The Russian armored vehicle manufacturer Ural Vagon Zavod (UVZ) Corporation and French company SAGEM Defense Securite (a member of SAFRAN Group) have signed a strategic partnership agreement in the presence of Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister of France Jean-Marc Ayrault. According to a joint statement, the two companies have agreed to establish a long-term strategic partnership concerning usage of optronic equipment and other high-tech products produced by SAGEM Defense Securite for UVZ armoured vehicles and artillery systems. The agreement was signed within the confines of Memorandum of Agreement dated July 27,2012.
“Russia is a strategic partner that we plan to work with in quite a few fields. The agreement we were happy to sign today will ensure mutually beneficial cooperation conditions. This is not about our company selling the goods produced in France but about setting up a joint venture that will manufacture a competitive product and will use it to break into the global markets. First of all, we’ll carry out a detailed analysis of all the most favorable and expedient collaboration opportunities. Then, we’ll decide on the projects that we’ll concentrate on,” said Philippe Petitcolin Sagem Defense Securite CEO.
Safran Group has been cooperating with the Russian industry in the field of engine-building for about two decades: the company worked with Saturn Scientific Production Association to create Engine SaM 146 for Sukhoi SuperJet 100 and set up a JV for the production of inertial navigation systems for combat air force and helicopters on the Russian soil that is the country’s first such JV in the field of military technological collaboration. The two parties are positive that Uralvagonzavod and Sagem Defense Securite’s cooperation will be mutually beneficial.
Turret and gun control systems, sights, navigation systems and thermal imaging equipment are among the systems produced by Sagem that have already been integrated or considered for use with Russian tanks and artillery systems, both for export and domestic use.
