NATO, Russian navies...[ 2879 ]

 

NATO, Russian navies hold joint war games

 29 June 2012

The FRUKUS 2012 multinational military drills are underway in the Baltic Sea. These are the first large-scale war games held by the NATO and Russian navies in the Baltic waters. 
-During the exercises, American, French, British and Russian warships repelled air and sea attacks and put their anti-missile defenses to test. On June 30, the fleets will arrive at St. Petersburg for a final revision

Photo: RIA Novosti

Russia is testing Italy's Centauro wheeled tank ...[ 2851 ]

Russia Testing Italian Tank

Italy's Centauro wheeled tank //© Photo Jeffery Russell //13:50 12/05/2012

MOSCOW, May 12 (RIA Novosti)

Russia is testing Italy's Centauro wheeled tank and considering building it under license, a representative of the Oto-Melara company which makes the tank said on Saturday.

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"The first two machines with 105-mm and 125-mm guns are on trial at a Moscow Region proving ground," he said.

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Two more Centauros with 120-mm and 30-mm guns will also join the trials in another six weeks. "The tanks will take part in laboratory, driving and firing trials," the Oto-Melara representative said.

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When the trials are complete at the end of this year, Russia will consider creating a joint venture for production of the tank with an enterprise from the Russian military-industrial complex, he said.

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Russian truck maker Kamaz in Naberezhny Chelny could be involved in the deal, according to a source in Russian arms sales holding Rosoboronexport.

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Russia signed a deal with Italy in December for the semi-knocked down assembly of 60 Lynx light multirole armored vehicles (LMV) from Iveco, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov said in January.

Oto-Melara, part of the Italian Finnmeccanica group, is part of the CIO joint venture with vehicle manufacturer Iveco to make military vehicles.

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Italy already has 400 Centauros in service. The 24 ton tank has a four-man crew, top speed of 100 km/h (60 mph) and range of 800 km (500 miles). It has a main gun and two 7.62 mm machineguns.

--

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Russia Tests New Thermobaric Rocket System...[ 2809 ]

Russia Tests New Thermobaric Rocket System

TOS-1 Buratino
© RIA Novosti. Artyom Zhitnev

12:36 10/04/2012

MOSCOW, April 10 (RIA Novosti)

Russia has tested a new thermobaric rocket for its TOS-1 Buratino and TOS-1A Soltsepek multiple launch rocket systems, the Izvestia daily reported on Tuesday.

The tests took place at the Prudboi site in the Southern Military District.

The new missile can effectively engage targets at a range of up to six kilometers.

It has a 90-kg warhead, uses a new thermobaric mixture and has a new motor.

The new rocket will be mounted on a T-72 and T-90 tank chassis.

The TOS-1 Buratino multiple rocket launching system carries 30 rockets and TOS-1A Soltsepek has 24.

Solntsepek translates as “blazing sun.”

Su-30 Multirole fighter...[ 2803 ]

Su-30 Multirole Fighter

 

RIANOVOSTI . March 20 2012

The aircraft is used by the forces of nine states. A range of customer-specific modifications have been made to the aircraft.

Israel's 'Iron Dome' system ...[ 2788 ]

Israel's 'Iron Dome' system isn't enough protection

By David Frum, CNN Contributor

March 12, 2012 -- Updated 1924 GMT (0324 HKT)

Israeli soldiers watch a missile launch from the Iron Dome defense system in the southern Israeli city of Beer Sheva on Monday.

Editor's note: David Frum, a CNN contributor, is a contributing editor at Newsweek and The Daily Beast. He was a special assistant to President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2002 and is the author of six books, including "Comeback: Conservatism That Can Win Again." 

(CNN) -- As Iran rushes ahead with its nuclear program, some foreign policy thinkers urge Israel to accept that it must live with "incomplete" security.

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Israel has met the barrage with a new defense system, named Iron Dome.

David Frum

Iron Dome senses rocket launches. Its computers assess which rockets are headed toward populated areas, then it fires missiles to intercept the incoming rockets. 

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According to the Israel Defense Forces, Iron Dome has achieved a success rate of more than 90% when fired. Since Friday, Palestinian militants have fired more than 170 rockets at Israeli cities, but as yet, no Israeli civilians have been killed.

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Since 2001, Israel has responded to attacks by deploying ever-more effective technological systems: first the security fence to halt the entry of suicide bombers; now Iron Dome to stop short-range rockets; and in time, the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system against longer-range missiles.

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These innovations have defeated and deterred violence and saved many lives.

But these innovations are also subject to inherent weaknesses.

