USA - Russia arms deals

Russian State Firm: We'll Bid for USAF Tanker
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 19 Mar 2010 18:00

NEW YORK - Russian state-owned aerospace group United Aircraft Corporation plans to bid for a U.S. Air Force tanker contract, teaming up with a U.S. partner, a lawyer representing UAC said March 19.
Russian firm UAC said March 19 it would bid on the U.S. Air Force contract to replace its refueling tanker fleet. Above, a KC-135 Stratotanker. (U.S. AIR FORCE)

"They're going to announce Monday [March 22] a joint venture with an American company to bid on the tanker program," attorney John Kirkland told Agence France-Presse.

Asked about the UAC announcement, DoD spokewoman Cheryl Irwin said, "We welcome all qualified bidders." Asked whether the Russian firm was qualified, she said, "I don't know."

Boeing is the only company that has announced it will bid for the $35 billion contract to supply the Air Force with 179 aerial refueling tankers.

EADS, the parent of Boeing's arch-rival Airbus, said it was considering a bid for the contract after the Pentagon signaled a flexible deadline to accommodate the European aerospace giant.

Just last week EADS was forced to withdraw from the bidding after its lead partner, U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman, refused to compete, alleging the requirements unfairly were skewed toward Boeing's smaller aircraft.

UAC was launched in 2006 under the administration of then-president Vladimir Putin.

The UAC move Friday coincided with talks in Moscow between U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Putin, the Russian prime minister.

Putin lamented that bilateral trade had plummeted $20 billion in 2009 to $16 billion as a result of the economic crisis, although he said the economic potential of the U.S.-Russia partnership remained high.

"I appreciate you raising the economic relationship because we are committed to broadening and deepening ties between our two economies, our business leaders and investors," Clinton said.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4547300&c=AME&s=AIR

Please do not requote entire OP articles




Russian firm denies rumors of U.S. aerial tanker bid


RIA Novosti

22/03/201016:06

In-Depth Coverage MOSCOW, March 22 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said on Monday it does not plan to enter a lucrative contract to replace the U.S. Air Force's fleet of aerial tankers.

John Kirkland, a U.S. lawyer, told various news media last week that UAC would announce a joint venture on Monday with a small U.S. defense contractor to enter the bidding for the $35-bln KC-X aerial tanker deal against Europe's EADS and Boeing Co.

"The company officially announces that the media reports referring to John Kirkland's statement about the UAC participation in the tender to deliver aerial tankers to the U.S. Air Force are false," the UAC said in a statement.

"The UAC does not plan either to take part in this tender or set up a joint venture [to build aerial tankers]," the statement quoted UAC President Alexey Fedorov as saying.

The KC-X tanker tender has a long and complex history.

The U.S. Air Force has been trying for nearly a decade to replace its fleet of obsolete Boeing-built KC-135 Stratotanker aerial tankers.

EADS won a deal in 2008 to build an initial 179 KC-X tankers, but it was cancelled after Boeing successfully appealed the decision to congressional auditors.

Boeing's main competitors, Northrop Grumman and EADS announced on March 8 that they would not compete for the tanker plane contract, saying the bidding rules were skewed in favor of Boeing.

However, EADS said last week it could still consider entering the bid after the U.S. Department of Defense had indicated that it would welcome the EADS participation in the competition as prime contractor and could extend a deadline for EADS bidding proposal for 90 days.

Kirkland said in his announcement last Friday that the Russian participation in the KC-X tender was discussed during Hillary Clinton's meetings with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin last week in Moscow.

He also said the KC-X could be based on a wide-body version of UAC's Il-96 aircraft.

But Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Kommersant newspaper on Monday that the issue had never been raised during the meeting. Medvedev's spokeswoman Natalia Timakova also denied the rumor.

The UAC source suggested that the announcement made by Kirkland could be an attempt to heat up the competition and use the Russian company as a back-up participant in the tender in case Boeing remains the sole bidder.

Russian aircraft industry and military experts agree that even if Russia took part in the tender it would be unlikely to win because the Il-96 is inferior to comparable Boeing and EADS aircraft and Russia's aircraft industry does not have the capacity to produce 179 planes of this class "in the foreseeable future."

The Kommersant business daily cited a Russian aircraft industry analyst, Oleg Panteleyev, as saying that "the Americans have never bought and would never buy Russian-made military equipment."

Panteleyev said that even the titanium that Boeing buys in Russia is used to build civilian aircraft.

