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Compiled by J.Hawk exclusively for SouthFront
Executive Summary
The big newsmaker of the week is Uralvagonzavod, which is benefiting from the sizable effort to modernize Russia’s armored vehicle fleet. In addition to the plans to bring the T-14 into production in a matter of years, the Russian MOD is also interested in modernizing its T-90 MBTs to the highly advanced T-90M “Proryv” model which incorporates many technologies developed as part of the Armata program. Likewise the T-72B3 modernization is performed by Uralvagonzavod as well. Furthermore, not only is India interested in procuring the export version of the Proryv, the tank recently underwent tests in an undisclosed Middle Eastern country. The interest in the T-90M and the BMP-3 Dragun modernization programs suggests that perhaps the MOD is keeping its option open, and has not yet decided on how large a proportion of the Ground Forces will be re-equipped with the Armata/Kurganets/Bumerang systems, versus the upgraded T-90M/T-72B3/BMP-3M/BTR-82A vehicles.
Strategic forces modernization is also moving forward apace, with both the “light” and “heavy” components of its ICBM force receiving multi-warhead missiles, greatly increasing Russia’s nuclear deterrence even in the face of US ABM system development.
Finally, Russia is continuing to score major successes in international cooperation, securing more contracts for its advanced weapons systems. India, in particular, appears to be interested in strengthening its relationship with Russia.
Strategic Forces
1. RVSN Division to Receive Multi-Warhead Missiles
Location: Irkutsk
The 29th Guards Red Banner Order of Lenin Vitebsk Rocket Division, headquartered in Irkutsk, which is currently equipped with Topol-M road-mobile single-warhead ICBMs, will shortly receive four-warhead, 11,000km-range roadmobile RS-26 Rubezh-M ICBMs. The missiles are scheduled to enter series production in late 2015, and the division will be re-equipped at some point in 2015.
2. Sarmat ICBM tests to begin in 2016
Location: Krasnoyarsk
The Sarmat is a fifth-generation two-stage ICBM with a 10-ton throw-weight which gives it the ability to carry at least 8 independently targetable warheads and a set of ABM penetration aids. Moreover, the missile’s power is sufficient for it to attack targets in North America after flying over the South Pole, thus evading US ABM systems. The missiles will be produced at the Krasmash plant in Krasnoyarsk, which also makes the Sineva SLBM.
3. Il-76 to be fitted with a battle laser
Location: Taganrog, Voronezh
The Il-76MD-90A that is to be thus modified by the Taganrog-based Beriev plant into the A-60 laser test-bed is part of the Project Skif which aims at creating a laser-equipped aircraft capable of blinding reconnaissance satellites. It will be equipped with a 100kW compressed gas laser developed at the Voronezh-based KB Khimavtomatiki.
Ground Forces
Location: Nizhniy Tagil
Uralvagonzavod General Director Oleg Siyenko announced that the Russian Ground Forces are planning to procure 2300 T-14 MBTs. The current plan is for the Russian Ground Forces to receive these tanks by 2020, which would imply ordering at least 500 of these vehicles every year, though Siyenko allows for the possibility that in fact the full order will not be delivered until 2025. Siyenko also noted that each series-produced tank would cost approximately 250 million rubles, or half the initial estimate. The Russian Ground Forces will receive a batch of pre-production vehicles in 2016, with full-scale deliveries to start in 2017-2018, which indeed makes the 2020 deadline rather difficult to meet. The first units to be re-equipped with the T-14 and associated vehicles are the 1st Guards Tank Army (headquartered in the Moscow Region), and the 20th Guards Army (currently being formed in proximity to the border with Ukraine).
Location: Nizhniy Tagil
This announcement was made by the Tank Forces Main Directorate at RAE-2015. The T-90M (or AM) variant represents a major improvement over the T-90A as it incorporates many of the systems developed for the Armata program. Its combat power is easily equivalent to that of contemporary NATO MBTs.
6. Russian MOD expresses interest in BMP-3 Dragun
Location: Kurgan
The Dragun is a thoroughly redesigned BMP-3 featuring the customary “engine forward, troop compartment in rear” IFV layout which is more ergonomic and maintenance-friendly. Since the vehicle is a redesigned BMP-3, existing BMP-3s could be brought up to this standard which moreover sports a new weapons module, though the weapons themselves are similar to those used by regular BMP-3s–a combination of 100mm gun/missile launcher and 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon.
7. The Russian Army has received 600 modernized tanks in 2015
Location: Moscow
Colonel General Oleg Salyukov, the Ground Forces Commanding General, said that the Ground Forces have received over 600 modernized MBTs during 2015. Most of these vehicles are the upgraded T-72B3 MBTs. Moreover, the Ministry of Defense is studying the possibility of upgrading T-90 tanks to the T-90AM standard, whose capabilities in some ways approach those of the T-14.
Location: Adanak (Dagestan), Chelyabinsk, Orenburg, Totskoye, Donguz
Some 100 thousand Russian soldiers are participating in the Centr-2015 exercises which are being held at about 20 training areas of the Central Military District. All branches of forces are participating, with extensive maneuver training and live fire exercises. This is the largest military exercise held by the Russian military in 2015.
Air Forces
Location: Orenburg
Tu-22M3 bombers of the Long-Range Aviation carried out bombing training missions at a range near Orenburg, as part of the Tsentr-2015 exercise involving a large selection of forces based in the Central Military District. Reportedly the 10 bombers used in the exercise dropped bombs from a comparably low altitude of 600m.
Naval Forces
10. Submarine Novorossiysk joins the Black Sea Fleet
Check out this crazy Russian Arctic paratroopers! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8HJqJ9rYuw