Russian S-300 to go to India
February 5, 2004 :: News
Russia has offered its S-300V missile defense system to India, according to India’s Financial Express. India is currently also considering the comparable Israeli Arrow II and the American Patriot missile defense systems. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: India, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Russia Sending S-300 Interceptors to Belarus
April 28, 2004 :: Interfax :: News
Russia will be supplying Belarus with an unknown number of additional S-300 air and missile defense interceptors, said Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, as reported by the Russian Interfax news agency. The S-300 is described by the Russia Journal as having a range of 100km. (Article, Link)
» Rosbalt on Russian-Belarussian S-300 transfer
» Russia Journal on S-300 transfer
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Russia’s New Strategic Weapons Again Touted
March 30, 2004 :: Financial Times :: News
On Monday March 29, Russian news sources Interfax and Itar-Tass reported an unidentified senior defense ministry official as commenting that Russia was developing “revolutionary” strategic systems which would “nullify” and render “useless” American missile defenses. The story has been widely reported through the Associated Press and CNN, as well as a host of other news bodies, as a sort of “mystery” weapon easily able to overcome U.S. missile defenses.
Remarkable about the recent report, however, is that there is nothing new being reported that was not said over a month ago, during the February war exercise. Links to the very similar reports are included below. One possible explanation is that the otherwise repetitive press conference was meant to follow upon the American test of the X-43 scramjet over the weekend. The “hypersonic” weapon and penetration aids for warheads to aide in the evasion of missile defenses during their reentry are not in themselves new concepts, but it could be that these sorts of Russian programs resemble the scramjet technology in some way.
It is important to recognize that the Russian claims of superiority, even on their face, are not all that revolutionary, and do not constitute such superiority after all. Indeed, though CNN talks of a “mystery” and “revolutionary” weapon, BBC cites the unnamed defense official as saying that they would be only “almost revolutionary.” Should the United States wish to overcome scramjet or other technologies with countermeasure applications, it has the capabilities available in laser weapons. Even a scramjet engine would have to travel for some time before being able to deliver a nuclear weapon to its destination. Space-based laser weapons which could target the missile during its slowest and most vulnerable phase, the boost-phase, still remain a viable option, and a realm in which defensive measures are not trumped by offensive ones.
The Monday story cites the Defense Ministry official as again bragging of Russian missile defense capabilities, noting that “the new military projects, if implemented, can effectively nullify completely the anti-missile defence system that is being developed in the USA.” Russia’s own missile defense efforts are not to be forgotten, and it is true that they have the potential to exceed American capabilities, at least in the near future. (Article, Link)
» Feb 27, 2004: New Russian missiles by end of decade
» Feb 18, 2004: Russia’s new strategic weapons systems
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
U.S.-Russian BMD Cooperation Expected to Continue
March 30, 2004 :: News
The March 30 edition of Aerospace Daily reports that the NATO-Russian missile defense joint efforts are likely to continue without major problems, quoting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer as saying that he foresees “no major hiccups” in the future efforts.
Such cooperation may be salutary insofar as it encourages American missile defense efforts from its domestic opponents, but carries with it the spectre of limiting or otherwise rendering ineffective a missile defense capable of defending the US from the greatest and most strategic threats, that from the Russian and Chinese missile arsenals. (Link)
» More stories on: Policy, Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
Russia Transferring S-300 Air/Missile Defense Systems to Belarus
March 4, 2004 :: Gateway to Russia :: News
Some reports of Russia’s transfer of S-300 air and missile defenses to Belarus claim the systems are old and useless. Others, however, indicate that they may still be in working order.
The transfer consists of S-300s which are being taken out of service. One report has Acting Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov describing them to journalists as “not in an operational condition.” Another, from ITAR-TASS, has the same person saying that they are in operable condition. A third, from RIA-Novosti quoting a defense official, says that they will be sent to Belarus after being restored to combat-ready status.
A previous report from October, 2003 seems to favor the systems’ operable status, which cited Ivanov stressing of the reported deal that “What is important is that these systems will be in service use, and they will guard the airspace of the Union State.” The S-300 was then described as “the calling card of Russian air defense,” as well as defense against ballistic and cruise missiles, with an intercepting range of 7-100km, a height of 25-30km, and a flying speed of 300 meters per second. (Article, Link)
» Oct. 23, 2003: Belarus asks Russia for S-300s; transfer likely
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
After 43 Years, Russian Missile Defenses Still Ready for Anything
March 4, 2004 :: Interfax :: News
A statement released by the press service of the Russian Space Troops reports that “The missile defence system of the Space Troops is always combat-ready and capable of fulfilling any mission,” according to a news item from the Russian Interfax military news agency. The statement comes on the forty-third anniversary of the first test launch and successful intercept by a Russian missile interceptor, the V-1000 (later known as the SA-5, or Griffon), in 1961:
In addition to the interceptor missiles currently deployed, the missile defence system also comprises reconnaissance means (Dunay 3U and Don 2N radars) for target detection, tracking and guidance; command posts, missile silos and an all-encompassing data grid. The press service said that the Russian missile defence system can perform automatically and by signals from the early warning missile strike system. It automatically distinguishes between warheads and other (false) targets, jamming and interference.
