Russian military

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Russia's new generation S-500 missile defense system to nnter service

The S-500 is expected to have an extended range of up to 600 km
(over 370 miles) and simultaneously engage up to 10 targets.

Russia's new generation S-500 air defense system will resolve the country's missile defense problems when it enters service, Air Force Commander Colonel General Alexander Zelin said on Tuesday.

"The S-500 air defense system is a system that will solve Russia's missile defense problems," Zelin said.

Answering a question about the S-500's technical specifications, Zelin said: "I would not compare the S-500 with the U.S. missile defense since they have different technical characteristics".

The S-500 is expected to have an extended range of up to 600 km (over 370 miles) and simultaneously engage up to 10 targets. The system will be capable of destroying hypersonic and ballistic targets.

He also added that two S-400 long-range missile defense systems would be delivered to the Far East by the end of 2010.

"We are planning to put two S-400s on combat duty at the Vostok strategic command," Zelin said.

Space Daily

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Russia's fifth-generation fighter to be cheaper

T-50

Russia's fifth-generation fighters for export will be cheaper than their foreign analogues, the general director of the aviation companies Sukhoi and MiG said on Tuesday.

"The price of the fifth-generation export variant is an issue for discussion and negotiation. But I can say that we believe its main advantage will be a competitive price margin," Mikhail Pogosyan said, adding that the aircraft would be significantly more expensive than Russia's fourth-generation fighter model.

He said that the new-generation fighter will be presented at the 2011 MAKS air show outside Moscow.

"Next year you will be able to see how the fifth-generation fighter takes off," Pogosyan said.

Russia's only known fifth-generation project is Sukhoi's PAK FA and the current prototype is the T-50. It is designed to compete with the U.S. F-22 Raptor, so far the world's only fifth-generation fighter, and the F-35 Lightning II.

In mid-June, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin observed the 16th test flight of a prototype model of the new fighter.

Russia has been developing the model since the 1990s. The country's top military officials have said the stealth fighter jet, with a range of up to 5,500 km, should enter service with the Air Force in 2015.

The PAK FA is to be armed with next-generation air-to-air, air-to-surface, and air-to-ship missiles, and has two 30-mm cannons.

RIA Novosti

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Russia deploys S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region
By: Lynn Berry

MOSCOW - Russia announced Wednesday that it has moved a sophisticated anti-aircraft missile system into Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia.

The deployment of the S-300s drew immediate protest from Georgia. The Foreign Ministry called it an "extremely dangerous and provocative step that presents a threat not only to the Black Sea region but to European security as a whole."

The U.S. State Department, however, said the missile deployment was old news.

"It is our understanding that Russia has had S-300 missiles in Abkhazia for the last two years," spokesman P.J. Crowley said. "We can't confirm whether they have added to them or not."
Following a brief war against Georgia in two years ago, Russia has steadily increased military ties with Abkhazia and another breakaway Georgian republic, South Ossetia. Earlier this year, both republics agreed to allow Russia to establish military bases on their territory with up to 1,700 troops stationed at each base.

The commander of Russia's air force, Gen. Alexander Zelin, said the S-300s were intended to protect Abkhazia's air space and provide for the security of the republic, Russian news agencies reported. He said a different air defence system has been deployed in South Ossetia.

Zelin did not specify the type of S-300s deployed in Abkhazia. The advanced version is capable of shooting down aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile warheads at ranges of over 90 miles (150 kilometres).

Temur Yakobashvili, the Georgian government minister in charge of issues related to the breakaway republics, said the missile system violated the cease-fire agreement that ended the August 2008 war.

The missiles' deployment was "directed not so much against Georgia as against NATO and the U.S., which intend to place their own missile defence system in Eastern Europe," Yakobashvili told The Associated Press.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry urged the international community to take decisive measures to pressure Russia to stop its "militarization" of the disputed territories and abide by the terms of the cease-fire.
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Associated Press writers Misha Dzhindzhikhashvili in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Desmond Butler in Washington contributed to this report.