The rockets launched from Gaza are armed only with explosives and shrapnel. When Iron Dome misses -- and it does sometimes miss -- the Gaza rockets kill and maim only within a very limited radius.

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The fence also fails sometimes. Last year for example, a British citizen was killed and 50 people wounded by a suicide bombing near the Jerusalem convention center. Yet as with the Gaza rockets, the lethality of suicide bombings is inherently limited. Israel does not need to reach 100% success to defeat the terrorism threat.

Suppose, however, that the rockets carried nuclear payloads, or that the suicide bombers had access to radioactive materials. Then a 90% success rate would not nearly suffice.

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Iran's nuclear program threatens to upend the strategic calculus of the past decade, to overwhelm all Israeli countermeasures to protect Israel's population.

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A nuclearized Iran does not imply "incomplete" security for Israel. It would expose Israel to absolute insecurity.

As rockets fly toward southern Israel, the rest of Israel carries on. The economy produces and thrives. 

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A relative of mine, visiting Jerusalem, comments that if she were not reading about the rockets in the newspapers, she would not know they were being fired.

Yet even the threat of a mass-casualty event would paralyze the Israeli economy. 

 -

People would avoid downtowns, visitors would stay home, children would be sent abroad, investment flows would cease. Iran would not have to shoot at Israel. It would just have to talk loosely about shooting at Israel to do vast harm.

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Iron Dome represents a triumph of Israeli science, generously supported by U.S. aid under both Presidents Bush and Obama. But we remain far away from a high-tech shield against the Iranian threat. 

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This week's congratulations to Israel must be tempered by awareness: The biggest danger -- Iran's potential ability to build a weapon that could kill hundreds of thousands in a single strike -- looms as menacing as ever.

China's military budget...[ 2762 ]

China military budget tops $100bn

 

China first aircraft carrier began sea trials in 2011

BBC.,  4 March 2012 Last updated at 08:37 GMT

China's official defence spending will rise by 11.2% in 2012, pushing it above $100bn (£65bn) for the first time, the government has announced.

Beijing's defence budget has risen each year for two decades to become the world's second-biggest, behind the US.

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It is developing an aircraft carrier, a stealth fighter jet, and missiles that can shoot down satellites.

The US promised to bolster its presence in the region last year, in a move seen as countering China's dominance.

Washington, which spends about $740bn on defence each year, already has bases housing thousands of American troops across the region.

The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says Chinese officials remain wary about growing American influence in the region, and believe Washington wants to encircle China.

'Peaceful development'

China's emerging military might has especially worried its near neighbours.

China has long-running territorial disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan, and has also positioned hundreds of missiles for a potential attack on Taiwan, which it views as part of its territory.

Big military spenders - official figures

• US: $739.3bn
• China: $106bn
• UK: $63.7bn
• Russia: $52.7bn
• India: $31.9bn

Sources: IISS; Chinese government

• The world's military balance

Announcing the new budget, Li Zhaoxing, an official with China's parliament, sought to calm concerns over the spending programme.

"China is committed to the path of peaceful development and follows a national defence policy that is defensive in nature," he said.

"China has 1.3 billion people, a large territory and long coastline, but our defence spending is relatively low compared with other major countries."

As a proportion of its GDP, China's official military budget is far lower than either the US or the UK.

But foreign experts have estimated that Beijing's actual military spending could be as much as double the official budget.

During 2011, China carried out its first test flight of a stealth fighter jet, and the first sea trial of its aircraft carrier.

Both pieces of equipment remain years away from active deployment.

Beijing is also building new submarines and ships, and developing a range of anti-ship ballistic missiles.

The armed forces, known as the People's Liberation Army, boasts more than two million personnel - the biggest military in the world.

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Related Stories

• China in US gunsights
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Russia Lays down New Warship...[ 2753 ]

Russia Lays down New Warship at Baltic Shipyard

Yantar Shipyard//© RIA Novosti. Igor Zarembo//20:54 29/02/2012

KALININGRAD, February 29 (RIA Novosti)

Construction of a Project 11356 frigate was launched at the Yantar shipyard in Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad on Wednesday.

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The Krivak IV class Admiral Makarov frigate is the last in a series of three frigates the shipyard is building under a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry.

-

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who said that Russia “must have a powerful navy.”

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The first two ships in the series, the Admiral Grigorovich and the Admiral Essen, are at different stages of completion.

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All three warships are expected to be delivered to the Russian Navy in 2013-2014.

In 2011, the Yantar shipyard received a new order for another three Krivak IV class frigates.

