Bendersky: “Keep a Watchful Eye on Russia’s Military Technology”
July 21, 2004 :: Analysis
Writing for the “Power and Interest News Report,” Yevgeny Bendersky denies the typical characterization of the Russian military as backward and ill equipped, and points out that in fact,
even in the current dire circumstances, Russia never stopped being a powerful entity that produced state-of-the-art military technologies — a trend that continued from its inception as a modern state. While its army, navy and air force are in dangerously derelict conditions, every part of the formula for Russia’s resurgence as a military powerhouse is still in place. In spite of financial and economic difficulties, Russia still produces state-of-the-art military technologies that continue to impress the world.
Bendersky notes that Russia’s current state of the art systems include their S-300, and especially their S-400 air and missile defense systems, believed to be superior to their American counterparts. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Yemen Considering Purchase of Russian S-300
July 15, 2004 :: Middle East Newsline :: News
Yemenese President Ali Abdullah Saleh discussed the purchase of Russian arms for his country, while visiting Russian President Putin in Moscow. The possible purchase reportedly includes aircraft and the Russian S-300 air and missile defense system, according to a report by Middle East Newsline. Whether the S-300 system in question is the S-300P or S-300V was not indicated. Although sometimes believed to be limited to air defense, the capability of the S-300 for missile defense purposes is reiterated by the sources quoted. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Russia Preparing for Another SS-19 Test
July 13, 2004 :: Interfax :: News
Russia will test another SS-19 (RS-18) ICBM in mid-August, the Russian Defense told the Russian Interfax news agency. The test is one in a series to extend the life of the SS-19 missile. Interfax notes that the SS-19 is currently on combat duty at the Tatishchevo and Kozelsk units of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-19 Mod 1, SS-19 Mod 2
Russian Diesel Subs May Go to Taiwan
June 29, 2004 :: Inside the Ring (Washington Times) :: News
Russia could sell some eight diesel-powered submarines to Taiwan, reports the Washington Times. The sale would go indirectly through the United States.
Putin is quoted as saying that, “If the Americans resell them [to Taiwan], it’s none of Russia’s business.” But of course it is Russia’s business, and the sale could be seen as an effort to counterbalance China, to whom Russia sells substantial military equipment, including submarines. The quiet Kilo-class submarines would reportedly be armed with Russian weapons, but equipped with U.S. electronics and propulsion. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Taiwan
Russia Fires Strategic Cruise Missile
June 29, 2004 :: Itar-Tass :: News
In addition to testing an SS-N-23 SLBM, Russia today also launched an unidentified strategic cruise missile from a Tu-95MS strategic bomber. ITAR-TASS reports that the missile successfully hit its target at the test range in Novaya Zemlya, located in the Arctic circle.
While the missile was not identified, the Tu-95MS bomber has in the past carried the Kh-55 nuclear capable cruise missile, a new variant of which might have been the subject for testing. A spokesman for the launch quoted by ITAR-Tass commented that the distance from where the bomber took off, the Saratov region, and the missile’s target was some 3,000km, which is roughly the range of the Kh-55. Alternatively, however, Russia could be testing its new Kh-101/102 experimental cruise missile. It also has a range of at least 3,000 km and can also be launched from the Tu-95MS. The Kh-101/102 is expected to enter service next year. (Article, Link)
» Description of Kh-55 cruise missile
» Description of Kh-101/102 cruise missile
» Podvig: Cruise missile could be Kh-55
» More stories on: Cruise Missiles, Russia, Testing - Foreign
Russia Tests SS-N-23 and SS-18 Ballistic Missiles
June 29, 2004 :: Express India :: News
Russia today successfully tested a submarine launched RSM-54 (SS-N-23 or “Skiff”) ballistic missile from the Yekaterinburg Delta IV-class missile submarine submerged in the Barents Sea. The missile traveled some 7,000 km before reaching its target, the Kura testing ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula, located on Russia’s Pacific coast. The missile’s flight across Russia lasted only some 28 minutes. The SS-N-23 missile tested today was the same type as those which failed to launch during naval exercises attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February.
In addition, Russia also launched an SS-18, or RS-20, intercontinental ballistic missile. The SS-18 or “Satan” missile was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 4, SS-N-23
Russia Launches U.S., Other Satellites on Converted SS-18
June 29, 2004 :: Washington Times :: News
Russia today launched eight satellites into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, aboard a single booster, developed from the SS-18 (R-36M) ballistic missile. Three American satellites, three for Saudi Arabia, one Italian and one French, were those put into orbit. (Article, Link)
» Itar-Tass description of launch
» More stories on: Russia
Russia Continues to Downplay North Korean Missile Threat
June 23, 2004 :: East Asia Intel :: News
Itself a primary source of missile proliferation the world over, Russia continues its efforts to undermine cause for the United States to deploy a missile defense system, by denying that a missile threat to America exists.
Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov is said to have told reporters on June 3 that “the missile threat from North Korea should not be exaggerated,” according to East-Asia-Intel.com. Trubnikov warned that Japanese estimates that North Korea had some 200 missiles was dubious—even though American intelligence estimates put the number at over 500 Scud variants and several hundred No Dong missiles, as well as a smaller number of missiles with more extended range. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: North Korea, Russia
Russia Plans Test of Sea-Based Version of Topol-M
June 3, 2004 :: BBC Worldwide Monitoring :: News
Moscow plans to conduct the first test launch of the Bulava solid fuel ICBM this year, reported the Interfax Russian news agency yesterday. The Bulava (SS-NX-30) is the submarine-launched version of Russia’s most advanced missile, the Topol-M (SS-27). (More »»»)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-27, SS-NX-30
Russia Tests Tochka (SS-21) Missile
June 3, 2004 :: News
Russia has again test fired its Tochka (SS-21) short range ballistic missile. According to a transcript taken from Russian television on May 31, the missile traveled a mere 20 km. The Tochka has a range of 70km, and the Tochka-U, or SS-21B, has a range up to 120km, however. (More »»»)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-21 A, SS-21 B
