Russia Starts Upgrading Project 1144.2 Orlan (Kirov Class) Missile Cruisers

After some delay, Russia has begun upgrading the Admiral Nakhimov, one of its Project Missile 1144.2 Orlan (Kirov class) nuclear-powered guided missile cruisers at the Sevmash shipyard. There are a total of four Project 1144.2 cruisers:

• the Admiral Ushakov, commissioned as the Kirov in 1980
• the Admiral Lazarev, commissioned as the Frunze in 1984
• the Admiral Nakhimov, commissioned as the Kalinin in 1988
• the Pyotr Veliky, formerly the Yuri Andropov was commissioned in 1998

Of these four, only the Pyotr Veliky is currently in active service. All four are scheduled to undergo an extensive upgrade.

Although quite old, the Kirov class cruisers remain the most heavily armed ships in service and will continue to have this distinction after modernization is complete. Some of the changes to be made include:

• Replacement of the P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) with the P-800 Onyx (Oniks) long-range supersonic anti-ship missiles
• Replacement of the naval S-300 with the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile complex
• Replacement of the AK-630 and Kashtan Close-In Weapon Systems with the Pantsir system

Work on the Admiral Nakhimov is expected to be complete by 2018.

Russia Commissions First Project 885 Yasen Class Nuclear Submarine

The first Project 885 Yasen class (or Graney class) nuclear submarine has finally been commissioned in the Russian Navy, long after it was originally planned to enter service during the nineties. The Severodvinsk was laid down in 1993 with work continuing on and off over the next two decades.

The nineties saw the Russian Navy experience hard times due to financial difficulties which effected the building of new warships, including the Project 885 submarines. However, the improving Russian economy in recent years has allowed Russia to spend more on defense that wasn't possible before.

A total of eight ships are to be build and the next seven will be modified to the improved Project 885M Yasen-M standard. The submarines will be armed among others with the 3M-54 Kalibr and 3M-55 Onyx (Oniks) missile systems.

The P-800 Onyx is finally starting to enter Russian service after export versions of the missile have already done so in other countries years before. The Yakhont has been exported to Syria, Indonesia and Vietnam and the Brahmos is in service in India.

Russia to Deliver 18 Used Su-30K Fighter Aircraft to Angola

Russia is to deliver 18 used Su-30K fighter aircraft to an unspecified African country, which is presumed to be Angola. Twelve aircraft will be delivered initially, followed by another batch of six.

The Su-30K aircraft in question formerly belonged to the Air Force of India and were part of the initial aircraft supplied as part of the Su-30MKI deal agreed to in 1996 between Russia and India.

At the time of signing, the Su-30MKI did not exist, but was a paper design that would have to be developed. Basically, the Su-30MKI is a modified version of the Russian Su-30MK, but with certain Russian components such as the avionics replaced by western or Indian parts.

It also incorporated features found in the more advanced Su-35 / Su-37. Unlike the basic Su-30MK, the Su-30MKI features canards as in the Su-35 and thrust-vectoring engines as in the Su-37.

According to the 1996 deal, 40 Su-30 aircraft would be build in Russia and delivered to India, which was later increased to 50 when India bought another 10 aircraft in 1998.

India Receives the Former Admiral Gorshkov Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya From Russia

After several years of protracted delay and development, Russia has now handed over the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to India. The INS Vikramaditya was formerly known as the Baku in the Soviet Union and later renamed as the Admiral Gorshkov.

The Admiral Gorshkov was the fourth and last member of the Project 1143.4 or (Modified) Kiev class of heavy aviation cruisers that carried fixed-wing aircraft such as the Yak 38. Specifications of the Baku included:

• Length 273 m
• Beam 32 m
• Draught 9.4 m
• Maximum displacement 44500 tons

Despite belonging to the same class, the Baku incorporated a number of differences compared to its sister ships, such as:

• Replacing the 4K60 Shtorm (SA-N-3 Goblet) and 9K33 Osa (SA-N-4 Gecko) with the 3K95 Kinzhal (SA-N-9 Gauntlet) surface-to-air missiles.
• Four additional P-500 Bazalt (SS-N-12 Sandbox) long-range supersonic anti-ship missiles for a total of 12 missiles.
• Replacing the 76 mm guns with 100 mm guns.
• Installation of the latest electronics and other systems.