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A Krivak IV class frigate carries a 100-mm gun, a Shtil medium-range air defense system, Club-N supersonic anti-ship missiles, two Kashtan point defense systems, two twin 533-mm torpedo launchers, and an anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

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Related News

• Russia to Lay Down New Frigate for Navy
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Russia New Corvette for Pacific Fleet...[ 2715 ]

Russia Lays Down New Corvette for Pacific Fleet

ASW ship Steregushchy//© RIA Novosti. Yuryi Abramochkin//02:01 18/02/2012

KHABAROVSK, February 18 (RIA Novosti)

Τhe Amur Shipyard in Russia’s Far East has started the construction of a new Steregushchy class corvette for the Russian Pacific Fleet, the Khabarovsk Territory government said.

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“A Steregushchy class corvette will be built for the Pacific Fleet,” the Khabarovsk Territory government said in a statement on Friday. “It will be delivered in 2015.”

The Gromky corvette is the sixth Steregushchy class vessel designed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau and second being built at the Amur Shipyard.

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Two corvettes of this class, the Steregushchy and the Soobrazitelny have been already put into service with the Russian Navy, while three others are under various stages of construction and trials.

The Steregushchy class corvette can be deployed to destroy enemy surface ships, submarines and aircraft, and to provide artillery support for beach landings. Advanced stealth technology is used to reduce the ship's secondary radar field, as well as its acoustic, infrared, magnetic and visual signatures.

-

Russia plans to have up to 30 vessels of this class to ensure the protection of its coastal waters, as well as its oil and gas transportation routes, especially in the Black and the Baltic seas.

-

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Each corvette has a displacement of 2,000 metric tons, maximum speed of 27 knots, and a crew of 100.

The ship's armament includes SS-N-25 Switchblade anti-ship cruise missiles, a 100-mm gun, a variety of air defense and anti-submarine systems, and a Ka-27 Helix ASW helicopter.

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Multimedia

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Russian Armored Vehicle...[ 2674 ]

New Russian Armored Vehicle Can Withstand Eight-Kilogram TNT Blast

Typhoon Ural-63095, Russia

Russia is currently testing a new Project Typhoon Ural-63095 armored truck. Developers say the vehicle is more dependable than BTR armored personnel carriers, and that it can withstand anti-tank mine blasts.

Russian Military Airfields...[ 2656 ]

Russia to Modernize All Military Airfields by 2020

All of Russia’s military airfields will be upgraded and modernized by 2020

© RIA Novosti. Sergey Pyatakov//15:27 26/01/2012

MOSCOW, January 26 (RIA Novosti)

All of Russia’s military airfields will be upgraded and modernized by 2020, Defense Ministry spokesman Col Vladimir Drik said on Thursday.

That includes airbases, flight test and training centers, army aviation sites, and other facilities, he said.

-

This year construction of new runways and command and control structures will begin at military airports in the Krasnodar territory, and the Saratov, Astrakhan, and Kaliningrad regions.

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Gen Nikolai Makarov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said in November the Defense Ministry had a total of 356 aerodromes.

Russia : New AWACS Plane...[ 2647 ]

New AWACS Plane Enters Russian Air Force Service

A-50 aircraft ///© RIA Novosti. Denisov Anton ///18:56 17/01/2012

MOSCOW, January 17 (RIA Novosti)

A modernized A-50U airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft entered service with the Russian Air Force on Tuesday, Defense Ministry spokesman Col Vladimir Drik said.

-

The aircraft, which has an advanced onboard computer, satellite communication and radar systems, was delivered to the Air Force in October and started flight tests.

It will participate in all major military exercises this year, the spokesman added.

-

The aircraft now has the capability to detect various types of flying targets, including helicopters, cruise missiles and supersonic aircraft, he said.

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The Beriev A-50, based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport, first flew in 1978. It entered service in 1984, with about 40 produced by 1992.

The A-50 can track up to 10 fighter aircraft for either air-to-air interception or air-to-ground attack missions.

The National Australia Day ...[ 2645 ]

Australia Day seen as most important

 SkyNEWS.com.au.,,Updated: 08:53, Tuesday January 17, 2012

An overwhelming majority of Australians have nominated Australia Day as the most significant day on the national calendar.
-
A survey commission by the National Australia Day Council shows almost nine in 10 people plan to celebrate the national holiday commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 in some way.
-
It found 93 per cent of people named Australia Day as a day of importance - more than any other national celebration.
More than five million Australians plan to attend organised public events on January 26, including breakfasts, concerts, fireworks and celebrations of indigenous culture.