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Russia's newest nuclear sub starts sea trials

Borey-class strategic nuclear-powered submarine, the Yury Dolgoruky

Russia's newest strategic nuclear-powered submarine, the Borey-class Yury Dolgoruky, started a series of sea trials in the White Sea, the Sevmash shipyard said on Thursday.

The trials are part of the manufacturer's test program and depending on their outcome, official state testing will begin, a Sevmash spokesman said.

The submarine, a 23-billion ruble ($755 million) project, is expected to be armed with the troubled Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

The Bulava (SS-NX-30) has officially suffered seven failures in 12 tests. Some analysts suggest that in reality the number of failures is considerably larger. Some observers claim only one of the 12 launches has been an outright success.

The future development of the Bulava has been questioned by several lawmakers and defense industry officials, who suggest that all efforts should be focused on the existing Sineva SLBM.

However, that would require major changes to the Borey-class submarines. The Russian military has insisted that there is no alternative to the Bulava and pledged to continue testing the missile until it is ready to be put into service.

RIA Novosti

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(Aug. 26) - A Russian S-300 missile lifts off during a 1992 exercise. Georgia said yesterday that Russia had deployed the antimissile system to the breakaway territory of South Ossetia (Vladimir Gerdo/Getty Images).

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Russian Missile Defenses in South Ossetia, Georgia Claims

S-300 missiles

Georgia claimed yesterday that Russia had fielded its advanced S-300 antimissile system in the breakaway territory South Ossetia, Agence France-Presse reported.

Moscow dismissed Tbilisi's accusation. "There are no S-300 systems in South Ossetia," an unidentified Russian Defense Ministry source told Interfax.

Russia has already deployed the advanced surface-to-air technology in another Georgian separatist region, Abkhazia. A senior military official said this month the move was intended to defend Abkhazia's airspace and to provide protection to the republic, though the Kremlin subsequently said the systems were actually installed two years ago.

Georgia and Russia fought a brief war in summer 2008 after Tbilisi tried to re-exert control over South Ossetia. Since then, Moscow has recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and constructed military facilities in the two areas.

"Although Russia is not saying this, be sure that S-300s have already been deployed in" South Ossetia, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said to the Imedi news channel.

The minister asserted that between the missile defense systems in South Ossetia and Abkhazia and a military installation in nearby Armenia, "Russia has set up a triangle in the South Caucasus and regions adjacent to it which it will need for a confrontation with NATO or Turkey."

The S-300 has the ability to track and eliminate at distances of 62-124 miles cruise and ballistic missiles and aircraft flying at low altitudes, according to AFP (Agence France-Presse/Spacewar.com, Aug. 25).

South Ossetian Defense Minister Valery Yakhnovets dismissed Georgia's claim as well, RIA Novosti reported. There is no need for the missile defense system "at the present time," he said (RIA Novosti, Aug. 25).

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Yamal ship

Russia's Blackseafor warships complete active stage of drills

Warships from the Black Sea Naval Group, the Blackseafor, on Thursday completed the active stage of three-week drills, the Russian Black Sea Fleet press service said.

The drills included tactical maneuvering by surface warships, air defense and communication, helping vessels in distress, vessel isolation, and inspection at sea, spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Vyacheslav Trukhachev said.

The main focus of the drills has been on maintaining stability and peace in the region, promoting cooperation, and strengthening mutual understanding among the Black Sea countries.

The Russian Navy was represented during the so-called Blackseafor Activation, which started on August 11, by the RFS Yamal large amphibious landing ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which is now on its way to the Bulgarian port of Varna, where the exercise results will be summed up.

The previous Activation took place on April 9-27, with more than 50 drills conducted across an area of 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles).

The Blackseafor was formally established in 2001 on Turkey's initiative and comprises Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, Georgia and Russia. It conducts search and rescue operations and environmental monitoring, and organizes goodwill visits to Black Sea countries.