Also quite interesting is the claim by the Space Troops’ press service that “Russian designers are at least 25 years ahead of their American counterparts.” (More »»»)
» Russia to send old S-300 air/missile defenses to Belarus
» Mar. 3, 2001: Pravda: 40th anniv. of Soviet BMD test
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
New Russian Ballistic Missiles by End of Decade
February 27, 2004 :: NTI :: News
Col.-Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky, senior deputy chief of the Russian General Staff, gave an interview published in the February 26 edition of Russkii Kurier. The interview has been noted by the Nuclear Threat Initiative, an anti-missile defense organization supported in large part by its co-chair, Ted Turner. What NTI reports from this interview, and what they do not, are quite illustrative of their bias. A more complete reading of the interview supports the conclusion that Russia’s ballistic missile arsenal remains a threat to the United States, and should properly be seen as an additional reason to deploy a comprehensive defense, rather than a reason not to do so.
Following up on Putin’s remarks a week ago, Baluyevsky spoke of the missiles’ increased maneuverability, designed to penetrate American missile defenses. NTI predictably quotes these, so as to emphasize that Russia will effortlessly make U.S. defenses, to use Putin’s phrase, “useless.”
In response to the question, of whether “Russia is totally opposed to building missile defense systems,” Baluyevsky responded that this was clearly not the case:
No, Russia is not against missile defense. Moreover, Russia is the only country to possess a missile defense system already. Built in accordance with the ABM Treaty of 1972, it is combat-ready… We have only one objective. We advocate missile defense systems that will ensure protection against single launches, not mass strikes. We mean protection from any missiles that may end up in the hands of international terrorists. At present, neither the Russian missile defense system nor the one the United States is building will provide protection against mass strikes. At the same time, we are opposed to missile defense systems that may pose a threat to Russia or devalue its arsenals. I’m talking about the strategic arsenals. Our objective is simple and clear, I think. All our actions, including actions in connection with the appearance of missile defense systems in other countries, aim to maintain Russia’s capacity to do unacceptable damage to an aggressor, no matter where the aggressor is.
As Baluyevsky noted—but NTI did not—Russia continues to maintain and advance the extensive missile defense system of the Soviet Union.
As frequently noted here, Russia wishes the United States to perpetuate the dangerous doctrine of mutually assured destruction vis a vis the former Soviet Union, no less after the withdrawal from the ABM Treaty than when MAD was the law of the land for the thirty years when the treaty was in force. Russia’s wish will be fulfilled if the United States deploys only very limited missile defenses, that is, those which do not protect from the nuclear-armed ballistic missiles of China and Russia.
The recent remarks by Putin and Baluyevsky should be seen as directed at U.S. plans to deploy a limited missile defense system this year, for the purpose of undermininng domestic support for the system within the U.S. The selective reporting by NTI seems to serve the same purpose. (More »»»)
» Feb. 18, 2004: Putin: Russia to get new offensive and defensive strategic weapons
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
Russia to Develop New Strategic Weapon Systems
February 18, 2004 :: LA Times :: News
In the midst of extensive strategic nuclear war exercises, President Putin today announced to reporters that Russia would be getting new strategic weapons, and would be upgrading its missile defense system, plans for which he said have been in the making for over a dozen years. Putin’s comments come after he watched the launch of a military satellite at the Plesetsk cosmodrome—-the purpose of which is to simulate launching satellites during a nuclear war to replace those lost in the conflict.
The Los Angeles Times’ wording to describe Russia’s “possible effort to develop a Russian missile defense system” is deceptive, of course. Russia has maintained the Soviet-era missile defense system, which has now been in place for decades around Moscow. Russia will likely be advancing and exapanding its already deployed systems, as they have continued to do over the years.
As for Russia’s new offensive strategic weapons, Putin did not elaborate, but said that they would be “capable to hit targets deep inside continents at hypersonic speed and change the altitude and direction of their flight,” according to the Russian Interfax news agency. Although Putin claimed that these efforts were not aimed at the U.S., one may be reasonably sure this is not the case. The U.S. withdrawal from the ABM Treaty and the plans to deploy a limited missile defense system this year make it more than probable that the U.S. is at least among the new threats Putin spoke of the need to counter. Such weapons, likely the reentry vehicles for nuclear warheads, which are able to “change the altitude and direction of their flight” by means of things such as “penetration aids,” are primarily of interest only to overcome missile defenses—such as the hit-to-kill defenses the U.S. will be deploying in 2004. Currently, Putin noted, “No country in the world has such kind of systems.”
Such a “maneuverable warhead” would be capable of changing directions during reentry to confuse terminal phase defenses. Of course, the possible merits of such technology should be seen as another reason to pursue boost-phase defense, during the missile’s vulnerable ascent period, before any countermeasures can be deployed. Aviation Week & Space Technology reported on Monday that that Russia had conducted a second successful test of a new warhead for the advanced SS-27 ICBM, which is said to be powered by a supersonic combustion ramjet.
The Los Angeles Times quotes Arms Control Association Executive Director Daryl Kimball, saying that Putin’s announcement signals a Russian intent to continue to engage in a post-Cold War arms race with the United States. “This illustrates that the U.S. and Russia both continue to develop ever more modern and deadly ballistic missile systems, and the Cold War continues, despite the friendly words from Putin.” Such an assessment points to the strategic clarity which must be required as the United States begins to deploy a limited missile defense system this year. Russia is continuing to test and modernize its own nuclear forces, and are willing to pursue both offensive and defensive measures. With this in mind, the U.S. must not only boldly deploy those limited systems slated for this year, but be prepared to meet and match the threat from wherever it comes: not only from rogue nations, but from China and Russia as well. The Bush administration has outlined plans by which the 2004 system will “evolve.” It is to these threats that evolution must be directed. (Article, Link)
» Xinhau on Putin announcement
» Pravda: Putin means to pursue “Star Wars”
» More stories on: Maneuverable Warheads, Nuclear Weapons, Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
Russian Air Defenses Said “Deplorable,” But Russian BMD Still in Good Shape
February 18, 2004 :: Gateway to Russia :: News
Former commander of the Russian Air Force Anatoly Kornukov declared that Russian defenses against air attack are “in deplorable condition,” and comparing their capabilities to those of several decades ago. He cited the S-50 air defense system as one example, whose effectiveness has been halved. But whatever the condition of Russian defenses against aircraft, however, Russia’s missile defense system is still in reasonably good shape.
After denegrating the air defense systems, Kornukov immediately added that the whole situation “is not hopeless,” and went on to describe Russia’s missile defense system as operating effectively.
Kornukov also spoke of the need for Russia to employ space: “Russia needs an inexpensive but reliable space defense system, capable of protecting it from air and space strikes,” and added that “Space defense should become a vital part of a system to deter possible aggression against Russia.” The Russian press reports that Kornukov goes on to describe Russia’s missile defense system as “capable of hitting orbital vehicles.”
Kornukov specifically spoke of Russia’s newer S-400 air and missile defense system, which uses the Triumf interceptor, as having been tested successfully and was ready for serial production.
The Triumf interceptor is reported to have a range of 400km, and is to be used against both ballistic and cruise missiles such as the American Tomahawk—as well as against early warning, tactical, and strategic aircraft. In terms of its ballistic missile defense capabilities, it is said to be able to intercept warheads traveling at a speed of 4,800 km per hour (1.3km/sec). (Article, Link)
» RBC News on Triumf capability
» Russia Journal on Triumf
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Russia Begins Nuclear War Exercise; Rivals 1982 “Seven Hour Nuclear War”
February 11, 2004 :: AP :: News
Russia has begun the first stages of a massive “all-out nuclear war” exercise, according to reports from several Russian newspapers. The largest in over two decades, the war games rival the “seven hour nuclear war” maneuvers by the Soviet Union in 1982. The tests include test firings of sea and land-based ballistic missiles, strategic bombers, cruise missiles, spy satellite launches, the simulated destruction of a U.S. satellite, and a test of the Moscow ABM system.
The military exercise, overseen by President Vladimir Putin, will test the Russian nuclear triad while showing the world that Russia is still a first rate military power. Some dismiss the goals of the exercise as innocuous political maneuvers in anticipation of the Russian Presidential election in March. Officially, the exercise is said to be anti-terrorism-related. But a more likely explanation is that, like the 1982 tests, this exercise serves the genuine goals of sharpening of Russia’s offensive nuclear deterrent against the United States, overcoming American missile defenses, and upgrading Russia’s own missile defenses. As Putin commented last week, “The world should see our military power as an element of strategic security.” (More »»»)
» Update: Feb. 18: Itar-Tass: SS-19 Missile Launched
» Pravda description of nuclear exercise
» Update: Feb. 17, 2004: Two SLBM launches fail
» Russia denies Interfax, Itar-Tass reports of missile failures
» More stories on: Nuclear Weapons, Russia, Russian Missile Defenses, Testing - Foreign