Russian Missile High Alert Drills ...[ 2644 ]

Russian Missile Forces Hold High Alert Drills

 

Yars / © Photo Press Service of the Russian Defense Ministry

00:35 17/01/2012

MOSCOW, January 17 (RIA Novosti)

Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces are holding a series of exercises to practice putting road-mobile missile systems on high alert, SMF spokesman Col. Vadim Koval said.

The exercises involve Topol (SS-25 Sikle), Topol-M (SS-27 Sickle B) and Yars (RS-24) mobile systems stationed in central Russia and Siberia.

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“SMF units armed with Topol, Topol-M and Yars road-mobile missile systems will practice patrolling, camouflaging and launch preparation procedures during high alert drills from January 16 to February 3,” Koval told reporters on Monday.

-

The SMF are planning to hold over 100 tactical drills in the first half of 2012.

As of January 2012, the SMF operated at least 162 mobile Topol systems, 18 mobile Topol-M and 15 mobile Yars systems.

Russian strategic missile carriers ...[ 2601 ]

Rare footage shows Russian strategic missile carriers in mid-air


rianews την 26 Δεκ 2011
This rare video footage shows strategic bombers and missile carriers of the Russian Air Force in mid-air.

Fire breaks out during Russian nuclear sub repairs...[ 2590 ]

Fire breaks out during Russian nuclear sub repairs, no radiation threat

Fire breaks out during Russian nuclear sub repairs, no radiation threat/© Photo TV 21

MOSCOW, December 29 (RIA Novosti)

Α fire broke out at the "Yekaterinburg"  nuclear submarine on Thursday during repairs at a shipyard in northern Russia, the local emergencies ministry department said. 

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Fire safety violations during routine maintenance works are seen as the most likely cause of the blaze at a floating repair dock.

"No deaths or injuries have been reported. 

-

There is no threat of nuclear pollution," the department said in a statement.

Wooden scaffolding around the submarine caught fire, which spread to the submarine's light outer hull, Northern Fleet spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Vadim Serga said.

"There is no possibility of fire burning through the hull and no threat to on-board equipment," Serga said.

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The K-84 "Yekaterinburg" nuclear submarine is one of seven Delta-IV class submarines in service, all deployed in the Northern Fleet. It carries 16 Sineva (NATO classification "Skiff") submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

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The Delta-IV class submarines are the core of the naval component of the Russian nuclear triad at present and may remain in service for another 10 years.

Rocket launcher ,flame-thrower ...[ 2580 ]

Rocket launcher flame-thrower destroys all living things within 800

VIDEO

• Rocket launcher flame-thrower destroys all living things within 800 ...

A new flame-thrower, the Shmel-M, has entered service with the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops (RSBD). Supplied with a thermobaric charge, the weapon can destroy enemy targets within a radius of 800 met

US Troops Leave Iraq...[ 2567 ]

US Troops pull out of Iraq ( video )


The war in Iraq lasted nearly nine years and as the remaining U.S. troops pull out of the country Middle East analysts continue to disagree over the success or failure of the mission. VOA correspondent Meredith Buel has details in this background report from Washington.

USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier...[ 2565 ]

Image of the USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier at Enterprise Title Transfer

Back to Gallery

USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier at Enterprise Title Transfer

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier which is home to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is seen in the late afternoon on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 in New York City. Earlier in the afternoon NASA transferred title and ownership of the space shuttle Enterprise to the museum. 

The transfer is the first step toward Intrepid receiving Enterprise in the spring of 2012.
Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Crush a car with a tank!...[ 2562 ]

Poppy Harlow crushes car with tank!

Russian Navy joint drills in 2012...[ 2546 ]

Russian Navy to take part in several joint drills in 2012

Topic: Black Sea Fleet

Later in December, a group of Russian Northern Fleet warships led by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier will leave their home ports for a new deep-sea journey/RIA Novosti. Oleg Lastochkin //04:18 01/12/2011

MOSCOW, December 1 (RIA Novosti)

The Russian Navy will take part in several international drills, including those involving the United States, Britain and France, in the new training year which begins on Thursday, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.

Russian warship will take part in the Frukus 2012 international drills, Baltops 2012 naval exercises in the Baltic Sea and Ionex 2012 drills in the Ionian Sea, as well as in joint exercises Bold Monarch 2012, Pomor 2012, Northern Eagle 2012 and Rimpac 2012, the spokesman said.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet will take part in Black Sea Naval Force (Blackseafor) drills, he said.

Later in December, a group of Russian Northern Fleet warships led by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier will leave their home ports for a new deep-sea journey, he added.

Russian warships are expected to visit more than 40 foreign ports in 2012. Russia will also continue participating in anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa.