Russia Starts Deploying Aerospace Defence Units in Arctic

Russia has started the deployment of aerospace defenсe units in the Arctic and construction of an early missile warning radar in the country’s extreme north. This came in a statement by Maj. Gen. Alexander Golovko, Commander-in-Chief of Russia’s Aerospace Defence Forces.

“The expansion of missile early warning radar coverage is one of the key areas of our work, especially when it comes to Russia’s extreme north – we have already started the deployment of electronic warfare units in the Arctic,” Mr. Golovko said, adding that construction of an advanced early missile warning radar site has started near the town of Vorkuta.

It should be noted that Russia is planning to complete its comprehensive missile early warning network by 2018. Four Voronezh-class radar stations that can easily be relocated are already part of this network. The preparations for construction of new-generation radars are underway in Krasnoyarsk and Altai Regions, as well as in central Russia.

Voronezh-class radars have an operational range of 6,000 kilometers. They are more energy-efficient, can be quickly redeployed to a new site and require a smaller crew to operate, as compared to previous generation stations.

Roscosmos to Launch Five Space Vehicles in December

Roscosmos plans to launch five space vehicles in December under the launch schedule for this year. This information was presented by the press service of the Russian Federal Space Agency on Thursday.

“In accordance with the launch schedule for this year, Roscosmos will perform five launches of carrier rockets with satellites aboard within the framework of Russia’s federal space program, international cooperation programs, commercial projects and projects implemented in the interests of the Russian Defence Ministry,” the press center stated.

It’s worth noting that two satellites, Inmarsat-5F1 and Express-AM5, will be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellites will be placed into orbit by the Proton-M carrier rocket with the Briz-M upper stage. Two spaceships will be launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. In addition, Gaia satellite will be put into orbit by the Soyuz-ST-B carrier rocket with the Fregat-MT upper stage from the space center in Guiana.

NPO Saturn Presents New Solution for Engineering Data Visualization

NPO Saturn and Rybinsk State Aviation Technical University have demonstrated their joint solution for the visualization of engineering data. The enterprise took part in the international exhibition ISC-13, which was held in Denver on November 18-21.

“The ecosystem of the supercomputer industry is currently being formed, not just in terms of hardware, but also in terms of software. Applications that present data by finding the best way to visualize results affecting the decision-making process play a very important role,” Yury Zelenkov, IT Director of NPO Saturn, commented.

It should be noted that the Presentator system, designed by NPO Saturn and RSATU, allows a user with a tablet running an Android OS to interact with such applications as MS PowerPoint, Paraview, and VLC Player. This system has an obvious advantage over traditional approaches to preparing presentations, in which any deviation from the script causes difficulties. The Presentator was originally developed for internal use. The system was first presented at the MAKS-2013 air show.

Russia to Boost Aerospace Defence Development

The air defence junctions and military units are going over to the S-400 systems according to plan. Another two regiment sets are to be provided to the troops this year and another three will be supplied in 2014. This statement was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting on the development of the aerospace defence system.

As for the new S-500 air defence system, its tests will begin next year. “We are now completing the work on the fifth generation system, S-500. The next two years will be devoted to all types of tests of this system. It will be subsequently put into service and its serial production will begin,” Pavel Sozinov, General Constructor of JSC Concern Almaz-Antey, said in a report to President Vladimir Putin.

In addition, the Russian President discussed the development of radar stations. “The Voronezh radar station has proven effective and reliable. According to our plans, seven such stations will be put into operation in the next five years,” Vladimir Putin concluded.

Russia to Expedite PAK-DA Development

Russia will start the full-scale research & development work on its future aviation complex for long-range aviation PAK-DA in 2014. This statement was made by Mikhail Pogosyan, Head of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation, at a meeting on the development of the Russian Air Forces chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The decision was made this year to speed up the development of the PAK-DA aircraft. We finished coordinating this project with the Russia’s Defence Ministry in September and we are currently getting ready to start the full-scale research and development work on these complexes next year,” the official stated.

It’s necessary to mention that the new strategic bomber is expected to enter service with the Russian Air Forces in 2020 and is due to replace Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack, Tu-95MS Bear, and Tu-22 Backfire strategic bombers. According to the Defence Ministry, the PAK-DA should be armed with new nuclear-capable long-range cruise missiles and equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems.

