The same year, in September, a Cougar carrying a border guard team came under enemy mortar fire while driving near the intersection of roads to Novotroitske, Dokuchaivsk,

and Berezove. One shell blew up very close to the vehicle, but the crew and passengers were defended by the armor. The vehicle itself suffered only minor damages caused by impacts of shell splinters.

These are just a few examples of Ukrainian armored vehicles used in real combat actions. However they provide enough convincing proof that Ukrainian weapons, and especially armored vehicles, are able to operate effectively even in most severe combat situation. And the fact they have successfully passed their test of fire prove not only their own worth, but the capabilities of the country’s military industry. UDR

IN 2015 A COUGAR VEHICLE SAVED THE LIFE OF UKRAINE’S NSDC SECRETARY, O.TURCHYNOV, WHO VISITED THE ATO AREA AS HEAD OF AN OFFICIAL TEAM THAT WAS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO PROCURE THE KRAZ COUGAR VEHICLE FOR THE COUNTRY’S SECURITY FORCES UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 17

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TANK STRENGTH OF UKRAINE

BROAD CAPABILITIES OF UKRAINIAN TANK-BUILDING Only seven countries in the world produce tanks. And Ukraine belongs to one of them.

All of this owes to SE “Malyshev Plant”, which is the leading and the only enterprise in Ukraine manufacturing this fighting vehicle. The brand, created during the years, is the result of a constant priority in the production, which is determined by high quality products – the most modern military equipment in accordance with the highest international standards.

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Tank production in Ukraine has great potential as it is fully “fixated” on the domestic component parts.

Therefore, SE “Malyshev Plant”, in light of recent events, did not have the rupture of economic ties, the collapse of production, but rather the opposite – there was a rise.

In recent years the enterprise has intensified its activity on the international market. Pakistan,

China, Thailand, India, the Republic of Congo... These and other countries are the permanent partners of SE “Malyshev Plant”.

And the list is replenishing. With exclusive rights and opportunities for the production of unique products of the military industry, the SE “Malyshev Plant” is open for cooperation with representatives of foreign armies.

THE “OPLOT” TANK: ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD

At the moment, the military direction is the most significant and promising area in the activity of the SE “Malyshev Plant”.

We are talking primarily about the special products of the enterprise – “Oplot” MBT. The “Oplot” tank is the pride of the factory, its visiting card in recent years, one of the best tanks, which exist today. Tactical and technical characteristics of the combat vehicle is comparable to Western models and are even better in some parameters.

In particular, according to the ride characteristics – this tank has the increased maneuverability and mobility. According to the protection there is the reactive armor “Doublet”, which is able to protect the vehicle and the crew from armor-piercing projectiles and tandem shaped-charge projectiles, and the optical-electronic system of oppression “Warta”, plus some side skirts for protection against the hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers. Ac-

cording to the fire control system – the tank is equipped with the improved thermal temperature sight and record-keeping system of barrel bending.

Those requirements, which are applied to armored vehicles today, are implemented in this product at the highest level. “Oplot” has been acknowledged very well in the desert at the maximum possible increase in temperature (by the way, with regard to temperature fluctuations – this tank is fearless and is able to work in any possible thermal mode within the limits of our planet). The accuracy and quality of its shooting, operability and maneuverability are not susceptible to climatic anomalies.

With the highest performance of combat capability (for most of the parameters we override our nearest competitors – the Chinese, the Russians with their T-90), our vehicle is almost cheaper in halfprice than of foreign competitors, and therefore, for this reason, it is interesting and attractive to potential buyers. It is obvious that we have a very advantageous position in the market.

Therefore, the “Oplot” is in demand among our and foreign armies. And we are confident: the

company will continue to achieve momentum of its production.

Today the plant is at the stage of active implementation of the contract with the foreign customer the Kingdom of Thailand for the supply of “Oplots” for the needs of the Thai army.

VISCERA OF THE COMBAT VEHICLE

The plant also manufactures the engine transmission compartment (ETC) for armored vehicles, a range of diesel engine (6TD, 5TD, 3TD).

Unique engines to the ETC are only manufactured by the Aggregate Plant of SE “Malyshev Plant”. Their advantage is that they can operate on any fuel and also withstand any thermal loads. To date, nobody has been able to repeat and to reproduce the “Malyshev” engine.

Therefore, the work of our masters and our own plant in this field is simply irreplaceable and will inevitably enjoy the constant and stable demand.

It should be noted that with production output the plant ensures its maintenance and high efficiency. Detailed diagnosis is carried out on the working stands: the issue of quality is a priority – the liability in case of armored vehicles manufacture is particularly important. And our liability is at the highest level. Further operation and maintenance of armored vehicles, the replacement of related components are guaranteed. Repair crews are always ready to go to the customer – to correct any problem. Fortunately, it happens rather seldom. And it also describes the quality of plant products. UDR UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 21

[ made in ukraine ]

LINKING THE RIVER BANKS

UKRAINE LAUNCHES DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF MECHANIZED BRIDGES A great number of bridges have ended up destroyed or blown up as a result of sabotage attacks mounted by Russia-backed separatist rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk regions over the period of Russian military aggression in Ukraine, which is causing serious inconveniences to the civilians and complicates combat efforts by Ukraine’s government forces. In view of this situation, the 171st Repair Plant based in Chernihiv has launched Ukraine’s first domestic production line for mechanized bridges.

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The 171st Repair Plant is Ukraine’s only organization to do overhauls on airport-related motor vehicles as well as special vehicles used at both civil and military airfields, focusing primarily on overhaul of automotive chassis, engines and specialist equipment, including inter alia hydroelectric power plants, compressor and gas

charging stations, air servicers, and airfield mobile units.

The Company was not heavily loaded with orders from Ukraine’s MoD prior to the Russian aggression. In 2014, after the outbreak of hostilities in the Donbas region, the Plant, for the first time in many years, was awarded military contracts to bring back to operational status or do major repairs on equipment (especially airfield vehicles) of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. For now, the Company has built and delivered up to 20 airfield mobile units to the MoD customers.

The scope of the Company’s business has latterly grown to include upgrading and updating of engineer equipment and production of heavy mechanized bridge, the TMM-3. The 171st Repair Plant won a MoD contract to repair and upgrade one bridge vehicle, and agreed with the MoD to develop, at own expense, engineering documentation and manuals for the TMM-3M bridge. The result was that a prototype TMM3M bridge was inaugurated to the public at Arms and Security 2016 exhibition in October.

Ukraine’s first indigenous bridge vehicle is very similar in design and basic specifications to its Soviet-built counterpart, the TMM-3. It is built on a KrAZ truck chassis re-designed specifically for this application.

The base chassis was subjected to modifications aimed to improve operational robustness, maintainability and off-road performance.

The TMM-3M bridge consists of four spans of 10.5 m each, capable of combined payloads of up to 60 tons. The bridge vehicle, when fully loaded with one bridge span, weighs 20 tons.

The TMM-3M can cover water gaps of 40 meters in length and 3 meters in depth. Although originally designed to be carried by a KrAZ truck chassis, the TMM3M can accept chassis from other European suppliers such as the Czech Tatra, for example.

The prototype TMM-3M demonstrated at Arms and Security has been successfully subjected to factory tests; it will be delivered for service with a Ukrainian Armed Forces engineering unit.

The TMM-3M integrates all the features of its Soviet-era ancestor, including steel grades used.

A CHARACTER OF STEEL

The heavy mechanized bridge TMM-3 will provide a bridge for wheeled and tracked payloads of up to 60 tons to cross over water gaps of up to 40 meters in length and 3 meters in depth • • • • • • • • • •

Length of bridge span ............................... 10.5 m Width of bridge deck ................................... 3.8 m Gauge width ................................................1.5 m Bridge payload...............................................60 t Construction time for a one-/two-/three-span bridge ........ 11/30/56 min Permissible speed for tracked vehicles .....15 km/h Permissible speed for wheeled vehicles ...25 km/h Maximum traveling speed....................... 71 km/h Vehicle weight fully loaded (with one bridge span).................................20.4 t Crew per vehicle/four-span bridge................... 2/8

The Designer is now busy developing an enhanced configuration capable of payloads of 70-80 tons, so it could withstand the movement of heavy armored vehicles such as the M1 Abrams MBT weighing in excess of 60 tons.

