Russia may export up to 40 diesel submarines by 2015

ST. PETERSBURG, June 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russia could sell up to 40 fourth-generation diesel-electric submarines to foreign customers by 2015, state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday.

"Russia's export potential in this market sector is very high thanks to Project 636 and Amur-1650 class submarines equipped with the Club-S integrated missile systems," Rosoboronexport said in a press release.

The Project 636 Kilo-class submarine is thought to be one of the most silent submarine classes in the world. It has been specifically designed for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters.

Russia has built Kilo-class submarines for India, China and Iran.

The Project-677, or Lada-class, diesel submarine, whose export version is known as the Amur 1650, features a new anti-sonar coating for its hull, an extended cruising range, and advanced anti-ship and anti-submarine weaponry.

Both submarines are equipped with highly-acclaimed Club-S integrated missile systems.

The Club-S submarine cruise missile family includes the 3M-54E1 anti-ship missile and the 3M-14E land-attack versions, with a flight range of 275km (about 170 miles). The missile can be launched from standard torpedo tubes from a depth of 35 to 40 meters (130 feet).

Overall, naval equipment constitutes about 10% of the total portfolio of orders of Rosoboronexport, which is estimated at about $30 billion.

"By 2010, the share of naval equipment in Russia's arms exports will reach 15%, and by 2011 it will total 20%," said Oleg Azizov, head of Rosoboronexport's delegation at the International Naval Show-2009 in St. Petersburg.

India, China, Algeria, Vietnam and Indonesia remain key buyers of Russia's naval armaments.

India and China have purchased submarines, frigates and destroyers. Vietnam has ordered Svetlyak-class fast attack boats and frigates, while Indonesia will receive corvettes built in Russia in cooperation with Spanish firms.