The Baku was laid down in 1978, commissioned in 1987 and withdrawn from service in 1996. In 1994, the ship suffered an explosion in the boiler room which had to be repaired.

Six Project 11356M Admiral Grigorovich Class Frigates Fitted With Shtil VLS SAM

The six Project 11356M Admiral Grigorovich class frigates are to be equipped with the vertically launched Shtil Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) air defense system. This makes them the first ships to be equipped with this system.

The Shtil VLS SAM was first displayed several years ago but until now had never been fitted on any ship, whether within the Russian Navy or any other export country such as India.

Unlike the previous version which was fired from a single-arm launcher, the new version uses a Vertical Launch System (VLS) in a 2x6 cell configuration that is different from most other VLS systems used in other countries .

The Admiral Grigorovich class frigates are an improved derivative of the Project 11356 Talwar class, which was in turn based on the Krivak class. Two batches of three ships of the Talwar class have been exported to India between 2003 and 2013.

All six of those ships to India were equipped with the older Shtil missiles launched from a single-arm launcher. This same system is also used on all three Shivalik class frigates that India will eventually induct.

Russia Will Receive Almaz-Antei S-350E Vityaz (50R6) in 2016

Almaz-Antei plans to start delivering the first of its S-350 Vityaz (50R6) surface-to-air missile (SAM) air defense system now in development in 2016. The S-350 Vityaz will replace the earliest versions of the S-300 such as the S-300PS.

While technically a new system, the S-350 Vityaz makes heavy use of components that had been developed earlier. It is a lighter and scaled down version of the S-400 which it will complement.

The S-350 also incorporates lessons from South Korea's KM-SAM Cheongung which Almaz-Antei helped co-develop. The S-350 Vityaz system consists of:

• 50K6E command post
• 50H6E phased-array radar system
• 50P6E transporter-erector launcher (TEL)

A single command post can control two radar systems and eight TELs. The system can be set up in 5 minutes and can engage up to 16 aircraft or 12 missiles.

Vietnam Buys Another 12 Su-30MK2 From Russia

Vietnam has signed a contract with Russia for the delivery of another batch of 12 Su-30MK2 fighter aircraft between 2014 and 2015. The contract is said to be worth $450 million.

Russia had earlier delivered two batches of Su-30MK2. The first batch of 8 Su-30MK2 was ordered in 2009 and the second batch of 12 Su-30MK2 was ordered in 2010.

Vietnam also has the older Su-27. Ironically, both the Su-27 and Su-30 are also in service with China, a country with which Vietnam has a territorial dispute. This raises the possibility that the same type of aircraft could be serving on both sides of a potential conflict.

The Su-30s from Vietnam are similar to the ones in service with Russia and China in that they lack the canards and thrust-vectoring engines that are part of the Su-30s used by India and Malaysia.

Vietnam is also scheduled to receive in November 2013 the first of six Project 636M Kilo class diesel-electric submarines ordered in 2009 for $2 billion. Currently, a submarine crew from Vietnam is being trained in Russia.

China was the first to receive the Project 636M submarine when it ordered 8 units. Prior to that, the Chinese received two older Project 636 and two Project 877EKM submarines.

Russia has begun building six domestic versions of the Project 636M submarines for its own Black Sea Fleet. Another prominent user of the Kilo class is India, which recently lost an upgraded Project 877EKM submarine.


http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130821/182888208/Russia-to-Deliver-12-Su-30-Fighter-Jets-to-Vietnam--Source.html

By Doomych [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Iran Rejects Tor As Replacement For S-300 Air Defense System

Iran has rejected a Russian proposal to substitute the Tor (NATO: SA-15) short-range air defense system for the S-300 (NATO: SA-10) long-range air defense system.

Iran had originally ordered the S-300-PMU1 in 2007. The $800 million contract was then cancelled by Russia in 2010. In 2011, Iran launched a $4 billion lawsuit against Russia over the cancellation.

Iran insists that Russia fulfill the original contract and deliver the S-300 as agreed. It will only withdraw the lawsuit when Russia agrees to honor the contract that was signed.

While Iran has yet to receive the S-300, it already has the Tor-M1 system. In 2005, 29 Tor-M1 systems were ordered for $700 million. All were delivered by 2007.

The Tor-M1 is a short-range, all-weather, surface-to-air missile air defense system that can engage aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and other precision guided munitions.

