Russian Military To Be Fully Rearmed By 2020

[Ryan Ruck]

The Russians are definitely aiming to have major military upgrades in place by 2020... And with oil hitting high levels again, it will be much more affordable for them.

Russian Military To Purchase 600 Warplanes And 100 ships By 2020 In $650 Billion Expansion

February 24, 2011

Russia will spend $650 billion to equip its dilapidated military with 600 new warplanes, 100 ships and 1,000 helicopters by 2020, Defense Ministry officials were quoted as saying Thursday.

The ambitious weapons procurement program also envisages eight new nuclear submarines and two Mistral aircraft carriers in addition to the two that Russia is buying from France, Russian news agencies quoted First Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin as saying.

His announcement comes during a large-scale streamlining of personnel in Russia's bloated and poorly equipped armed forces. The unpopular reforms of Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov have seen as many as 200,000 officers lose their jobs and nine of every 10 army units disbanded.

Though the program foresees spending on strategic forces, analysts hailed the massive order of conventional arms, saying it would lower Russia's dependence on its nuclear arsenal. But they warned it could only be a success if there was a professional and efficient military to use the new equipment.

"Russia needs a professional noncommissioned officers core to train specialists who can really put these arms to effective use," said Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent military analyst. "This spending necessitates a whole new kind of military."

Last week, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin promised that from next year 1.5 percent of gross domestic product would be spent on army modernization, military pay and other defense spending. He said the country currently allocates 0.5 percent of GDP.

Chief among the aviation procurements are the modern Su-34 and Su-35 fighters and Mi-26 transport helicopter (those are the GIANT transport helos) and Mi-8 gunship helicopter, Popovkin said. Navy orders include 20 submarines, of which eight are to be armed with the Bulava nuclear missile - which has experienced years of glitch-stricken tests - 35 corvettes and 15 frigates, Popovkin said.

The Mistral, which could carry up to 16 helicopters and dozens of armored vehicles, would allow Russia to land hundreds of troops quickly on foreign soil. Popovkin said Russia would build two Mistrals domestically on top of the two it had ordered from France. The carriers will all feature Russian-only weaponry, he said.

Several hundred modern mobile S-400 and S-500 air defense missile systems also are on order.

[vector7]

Companion Thread:

• Russia scrambles to build 5000 new bomb shelters by 2012 for strategic nuclear strike

Russia to deploy 2nd S-400 air defense regiment near Moscow


The first S-400 regiment has been deployed in Electrostal, also near Moscow, as part of the air and missile defense network around the Russian capital.

01:33 13/05/2011

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Multimedia

• Second S-400 regiment to be deployed near Moscow
• S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system
• S-400 Triumf destroys supersonic target
• S-400 Triumf air missile defense system

A second regiment equipped with advanced S-400 Triumf air defense systems will be put on combat duty near the Russian capital on May 15, the Defense Ministry said.

The first S-400 regiment has been deployed in Electrostal, also near Moscow, as part of the air and missile defense network around the Russian capital.

The S-400 (SA-21 Growler) air defense system is expected to form the cornerstone of Russia's theater air and missile defenses by 2020.

The S-400 system can engage targets at a maximum range of up to 400 km at an altitude of 40,000-50,000 meters. The system uses a range of missiles, optimized for engaging ballistic and cruise missiles.

An S-400 air defense regiment consists of two or three battalions equipped with four systems each. Russia is planning to arm 56 battalions with S-400 systems by 2020.

MOSCOW, May 13 (RIA Novosti)

[BRVoice]

http://www.wbj.pl/article-54499-stra...p.html?typ=ise


STRATFOR: A Militarized Visegrad Group?
Warsaw Business Journal
13th May 2011

Summary

The defense ministers of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries — the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland — decided May 12 to form a battlegroup that would be led by Poland. This represents the first step toward militarization for the V4, which has found new relevance in the wake of Russia’s resurgence in its periphery. The move is sure to displease Russia, and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is likely to discuss it with Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic during a visit May 13.