With this new business activity the 171st Repair Plant

is truly going through its second youth. It has a lot of work ahead of it, as there is a great market for mechanized bridges, both in Ukraine and elsewhere. Ukraine’s MoD alone requires some 60 four-span bridges, meaning five to six years of intensive production.

The Company is expecting a twofold increase in interest in its bridge product if a 70-80-ton payload capacity objective is achieved. Expressions of interest are already coming in from potential customers in Scandinavia, Lithuania and Estonia – the countries abundant with small rivers.

To be officially accepted for service with Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the product needs to be upgraded to the MoD’s specifications, and work to draw up engineering documentation and manuals needs to be completed.

The Company is planning to build another prototype soon.

Decision on the start of production will be subject to successful completion of the User tests and Official tests, followed by approval for service use. UDR

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 23

[ weapons arsenal ] Anton Mikhnenko, UDR

UKRAINIAN REMOTE WEAPON STATIONS PRODUCTION TRENDS The Defense Express has already reported on the Ukrainian developments in weapon stations for different armored vehicles (UDR No.2, 2016). These are Desna weapon stations of PJSC CheZaRa, Shturm-M of SC “Kiev’s Armor Factory”, Shkval-A of SC “Zhytomyr Armor Plant”, BM-23 of Kiev-based Artillery Design Bureau (ADB), BPU-12.7 of SС “Lviv Armor Plant и “Viy” of Westan Group Associates.

However, during the last year, national producers have managed to create a range of new products worthwhile to be told about in more details.

FROM BLIK-2 TO BLIK-2М

SC “Kiev’s Armor Factory” has been working on creation of new remotely-operated weapon stations to equip different armored vehicles for a long time already. This process has been under progress today as well. Recently, remotely-operated weapon stations Blik-2 and Blik-2M have been exhibited before the public.

SC “Kiev’s Armor Factory”, incorporated with SC “Ukroboronprom”, has introduced its Blik-2 remote weapon station for

the first time at ADEX-2014 International Defense Industry Exhibition in Baku, Azerbaijan. But it was only start of the project.

The Blik-2 is an integrated machine-gun/grenade launcher turret designed to en¬gage enemy personnel, vehicles and ground-based targets of other kinds. It is comprised of 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine¬guns, a 30 mm grenade launcher and a smoke grenade dispenser system - all inte¬grated into a single turret. The turret can also be used against aerial targets flying at al¬titudes of up to 1 000 meters. The turret is controlled

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[ weapons arsenal ]

remotely from dis¬tances up to 50 meters. It is suitable for in¬stallation both on vehicles (wheeled or tracked) and stationary facilities. It features an optical TV sight with 47 degrees FOV. The Blik-2 weapon station has been select¬ed to equip the ‘Dozor-B’ Light Armored Vehicle and other combat vehicle types pro¬duced in Ukraine.

Next generation of this remote weapon station - Blik-2M was presented in the Middle East at SOFEX 2016. It was fitted on the final version of its Dozor-B light 4x4 armored vehicle personnel carrier.

A new remotely-operated weapon station is also armed with one 7.62 mm machine, one 12.7 NSVT heavy machine gun and one 30 mm automatic grenade launcher. But as compared to Blik-2, the new Blik-2M is equipped with one launcher for Corsair anti-tank missile and new optics. The weapon station assures enemy mastering at the distance of 100-2500 m. At that, rifle range using missile munitions is 2500 m, using НСВТ-12.7 machine gun it is

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range goals. Sight system can be adjusted both to the line-of-sight and horizon line.

Currently, Taipan is equipped with a rapid-fire machine gun caliber double-barreled 23 mm, the effective range of which reaches 1.8 km. Other weapon station modifications can be equipped with a machine gun 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm, and 30 mm grenade launcher with a separate elevation drive unite.

The minimum weight of the weapon station is 350 kg only.

In addition, this station can be mounted not on mobile platforms only, but can also equip fortified structures such as checkpoints controlling the station remotely, or use it as a SAFU without power supply. Taipan weapon station can work 3 hours in such a mode.

2000 m and КБА-117 launcher of 30 mm caliber it is 1700 m.

“TAIPAN” BITE

Taipan remote weapon station developed by SE “SpetsTehnoEksport”, made its debut in 2016 at ADEX in Baku and later at “Arms and Security” in Kiev.

Installed system of backlash planetary gearboxes and ac converter-fed motors provide precise targeting at ultra-slow and high speeds that makes “Taipan” weapon station unique.

Owing to modern electronics, Taipan provides automatic targeting, keeps armament at the defined position regardless repositioning of the combat vehicle’s hull in motion, providing automatic tracking of a target.

Automated targeting system – with allowance for weather, projectile type, armament type, angular velocity and target range – is installed into the weapon station. Also, weapon station is installed automatically issuing commands guidance on weather conditions, such as shells, type of arms, angular velocity and

Blik-2M remotely-operated weapon station is armed with 7.62mm machine gun, 12.7 NSVT heavy machine gun, 30mm automatic grenade launcher and launcher for Corsair anti-tank missiles

“DUPLET” FROM ZHYTOMYR

Within the framework of the international exhibition “Arms and Security 2016”, which took place in Kiev, October 11-14, State Enterprise “Zhytomyr Armored Plant”, which is part of the SC “Ukroboronprom” presented Duplet remote weapon station.

It is equipped with two automatic 30 mm guns and can deliver fire of double density. Duplet can create a curtain with 30 mm projectiles by shooting alternately from each barrel.

Also, Duplet is equipped with guided anti-tank missiles.

They allow destroying enemy armored vehicles at distances up to 5 kilometers. The weapon station is armed with automatic grenade and two guns caliber 7.62 mm. Computerized fire control, thermal imager, laser rangefinder and laser-guided missiles channel are responsible for weapon guidance.

Computerized fire control system, thermal imager, laser rangefinder and missile guidance laser channel are responsible for targeting. Automatic grenade launcher power pack – enhancing not only simultaneous target handling capacity, but also allowing to refuse using the same sight for weapons with different ballistics – is the peculiarity of the given targeting system.

Duplet is optimized for BMP2. It allows equipping these armored vehicles for a minimum period. If necessary, and with minimal changes, the weapon station can be mounted on other types of armored vehicles.

with a new fire control system using multi-channel optical and TV sighting complex.

The Kastet is armed with ZTM-1 30 mm automatic cannon which can fire a full range of ammunition as APT and APIT at a maximum range of 2 000 m. The second armament includes one 30 automatic grenade launcher KBA 117 and one KT 7.62 mm machine gun.

On the right side of the turret, there are two launchers for Barrier ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile). The missile is able to destroy armored targets at distances from 100 to 5 000 meters.

During the International Specialized Exhibition“Arms and Security 2016”, the Taipan remotely-operated weapon station was mounted on Bars-8 vehicle Duplet is equipped with two automatic 30mm guns and can deliver fire of double density. It can create a curtain with 30 mm projectiles by shooting alternately from each barrel

Considered all, it could be said that R&D and production of weapons turrets for application on AFV platforms have seen a stable development in Ukraine.

It should be noted that the national arms companies dealing with the development of new turrets and upgrading of existing designs to higher performance are not only seeking to exploit new trends and technologies, particularly in the areas of fire control or weapons stabilization, but also to take into account budget restraints and make the new armaments more affordable to military customers in Ukraine. UDR

“KASTET” STRIKE

At SOFEX 2016, the Jordanian defense Company KADDB presented a new prototype of modernized CVRT light reconnaissance vehicle. The original turret of this vehicle was replaced by the Ukrainian Kastet turret.

The Kastet is a modernized remotely-operated weapon station based on the Shkval turret which is mounted on BMP-1 used by the Ukrainian and Georgian army.

It was designed to offer modern weapon systems which can be fitted on existing light and medium weight armored vehicle.

The Kastet turret has a total weight of 1 500 kg. It is fitted

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 27

[ at gunshot ]

“ARMATA-KILLER” AND “ SNIPER ARMS AND NEW AMMUNITION FROM ENGINEERING COMPANY “STILETTO SYSTEMS LTD” 30 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

“Armata-killer” – such sonorous and unofficial name is assigned to a new sniper rifle STL-016, represented by Engineering Company “Stiletto Ukraine”/ Stiletto Systems LTD. New sniper rifle STL-016 has integrated all key Stiletto’s know-how offered for rising the combat potential of small and sniper systems in all important components: from ammunition to weapons structure.