The tracked Tor-M1 vehicle carries 8 vertically cold-launched 9M331 missiles. Each 9M331 has a:

• Length of 2900 mm
• Diameter of 235 mm
• Weight of 167 kg
• Warhead of 15 kg
• Speed of 850 m/s
• Range of 12000 m
• Ceiling of 6000 m

The Tor-M1 vehicle carries its own target acquisition radar with a range up to 25 km, a tracking radar in addition to a optical tracking system.

The latest version, the Tor-M1 features a number of improvements, including:

• new phased array radar
• improved missiles
• improved electronic counter measures
• improved infrared tracking system
• increase in the number of targets that can be engaged simultaneously

The Tor-M2 also features a new wheeled chassis.


http://en.ria.ru/world/20130610/181598186/Iran-Rejects-Russias-S-300-Substitute-Offer.html

By Leonid Dzhepko [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

MiG To Continue Development Based On Skat UCAV

Russia has given the MiG Corporation permission to develop an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) based on the Skat prototype it had previously demonstrated.

The Skat is designed to attack both mobile and stationary targets on land and sea, especially the suppression of air defense systems in high-threat areas. It can operate autonomously or in conjunction with other manned systems.

The Skat shares a similar low observable, blended, all-wing design that other contemporaries such as the American X-47B. Preliminary specifications suggested the Skat had a:

• Maximum takeoff weight of 10000 kg
• Payload of 2000 kg
• Range of 4000 km
• Speed of 800 km/hr
• Ceiling of 12000 m

 The Skat supports internal weapons carriage.

The MiG Corporation is also looking to sign a contract for the delivery of MiG-35 fighter aircraft, possibly as early as this month in June 2013. They are to be equipped with the Zhuk-AE Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.

MiG is still busy fulfilling the delivery of MiG-29K/KUB fighters to India's Navy. So far, it has delivered 20 MiG-29K out of a total order for 45 MiG-29K. The Russian Navy recently placed an order for 24 MiG-29K/KUB.

India is busy upgrading its fleet of legacy MiG-29 fighters aircraft with the assistance of the MiG Corporation. The first upgraded MiG-29 were delivered to India and the rest are to be upgraded locally in India.

Once upgraded, the MiG-29UPG will be able to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, unlike the original MiG-29, which was mostly used to intercept enemy aircraft.


http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130531/181443413/MiG-Signs-Attack-Drone-RD-Contract.html

By Pycckue [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Russia Trying To Convince Iran To Withdraw S-300-PMU1 Lawsuit

Russia is trying to convince Iran to withdraw a lawsuit against the cancellation of a contract to supply Iran with S-300-PMU1 (NATO: SA-10) Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Air Defense Systems. So far, the efforts have not been successful.

In 2007, Iran and Russia signed a $800 million contract for the delivery of five S-300-PMU1 battalions. In 2010, this contract was cancelled by Russia due to UN Security Council Resolution 1929.

This resolution bans the supply to Iran of conventional weapons, including missiles, tanks, attack helicopters, warplanes and ships. However, Iran is convinced that the S-300 SAM is exempt because they are considered defensive weapons.

Iran then proceeded in 2011 to file a $4 billion lawsuit against Russia in an international arbitration court in Switzerland. Iran has states that it will only withdraw the lawsuit if Russia fulfills the terms of the contract.

Meanwhile, Russia is sending mix signals about the delivery of S-300 SAM systems to Syria. Delivery of the S-300 systems is scheduled to begin in the very near future.

However, Russia has stated that it is willing to delay deliveries under the condition that the West complies with some of Russia's demands regarding Syria.

Russia has also warned that it could accelerate deliveries of the S-300 if its demands are not met. From its standpoint, Syria could use the S-300 to defend itself against foreign aggression.

With Russia using deliveries of the S-300 as a negotiating tactic, Israel for its part has stated that it reserves the right to prevent Syria from receiving any new weapons, including the S-300, by force if necessary.


http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130531/181432861/Russia-Seeks-Amicable-Settlement-in-Iran-S-300-Lawsuit.html

By Фальшивомонетчик [Public domain], via Wikimedia

Jordanian Factory For RPG-32 Hashim Inaugurated

A factory for the production of the RPG-32 Hashim rocket-propelled grenade launcher and associated rocket ammunition was unveiled In Jordan. The event was attended by Jordan's King Abdullah II and Russian Technologies CEO Sergei Chemezov.