Analysis

Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich said May 12 that Poland will head a new battlegroup of the Visegrad Group (V4) — the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. The decision was made at the V4 defense ministers’ meeting in Levoca, Slovakia, on May 12. The battlegroup would become operational and be placed on standby in the first half of 2016, Klich said. The ministers also agreed that the V4 militaries should hold regular exercises under the auspices of the NATO Response Force, with the first such exercise to be held in Poland in 2013.

The decision to set up a V4 battlegroup is the first concrete step toward the militarization of the loose regional grouping that has had something of a renaissance in recent years. STRATFOR forecast that the common threat of a Russian resurgence in its post-Soviet periphery would push the V4 members toward greater collaboration in military affairs, but the May 12 meeting is the first indication that such collaboration is occurring.

The V4 initially was set up to help the former communist Central European states with their transitions to democracy and free-market capitalism, with the express goal of gaining membership in the European Union and NATO. Following their successful integration into both — all four had joined both alliances by 2004 — the V4 lost its coherence.

However, with Russia’s resurgence in its post-Soviet sphere of influence, especially its 2008 intervention in Georgia and repeated demonstrations that it would not hesitate to use its energy exports to Central Europe for political purposes, the logic behind the V4 has strengthened. Yet the only clear interaction among the V4 countries at the military and security level was a memorandum signed in September 2010 on air force training cooperation.

For all four countries, a coherent Europe-wide security alliance anchored by a strong U.S. presence is preferable to any regional grouping. But the latest NATO Strategic Concept, created at the end of 2010, shows an alliance lacking in coherence. For the V4, the main problem with NATO is that not all European states share their level of concern regarding Russian intentions on their eastern borders. Breaking off into regionally focused security groups with common security interests therefore makes sense.

The avenue for military cooperation the V4 has chosen is the EU battlegroups concept. Thus far, the concept has not been particularly effective, with the only significant grouping being the Nordic Battlegroup. Nonetheless, the Nordic Battlegroup is significant for a reason. Its development was driven by a regional security concern: Russia’s intentions in the Baltic region. A V4 battlegroup would have a similar logic.

Furthermore, Poland’s assuming a leadership role is a key issue. One of the V4’s problems is that thus far it lacked a clear leader. However, Poland is in a good position to lead the V4; it is set to take the EU presidency in June and has indicated that one of its main priorities during its six-month leadership of the union will be enhancing EU military capabilities. Also, of all the V4 countries, Poland has the closest military relationship with the United States, giving it access to considerable resources in terms of training and multinational coordination.

Russia will not be pleased with this development. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is in fact making an impromptu visit to Bratislava on May 12, ostensibly to attend Russia’s ice hockey world championship quarterfinal game against Canada, but is staying to meet with Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic on May 13. During his visit, Putin could mention Russia’s concern with the militarization of the V4 and could well suggest ways in which Moscow will look to counter the development.

A Militarized Visegrad Group? is reprinted with permission of Stratfor

From Warsaw Business Journal

[Ryan Ruck]

Advanced Russian Jet Fighter Enters Production

May 3, 2011

The first production version of a fighter jet that promises to fill a critical gap in Russia's air defences has carried out a successful flight, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.

The Sukhoi-35S fighter completed a one-hour test flight Monday above the eastern city of Komsomolsk-Na-Amure without incident, a Sukhoi spokesmen said in a report by Interfax.

The Kremlin ordered 48 of the aircraft in 2009 as part of a 2.5- billion-dollar deal.

The flight marked the first time Russia's current top-line fighter was built start-to-finish in a factory. This and subsequent units will be delivered to the Russian air force, officials said.

The Sukhoi-35 is an upgraded version of the Su-27 fighter jet. Long a mainstay of the Russian air force's fighter arm, the Su-27 first flew in 1992. The first prototype Su-35 flew in 2009.

The Kremlin currently operates about a dozen Su-27 airframe aircraft upgraded to Su-35 capabilities, each modified by hand. Improvements include advanced avionics, more-powerful engines and better maneuverability.

The Su-35's designers say the plane is comparable or superior to any fighter in the world, with the exception of the US-built F-22.