New rifle STL-016 provide for grouping of shots not exceeding 0.5 МОА. So, in particular, close grouping of shots from the rifle at 300 m range was determined at series of 10 shots (R100 is a circle radius with 100% laid hits of a series). Close grouping

of shots R100 at 300 m is 1.2 cm.

It means, that, for example, at 800-meters range the rifle provides for hitting the circle of 6.4 cm diameter. Rifle firing range of STL-016 is 2000 m.

Sniper rifle STL-016 has been developed for usage a cartridge .300 Winchester Short Magnum (also known as .300 WSM) 7.62 calibers, as well as all respective up-to-date special ammunition. But the most impressive competitive advantages of the rifle STL-016 – both in firing grouping and in armor piercing – are shown up when using armor-piercing cartridges manufactured by Stiletto Ukraine Company for the sniper system. When fighting against the most modern armored targets at the battle field, taking into consideration the fact that observation and aiming systems devices of any super-modern

“SILVER” BULLET tank always were and will be their weak points. When observation devices and fire control systems will be disabled, tank would be like Cyclops in his fighting against Odysseus.

Sniper rifle STL-016 can be considered through the prism of the Ukrainian Army’s interests as the high-precision sniper system (involving the rifle, telescopic sight and special cartridge).

The manufacturer guarantees fault-free functioning of all parts and mechanisms of the arms for a period at least 9000 shots.

The Stiletto Systems LTD is also implementing the project in a profound upgrading of

self-loading SVD rifle – the most popular specimen in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and National Guards. SVD having its present performance capabilities cannot provide for complete execution of all combat missions entrusted to a sniper.

Initially designed-in engineering solutions into the arm allow upgrading to enhance combat and performance characteristics of the rifle. Constructive changes from the Stiletto Ukraine Company include, in particular, installation of a new barrel (the barrel is bedded and with integrated silencer); im-

provement – if necessary – of breech mechanism for application of more powerful special sniper cartridges, as well as some other solutions. As in the event with “Armata-killer”, designers say about precision characteristics of the upgraded SVD not exceeding 0.5 МОА.

Thus, in particular, grouping capability when firing from the rifle at 200 m range (R100) makes 3.5 cm. at eight hundred meters index R100 will be 14 cm.

Comparative test of the standard army SVD rifle with target cartridge and experimental SVD rifle with a new barrel manu-

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 31

[ at gunshot ] factured by the Stiletto Systems LTD and cartridge Sellier&Bellot has been carried out. A highly experienced sniper of the National Guards executed shooting. Here is the result. At 200 m range bullets of the series consisting of four shots by a target cartridge (brass case, 13-g bullet in brass jacket) from a standard SVD rifle went into a circle of 9.5 cm in diameter, which fact is the perfect result for the said arm. Five bullet holes fired from SVD sniper rifle with a new barrel at the range 200 m (cartridge Sellier&Bellot) went into a circle of about 3 cm in diameter. It is expected that when using armor-piercing sniper cartridges by the Stiletto Systems LTD results will be better.

During the war against the Russian-terrorist groups in Donbass in 2015 Ukrainian special service units of the Army and snipers of the National Guards applied new live cartridges developed by the Engineering Company “Stiletto Systems LTD”.

Ammunition was delivered to the military according to the Company’s initiative. Results of combat application, if compared with the standard rifle sniper and submachine gun cartridges, have become stunning for the shots. Targets – tanks’ optical devices, frontal armor of the enemy’s APCs and AFVs, as well as enemy’s infantry – have been hit effectively at previously inaccessible ranges. Shooting was carried out from foreign and standard sniper SVD rifles.

“Having our ammunition ensuring high armor piercing, as it was seen in Donbass, we, in practice, pull up armored vehicles at a range from 400 to 700 meters, including hitting of manpower behind the armor.

Submachine-gun cartridge 5.45 when shooting against armored vehicles’ frontal armor solves this task at 400 m range.

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Rifle cartridge 7.62 by 54 – at 700 meters range”, - Aleksandr Kalachev comments performance capabilities of Stiletto’s designs. He is one of the three managers and founders of the Engineering Company “Stiletto Systems LTD”. He is engaged in ammunition and small arms subjects for more than 20 years.

SUMMARY

1. Engineering Company “Stiletto Ukraine”/Stiletto Systems LTD has developed ammunition with unique design of bullets. Those cartridges provide for much better indication in accuracy and armor-piercing, if compared to the market of modern ammunition in a bar of calibers from 5.45 to 14.5 mm from the leading American and European manufacturers. They are also excelling new ammunition for the small arms (including the sniper one),

supplied to the Russian Army since 2014 and constitute a significant menace for the Ukrainian servicemen.

2. Ammunition of the Company “Stiletto Ukraine”/Stiletto Systems LTD in 2014 had been tested by NATO institutions (in particular, Royal Military Academy of Belgium (АВАL) and Cranfield Military University (England), who confirmed significantly higher opportunities in armor-piercing of the Stiletto’s bullets, if compared ammunition of other manufacturers by caliber.

Cartridges of Stiletto Company were also experimentally checked in Ukraine for evaluation of hitting efficiency of personal armor protective equipment and armor materials. Both, the Army men and

guardsmen in their reports declared that “confirmed conformity of declared specifications of the products to their practical values obtained during the tests”. The report of the the Central Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in particular, says that armor plate of bullet-proof vest of the max protection level (IV protection class according to N.I.J

ARMOR IS NOT AN OBSTACLE

In 2014-2015 the Stiletto Company its ammunition gave as volunteers in small batches to snipers of the National Guards and AF of Ukraine. Persons who used them in a battle against aggressors shared their experience.

“My call is “Chaos”. I participated in anti-terrorist operation in 2014-15 in Lugansk and Donetsk Regions.

Area of 29th checkpoint. The said ammunition was used against APC. Range was 400 m. We shot at armor shield of a driver because gunner-operator is sitting behind him. I made 4 shots by the Stiletto’s cartridges. Vehicle I was firing against from SVD rifle, left battle formation, turned around, abandoned infantry and left the battlefield. According to a ballistic table such cartridges correspond to other Soviet-made ones, so, there is no need to change aiming point. In the parameters, this ammunition is fit for standard arms used by the Ukrainian Army”.

“My call is “Byelorus”. I’m commander of the operation group. Our snipers were working with this ammunition in Luganskaya Stanitsa. After operations of our snipers enemy didn’t use vehicles in this area. Enemy’s snipers approached our positions very seldom. They were afraid. They didn’t have an idea what ammunition we used there. They had no idea what ammunition can shoot through APC, kill driver etc. we used SVD rifle and fired by single rounds from 7.62 calibers Kalashnikov submachine-gun. Such ammunition is in need for snipers and operation groups as far as any situation may occur, especially when fighting in towns. Such ammunition is indispensable in premises where enemy’s snipers and riflemen are hidden. Any other ammunition we have is ineffective as compared with this new one. A machine gunner was in a building, your bullet from SVD rifle pierced concrete slab and hit his head. If shot by any other ammunition, ricochet could be at its best...»

“My call was “Magnum”. I used and tested this ammunition on a battle in 2014, and in 2015. I used them also during defense of Donetsk Airport. Especially I’d like to recommend them to snipers. For sure. I was operating SVD. Indications in grouping capability are comparable to sniper ammunition, but new ammunition possesses better armorpiercing ability. There was an incident: machine gunner and one more target were sitting behind an armored door. I made two shots, then we heard talks: “What “ukrops” (Ukrainians) fight with? Two shots and two hit targets, door and bullet-proof vests are through”. Distance then towards two targets was 450 m. The most my effective shot range with this ammunition was 815 m”.

0101 USA; or 6th protection class according to GSTU 41032002) had stood the firing by bullets ЛПС (light steel bullets) and Б-32 7.62 mm of a rifle cartridge from 10 m range.

But the same bullet-proof vest was pierced from 60 m range by bullets БС from the Stiletto’s cartridge 7.62х54 mm and 7.62х51 mm.

3.

All engineering Stiletto’s know-how has been documented by both Ukrainian and British patents, having the international jurisdiction and legal recognition. Engineering Company Stiletto Systems LTD has developed design documentation both for entire suggested bar of cartridges and for production of technical accessories and equipment for production of cartridges, documentation for manufacturing processes.