RIA Novosti

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Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser

Russian, French warships to hold exercises Sept. 3-6

Russia's Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser will take part in a joint exercise with French warships on September 3-6, a Russian Navy spokesman said on Wednesday.

The warships will practice joint maneuvers at sea, replenishment of supplies, ship-to-ship transfer of goods, and helicopter landings.

The Pyotr Veliky is on its way to the Northern Fleet's base in Severomorsk after the Vostok 2010 exercises in Russia's Far East.

RIA Novosti

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Russian president Dmitry Medvedev

Russia must modernize military-industrial complex - Medvedev

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said the country's military-industrial complex must be modernized to retain its competitive status on the market.

"To retain our competitive position on the weaponry and special equipment market, we must actively modernize our military-industrial complex, introduce innovative technologies and new management methods, and attract young, talented professionals," the president said.

In April experts said that Russian weapons were falling behind rival products.

Russian Academy of Science members Vladimir Fortov and Igor Kalyaev said that a reduction in research funds was making it hard for Russian weapons to stay competitive and for the defense industry to make breakthroughs in the market.

In March Russian President Dmitry Medvedev approved a long-term policy for the development of the national defense industry. He stressed that development and production of modern electronic systems would be a priority for the industry in the next three to four years.

However, Fortov and Kalyaev said the military prefers short-term projects, with concrete developments based on well-known principles. This approach makes Russian military equipment lag behind its rivals even at the planning stage.

RIA Novosti

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Russia to resume test launches of troubled Bulava missile Sept. 9-12

Bulava missile

Test launches of Russia's Bulava ballistic missile will resume between September 9 and 12, a defense industry source said on Friday.

"Everything is ready for the resumption of test launches," the source said. "I do not think there will be any postponement this time."

Bulava test launches were put on hold after a failed launch, from the Dmitry Donskoy nuclear submarine in the White Sea on December 9, 2009, which was caused by a defective engine nozzle.

The source also said if the launch is successful, at least another three test launched will be conducted before the end of the year.

The Bulava (SS-NX-30), a three-stage liquid and solid-propellant submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), has officially suffered seven failures in 12 tests.

But some analysts suggest that in reality the number of failures was considerably larger, with Russian military expert Pavel Felgenhauer suggesting that of the Bulava's 12 test launches, only one was entirely successful.

RIA Novosti

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More carriers to be built

Russia's Nikolai Kuznetsov aircraft carrier

Russia will create 5-6 aircraft carrier groups in the Northern and Pacific Fleets, the Navy commander said on Sunday.

Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky said the Navy command had decided to build sea-borne aircraft carrier systems for these fleets instead of simply aircraft carriers.

"Everything must work in a system, including aircraft carriers. We have called them sea-borne aircraft carrier systems, which will be based in the Northern and Pacific Fleets. The construction of such systems will begin after 2012," Vysotsky said before reviewing a military parade on the occasion of Navy Day in Russia.

Vysotsky said new sea-borne aircraft carrier systems will operate in close contact with Russia's orbital group of military satellites, and also with the Air Force and air defense. (From RIA Novosti)

It's the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union that Russia wants to build aircraft carriers.

According to relevant sources, Russian Navy commander Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky says Russia's contract to buy Mistral class helicopter carriers from France should be signed in Paris at the Euronaval 2010 defense show in October or Russia may lag behind in the ship building industry. Meanwhile, he also says that a technical design for a new-generation aircraft carrier will be ready by the end of the year.

Mistral class helicopter carrier

According to Russian media, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev states Russia will strengthen its naval presence in the world. He says Russia was and is a great sea nation and so will it be in the future. To fulfill the goal, Russia will strive to build new aircraft carriers and warships.

At present, Russia has only one operational aircraft carrier, the Nikolai Kuznetsov, which was commissioned in the early 1990s and has recently re-entered service after a prolonged overhaul.

The ship, also known as Project 1143.5 heavy aircraft carrier, is currently deployed with Russia's Northern Fleet and has recently participated in a two-month tour to the Mediterranean as part of Russia's plans to resume its continual presence in different regions of the world's seas.