Venezuela, India, Libya and China have expressed interest in the aircraft, Interfax reported.

[Ryan Ruck]

Russia To Build Nuclear Aircraft Carrier By 2023

June 30, 2011

Russia will complete construction of its first nuclear powered aircraft carrier by 2023, the head of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation said on Thursday.

“We will start designing the Russian aircraft carrier in 2016, so that by 2018 we can start construction,” company head Roman Trotsenko said.

He also said that as the construction period was likely to be five years, the carrier would be put into service in 2023.

The Russian navy has one conventionally powered aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, construction of which began during the Soviet era and finished in the early 1990s.

President Dmitry Medvedev said in 2008 that Russia would build new carriers for the navy but did not specify how they would be powered.

With Russia's penchant for getting projects out sooner rather than later, I'm sure this will be launched before the date they are claiming.

[Ryan Ruck]

Russian Black Sea Fleet To Receive 6 New Diesel Subs

July 29, 2011

Russia's Black Sea Fleet will be strengthened with six Kilo class diesel-electric submarines in the next few years, Navy Commander Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said on Friday.

"Six diesel-electric submarines of Project 636 [Kilo class] will be built for the Black Sea Fleet in the next few years," Vysotsky said in an exclusive interview with RIA Novosti.

The Black Sea Fleet, based in Sevastopol, has only one submarine, the Project 877 Alrosa, which is undergoing scheduled repairs in Kaliningrad.

Vysotsky said a year ago that the construction of three Kilo class submarines for the Black Sea Fleet had already started and one more would be laid down every year starting in 2010.

The fleet would receive a total of 15 new frigates and diesel-electric submarines by 2020, he said in July 2010.

The admiral reiterated on Friday that the operational zone of the Black Sea Fleet includes the Mediterranean, and its combat ships must be capable of carrying out anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden.

[Ryan Ruck]

Russian Navy To Receive New Air Defense System

July 18, 2011

The Russian Navy will soon receive a new ship-based gun/missile air defense system, KBP Instrument Design Bureau, the developer of the system, said on Monday.

The system, dubbed Pantsyr-M, has been developed on the basis of the land-based Pantsyr-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound).

"Pantsyr-M will replace the Kortik air defense systems and will be installed on all new classes of Russian combat ships, from corvettes to cruisers," said Alexander Zhukov, a senior KBP official.

Zhukov cited specifications for an export version of Pantsyr-M as the data on the system for the Russian Navy is still classified.

The export Pantsyr-ME version has a response time of 3-5 seconds and can track and destroy simultaneously up to four targets.

Its missiles have a range of 20 kilometers and can hit targets at altitudes from 2 meters to 15 kilometers, while its guns have a range of four kilometers and can hit targets at altitudes up to 3 kilometers.

[Ryan Ruck]

Russia Plans To Upgrade 3 Nuclear-Powered Cruisers By 2020

A little updated information...

Russia To Refit Nuclear Missile Cruisers

September 21, 2011


The Admiral Nakhimov nuclear missile cruisers

The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to refit three mothballed nuclear-powered Kirov-class missile cruisers in a major boost for the Russian Navy's combat strength, Izvestia newspaper said on Wednesday.

The Admiral Nakhimov, Admiral Lazarev and Admiral Ushakov nuclear missile cruisers were built in the Soviet era but have been decommissioned and laid up in dock for over a decade. The only active Kirov class cruiser is the Pyotr Veliky, the flagship of Russia's Northern Fleet.

Izvestia cited a source in the Russian defense industry as saying the overhaul would include the hull and nuclear power plant repairs as well as a significant modernization of the ships' electronics and weaponry.

"All these measures will allow us to extend the service life of these ships until 2030-2040," the source said.

The ships' armament will get a major boost, with installation of advanced multi-module missile systems capable of firing a wide range of missiles and torpedoes, including P-800 Yakhont (SS-N-26) anti-ship cruise missiles.

The ships will also receive advanced air defense missile systems based on the land-based S-400 Triumf, and new point-defense systems.