“There are no doubts that today Russia is substantially dropped behind in the segment of live small arms ammunition from opportunities, which our current products may provide for. We wish that our designs, for which we have spent more than twenty years, will be called-for in our Motherland. Especially now, when we are in war and military peril Russia will take place for years”, - top managers of the Stiletto Ukraine assert. UDR

Serhiy ZGURETS, Defense Express UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 33

Science-Industrial Association ÂŤFortÂť is leading enterprise in Ukraine which develops and serially produces different types of firearms.

For the moment company manufactures modern weapon with high ballistic characteristics that is confirmed by the results of numerous tests including state tests.

The enterprise is also the main supplier of the weapon for divisions of National police and the National Guard of Ukraine.

[ in focus ]

THE TEARS OF ISKANDERS

OR REAL SITUATION WITHIN THE MILITARY INDUSTRY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Nowadays, the Kremlin diligently tries to impose the opinion about the superpower of the Russian military industry on the entire world.

For this purpose, such flaunty arms forums are used as “The Army”, MAKS, etc., along with victorious wars against fascism and other global terrorism, which, when having the right propagandistic support, must produce an overwhelming effect on the target audience. In fact, having put the emotions aside and having made an analysis of the mentioned above, as well as considering the economic situation in Russia, the obtained 36 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

result considerably differs from what was planned by the Kremlin enthusiasts of the multi-phase strategies.

“THE MONEY IS OUT, BUT YOU HOLD ON“

The year before, the Kremlin’s declamation concerning rearmament of the army and the situation in the military industry was quite optimistic.

The Russian Prime Minister D. Medvedev assured that despite the financial difficulties, it was planned to allocate “very decent money” for the State Defense

Order (SDO) from the federal budget in 2016–2018. However, the the plans of the Russian government were refined by the oil at the price lower than $50 a barrel, as well as the sanctions from the West, following after the annexation of Crimea and the military aggression in Donbass, due to which the deficit of the Russian budget exceeded the mark of 3% and keeps growing, and the spare funds are becoming scarce.

Today, the Kremlin is trying to show that the financing of the arms projects has been effected to the same extent as before, and the Russian officials are constantly proclaim-

ing that “Iskanders have defeated the sanctions”. There is a small nuance, though: as a result of the high inflation, this financing remains the same only nominally. Moreover, at the beginning of the year the press included publications with references to the Accounts Chamber, indicating on RUB 4.5 trillion of receivables within the rearmament program. That means, the projects were greatly advanced back in the day, but nowadays there are no finished products at the output, and they are unlikely to appear in some specific directions at all.

Such situation is not a surprise today. It was once predicted by the former Finance Minister of the Russian Federation A. Kudrin, who told that the ongoing rearmament program must not be adopted, since as soon as all the facilities of the military industry were launched and it became necessary to apply mass production, the price for the oil would fall and the money would

run out. Nevertheless, due to the strong lobby of the military, it was adopted. However, as time has shown, everything turned out to be in general just the way he had described.

Back then, having disagreed with the line of the security officials, A. Kudrin was forced to resign. But dismissing budget problems appeared to be a harder task. And no later than spring came, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, represented by the new head A. Siluanov warned that to comply with the budget targets, it would be necessary to sacrifice the defense sector. The argument of the financial experts was highly valid: the budget would not be able to withstand such a heavy load in the existing economic realities, and the sharp increase of the defense expenses would have adverse effects on implementation of other programs, including the social ones. And yet, despite the available bitter experience and the rapidly deteriorating situa-

tion in the country’s economy, the security officials continued getting their way.

It must be noted from this perspective that even in case of winning in the dispute by the military (which is absolutely impossible to exclude), it will not necessarily mean that all the money will go to the Russian enterprises. The public money are, first of all, a honeypot for thieves and corruptionists, that can presently be found all over the Russian military industry. The damage caused to the state by the corruption in the defense sector still amounts to the tens of billions roubles, which according to the Russian experts themselves is already turning into a strategic threat to security of the country.

Against this background, the situation in the Russian defense enterprises remains quite challenging as well. For instance, the total amount of the overdue indebtedness (more than one month) concerning salary payment to their employees reaches hundreds of millions roubles.

In addition, a shortened working day and unpaid leaves without financial allowance is a common practice there. And that is equally true for small and for publicized across the whole world leaders of the Russian military industry, among which are: JSC “RPC “Uralvagonzavod”, JSC “United Shipbuilding Corporation”, KAMAZ OJSC, OJSC “Tula Scientific Research Technological Institute”, etc.

The above-described is confirmed through the action of creating the Operation Headquarters for monitoring of financial and economic performance of the defense industry complex or-

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 37

[ in focus ]

ganizations, that appeared within the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation in 2015 by instruction of the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation government D. Rogozin. D. Rogozin has also recently “delighted” the Defense Ministry officials waiting for the orders from the state by urging them to increase the civil products output and not hope for the growth of the State Defense Order. The information according to which the SDO will not grow, and on the contrary, its expenses will be reduced, was confirmed at the “Army–2016” Exhibition by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Yu. Borisov.

In other words, the enterprises of the military industry were in some way alluded that the rescue of a drowning man is the drowning man’s own job.

BEING ON THE “IMPORT” NEEDLE

Another problem of the Russian military industry, which causes not less difficulties, is

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the technological component of its activity. For instance, the Russian Federation currently still has insufficient production facilities and lacks the latest technologies for the weapons production. In most of enterprises of the military industry, the equipment has not been modernized yet ever since the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Besides, the rates of rearming of the Russian army are nowadays accompanied by multiple problems arising not only from the lack of funding and the old production base, but also from the Western sanctions, which prevent the import to the Russian Federation of important components, blocks and units without which the Russian defense industry is hog-tied. After all, the entire idea of rearming the Russian army was based on the help from the West, on purchasing a large number of components and the latest technologies. The Kremlin expected the confrontation with the West to begin sometime after 2020, and that until that time the rearmament would be performed. But

the Russian Federation was cut off the access to the Western technologies already in 2014, that is, in the middle of the rearmament.

To find the way out of the existing situation, the Russian defense sector was introduced with so called import substitution, which had to fill the gaps generated by the Western sanctions and the breach of the military-technical cooperation with Ukraine, by means of the capabilities of the Russian enterprises.

Today, the Russian propaganda tells everywhere about the success of such import substitution, though in fact all commonsense Russian armourers and experts understand that it cannot be implemented. Therefore, nowadays the military industry of the Russian Federation use meanwhile the old stocks, and when those stocks run out, they hope for something to happen: the end of sanctions or anything else.

AND THE REAL SITUATION IS…

The reflection of what is actually happening in the Russian defense sector is presented through the rearmament program of the Russian Armed Forces, whose numerous projects are either performed with a great delay, are close to disruption, or are being suspended till better days.

For example, with the delay, new modular platforms are being constructed (e.g. for the publicized tank Armata). This is proved by the problems connected with their manufacturing, as well as by an extremely high cost, which resulted in statements on reordering BMP3 and modernization of T-72 tanks to the version of Т-72B3.

As for another much talked about project – the fifth-generation fighter named T-50 (PAK FA),

– it is also accompanied by a number of problems, among the main of which is the engine, as well as new air-to-ground/air-to-air missiles and controlled bombs. The reasons for the above-mentioned problems are the financial ones and the fact that a part of the munition is in the process of modernization and has not passed yet all the required tests.

Rearmament of the navy is quite an issue for the Russian Armed Forces. For instance, a timely commissioning of the project 22350 frigates remains very doubtful not only due to financial problems but also because of the necessity to purchase abroad separate blocks and components. In particular, by now, as a result of the breach of the military-technical cooperation with Ukraine, the Russian Federation received only two gas-turbine engines for frigates of this type, which means that commissioning ships at the production stage may be deferred to an indefinite period.

There are also problems with construction of corvettes of the project 20385 and, most likely, the project 20386 will be implemented instead of them (both projects

are the modifications of the project 20380). The reason for it are financial problems, as well as the technological ones, caused by the Western sanctions. In particular, for the project 20385 the engines of the German MTU company had been planned, however, the contract was terminated due to the sanctions. Nowadays, only Gremyashchy has been equipped with an engine, but there might arise a problem in the future of the Russian party’s inability to service it independently.