The manufacture of the RPG-32 is a joint venture between Russia and Jordan. Jordan build and equiped the factory and Russia is responsible for supervising the production process and the supply of components for the assembly of the grenade launchers.

Developed by the Bazalt Science & Production Association, the RPG-32 is a portable, hand-held, rocket-propelled grenade launcher. It can be used against a range of targets, including armored vehicles, troops and bunkers.

The two-piece RPG-32 is made of the reusable launcher and compatible with both 105 mm and 72 mm rockets, which come in sealed disposable containers and are attached at the end of the launcher.

The RPG-32 Hashim specifications are:

• Length: 1200 mm (105 mm rocket), 900 mm (72 mm rocket)
• Caliber: 105 mm
• Weight (empty): 3 kg
• Weight (loaded): 10 kg (105 mm rocket), 6 kg (72 mm)
• Muzzle velocity: 140 m/s
• Effective range: 700 m

The RPG-32 can fire both High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) and thermobaric rockets.

http://en.ria.ru/world/20130530/181426863/Jordan-Opens-Plant-to-Make-Russian-Grenade-Launchers.html

By Bandaly [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Russia Will Scrap 2 More Project 941 / Typhoon Class Nuclear Ballistic Submarines

Russia will decommission and scrap two of the last three remaining Project 941 Akula class (NATO: Typhoon class) nuclear ballistic submarines. The submarines will be withdrawn at the end of this year to begin the dismantling process, whch should be complete sometime between 2018 and 2020.

The Severstal and the Arkhangelsk will join the the three other ships of the class that have already been scrapped. All six submarines were commissioned between 1981 and 1989.

Due to their high cost, Russia decided to replace them with the newer and smaller Project 955 Borey class submarines. Reportedly, modernizing a single Project 941 cost as much as building 2 new Project 955 Borey submarines.

The sixth Project 941 submarine, the Dmitry Donskoy was modernized and serves as a launch platform to test the latest submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missiles such as the Bulava.

The Project 941 submarines are noted for being the largest submarines ever build. The Project 841 specifications are:

• Length: 175 m
• Beam: 23 m
• Draught: 12 m
• Displacement: 24500 tonnes (surfaced), 48000 tonnes (submerged)

Primary armement consisted of:

• 20 RSM-52 / R-39 Rif (NATO: SS-N-20 Sturgeon) with 10 MIRV warheads each

The Typhoon class had the ability to stay at sea on patrol for extended periods due to its size and the ability to punch through the thick ice with a sail that was reinforced for this purpose.

In many navies, submariners in general enjoy better amenities than the average sailor, but the Typhoon class went much further with facilities that most submarines could only dream of.


http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130521/181272846/Russia-to-Scrap-Worlds-Biggest-Nuclear-Subs.html

By Robert Lawson Collection [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Russia Buys 6 Be-200 Amphibious Aircraft

Russia has ordered 6 multi-purpose Be-200 amphibious aircraft from the Beriev Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The contract is worth 8.4 billion Russian Rubles or about $268 million.

The first two will be the Be-200ES variant, while the next four will be the Be-200PS variant. It is the first time that the Russian military has placed orders for the Be-200.

In 2010, the Russian Emergencies Ministry ordered eight Be-200ES and currently has five Be-200ES for firefighting duties. Azerbaijan received one Be-200ES in 2008.

The Be-200 is an amphibious aircraft with the ability to takeoff and land on water. It perform several types of missions, including:

• firefighting
• search and rescue
• medical evacuation
• maritime patrol
• transport

Its specifications are:

• Length: 32.05 m
• Wingspan: 32.78 m
• Height: 8.9 m
• Empty weight: 27600 kg
• Maximum takeoff weight: 41000 kg (land) 38000 kg (water)
• Maximum fuel capacity: 12500 kg
• Maximum speed: 700 km/hr
• Maximum range: 3300 km (ISA: 8000 m, 1 hour fuel reserve)
• Operational altitude: 8000 m

The cargo dimensions are:

• Length: 18.7 m
• Width: 2.5 m
• Height: 1.895 m
• Floor area: 41 m²
• Volume 80.8 m³
• Payload: 7500 kg, 7 LD3 containers

The Be-200 is powered by 2 D-436TP turbofan engines with 7650 kg of thrust.


http://www.beriev.com/eng/Pr_rel_e/2013_05_24e.html

By Doomych [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Peru looking To Upgrade Remaining MiG-29 Fleet

According to Konstantin Biryulin, deputy head of Russia’s Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service, Russia and Peru will sign a contract to upgrade Peruvian Mig-29 before the end of 2013 pending final negotiations.