Each cruiser will have a total missile carrying capacity of 300 missiles, making the ships among the best armed in the world.

After the refit, the Kirov class cruisers will most likely be deployed with Russia's Northern and Pacific fleets as part of large task forces set up to carry out a variety of combat missions - from "hunting" the adversary's aircraft carriers and submarines to massive land assaults.

Work on the Admiral Nakhimov has already started and the cruiser is expected to re-enter service with the Russian Navy in 2015, according to sources quoted in the media.

[vector7]

The Russian army to get 90 new Su-35s

16/05/2012 03:16.
17 comments
Print

New wings, new engines and a new management system



* Su-35 is a modernized multimanevarski multifunctional fighter generation "4 + +". In his production of the fifth generation used technologies that provide superior hunters of the same class. This machine is a modernized Su-27SM3

* The radar visibility of hunters, compared with fourth-generation aircraft, samanjena several times

* Flights can fly six thousand hours, the period of exploitation is 30 years old

RF Air Force plans to buy about 90 newest fighter Su-35S 2020. year - said the representative of the Ministry of Defence Colonel Vladimir drika.

"Su-35S is the best version of the modernization of Su-27SM3. It will replace the world famous fighter Su-27 and its modifications. To 2020. The Air Force plans to buy about 90 of these modern supermanevrišućih fighting machine "- communicated to the Ministry of Defence.

He noted that by the end of the 2020th in preparation for the National Center aviacionog military personnel and testing RF Ministry of Defense (in Lipetsk) - to carry out military tests - to be delivered six new aircraft Su-35S. The fourth series multifunctional fighter generation "4 + +" Su-35 Company "Sukhoi" is submitted to the RF Ministry of Defense joint state tests by the end of March.

"Currently the newest fighter Su-35S runs regular testing phase in Ahtubinskom national flight test center for the defense minisarstva RF Čkalov` `. All works related to state testing of the aircraft shall be conducted in accordance with the established plan "- said drika.

A serial Su-35S aircraft products concern "Gagarin" (Komsomolsk-on-Amur) in accordance with state contract in 2009. was signed with the Ministry of Defence. Agreement on the design and delivery of 48 Su-35 fighters to the defense ministry in the RF period to 2015. goidne potpidali the company dry and Department of Defense during aviaciione exhibition MAKS-2009 in August 2009. year.

The plane got a new wing, new engines and a new management system.

The feature that distinguishes this plane from the rest is a new complex avionics based on digital information and control system, new radar with a phased antenna lattice and greater ability to detect aerial targets, increased number of targets that are monitored and shoot.

The radar visibility of hunters, compared with fourth-generation aircraft, samanjena several times.

Plane can fly six thousand hours, the period of exploitation is 30 years.

[AGEUSAF]

So is the Su-35 upgrade pretty close to bumping the F15 to the E model. Which now that I think about it, we had back in my day.

[vector7]

Putin to modernize Russia's air force with 600 new fighter planes

Published August 11, 2012
Associated Press



MOSCOW – President Vladimir Putin promised Saturday to re-equip the Russian air force with hundreds of new aircraft as part of an ambitious military modernization program.

Speaking at an airshow at Zhukovsky just outside Moscow marking the air force's 100th anniversary, Putin said the military will receive more than 600 new combat planes and 1,000 helicopters by 2020.

He said boosting the air force is a key priority for the government. "I'm sure, each of us will feel pride for the country, for the people who build such aircraft and pilot them," he said.

Russia's defense spending has fallen sharply since the 1991 Soviet collapse, leaving the air force to rely on aging Soviet-built planes and depriving pilots of the opportunity of regular training flights.

"I want to thank those who helped our air force survive during a difficult period in the 1990s and the early 2000s, and remained loyal to their jobs and traditions in the years when the planes were grounded," Putin said during a meeting with military pilots and air force veterans.

A recent boom in oil revenues has allowed the Kremlin to launch a costly effort to upgrade military arsenals. Air force chief Gen. Viktor Bondarev said on Ekho Moskvy radio that the military will get 180 new aircraft this year alone.

Putin, who has sought to revive Russia's Soviet-era clout during his 12 years in power, has overseen a military buildup that comes amid a strain in relations with Washington over NATO's U.S.-led missile defense plans that the Kremlin sees as a threat to Russia's security.

Russia's leaders have said they plan to spend a total of 20 trillion rubles (about $625 billion or euro510 billion) on new weapons by 2020.

But despite a hike in defense spending, Russia's military industries, weakened by years of post-Soviet industrial meltdown, have struggled to meet rising orders for new weapons and to develop new designs. Analysts say that most of Russia's new weapons systems are refurbished versions of Soviet-era designs. They blame corruption, aging equipment and broken links between subcontractors.

The development of Russia's first stealth fighter, intended to match the U.S. F-22 Raptor, has dragged on slowly. The Sukhoi T-50 made its maiden flight in January 2010, about two decades after the Raptor, which it closely resembles. The new Russian fighter still lacks new engines and state-of-the art equipment, and its serial production is only expected to begin in 2015 at the most optimistic forecast.

Russian aircraft-makers also have been slow to develop modern drones, prompting the government to buy some from Israel.

[vector7]

Moscow to spend over $720 bln on new military aircraft

Published: 12 August, 2012, 07:58



Russia’s air force will get 1,600 new warplanes and choppers by 2020, announced President Vladimir Putin. The program will cost Moscow some US $723 billion. *“We are talking primarily about providing our forces with state-of-the-art modern technology,” Putin said at an air show in the Moscow Region ahead of the 100th anniversary of the country's air force. “Over 600 new warplanes and 1,000 helicopters will come into service by 2020 – not mentioning the upgrade to already existing systems.”

Putin thanked industry workers and officers for helping the aviation “endure the difficult times of the 1990’s and early 2000’s.” He also added that the role of a strengthened air force in Russia’s armed forces will be increasing.

The renovation will primarily cover the long-range strategic aviation, tactical aviation, army air force, combined with the introduction of high-precision armament, electronic warfare defense systems, and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft systems.

Speaking at the air show, Putin pointed out that much of this planned work has already begun.

The Russian military faced tremendous spending cuts in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. During his presidential campaign, Putin defined the strengthening of the country’s military as one of his primary goals.

[vector7]

Companion Thread:

• Russian Military to Hold Over 1,000 Drills in June-October 2012

Russian military gets the new generation Su-35

11:23 17.08.2012.



DURING the 2013th Gains 48 multirole SUPERPOKRETNIH "Hunter generation "4 + +"

Units of the Russian Air Force this year will receive the first multi-purpose fighter Su-35.

According to 2015 State Treaty the military will receive 48 Su-35S aircraft.

Along with the delivery of the Russian Air Force aircraft, the company "Sukhoi" and "Rosoboroneksport" negotiating with several potential foreign buyers.

Su-35 - improved superpokretni multipurpose fighter generation "4 + +".

It is the fifth generation of embedded technology, which provides the advantage of the hunter class.

Russian Air Force receives 90 Su-35 fighters

• 16:29 24.08.2012

• Su-35 received a new radar antenna with phase grating and can detect even the most distant aerial targets, with an increased number of targets that can simultaneously track and shoot
  
• Radar detection of these hunters, compared with fourth-generation aircraft, footprint reduced several times

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY FIFTH GENERATION ensure his Superiority to the same class OTHER HUNTERS

WAR aviation Russia plans to buy about 90 latest Su-35 fighters by 2020, sopštio is the official representative of the Air Force Colonel Vladimir Drik.

According to him, it is a multifunctional supermanevrišućem hunter who is in testing at the State-flight test center of the Ministry of Defence RF "Čkalov".

"We have already conducted more than 650 flights. During the summer testing the use of realistic combat fighter Su-35. This is the stage of testing weapons on the aircraft "- revealed the official representative of the RF RV.

Su-35 should become Russia's main fighter generation 4 + +.

Application of the fifth-generation technology provides his superiority over other fighters of the same class.