Russia to Synchronize Submarine Construction with Weapon Delivery

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged to synchronize construction of submarines with delivery of their weapons. The corresponding statement was made at a meeting devoted to the development of the Russian Naval Forces.

“The weaponry should be supplied synchronously with commissioning of submarines carrying these weapons,” the Russian President said, adding that the deadlines of building new submarines as well as their prices should be observed. In addition, Mr. Putin noted the importance of the coastal infrastructure development.

“Our Armed Forces, including the Strategic Nuclear Deterrence Forces, should be well-balanced, therefore, we will pay proper attention to the Russian Navy in general, and to its strategic part, in particular,” the Russian President pointed out.

It should be noted that the Russia Navy received the new strategic missile carrier Yury Dolgoruky in 2013. Two more submarines, the Aleksander Nevsky and the Vladimir Monomakh, should enter service next year. The Naval Forces are expected to adopt a total of eight submarines by 2020.

Indonesia Receives Second Russian Mi-171 Helicopter

Russian Helicopters has supplied Airfast Indonesia with the second commercial multirole Mi-171 helicopter manufactured by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. Airfast Indonesia, one of the country’s largest providers of aviation services to the oil, mining and construction industries, received its first commercial Mi-171 helicopter in 2012.

“The Indonesian company selected the Mi-171 for its versatility, high level of reliability and ease of use, as well as for the helicopter’s ability to operate in various climatic conditions. Mi-8/17 series helicopters can be used to perform a wide range of missions. In 2012 and 2013 the companies signed contracts for the delivery of two more Mi-171s to Indonesia,” the press service stated.

It’s worth noting that over 5,000 Mi-8/17 series helicopters are currently operated around the world. The helicopter’s capabilities are expanding on a daily basis, and it can handle various and complex tasks due to continuous modernization of the Mi-8/17 series by Russian Helicopters.

Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces to Get 22 ICBMs Next Year

The Russian Strategic Missile Forces will take delivery of 22 intercontinental ballistic missiles next year. This statement was made by Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, on Wednesday.

“This year, two missile regiments have been equipped with new mobile complexes, and next year, the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation will receive 22 additional ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles,” Mr. Putin noted at a meeting held in the southern city of Sochi and dedicated to development of the Strategic Missile Troops.

“We intend to continue developing the main component of our strategic nuclear deterrent as a matter of priority. They should be powerful and capable of penetrating any missile defence systems, both the existing ones and those that could be designed in the future, with regard to the increasing technical capabilities of missile defence systems,” the Russian President emphasized, without specifying the type of new intercontinental ballistic missiles to be deployed.

Russian Air Defences Take Delivery of Pantsir-S Systems

The Russian Air Defence Forces have received six Pantsir-S short-range air defence systems to be used by a new missile regiment formed to protect the skies over Moscow. This came in a statement by Col. Dmitry Zenin, a spokesman for Russia’s Defence Ministry.

“The Pantsir-S battalion is set to form part of the third S-400 air defence missile regiment deployed near the Russian capital. The new regiment is expected to be put on combat duty in December,” Mr. Zenin commented.

It should be noted that Pantsir-S is primarily designed to defend higher ranking air defence systems, such as the S-300 and S-400 regiments. Two S-400 regiments currently deployed around Moscow include a Pantsir-S battalion each, according to the Defence Ministry.

It’s worth mentioning that Pantsir-S is a gun-missile system combining a wheeled vehicle mounting a fire-control radar and electro-optical sensor, two 30-mm cannon and up to 12 57E6 radio-command guided short-range missiles, and is designed for engaging a variety of low altitude targets.

Russia and Turkey Discussing Akkuyu NPP Construction Project

St. Petersburg hosted the 4^th meeting of the Russian-Turkish High-Level Cooperation Council, which coordinates implementation of important projects within political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The delegation of Turkish representatives was headed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey.

The particular issue for conversation was the construction of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant Akkuyu. It was noted that the volume of investments in the Turkish Republic would reach about 20 billion dollars.

“Approximately 25 percent of all works carried out during construction of the plant will be performed by Turkish companies. It means additional jobs and large-scale investments in the future of Turkey’s power economy,” Russian President Vladimir Putin stated.

“We are actively cooperating in the energy sector. Together with the Russian Federation, we are building the first nuclear power plant, the issue is about investments in the economy in the amount of tens of billions of dollars and creation of an entire industry of innovative technologies,” the Turkish Prime Minister concluded.