It should also be noted that the main tool used by the Kremlin to intimidate the West, which is the nuclear armoury of the Russian Federation, has also been affected by the problems. As a result of inadequate funding in the nineties, the number of submarines with ICBM within the Strategic Nuclear Forces of the Russian Federation and of the strategic bombers was reduced. The working on a new generation of the nuclear weapon and its carriers, which had been started already in the Soviet period, was also cancelled.

Today, these problems have been complemented by purely the technical and logistic ones, particularly those associated with the issues

of spare parts delivery and maintenance of missiles.

In general, based on the above stated, it becomes obvious that in spite of the efforts of the Kremlin to persuade everybody of the power available within the Russian military industry, by using various military exhibition swanks, its capabilities are currently rather modest. Survival under the conditions of the economic sanctions of the West and of the sharp fall in prices for energy sources (incomes from the sale of which are the main key to receiving orders by the enterprises of the military industry), blocking the access of the enterprises to the latest technologies owned by the companies from the West countries, suspension of joint military and technical programs with them, the continuing corruption in the MOD and military industry, the lack of highlyqualified personnel and obsolescence of the production facilities – all these are the today’s realities of the Russian defense industry.

These are the realities that significantly influence the rearmament of the Russian Army and the fulfilment of obligations under the export contracts. UDR

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 39

[ initiatives ] Serhiy Zghurets, Defense Express

IRON SOLDIERS

UKRAINE’S MOST RECENT R&D PROJECTS ON GROUND ROBOTIC SYSTEMS

Ukraine has intensified domestic R&D activities aimed to develop multi-role ground robotic platforms suitable to support intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR) missions, combat missions, and other tasks. These activities, however at the initial stage only, have already produced prototypes which have been demonstrated to potential customers, among them the Defense Ministry.

40 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

Kyiv-based PJSC Lenkuznya is now working on a private venture project to build the Piranha – an unmanned combat and support robotic system.

This is designed with a modular architecture allowing its tracked platform to accept different payloads including a fire support module with a 12.7mm machinegun or a UAG-40-class grenade launcher, and an ISR module, and it can be reconfigured for cargo transport.

The ISR payload will include the Anti-Sniper -- an indigenously developed sensor system (developed by UaRpa) equipped for battlefield surveillance and counter-sniper tasks.

In another configuration, the Piranha will be integrated with the battery fire control system “Kropyva” to assist artillery spotting in conjunction with UAV assets.

The domestic lineup of unmanned combat ground vehicles (UCGVs) will also include

UDR note: Unmanned ground robotic systems operated by the most technologically advanced armed forces in the world are used largely for the detection and safe disposal of roadside bombs, mines, and improvised explosive devices. Ukraine has a limited number of robotic vehicles it obtained as gift under U.S. military aid programs. A few such vehicles are used in bomb disposal training programs by Kamyanets-Podilski Military Engineering School.

The domestic requirement for ground robotic platforms is expected to grow in the mid-term to support the clean-up of mines left in eastern Ukraine as a result of Donbas hostilities.

the Phantom, a multi-role 6x6 robotic vehicle designed to support combat and ISR missions, and to transport battlefield supplies. The Phantom UCGV is a collaborative project by Spetstechnoeksport Import/Export Firm, Kyiv Armor Pant and partner companies.

As claimed by its designer, the Phantom will be controlled via a secured radio connection within 2.5 km, or alternatively via a cable connection within a 5 km radius. Its electric motor will be able of max speed of 38 km/h and max range of 20 km. The vehicle is designed with water fording capability of 500 mm and payload capacity of up to 350 kg.

Weapon payload options include small arms weapons and anti-tank missile launchers.

An infra-red camera will be included in the equipment set for night-time operation.

The Phantom will be operated by a crew of two (system operator and weapons operator).

Along with indigenous development of unmanned robotic systems based on wheeled and tracked platforms, Ukraine is seeking to integrate existing technology solutions for remote control of production robotic systems on wheeled and tracked platforms. This path has already been explored by many countries worldwide.

The Piranha unmanned combat and support robotic system

In Ukraine, Infocom Ltd, Zaporizhia, partnered with AvtoKrAZ to develop and demonstrate the first domestic prototype of the Spartan APC vehicle equipped with automated driving system named Pilotdrive. The vehicle can be controlled remotely via a tablet PC, a smart glove or an operator station. WiFi/Wimax network is used to control the vehicle within a radius of 10 to 50 km.

The prototype KrAZ Spartan is fitted out with a spatial sensing system for autonomous navigation. This integrates an IR imaging camera, automated target tracking and lock-on sensors, a 360 degree camera, front and rear radars for obstacle spotting and danger avoidance, a rangefinder, and a sensor to detect human presence within a 18 m range. In a fraction of a second, the road situation analysis and decision-making system will recognize the obstruction ahead and provide corrective action.

The Spartan is additionally outfitted with the SmartDrive hardwaresoftware system and the Teach-inDrive route memory system.

The unmanned robotic KrAZ Spartan vehicle is designed to help minimize risk and save lives of soldiers in different tactical scenarios involving the transportation of supplies (ammunition, fuel and medical aid stores), and evacuation of wounded casualties from the battlefield.

Mock designs and working models of indigenously-developed UCGVs imply they essentially are all radio-controlled robotic vehicles. As the vehicles are all controlled from a fixedbase facility, there needs to be visibility between any

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 41

[ initiatives ] given vehicle and its respective control center. So the vehicles will be most effective and efficient when operated on a favorable, flat terrain allowing unobstructed communication. But they still need to learn to move over complex terrains – woodlands, cities and rural areas, and especially in ECM heavy conditions.

In the near future, we can hardly expect that unmanned robotic vehicles will participate in attacks alongside tanks or infantry fighting vehicles, as this job is more effectively done with conventional manned vehicles. The converse of this is that the Israel Army, for example, has since 2008 operationally deployed the unmanned ground vehicle Guardium that is used to combat and guard against invaders along Gaza’s borders. But to achieve this, Israel -- one of the world’s leaders in the unmanned robotic vehicle domain -- had to solve a great range of technology problems, which Ukrainian industries are just beginning to do with initiatives like “Piranha” and “Phantom”.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense announced the beginning of work to develop operational requirements for unmanned ground robotic systems, while simultaneously forced to acknowledge that “government funding for relevant research and development projects, unfortunately, has not been provided”. It also noted special importance of a comprehensive study exploring the place and role of unmanned robotic platforms in the future Armed Forces armaments system. It is also important to develop ad-

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The unmanned robotic KrAZ Spartan vehicle is designed to help minimize risk and save lives of soldiers in different tactical scenarios

vanced methods of how to operationally deploy unmanned ground robotic platforms and robotic vehicle units.

In this context, there is need to develop a longterm concept on the use of military robotic systems, along with a medium-term R&D program on robotic platforms

The Phantom UCGV is a collaborative project

by Spetstechnoeksport Import/ Export Firm, Kyiv Armor Pant and partner companies

for general-purpose and combined-purpose uses (i.e. suitable for ground, air and naval applications, or a combination of these).

As seen from the proposed Concept and R&D Program, the country’s military is interested in a wide assortment of robotic vehicles ranging in weight from several tens of kilograms to several tens of tons.

This could drive businesses, both government-run and privatelyown, to intensify their R&D effort in this particular domain, in the hope of attracting interest from potential military customers. UDR

[ trends ]

UNMANNED WEAPONS

UKRAINE’S INDIGENOUS UAV PROJECTS – CURRENT STATUS AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become perhaps the primary feature of a modern army. It is by the amount and sophistication level of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) used that one can easily assess the technological advancement level of a country’s military forces.

During the ongoing AntiTerrorist Operation (ATO) in Eastern Ukraine, UAS assets have shown excellent effectiveness in performing surveillance and reconnaissance intelligence (ISR) missions for the benefit of all armed branches,

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especially the Missile and Artillery Forces. This has increased the interest by the country’s security organizations in having their units equipped with UAS platforms optimized for specific applications relevant to their respective responsibilities.

UKRAINE SECURITY SECTOR’S UAS REQUIREMENTS MET IN 2015-2016

At the turn of 2016-2017, three years into the war in the ATO area, the deployed UAS assets oper-

ated by Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Special Operations Forces and National Guard can be broadly divided into three categories: 1.