The contract covers the aircraft that had not been upgraded during a previous contract signed in 2008. That contract covered the upgrade of eight MiG-29 to a customized version of the MiG-29SMT standard.

The MiG-29 SMT standard turns the MiG-29 into a multi-role aircraft approaching the level of the MiG-29M. Upgrades include:

• Enlarged spine with room for bigger fuel tanks to increase range
• New radar includes support for air-to-ground modes
• New cockpit and avionics
• Upgraded engines

Once upgraded, the aircraft will be compatible with various precision-guided air-to-ground munitions. In all, Peru bought 18 MiG-29 in 1996 and another 3 in 1998. Of these two have been lost to accidents.

Peru also has 12 Mirage 2000 fighters bought during the eighties that will be upgraded by France. Some of its Su-25 Close Air Support aircraft may also be upgraded.

Russia has finished upgrading Peruvian Mil Mi-25 attack helicopters and is looking at signing more deals with Peru, including the sale of T-90S main battle tanks and Mi-17 transport helicopters.


http://en.rian.ru/world/20130520/181255021/Russia-Peru-to-Sign-MiG-29-Jet-Upgrade-Deal.html

By Doomych [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Afghanistan Will Receive An Additional 12 Russian Mi-17 Helicopters in 2013 From The US

Afghanistan will receive 12 more Mil Mi-17V5 transport helicopters from Russia before the end of 2013. It had previously received 21 Mi-17V5 helicopters as part of a $367.5 million deal signed in 2011.

In both cases, the helicopters will be bought and paid for by the United States, but delivered by Russia to the Afghanistan Armed Forces. The original contract included an option for additional helicopters, which has been exercised.

The additional purchases of Mi-17 helicopters from Russia occur despite opposition to Russian arms purchases by the US Congress, because of continued Russian support to Syria.

However, the US Department of Defense felt that is was best to honor Afghanistan request for the Mi-17 helicopters. Compared to other options such as the American Black Hawk helicopters, the Mi-17 is a better fit, including:

• The ability to use existing infrastructure, support and service already in place for Russian helicopters.
• Familiarity of Afghan pilots with the Mi-17 eliminates the need to train them to use a new helicopter type.
• The Mi-17 helicopters are lower in cost.

The Mi-17 helicopters for Afghanistan will not be completely Russian, but will be fitted with some US equipment.

The Mi-17 helicopters are meant to help Afghanistan fulfill its tasks now that military forces from the US and other countries are in the process of being withdrawn.

Further negotiations may result in additional purchases of the Mi-17, which is widely used around the world and noted for its ruggedness and reliability, despite being a very old design.

This is not the first time that the US has bought military equipment from Russia, but the purchases of Mi-17 helicopters are still notable since they don't occur very often between the two former rivals during the Cold War.


http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130516/181189483/Russia-to-Deliver-12-More-Mi-17-Helicopters-to-Afghanistan.html

By U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Keith Brown [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Syria Receives More Russian SS-N-26 Yakhont Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles

Syria has received another batch of SS-N-26 Yakhont anti-ship cruise missiles from Russia. Syria had ordered the missiles in 2007 in a deal worth about $300 million and deliveries from Russia began in 2011.

The latest shipment of missiles have upgraded guidance systems compared to the earlier ones. The missiles received are the land-based version or Bastion for mobile coastal defense.

They join other advanced Russian arms already in Syria, such as the short-to-medium range Pantsir-S1 (SA-22) and medium-range Buk-M2 (SA-17) air defense systems.

The supersonic and sea-skimming Yakhont is the export version of the domestic 3M-55 Oniks (Onyx) developed by Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The specifications are:

• Length: 8.9 m
• Diameter: 0.7 m
• Wingspan: 1.7 m
• Weight: 3900 kg (with booster)
• Warhead: 200 kg
• Range: 120 km (Lo-Lo flight profile) or 290 km (Hi-Lo flight profile)
• Maximum Speed: Mach 2.5
• Altitude: Between 10 m to 14000 m

The Yakhont is powered by an integrated liquid-fuelled ramjet with rocket booster and guided by a dual-mode active / passive radar seeker.

