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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| French firm to supply Russia with advanced tank thermals |
| 2008-08-11 |
| Components made by France's Thales Group will be the first from a Western company to be integrated into weapons procured by the Russian Defense Ministry. Thales and the Russian government arms export agency, Rosoboronexport, signed a contract July 9 to supply Catherine FC thermal imaging cameras for Russian T-90 tanks through a joint production arrangement. The contract further boosted Thales' position as a Russian industry partner in defense optronics for land forces, which the French firm has cultivated over a decade of cooperation in Russian export contracts. Igor Sevastyanov, Rosoboronexport's deputy general-director, did not disclose the price of the latest contract, saying only that it was several million euros. "The contract was being prepared for a long time because of the negotiations to get licenses and other permission to deliver this equipment both in Russia and France," he told journalists at the Russian Expo Arms-2008 show in Nizny Tagil. Sevastyanov said the Thales equipment will be delivered to Russia within two to three months. A tender to be held this year will decide what Russian optical plant will jointly produce Thales camÂeras, Sevastyanov said. Serge Adrian, a Thales representative who signed the contract, said Thales is ready to pass Russia all the technical documentation and to help set up a joint venture to produce cameras in 2009. |
| Posted by:lotp |
| #4 Their tanks are not air-conditioned so they prefer to fight at night. Daytime temps in Rajasthan are 120+ degrees and inside a tank is much hotter. |
| Posted by: john frum 2008-08-11 18:57 |
| #3 Most of India's T90 fleet is now blind at night Well, if their soldiers unionize like their european betters have, then they will not have to fight at night, on weekends or under dusty conditions. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2008-08-11 18:36 |
| #2 That Thales equipment is installed on Indian T90s bought from Russia. Most have broken down in the heat of the Rajasthan desert during exercises. Most of India's T90 fleet is now blind at night and the Indian army is not happy at the failure of its thermal imaging systems. |
| Posted by: john frum 2008-08-11 17:26 |
| #1 said Thales is ready to pass Russia all the technical documentation and to help set up a joint venture to produce cameras in 2009. WTF france?! |
| Posted by: Pliny Sleash8027 2008-08-11 16:42 |