Indigenous systems procured under the Government Defense Procurement and Acquisition Program 2015, which, potentially, may be officially approved for service use or for procurement by the Armed Forces.

2. Foreign-supplied systems procured by the government or provided under military aid programs.

3. UAV and UAS capabilities that were manufactured, procured and provided to se-

curity agencies by volunteer and sponsor organizations.

In Ukraine in the period from 2008 through 2016, there were up to fifty companies and organizations. both government-owned and privately run, that were announcing interest in developing UAV platforms and associated payload technologies, and demonstrated relevant pre-prototypes to potentially interested parties, with the Private Sector being most successful in advancing indigenous UAV/UAS technologies.

Athlon Avia R&D and Production Company, Kyiv; Ukrspetssystems, Kyiv; Spytech R&D and Production Company, Odesa; Carboline, Kharkiv; Skyeton Aviation Production Company, Kyiv; and DeViRo Production & Innovation Company. Vinnytsya, are major players in the field of UAV technologies and associated payload development in Ukraine.

EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICE OF USING DEPLOYED UAV SYSTEMS IN EASTERN UKRAINE

Among the UAV systems used most widely for ISR purposes in the ATO theater, there are the PD-1 (UkrSpetsSystems, Kyiv) which offers an endurance of 5 hours and an ability to perform tactical ISR missions into the depth of enemy deployment; the Leleka-100 (DeViRo Production & Innovation Company, Vinnytsya); the Mara-2M (Carboline LLC, Kharkiv); and the Valkyrie (provided by the SOS Army volunteer organization).

It should be noted here, that vertical takeoff/landing Mini & Micro UAVs -– in contrast to the initial period of military conflict in Eastern Ukraine where the theme of multi-copters was largely ignored – are now de-

PD-1 offers an endurance of 5 hours and an ability to perform tactical ISR missions into the depth of enemy deployment

veloping a considerable interest among potential customers from Special Operations Forces, High Mobility Airborne Forces, and Land Forces.

Regarding tactical battlefield UAV platforms in service with Ukraine’s Armed Forces, they are largely used for target search and location measurement, and for missile and artillery fire adjustment. Indigenous systems deemed most suitable for the two aforementioned purposes have been progressively separated into an individual category. There is now general acceptance that a tactical battlefield UAS optimized for ISR support to ground operations, and an artillery spotting UAV system are two different types of systems requiring different payloads, methods of operational deployment, and functionalities.

Kyiv-based Athlon Avia R&D and Production Company is Ukraine’s top leader in the battlefield UAS industry. Athlon Avia has delivered a combined total of over 40 A1-C Furia UAS vehicles to the Armed Forces, National Guard, Security Service, and volunteer organizations, which have already logged a combined total of 2500+ flight hours, spotting targets for artillery fire.

Hundreds of targets have been engaged with the A1-C Furia UAS in the ATO theater.

In 2016, the Company introduced the A1-CM Furia, a comprehensive upgrade to its battle proven UAS system A1-C Furia, to Armed Forces officials. The improved A1-CM Furia competes in functionality with the best international brands.

The Furia competes on the domestic market with WB Electronics’ Fly Eye. In 2016, the Armed

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 45

[ trends ]

Forces and the National Guard operated a combined fleet of four Fly Eye tactical battlefield UAS systems -– either provided by volunteer organizations or procured by Ukrspecexport for MoD contracts. Chernihiv-based PJSC CheZaRa will provide warranty and post-warranty servicing for Fly Eye UAV systems, pursuant to rights granted by the manufacturer company.

The indigenous UAV systems used for artillery fire adjustment in the ATO theater alongside the A1-CM Furia and Fly Eye are not as effective as the latter two, and will remain so until the reverse is proven by testing and realworld operation.

DEVELOPMENT OF TACTICAL COMBAT UAV SYSTEMS

As the war with Russiabacked separatist rebels is ongoing in Eastern Ukraine, there has been growing interest by domestic industries in developing tactical combat UAV systems.

Ukraine has certain expertise in developing tactical com-

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bat UAV technologies. Particularly during a new product demonstration on August 29, 2016 in Kyiv, Ukroboronprom unveiled an aerodynamic model of a tactical combat UAV system to be known as AN-BK-1 Horlytsya (“turtledove”), developed in a collaborative project between Antonov and its partner companies. The Designer describes the AN-BK-1 Horlytsya as a multi-role platform designed to perform day/ night aerial reconnaissance and ground attack missions. In developing the AN-BK-1 Horlytsya, Antonov aims to achieve

the performance characteristics found with the AAI Corporation’s RQ-7 Shadow 200.

It is important to note that, in developing tactical combat UAV capabilities, not as much focus is now placed on endurance and range as on target identification, location and acquisition capabilities. And besides that, the UAV is supposed to be able to carry payloads of at least 20 kg, which is excessive for any of the indigenous UAV platforms ever developed in Ukraine (excepting, of course, the Horlytsya, which currently exists as a proof-of-concept demonstrator). If developed to a prototype level, the AN-BK-1 will have its total payload capacity (weapons plus a multifunctional gyro stabilized EO/IR gimbal) will be increased to 50 kg.

The improved A1-CM Furia competes in functionality with the best international brands

Fly Eye UAV system from Polish company WB Electronics

DEVELOPMENT OF EXPENDABLE COMBAT UAVS

In Ukraine, there have already been demonstrated indigenous unmanned combat systems that could be ranked as “smart grenades” or “suicide” drones. These include the drone systems known as Yatagan 2 and Haidamaka M-49.

International suppliers propose their own solutions to help Ukraine’s military meet its requirement for suicide drones, including through cooperative production programs. At the Arms and Security-2016 exhibition, JSC CheZaRa, Chernihiv, demonstrated the small unmanned aircraft Warmate. Developed and produced by the Polish private company WB Electronics SA, Warmate belongs to the “suicide drone” category. CheZaRa announced itself prepared to launch a Warmate production line, under a license-production agreement with WB Electronics SA signed on March 18, 2016.

Multicopters have seen frequent use as attack weapons in low intensity conflicts, and in this capacity, their weapon payloads often include armor-piercing hand grenades. There were also attempts made to use a quadrocopter for ground attacks using a vertical, single-use rocket launcher.

Both Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatist rebels have used quadrocopter drones equipped with improvised weapon payloads as platforms for ground attacks. In one such instance, a hostile sabotage group attempted to use a quadrocopter UAV armed with an armor-piercing hand grenade to destroy a Ukrainian multiple launch rocket battery, which was sheltered under a light roof in a location at a certain distance from the separation line set by the Minsk peace accords.

However, in all cases where quadrocopter drones are used for ground attack roles, they have serious weaknesses that include low terminal accuracy (even with their loitering capability), high sensitivity to side wind, short opera-

tional range, relatively short endurance compared to fixed-wing counterparts, and low speed (implying high vulnerability to small-arms attacks).

ENDNOTES

Real-world experience of military use of different UAV platforms suggests that these assets are highly effective and valuable in modern military scenarios of whatever intensity, including particularly the ongoing military conflict in eastern Ukraine. Military UAV fleets will tend to grow progressively as the range of missions assigned to them expands.

Ukraine’s Armaments Development Program 2020 includes

The AN-BK-1 Horlytsya is a multi-role platform designed to perform day/ night aerial reconnaissance and ground attack missions

procurements of UAS vehicles in different categories by weight, operational range, and operational capabilities. The Program will fund the acquisition of 50 to 100 UAV platforms for each of the Army and Special Operations Forces, with smaller numbers to be procured to meet the Air Force and Navy requirements.

Backlog demand, pending demand and potential demand from Ukraine’s security agencies offer significant opportunities to both domestic and international suppliers of robotic armament systems. The UAV sector will retain its promise for business interests of those designing, developing, manufacturing and supplying high-tech products to the Ukrainian domestic marketplace. UDR

The Yatagan 2 “suicide” drone

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 47

[ direct speech ] ”WE CAN PRODUCE R-27 AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES INDEPENDENTLY USING OUR OWN R&D AND PRODUCTION CAPACITIES” Presently in times of ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, the provision of aircraft launched missiles remains an important challenge for Ukraine’s Air Force. The State-run Artem joint stock holding company, which is incorporated with national defense industrial group Ukroboronprom, is No.1 company in Ukraine for air-to-air missiles. The following is an interview conducted with Volodymyr Korobov, Deputy DirectorGeneral of Ukroboronprom for Aircraft Industry and Operations for aircraft industry affairs, by Defense Express on the status of the Company’s air-to-air missile (AAM) programs and the situation at the Company.