Both Russian and Western analysts agree, in general, that the deal is unrealistic, primarily for political reasons.



http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2010/03/mil-100322-rianovosti01.htm

Firm Backs Lawyer at Center of Latest Tanker Controversy
By JOHN T. BENNETT
Published: 22 Mar 2010 20:03


A California-based law firm publicly backed one of its partners on March 22, saying John Kirkland had "for months" been working with a Russian firm about bidding for a multibillion-dollar U.S. Air Force aerial tanker contract.
The United Aircraft Corp., bid would be based on the Ilyushin Il-96, according to John Kirkland. UAC, however, denies any knowledge of such plans. (DMITRY A. MOTTL)

The vote of confidence from Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps came amid denials from Russian government officials and executives at United Aircraft Corp., that the state-owned firm, based in Moscow, would seek the 179-plane tanker deal.

The denials were prompted by American media accounts quoting Kirkland saying UAC and an unidentified U.S. defense contractor would soon announce a joint venture to pursue the contract.

In a March 22 statement, UAC officials denied knowing Kirkland, who the same day provided Defense News documents he says proves UAC and Russian officials had formally approved the deal. The documents state Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin approved the partnership in recent weeks.

Later in the day, Luce Forward, in a statement sent to Defense News by firm spokeswoman Rachel Lufkin, backed Kirkland.

"Luce Forward partner John Kirkland was engaged several months ago to negotiate a joint venture with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation," according to the statement. "The proposed joint venture, UAC America, Inc., planned to bid on American defense projects beginning with the U.S. Air Force tanker contract."

The statement also said Kirkland "was involved in multiple communications with high level individuals at both UAC and Russia's Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation regarding the proposed venture."

The firm said UAC executives, in "documented conversations and written communications," indicated the proposed joint venture had been approved and indicated "an agreement would be executed shortly."

Boeing is expected to bid for the tanker contract, and its European rival, EADS, is mulling whether it will bid.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4549925&c=EUR&s=AIR

U.S. govt. watchdog rejects appeal against Russian chopper deal

RIA Novosti

15:05 10/11/2010

MOSCOW, November 10 (RIA Novosti) - The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has rejected an appeal by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. demanding the suspension of a request for proposals (RFP) for Russian Mi-17 helicopters for Afghanistan.

Sikorsky filed a complaint against U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (Navair) alleging that its RFP "precludes all considerations of offers to supply U.S.-manufactured helicopters, irrespective of their technical or life-cycle cost advantages over the Russian aircraft."

The company argued that its upgraded S-61 helicopters "can meet the mission in Afghanistan and at lower life-cycle costs than the Mi-17."

It also accused Navair of failing to conduct the requisite research to justify sole-source procurement and non-compliance with "Buy American" limitations on the acquisition of "products incorporating foreign specialty metals."

The RFP, issued on July 8, calls for 21 Mi-17 multi-purpose transport helicopters and associated equipment.

The Mi-17 is designed and built by Russia's Kazan Helicopters company.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2010/11/mil-101110-rianovosti02.htm

The company argued that its upgraded S-61 helicopters "can meet the mission in Afghanistan and at lower life-cycle costs than the Mi-17."

Now; thats a clear cut lie. US defence companies always wanted an exaggerated defense budgets in their pockets>>thats why the ongoing War on Terror

^^

BTW if they were successful in stopping this would that mean S-300 deliveries to Iran would start immediately?

Already had said that

Russia to complete delivery of 21 helicopters to Afghanistan by July

Russia will fulfill a contract to deliver 21 helicopters to Afghanistan in the first half of the year, the Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service said on Wednesday.

Last May, the United States signed a $367.5 million contract with Russia to buy 21 Mi-17V5 military transport helicopters for the Afghan army.

By December 30, 2011, nine helicopters were delivered to Afghanistan. They are currently being assembly and tested for flightworthiness.

“The remaining 12 Mi-17V-5 helicopters and related equipment will be delivered during the first half of 2012,” the service said.

The Mi-17 is an export version of the Mi-8 Hip helicopter. It features powerful turboshaft engines and can transport up to 35 people.

The Mi-17V5 version is equipped with a loading ramp instead of the clam-shell doors, an additional door and a new "dolphin nose".

http://www.en.ria.ru/world/20120111/170708716.html

Russia delivers on Afghanistan choppers contract

Russia has delivered all 21 of the Mi-17B5 helicopters ordered by Afghanistan, under a $375mn contract signed in 2011.

The craft came complete with dismountable weapons, spare parts and servicing equipment.

The deal was financed by the Pentagon, which now says it is prepared to pay for another18 Russian-made helicopters.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_05_16/74943170/

Despite the Congress ban on buying Russian weapons, Pentagon is still buying.

