MOSCOW, March 28. /TASS/. Russia’s state arms seller Rosoboronexport (part of hi-tech corporation Rostec) has started promoting the export version of Buk-M3 ‘Viking’ medium-range air defense missile systems on foreign markets, the company’s press office reported on Wednesday.

"That’s good news for us and our foreign partners. The ‘Viking’ complex preserves the best characteristics of the famous line of the ‘Buk’ air defense missile systems and represents a milestone in the development of the medium-range ADMS," the press office quoted Rosoboronexport Deputy Director General Sergey Ladygin as saying. "The producers gave unique characteristics to it, which are in line with the current requirements for troops’ and infrastructure protection against the strikes of present-day and future air assault weapons in the conditions of radio-electronic countermeasures and firing. The ‘Viking’ has no countertypes today in the world armaments market," Ladygin added.

The ‘Viking’ was developed and designed taking into account world market trends. Its technical characteristics allow the system to be adapted to the greatest possible extent for the priorities of Rosoboronexport’s foreign customers, the company said.

In comparison with the Buk-M2E ADMS, the Viking’s range of fire has increased nearly by 1.5 times to 65 kilometers. Besides, the number of targets simultaneously engaged by the system has also increased by 1.5 times to six for each self-propelled launcher while the number of ready-for-launch air defense missiles in one firing position made of two combat units has grown from 8 to 18, Rosoboronexport said.

The ‘Viking’ ADMS has received a number of unique features, which were not previously available in any air defense missile system. For instance, it has the capability of integrating launchers from the Antei-2500 ADMS, which provides for the capability of target engagement at a distance up to 130 kilometers and will boost the efficiency of the whole air defense grouping in the fight against enemy’s pilot-controlled aviation, the press release says.

"Commissioned by the Russian Armed Forces, the Buk-M3 system and its export version ‘Viking’ have proved a very high level of combat efficiency during their daily operation and exercises. The ‘Viking’ has a very high ‘kill’ probability in relation to enemy’s aviation, attacking elements of precision-guided munitions, as well as tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, maritime and ground targets," Ladygin said.