VOLODYMYR KOROBOV

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY AND OPERATIONS , STATE CONCERN UKROBORONPROM 50 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

– Artem is Ukraine’s only company dealing with the R&D and production of AAM weapons. How are things going for the Company? What are the challenges to be met with regard to AAM programs?

– Unlike the recent past when our Company’s product portfolio was wide, encompassing both military and civilian products,

this has changed now as new realities emerged. Following thorough studies and research, long meetings, reflections and brainstorming, it was decided to do what Artem knows, can and does best of all, i.e. creating and building air-launched weapons. In this domain, we enjoy rich industrial experiences and competencies that make us confi-

dent of our abilities in this niche marketplace, and give us reason to expect a certain tangible outcome in the near term.

In this context, the first challenge for Artem is to transform itself from an assembly-line manufacturer and into a very modern organization integrating R&D and production capacities for a range of high-quality, high-tech weapons systems.

Artem set up its own R&D center in February 2015 to facilitate the transformation into an integrated R&D and production organization. Among the Company’s current projects, the greatest emphasis has been placed on updating the R-27 AAM technology to keep it up to date with development outputs of the past and present.

from Russian suppliers previously have now been replaced with domestically made substitutes. It is therefore unquestionable that we are able to independently produce R-27 AAMs in quantity and in different configurations here in Ukraine, using own industrial and R&D capacities.

For the time being, the R-27 missile remains exactly the same and retains the same specifications it had when it entered service with the USSR’s Armed Forces and still remains part of the Ukrainian military’s arsenal.

This is because of the needs of war which must be met quickly.

Now, with our acquired competencies, we will be able to create new configurations in the future and bring them into production.

-– Previously, the air-to-air missile R-27 was manufactured in close collaboration with the Russian Federation. What are the possibilities of Ukraine becoming self-sufficient in production of this missile type?

-– Have you managed to purchase the equipment needed for the production of new precision-guided missiles to boost the Armed Forces’ capabilities?

– Not only is this possible, but it is already becoming a reality.

In the times of the USSR, Ukraine manufactured most of the R-27 missile components and assemblies, with the remainder being manufactured by Russian factories. Immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukrainian companies faced the choices of curtailing their production, getting closed or changing their specialization. Many companies, however, especially those focusing on the production of missiles, were able to survive and even get some growth. In a word, Ukraine has retained all the key competencies, and we brought them back to life.

In addition, a number of the missile’s systems that were bought

– We have a very big, ambitious project aimed, let’s say, at modernizing our technology park. The project has already got underway; some pieces of equipment have been purchased and delivered to the Company. To put it shortly, the project proceeds as per plan.

– What’s new in the Company’s product portfolio?

– We aim to expand our range of new weapons products. Particularly in October 2016, the unguided missile RS-80, which was developed by our R&D center, made debut at the international exhibition Arms and Security in Kiev. Missiles in this category had never been produced in Ukraine previously. The RS-80 has been built with almost exactly the same specifications as the So-

viet-vintage counterpart that provided the pattern for the design, allowing the weapon to be fired from any of the airplanes or helicopters currently in military use [in Ukraine],without the need of making any structural changes.

– If we look at last year’s results, did Artem get higher revenues from the domestic sales or export market sales?

– Unfortunately, the level of domestic contracts is low. In terms of production it accounts for about 40% of labor costs, but not revenues. The Company gets most of its revenues from the export of air-launched missiles and related maintenance services. And beyond there is another portfolio of products and services that are exportable and profitable. More than 60 percent of Artem’s production goes to export markets, making it an export-driven company. This level, however, is lower than it was in previous years when export sales amounted to almost 100 percent of the Company’s production.

– Is Artem prepared for work with international companies?

As things stand now, the holding company Artem is a joint stock company and a full-fledged economic entity. The Company doesn’t depend on government funding, and it is therefore prepared best for getting involved in various forms of cooperation with international partners. But in Ukraine, however, there are many legislative gaps that create barriers and pose significant risks to potential international partners.

Our laws and other regulations have deficiencies that deter companies from coming to the Ukrainian market, but we expect that this situation will change soon. UDR UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 51

[ aerial fight ]

R-27 «AIR-TO-AIR»

GUIDED MISSILE

A special place among “Air-toair” aircraft missiles, created in Soviet times, is taken by intermediate-range and long-range R-27 missiles (NATO classification - AA-10 Alamo). Such missiles are equipped on all modifications of MiG-29 and Su27 fighters. By now, the R-27 modifications with active and semi-active radar and thermal seekers are used in almost 20 countries around the world.

R-27 missiles are designed to intercept and destroy aeroplanes and helicopters of all types, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles in a aerial fight at intermediate and long distances, during autonomous and group actions of carrier aircraft, day and night, in visual and bad weather conditions, from any direction, against the background of earth and sea, with active information, firing and maneuvering enemy countermeasures.

The R-27 missiles are produced at the facilities of the State joint-stock holding company “Artem” (Kyiv) - aircraft missiles series assembly headquarters plant in the former Soviet

52 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

Union. At this stage the company is included in SC “Ukrobornprom” and is solving tasks of the maximum R-27 production localisation in Ukraine. SJSHC “Artem” partners are other companies of the concern - in particular, the State Enterprise “ScientificProduction Association” Pavlograd Chemical Plant”, which is responsible for the creation and production of composite propellants for missile engines.

The R-27 is produced in several modifications. These modifications are characterized by the use of two types of seekers- semiactive radar (SAR) and infra-red (IR) (aka “heat”) seeker; as well as two types of powerplants with standard and increased power loading. Modifications of SAR seeker are designated as R-27R and R-27ER, and of IR seeker as R27T, R-27ET. In control system of all missiles, in addition to seeker, an inertial navigation system with radio-correction is included.

Also a modification of the R-27AE missile with active radar seeker (inertial guidance with radiocorrection and active radar homing in the final phase of flight) is developed. As is known, using of

Vladimir TKACH, Defense Express rockets with SAR seeker the target is exposed from radar of aeroplane that conducted the launch.

The emanation source of missiles with active radar seeker of is placed on the rocket.

The “E” letter in the R-27 rocket designation index indicates that the missile has increased powerplant power landing, “energetic” and has increased operating range.

So, for R-27R missiles (inertial guidance with radio-correction and semi-active radar homing in the final phase of flight), the declared operating range is 80 km, and for the R-27RE - up to 130 km. For the R-27T (all-aspect passive infra-red self-direction) operating range of up to 70 km, and for the R-27TE - up to 120 km. So in fact the R-27 missiles pretend to be simultaneously assigned to the missiles of an intermediate and long range. Also it should be noted that developers and manufacturers of guided aircraft armament in the product brochures usually specify missile operating range in ideal conditions, which disorients in some ways.

All-aspect R-27 missile attacks the target in any of its initial position in the 50 targeting angle field for SARS and 55 for the IRS.

Target lock-on is conducted in an altitude range from 25 m to 25 km with a maximum overage (detraction) of 10 km at targets speed up to 3500 km/h and G force up to 8 g. The combined use of R-27 missiles in aircraft ammunition, with a variety of seekers increases ECM protection and effectiveness of armament plan of aircraft system in general.

Ukraine is quite a major supplier of the R-27 guided aircraft missiles to the foreign market.

The main customer of the intermediate and long range guided missiles are countries where Su27 and MiG-29 fighters are put into service. For the last seven to five years, until 2013, Ukraine exported more than 3 thousand missiles in different modifications.

As for seekers, for the equipping of R-27R missiles in Ukraine JSC “Kyiv factory” Radar” produces semi-active radar seeker RGS-27 (industrial index 9B1101K), a seeker target lock-on range is 25 km. “Radar” R-27 modifications are homed by radiation

reflected from the target, emitted by airborne radar (RLS) N019/ N019M “Sapfir-29/29M” radar aiming system RLPK-29 (manufactured by Ukrainian State Enterprise “Novator”, located in the Khmelnitsky city) on lightweight MiG-29 fighters or airborne radar N001 “Mech” type (also produced by “Novator”), that is part of the radar aiming system RLPK-27 of Su-27 heavy tactical fighter.