Chinese military experts point out Russian Navy is the weakness of Russia's military. Russia's only aircraft carrier, however, has the worst performance in the world. Only restoration of Russian Navy could improve the overall capability of Russia's military.

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Russia's Heavy warships deployed overseas

Russia's Moskva missile cruiser



Russia's Kashin class Guided-missile destroyer

Relevant sources say that Russia has purchased over 10 destroyers, anti-submarine cruisers and mine sweeping yachts in recent years. Russia will also rebuild its costal self defense force. Besides, Russia will build 15 more war ships and submarines for its Black Sea fleet.

It's also reported that Russian government plans to increase its military defense spending by 60% within 3 years, which will be mainly put into naval and aerospace-related programs.

At present, Russia only has two military bases abroad- a naval base at the Syrian port of Tartus and a naval base in Ukraine's Sevastopol. Reports say Russia will modernize its Tartus base so that its heavy war planes could be stationed in 2012.

A bird's eye view of Russia's naval base in Ukraine's Sevastopol.

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U.S. Missile Defenses Aimed at Russia, Minister Asserts

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said yesterday that regardless of Washington's assertions to the contrary, U.S. missile defenses are targeting his country, ITAR-Tass reported (see GSN, Sept. 15).

"They tell us their missile shield is not aimed against us, but we tell them our calculations show it is aimed against us," Serdyukov said following a meeting in Washington with his U.S. counterpart, Robert Gates.

Moscow has maintained criticisms over U.S. plans to build a missile shield in Europe employing land- and sea-based versions of the Standard Missile 3 system as a safeguard against Iranian short- and medium-range missiles. Russia has questioned whether the proposed missile shield -- already scaled down from a Bush-era plan -- would undercut its own nuclear deterrent.

The Russian defense minister proposed undertaking bilateral assessments with Washington on missile threats.

"Only after that it is possible to decide how to counter the threats and whether it is necessary to deploy missile shield elements in the planned regions or [if] other options may be found," he said.

Serdyukov said he had reached agreement with Gates on a three-level set of talks that would begin with expert-level meetings, followed by chiefs-of-staff discussions and ending with ministerial-level talks. If all three stages cannot come to agreement, "the presidents will make a political decision."

He said the Kremlin would like to collaborate on European missile defense: "In reality we want to actively participate in it. As missile shield objects are deployed on the European territory it shall not happen without our participation. We shall directly participate in missile shield construction" (ITAR-Tass, Sept. 17).

Serdyukov said today that Moscow had no plans to reverse its 2007 decision to suspend participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty. The accord placed limits on the deployment of heavy arms and aircraft in Europe and obligated signatory nations to destroy surplus weapons, RIA Novosti reported (see GSN, July 21).

"Russia's stance remains unchanged. That's why the moratorium will remain in place until suitable alternatives are proposed to us," the defense minister said.

Then-President Vladimir Putin ordered the treaty moratorium partly to object to NATO expansion into former Soviet territory and as a response to U.S. antimissile plans for Europe, according to RIA Novosti.

While the treaty impasse was discussed with Gates, no breakthroughs were achieved, Serdyukov said (RIA Novosti, Sept. 17).

Meanwhile, talks on having Romania host elements of the planned missile shield are progressing, a Romanian official said yesterday.

Romanian Foreign Ministry negotiator Bogdan Aurescu said a third round of meetings would be held today in Bucharest, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Progress has been achieved in working out legal issues and figuring out where to locate the U.S.-manufactured missile interceptors.

"On the other hand, at NATO level, we back the idea of a common NATO system and all the technical and economic issues involved are to be certainly discussed within the alliance," Aurescu said.

Bulgaria has been mentioned as another possible host country, while Poland and the Czech Republic could be involved even though the Bush administration plan in which they had crucial roles has been eliminated (Xinhua News Agency, Sept. 16).