Russia’s defense industry to minimize participation in UK arms exhibitions

Russia’s defense industry will minimize its participation in arms exhibitions and aerospace shows in the UK, a high-placed source in the Russian defense and industrial sector told ITAR-TASS on Monday.
The decision comes after the UK denied visas to most managers of Russian defense companies that intended to participate in the UK’s Farnborough international Airshow opening on Monday.
“The unprecedented restrictions imposed this year by the British side on the participation of Russian specialists and journalists in the Farnborough 2014 international aerospace show, which has opened today in the London suburb, will get an adequate response from us,” the source said.

“The Russian defense and industrial sector has a sufficient number of places where it can demonstrate high technologies and the latest scientific and technical achievements without any restrictions,” the source said.
“Participation in European exhibitions will be reduced and emphasis will be shifted to exhibitions in other regions of the world, such as the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America,” the source said.
“For example, there is absolutely no need for us to participate in the DSEi arms and military technology exhibition, which is advertised by the British side and will be held in London next year. We’ll simply ignore it,” the source said.
“Due to the West’s sanctions against Russia, it has been decided to re-orient Rostec (state hi-tech corporation), Rosoboronexport (state defense seller) and special exporter enterprises to military and technical exhibitions in other regions of the world where Russian defense technologies are in strong demand,” the source said.

Russian helicopters

At the same time, Russian Helicopters will present modern civil and military helicopters at the international airshow opening in Farnborough.
“The holding will present modern models of combat and military transport helicopters for potential partners and visitors”, Ka-52 Alligator, which premiered last year at Le Bourget show in Paris, Mi-28NE Night Hunter and Mi-35М, said the press officer.
The company will boast the civil multipurpose helicopter Ka-32A11VC used for special purposes and effective in fire extinguishment, firefighting in high buildings and rescuing people. Visitors will enjoy the new helicopter Mi-171А2 developed on the basis of Mi-8/17 with use of cutting-edge technologies and materials. The helicopter will have an improved power system, a new carrying system and a modern avionic complex, which will provide wider area of use and increased economic feasibility.
Ansat-U, another helicopter on display, will be used for flying personnel training. The helicopter is equipped with the fly-by-wire engine that can be adjusted for the particular type of helicopter and model various situations during the flight.
The airshow will run until July 20.