Besides Syria, the SS-N-26 has been exported to Vietnam and Indonesia. India also has the Brahmos, which is a modified version of the Yakhont developed in cooperation with Russia.

The Yakhont deliveries come at a time when Syria is engaged in an internal armed struggle with insurgents and faces the prospects of attack from abroad. Israel has already carried out air strikes at targets in Syrian territory.

Russia has been asked to stop arms deliveries to Syria, including the S-300PMU2 air-to-surface missiles. Russia had in the past suspended some deliveries, such as the Syrian purchase of MiG-29M fighter aircraft.

However, after events in Libya, Russia has become more proactive in the region. Compared to Libya, Syria is much more important to Russia, especially with the presence of a naval base.

Loss of Syria to unfriendly forces would greatly hurt Russian influence in the region. Not surprising, Russia has been boosting its naval presence in the Mediterranean with ships from the Russian Pacific Fleet, including a Udaloy class anti-submarine warfare destroyer.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/17/us-syria-crisis-russia-usa-idUSBRE94G0JY20130517

By One half 3544 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

India Commissions First MiG-29K Squadron

India has commissioned its first MiG-29K/KUB squadron, the Black Panthers. The squadron consists of 12 single-seat MiG-29K and 4 dual-seat MiG-29KUB, which were ordered in 2004 and delivered between 2010 and 2011.

The MiG-29K from the MiG Corporation is based on the MiG-29M, but with extensive modifications, including:

• folding wings 
• an arrester tail-hook
• strengthened airframe
• multi-role capability
• compatibility with various air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons

The MiG-29K is designed for Ski Jump Take Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) operations aboard aircraft carriers.

India placed a second order for 29 MiG-29K/KUB aircraft in 2011 with the first four delivered in December 2012. It is scheduled to receive at least four more MiG-29K in 2013.

The MiG-29K were originally supposed to be stationed aboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, formerly the Admiral Gorshkov, whose delivery has been delayed by several years.

Necessary modifications to the ship have proven to be troublesome with the latest problems due to its boilers. The ship is now scheduled to be handed over to India in late 2013.

The MiG Corporation is also tasked with modernizing India's older MiG-29 combat aircraft acquired during the eighties. Around 69 aircraft are to be upgraded in all.

India received the first 3 upgraded MiG-29UPG in 2012. Another three will be upgraded in Russia before delivery to India. The remaining aircraft will be upgraded in India itself.

The Russian Navy also ordered 20 MiG-29K and 4 MiG-29KUB in 2012 for the Admiral Kuznetsov. Russia will begin receiving the first MiG-29K in 2013 and deliveries are to be complete in 2015.

According to the MiG Corporation, the Russian units will be different, but exact changes have not been revealed.  In general, the domestic versions of Russian fighter aircraft tend to be superior to the export versions.


http://en.ria.ru/world/20130511/181089289.html

By Doomych [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Israel Asks Russia Not To Proceed With S-300 Sale To Syria

Israel has requested Russia not to proceed with the sale of the long-range S-300PMU2 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Air Defense Systems (ADS) to Syria. Delivery of the first units is imminent within the next three months.

Russia and Syria are supposed to have agreed in 2010 to a $900 million deal to deliver mobile S-300 systems, consisting of radar units, transporter-erector-launchers, support vehicles and up to 144 missiles.

The S-300 (NATO: SA-10) is a family of SAM ADS that was first introduced by the Soviet Union during the late seventies. The system has been continually upgraded and improved with each successive version.

The S-300PMU2 is the latest version in the S-300 family with improvements such as extended missile range up to 200 km, new radar and the ability to intercept short-range tactical ballistic missiles.

The S-300 is noted for its vertically launched missiles using the cold-launch method. The S-300 was used to develop the S-400, which has only recently started entering service with the Russian armed forces.

Besides the S-300, Syria already possesses other advanced Russian ADS, including the short-to-medium range Pantsir-S1 (NATO: SA-22), which mounts dual 30 mm guns and up to 12 missiles with a range up to 20 km.