R-27T/ET rockets subfamily are equipped with heat/infrared seeker (IRS) “Mayak-80M” (MK-80M) with a single-channel monoblock photosensor designed and manufactured by Ukrainian State Enterprise of Special Instrumentation “Arsenal”. An important advantage of MK-80M compared with most of the “classic” (non-thermal-imaging) IRS is also the possibility of long-term (up to three hours) reliable system operation. Moreover, with some reduction of lock-on range, infrared seeker “Mayak-80M” is able to well-function for a prolonged period even in the absence of coolant.

Also, Ukraine is the actual monopolist in the production of checkout equipment for the R-27 missile exploitation and other types of aircraft guided armament. Such unique military armament is manufactured by a state enterprise “Kiev State Design Bureau “Luch”. Automated control systems of the “Gurt” type are able to provide monitoring of aircraft guided armament condition, make his diagnosis, on-time service, and, if necessary, repair of complex and expensive aircraft armament. Also “Luch” (Kiev) produces improved and modernized “Gurt-M” system. “Gurt-M” system performs control, diagnostics and preparing to the use of more than 50 modifications of aircraft armament. We are talking about almost all types of aircraft “air-to-air” and “air-to-surface” missiles and guided bombs of the Soviet, Russian, Ukrainian-Russian production, as well as prospective aircraft weapons. “Gurt-M” is exported to countries which have aircraft armament of the Soviet and post-Soviet production in the arsenal. UDR

MAIN SPECIFICATIONS OF «AIR-TO-AIR» GM OF R-27 TYPE R-27R (R1)

R-27ER (ER1)

R-27T (T1)

R-27ET (ET1)

All up weight, kg

Designation

253

350

245.5

343

Missile length, m

4.080

4.780

3.795

4.495

Body diameter, m

0.23

0.26

0.23

0.26

Wing spread, m

0.77

0.80

0.77

0.80

Fin spread, m

0.97

0.97

0.97

0.97

Maximum flight elevation of intercepted target

25

27

24

30

Possible g-loads of the target (MiG-21 fighter type, conducting a flying at a speed of 900 km / h), g

up to 8

more than 7

more than 8

about 7,5

Maximum engagement range (according to the energetic capabilities of GM)

80 (72)

130 (100)

72 (65)

120 (80)

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

Inertial with radio-command correction + SARS

Same + SARS

Same + IRS

Same + IRS

39

39

39

39

Minimum engagement range (from rear-hemisphere), km Guidance system Warhead weight (fragmentation/ continuous rod with RLV), kg

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 53

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UKRAINIAN NEXT-GENERATION RADAR TECHNOLOGIES The 80K6T is a 3D all-round looking radar intended to detect and find out location coordinates of different kinds of targets, in various jamming scenarios

Modern 3D search radars operated by different armed forces across the globe are all digital phased array radars, such as France’s GM400, USA’s ANT/TPS-78 or Ukraine’s 80K6, for example. Generically, digital phased array radar antennas provide advantages that include more stable, higher-resolution output, improved reliability and enhanced resistance to enemy jamming attempts, as well as significantly lower production costs.

In September 2016, R&D and Production Complex Iskra started building a prototype of its 80K6T radar, which it describes as a next-generation follow-up to its proven 80K6 technology.

As stated by the Designer, the intention was to develop a 3D search radar offering the best possible performance capabilities for radars of its kind, particularly in terms of threat detection capability improved to up

54 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

to 500 kilometers in range and 70 degrees in elevation. Another challenge was to introduce a solid state transmitter replacing the transmitter of the electron-tube type.

The 80K6T design features a number of noticeable differences over its older siblings. First, reduced weight and bulk enable improved strategic mobility performance allowing trans-

Iskra R&D and Production Complex has begun building a prototype of its improved 80K6T radar technology

The 80K6T radar has had its detection range extended to 500 km

portation by C-130 – NATO’s military transport workhorse, and An-178 – one of the most recent additions to Ukraine’s Armed Forces’ military transport fleet. The radar system can be easily removed from its dedicated carrying chassis and onto a standard container truck for transportation.

To meet the conflicting demands of improving threat detection ranges while rejecting the use of the powerful klystron transmitter, a distributed transmitter technology was introduced to allow the outgoing pulse to be transmitted to radiating elements of the antenna system with almost zero energy loss, resulting in an improved efficiency of the pulse

transmission system. The Company has developed a proprietary compact solid-state transmitter module generating pulses of up to 1.2 kW and offering a digital interface for diagnostic and control.

Special focus was placed on improving the reliability performance.

As a result, the predicted mean time between failures has been improved to 1000+ h of continuous operation. The improvement has been achieved by introducing distributed (parallel) arrangement of transmitter/receiver elements to enable the radar to continue functioning without any significant deterioration in performance even in case of multiple transmitter/receiv-

Iskra has developed a proprietary solid state transmitter technology

er element failures. In the event of an element failure, the radar’s diagnostic system will automatically make the necessary adjustments to compensate for the effect of the fault.

The introduction of transmission elements and a digital control interface unit (to manage the emitted signal phase), combined with the digital beam forming algorithm already implemented in the 80K6-series radars allowed it to create a radar design that doesn’t need to be re-adjusted when operating conditions are changed, due to the implementation of adaptive control for threat detection modes, and the ability to change beam forming angles.

The 80K6T radar technology offers an obvious advantage in terms of the ability to concentrate the energy in a direction of interest, thus increasing significantly the detection envelope for small targets. To increase the number of the target types detected (to enable detection of super-stealthy UAS vehicles, for example), the radar can slow down its rotation to 3 rpm, from standard rates of 6 or 12 rpm.

The radar system is powered by two diesel power units (one for primary use and the other for backup use). It is controlled from two workstations located in the operator compartment or a remote shelter offering improved operational comfort and enhanced protection against ballistic threats.

Other improvements over older members of the 80K6 family include thoroughly redesigned analog equipment, digital equipment and software package.

The 80K6T radar will be manufactured with new technologies including, inter alia, the latest test and checkout equipment and computer integrated hardware and software techniques for antenna performance measurement.

The first prototype 80K6T radar is scheduled for completion in late 2016 or early 2017. Subject to successful completion of trials, production of the new technology is expected to begin in Q3 or Q4 2017.

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017 / 55

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VEHICLE-CARRIED VHF RADAR SYSTEM ISKRA MR-18

MP18 will detect and track aerial targets, including low-signature targets and stealth targets, at long ranges

MR-18 is a vehicle-carried, solidstate active digital phased array VHF radar. It is designed to detect and track aerial targets, including low-signature and stealth targets, at long ranges.

A current-generation radar, the MR-18 provides excellent capabilities enabled by the use of the metric waveband, combined with the best mobility performance among the radars performing similar tasks. To operate effectively and efficiently in the meter waveband, a VHF radar requires a much bulkier antenna array compared to its UHF and SHF counterparts. Changing antenna configurations from stowed to readyto-use and backward is a highly challenging technical task (some of the proven, widely used VHF radar systems, such as the Defense, for exMP-18 moves from stowed to ready configuration and backward in 5 min and 3 min, respectively

56 / UKRAINIAN DEFENSE REVIEW / JANUARY-MARCH 2017

ample, had their deployment time measured in weeks, and vehicle-carried medium-range radar P-18 takes hours to deploy/redeploy). The MR18 moves from stowed to ready configuration and backward in 5 min and 3 min, respectively, enabling its use in scenarios involving an expansion or recovery of lost radar coverage of the battlespace.

MP-18 is a fully solid-state, digital phased array radar offering the capabilities for digital beamforming for reception, digital control of transmitted beam shape and direction, digital signal processing, and digital data processing. Alongside the extensive use of digital technologies, the MR-18 employs the latest analog hardware components, including receiver units with the analogue dynamic range exceeding 100dB.

Detection ranges for different aerial targets Intended to detect and track threats automatically, the MR-18 offers enhanced resistance to environmental and electronic countermeasures influences; spontaneous noise; active, passive, synchronous and asynchronous pulse interferences.

Iskra’s MR-18 radar technology is as good as foreign-designed rivals in terms of selected performance capabilities, while beating them in terms of some of the capabilities that are vital in combat scenarios. UDR

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