Russia to Deliver 12 More Mi-17 Helicopters to Afghanistan


MOSCOW, May 16 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will deliver 12 Mil Mi-17V5 military transport helicopters to the Afghanistan Armed Forces by the end of 2013, state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Thursday.

The helicopters were options in a $367.5 million deal Rosoboronexport signed with the Pentagon in May 2011 for delivery of 21 Mi-17V5s. According to US officials, the deal could be worth up to $900 million including spares and servicing.

“The option agreement has been signed and the delivery will be completed by the end of this year,” said Grigory Kozlov, director of Rosobornexport's helicopter exports department.

Kozlov said the Pentagon has already started paying for the option deal as well as delivering US equipment to be installed on Russian helicopters specifically for Afghan missions.

Russia and the United States may soon start new negotiations on the purchase of additional Mi-17 helicopters for Afghanistan despite opposition from some US lawmakers, Kozlov said.

“I think this issue [the additional purchase] will be decided by the end of May and we will enter a new round of talks on the delivery of helicopters on top of the current 21 plus 12 units,” Kozlov said.

The deal to provide Russian helicopters for Afghanistan’s armed forces, paid for by the United States, has attracted considerable criticism from some politicians there.

The US Department of Defense said in April it plans to sidestep a Congressional ban to purchase helicopters from Rosoboronexport, despite objections from US lawmakers who allege that the firm has equipped the Syrian government with equipment, including helicopters, to attack civilians.

The Afghanistan armed forces want Russian-made helicopters in preference to others, because they have a history of using them since the Soviet invasion, and because of their low prices, durability and simplicity.


LINK

After the first deal for 21 Mi-17 worth 900 million $ (with spare parts and other) here comes new deal for 31 Mi-17 worth 500 million $ (+ spare parts and servicing)

Pentagon Signs New Russian Helicopter Deal

Buddy i think your selling stuff not making helly for anybody, take some time out and try selling something else, cant export flour or nothin out by the fields or wack commitments.
Wind that gears down, somebody gotta make some deals with them Jiranians next

US to Buy 30 Russian Helicopters for Afghanistan Next Year

Russia put the U.S. 12 Mi-17V-5 for Afghanistan

Nice.

Kalashnikov deal routes 200,000 civilian weapons a year to U.S

33 Mi-171 delivered and counting

Russia will deliver an additional batch of helicopters in Afghanistan

- 63 Mi-171 is secured and signed and will be delivered
- Pentagon wanted another aprox. 20 but USA politicians stoped the deal

Nice   

Russia supplied Afghanistan dozen Mi-17V-5

Russia delivered three more Mi-17V-5 helicopters to Afghanistan

Russia delivered three Mi-17V-5 helicopters intended for Afghan army to USA, Gazeta.ru reports.

Another batch comprising three helicopters of the type has been delivered to the customer under a contract between Russia and USA for delivery of 30 Mi-17V-5s. «The contract should be implemented by November 2014. 15 vehicles have been delivered to the customer so far», — a representative of the military-industrial sector said.

It was reported earlier that Russia will complete deliveries of 30 Mi-17V-5 intended for Afghan army by late October 2014.

Nice money and now for the maintanance

63 Mi-17V-5 for the Afghan army

Pentagon May Use Loophole In Law to Cooperate with Rosoboronexport


Pentagon may take the advantage of a loophole in 2017 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act to revive cooperation with single Russian exporter of military hardware, JSC Rosoboronexport. It was revealed by the Intelligence Online bulletin.

According to the media outlet, the US Congress is discussing 2017 DoD Appropriations Act. The related amendment would allow the Pentagon’s chief, Ashton Carter, and the head of the national intelligence, James Clapper, to lift the sanctions introduced by the US against Rosoboronexport in order to serve the national interests of the United States.

In such a context, both officials would have to notify in writing the US Senate and House of Representatives committees on armed services that Rosoboronexport would not sell military hardware to Syria’s governmental forces and the servicemen of the Main Intelligence Directorate (Russian acronym: GRU, Glavnoye Razvedivatelnoye Upravlenie) would not "destabilize the Ukraine political situation".

The United States imposed sanctions against the Rosoboronexport company on August 28, 2015. At the same time, the exporter of military hardware remains the valuable foreign partner of the DoD as Pentagon acquires Russian defense equipment for its Middle Eastern allies (primarily Afghanistan) in large quantities.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) arms transfers database, the United States ordered from Russia 63 Mil Mi-17V-5 medium military transport helicopters (NATO reporting name: Hip-H) worth USD1.144 billion in 2011-2013. The rotor-wing aircraft had been delivered by late 2014.