Syria also has the medium-range Buk-M2 (NATO: SA-17) with a range up to 50 km. All are mobile and designed to complement each other to form an Integrated Air Defense System.

Should Syria receive all systems and if war does break out with other countries, it will be the first time they will see actual full-blown combat. An older version of the SA-17, the Buk-M1 was used by Georgia to shoot down Russian aircraft.

It should also reignite the debate of SAM versus aircraft, which has been ongoing for several decades. Some countries, such as Russia and China, give more or less equal weight to both with each having their own strengths depending on the situation.

Other countries tend to place priority on aircraft over SAM batteries in the belief that aircraft will have the edge and therefore deserve to be allocated available resources.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/09/us-syria-crisis-israel-idUSBRE9480FP20130509

By Фальшивомонетчик [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Serbia Plans To Buy 6 MiG-29M Fighter Aircraft From Russia

Serbia plans to buy 6 single and dual-seat MiG-29M/M2 fighter aircraft from Russia and pilots are already being trained in flying the aircraft, according to Aleksandar Vucic, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Serbia.

Details are to be worked out during his and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic’s visits to Russia later this month. The purchase is to be financed using Russian loans granted to Serbia.

The MiG-29M is a modernized and redesigned version of the original MiG-29, which was praised for its maneuverability but found to be deficient in almost every other facet.

The MiG-29M addresses many of these shortcomings in the MiG-29 such as short range and poor pilot interface with improvements, including:

• Replacement of hydraulic controls with fly-by-wire in the MiG-29M
• Increase in the amount of fuel that can be carried
• Addition of in-flight refuelling
• New engines with longer life and increased thrust
• Completer redesign of the cockpit with modern avionics
• New multi-role radar
• Compatible with both air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, including precision-guided munitions

Like the Su-35 and Su-27, the MiG-29M is what the MiG-29 should have been. It was intended to be introduced much earlier, but the fall of the Soviet Union delayed the program by many years.

Besides Serbia, Syria had placed an order for 24 MiG-29M/M2 in 2009. However, that order has not been fulfilled by Russia and will remain so as long as the fighting continues in Syria.

Another variant based on the MiG-29M is the MiG-29K, which is designed for naval use aboard aircraft carriers. India has already some of the MiG-29K it ordered.

However, it has yet to receive the former Admiral Gorshkov, a heavily modernized Kiev class aircraft carrier, where the MiG-29K are  to be stationed. Problems with boilers were the latest in a long line of problems with the ship.

Russia also intends to use the MiG-29K aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier after it has completed a comprehensive refit and upgrade that will take several years to complete.


http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130506/180999564/Serbia-Looks-to-Buy-Several-MiG-29-Fighters-From-Russia.html

By Doomych (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Russian PAK FA / Sukhoi T-50 Fighter to Enter Service in 2016

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Sukhoi T-50 or PAK FA fighter will enter service with the Russian Air Force in 2016, a year later than was previously announced.

The Sukhoi T-50 is a fifth-generation multi-role fighter aircraft in development that incorporates stealth, super-maneuverability, super-cruise without using any afterburners and advanced electronics.

The T-50 will include an X-band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. It also supports internal weapons carriage to help reduce its radar cross section.

The aircraft has its first flight in January 2010, the first fifth-generation fighter outside of the United States. There are currently a total of four Sukhoi T-50 aircraft being used for test flights.

Since then, other fifth-generation have appeared such as China's J-20. Both the T-50 and J-20 seem to place less heavy emphasis on stealth as compared to the F-22 Raptor.

Optimizing an aircraft design for very low observability often demands sacrifices be made in other areas. Russia and China seem to have decided to sacrifice some degree in stealth in return for a more evenly balanced aircraft.

Like the T-50, the J-20 will enter service before the end of the decade. Russia and China are intent on narrowing the gap that currently exists with the United States as quickly as possible.

The F-22 is the premier fighter currently and will likely retain the edge in stealth, but it does have some weaknesses, including high cost, high maintenance and relatively short range that other aircraft would be wise to avoid.

Russia and India are also supposed to be developing a new fighter, the Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), which is partially based on the PAK-FA. However, not much progress has been made on that front besides some internal discussions.


http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130425/180840337/New-T-50-Fighter-Jet-to-Enter-Service-in-2016--Putin.html

By Rulexip [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons