Algeria
may order two additional diesel electric submarines of project 636M considered
one of the best selling products of the Russian defense industry from Russia. A
source in the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Rosoboronexport received
an application from Algeria for purchase of two diesel electric submarines of
project 636M (Kilo according to NATO classification).
A source
close to the special exporter of Russian armament confirmed this. According to
one of the sources, in August the Ministry of Industry and Trade chose Admiralty
Shipyards (a part of USC) as contractor for the order according to proposal of
the Federal Service for Military Technological Cooperation. The source
explained, "The decision of Algeria to buy additional submarines from
Russia is evidently connected with growth of tension in the region with regard
to events of the "Arab spring." The source explained that the
contractor for the order was chosen "in accordance with wishes of the
customer country." In 2020, Admiralty Shipyards supplied two submarines of
project 636 to Algeria in the framework of fulfillment of the contract of 2006
(its value amounted to about $600 million). The sources did not disclose the
value of the new contract.
Algeria
may order two additional diesel electric submarines of project 636M considered
one of the best selling products of the Russian defense industry from Russia. A
source in the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Rosoboronexport received
an application from Algeria for purchase of two diesel electric submarines of project
636M (Kilo according to NATO classification).
Project
636 Improved Kilo class submarines, featuring advanced “stealth” technology,
extended combat range and ability to strike land, surface and underwater
targets
(picture:
Internet)
Kilo
class submarine was designed by central maritime design bureau Rubin. It is
considered one of the most silent diesel submarine in the world. Its length
amounts to 73.8 meters, width amounts to 9.9 meters and displacement amounts to
2,350 cubic meters. Underwater speed amounts to 20 knots, the maximal
submersion depth amounts to 300 meters. The crew consists of 52 people. The
submarine is armed with four missiles (the quantity may be increased), 18
torpedoes and 24 mines.
Project
636 represents a modernized submarine of project 877EKM Varshavyanka supplied
to seven countries including Algeria between the 1980s and 1990s. Two
submarines of project 877EK were built for Algeria at Admiralty Shipyards in
the 1980s. In 2005, Admiralty Shipyards together with Rubin design bureau
signed a contract on repair of these two submarines and in 2006 Algeria decided
to buy two new submarines. Thus, in case of signing of a new contract the navy
of Algeria will have six submarines made in Russia.
One of
the sources says that signing of a firm contract is expected in 2013. A source
close to Rosoboronexport does not rule out that its signing may be postponed
because of disputes about the candidacy of the contractor. The source adds,
"USC is currently struggling for revision of the resolution of the
Ministry of Industry and Trade. The corporation counts on reception of the
status of the only supplier of submarines of project 636 in the framework of
the Algerian contract and to use Admiralty Shipyard for its fulfillment."
Earlier, USC tried to achieve granting of a status of a subject of military
technological cooperation with a right of "foreign trade activity related
to military products."
Representatives
of USC could not answer the question if this practice would be applicable to other
export contracts. Press secretary of the corporation Alexei Kravchenko refused
to comment. A source in the shipbuilding industry presumed that this entire
store could be connected with plans of USC "to build internal
cooperation."
Sergei
Karabaev, managing partner of lawyer bureau Karabaev and Partners, presumes
that USC has good changes to receive status of contractor for the export order.
Karabaev adds, "There is a legal loophole: it is sufficient for USC to
obtain a license of Rosoboronzakaz that says that the corporation is producer
of military products. Then USC will be able to hire Admiralty Shipyards for
fulfillment of the export order in the framework of cooperation." However,
in this case USC will have either to buy or to rent production facilities
because this is one of the terms for issue of a license. The expert concludes
that air defense corporation Almaz-Antey has been working on the market of
military technological cooperation in this way for many years.
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