Unlike their predecessors, these planes were given a new wing, a new management system, a new engine with increased thrust and vector changing and new avionics based on digital information and control system that is integrated into the aircraft equipment.

And even more: a new radar antenna with phase grating, and the ability to detect the most distant aerial targets, with an increased number of goals that can simultaneously track and shoot.

Radar detection of fighter planes compared to the fourth generation, samnjeno several times.

[vector7]

Companion Thread:

• Axis new alliance strategy to isolate U.S. from its allies before war
  
• Russia’s disruptive role in finalizing the separation of the US from its Allies
  
• Obama Administration opens the door for the Axis to join NATO
• Obama isolating America from its Allies
  
• Is NATO as we know it dissolving?
  

Is that a good idea? Putin orders Stalinesque upgrade of Russia's military hardware

• Has ordered the overhaul after jibes from the West
• Committed to spending a massive £450 billion
• It would be the first major modernisation programme since Stalin

By Will Stewart

PUBLISHED: 14:45 EST, 31 August 2012 | UPDATED: 14:45 EST, 31 August 2012

• Comments (31)

Demands: Russian leader Vladimir Putin has called for an overhaul of the country's military hardware

Vladimir Putin has ordered the modernisation of Russia's armaments on the same scale as achieved by Stalin at the height of his reign of terror.

The Kremlin leader made clear he was tired of Western jibes about the country's outdated firepower as displayed at annual Red Square parades.

He is even thought to have reference the former dictators era as he told top security officials: 'We must modernise our defence industry as comprehensively as it was done in the 1930s.'

He rapped his defence chiefs for failing to draw up plans to meet his ambitious demands for a giant leap forward in Russia's military capability which has slipped since the end of the Cold War.

Stalin developed Soviet firepower in the 1930s after revolutionising the country's outmoded tsarist-era industry.

But his ruthless state-controlled campaign was based on repression on a grand scale by the secret police and use of slave labour.


Outdated: Putin has become angry at the state of defence technology, which go on show every year during the parade in Red Square

Putin has committed Russian to spending £450 billion on a massive armaments programme in the next decade, a modernisation that will include 400 ballistic missiles, 600 warplanes and a new fleet of state-of-the-art submarines.

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As when Stalin began the process, it is far from certain that Russia's defence industries can cope with the demands of matching Western models at a cost-effective price.

At a well-flagged meeting of the Russian Security Council, Putin blasted ministers for failing to draw up plans to meet his targets.


Stalin: The demands made by Putin compare the modernisation programmes launched under Stalin

'I still have not received your proposals. They are simply not there,' fumed the Russian president.

'If this continues, we will never be able to make procurements on time.'

He even threatened to inject private enterprise into defence plants that have been under strict state control since Stalin's time.

He said: 'We have to break down old stereotypes of the type that say only specialised state companies and agencies can involve themselves in defence.'

Highlighting his impatience on the subject, he added: 'Within short deadlines we should upgrade production funds and carry out technological modernisation at enterprises in the defence industry.'

Putin admitted that Russian manufacturers had failed to keep pace over the past three decades and even acknowledged Russia may require foreign technology in order to catch up.


Potential for partnership: Putin, seen here with British Prime Minister David Cameron, has said that foreign partnerships should be considered

'Foreign partnership is possible," he said, adding it was 'not shameful' to draw on overseas experience.

'But creating plants which assemble the analogues of foreign arms and hardware using imported component parts is unacceptable,' he insisted.

Western military experts have in recent years regularly decried that lack of modern Russian firepower shown at the annual Red Square parade on May 9 marking the end of the Second World War.

[Ryan Ruck]

Russian Aerospace Force To Receive More Than 100 New Warplanes, Combat Helicopters 2017

June 5, 2016

The Russian Aerospace Force will receive in 2017 more than 100 modern warplanes and combat helicopters, Force Commander-in-Chief Col.-Gen. Viktor Bondarev said on Sunday.

"We shall receive new equipment - T-50 fighter aircraft, new helicopters," he said.