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18 novembre 2006

The Middle East and Southeast Asian countries display the greatest interest in the BMP-3 combat vehicle

The Middle East and Southeast Asian countries display the greatest interest in the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. A statement to this effect was made by Sergey Oksak, the Kurganmashzavod (Kurgan-based Machine-Building Plant) deputy director for sales of defense products and foreign economic relations.

According to him, what the customers want lately is not a mere supply of batches of equipment. In many cases they propose establishing a co-production and participation in the assembly of combat vehicles at local facilities. «We always meet such wishes», said the Kurgan Plant’s deputy director.

Speaking of the work of the Plant in the UAE market, Oksak noted that at present it services the fleet of BMP-3s operated by the UAE Army. «We have signed a contract for repair of those vehicles. Under it, we have already supplied the equipment and spare parts and have prepared the documentation. We shall train specialists in the UAE. The next step will be the establishment of a maintenance center in the UAE which would provide full-scale servicing of the BMP vehicles».

At the moment, the UAE fleet of BMP vehicles is repaired only at what is called «the troop level», that is, through the replacement of their subsystems and assemblies. Once such a center is established in the UAE, it will be possible to overhaul the machines. The establishment of the center has been under study for quite some time, said the Plant’s deputy director. Now the Plant also works under contracts to upgrade the fire control system of the BMP-3 vehicles operated by the UAE Army.

According to Oksak, the military of Yemen, too, has expressed interest in obtaining the BMP- 3. He noted, however, that this issue is not settled because of Yemen’s insufficient financial capability. Previously, Yemen has received a large batch of BMP-2 vehicles (180 machines) withdrawn from service with the Russian Army. Under this contract, Kurganmashzavod is to provide pre-sale servicing of the vehicles (major overhaul) and their after-sale maintenance. «The Yemenis recognize the value of our equipment», said deputy director of Kurganmashzavod.

By Vladimir Shvarev

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