12.12.2008
Russian Military Obzor
June-September The following resource is meant to give readers an overview of the Russian military, its acts and relations and of major sales of military equipment throughout the world. SRAS decided to follow and collect this news after the US Department of Defense named Russia as a "significant threat" in its Annual National Defense Strategy. For more obzori (news reviews) on other issues, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. To receive the free monthly newsletter and obzori by email, simply sign up. US-Russia Military Relations
Incidents and Sanctions Ministry Denies Hacking Charge
The Russian Foreign Ministry has called charges that Russia is behind cyber-attacks on the Pentagon unproven and irresponsible. The comment came in response to reports in U.S. media that computer systems in the Pentagon had been subjected to a massive electronic attack that Russia was involved in. Russia Is Striving to Modernize Its Military, the U.S. Notes With Interest, Not Alarm
President Medvedev declared that by 2020, Russia would construct new types of warships and an unspecified air and space defense system. Military spending, he said, will leap by 26 percent next year, bringing it to 1.3 trillion rubles (about $50 billion). American experts were unimpressed. Top Military Officers Talk in U.S.-Russia Conference
Finland — The United States and Russia sent their top military officers to this neutral capital, with its resonant legacy of cold-war-era talks, for a secretly arranged meeting on Tuesday to try to push their strained relations back on track. U.S. Prepares for New Caucasus War
U.S. President George W. Bush has ordered U.S. commercial vessels in the Black Sea to be insured against military risks through March 2009. The White House acknowledges that the November 25 memorandum, which has been published on the White House website, is connected with Georgia. U.S. Fighter Jets Escorted Russia's Bombers Near Alaska
Two F-15 fighter jets of the United States escorted for an hour two Tu-95MC bear bombers of Russia that were patrolling the Arctic air, Interfax reported. U.S. Armored Troop Carrier Crashed Motorcade of Russia's Diplomats
A motorcade of Russia's diplomats had a traffic accident in Iraq through the fault of U.S. military, spokesmen of the RF Foreign Ministry told RBC news agency.
Report urges Obama name full-time nuclear adviser
President-elect Barack Obama has a historic opportunity to drastically reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism and should appoint a senior White House official to take charge of countering the danger, according to an academic report released Tuesday. Bombers in Western Hemisphere to Create Problems for Moscow, Rice Warns
The United States has cautioned Russia not to repeat the Tu-160 expedition to Western Hemisphere. Two Russia's Tu-160s landed in Venezuela September 10, 2008. U.S. general urges Obama not to cave to Russia
The outgoing head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency urged President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday to stick to the Bush administration's plans to place missile defenses in Eastern Europe. Sanctions Imposed on Rosoboronexport Lame ducks are planting mines
American weapons manufacturers are not enthusiastic about competition with the Russian defense sector and are doing everything possible to prevent them from increasing supplies abroad. The sanctions will not harm Rosoboronexport's efforts, however. U.S. Sanctions on Rosoboronexport
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the elite of the Iranian armed forces, have been classified as a terrorist group by the United States and sanctions are extended to all organizations that have dealings with it. Medvedev Blamed Unfair Competition on Washington
The sanctions that the United States imposed on Rosoboronexport and its subsidiaries won't affect Russia to the great extent, RF President Dmitry Medvedev made clear today. According to Medvedev, the sanctions were a short-sighted step of Washington. Lavrov Calls Sanctions Illegal
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the American sanctions against Rosoboronexport have no basis in international law. Furthermore, according to RIA Novosti, Lavrov has promised that they will have an impact on Russian-U.S. relations. Sanctions Deprive Boeing of Titanium
New economic sanctions may interfere with Russian titanium deliveries to Boeing, ITAR-TASS reports, citing a defense industry source, due to the fact that the sanctions cover not only Rosoboronexport, but its subsidiaries as well. START Treaty U.S., Russia: The Future of START
In December of next year, the so-called START I treaty between the United and Russia will expire, and both sides have a keen interest in its extension and ultimate replacement. Russia says U.S. blocking nuclear arms reduction talks
Russia accused the United States on Monday of stonewalling negotiations on a new pact on reducing the size of the two powers' nuclear arsenals, the latest sign of deteriorating Russian-U.S. relations. Other Military Relations
Russia's military more active abroad, tensions may grow Russians Reject Army's Intervention Abroad
Many people in Russia think the national army should only work to defend the Russian territory, according to a poll by Bashkirova & Partners. 46.9 per cent of respondents agree with this view, while 30.4 per cent say the Russian army should also defend a country on the territory of other nations. The Russian proposal for a new European security system
Since June 2008, when Russian president Dmitry Medvedev first proposed the adoption of a European security treaty, Russia has been intensively lobbying in favour of this initiative. Russia to Deploy Military Bases in S. Ossetia, Abkhazia
Russia's Defense Ministry has chosen the sites for future bases in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. They will be deployed in Tskhinvali and Gudauta respectively, RIA Novosti reported Friday with reference to a source with Defense Ministry. Ukr. Minister Tells Moscow to Chill
Ukrainian Defense Minister Yury Ekhanurov has urged Russia to "calm down" about the relocation of Ukrainian troops. Conventional forces treaty a year after Russia's moratorium
Russia announced a moratorium on the compliance of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) a year ago. Russian Bombers Intercepted By Japanese Fighter Jets
The two Tu-22M3 strategic bombers were ``accompanied'' for about 30 minutes by two Japanese F-15 fighter jets. Russia to Deploy No Military Bases in Cuba, Venezuela
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia sees no need to establish permanent bases in Cuba and Venezuela. Putin made the respective statement during his annual TV question-and-answer session with the nation. Russian-Venezuelan Maneuvers Begin
A squadron of Russian Navy ships left the Venezuelan port of La Guaira on December 1 for the southern part of the Caribbean Sea. According to Igor Dygalo, aide to the chief commander of the Russian Navy, the active phase of Russian-Venezuelan naval exercises will begin within hours, RIA Novosti reports. Medvedev, Russian Navy Head to Latin America to Boost Influence
President Dmitry Medvedev travels to Latin America today as Russian warships sail toward the Caribbean Sea and Russia asserts its influence in America's backyard more than at any time since the Soviet era. Arctic The Arctic contest heats up
What is Russia up to in the seas above Europe? Sub Crosses under Arctic Ice
The Russian atomic submarine Ryazan has travelled from the Northern Fleet under the ice of the Arctic to join the Pacific Fleet without coming up to the surface. Russia says media reports on possible Arctic conflict 'alarmist'
Russia's Foreign Ministry believes media speculation about the possibility of a war over the Arctic are ungrounded and "alarmist," an ambassador at large said. Africa Russia Steps Up African Piracy Fight
Russia has decided to increase its military presence around the Horn of Africa, an area plagued by aggressive piracy on the seas. According to an Interfax source in the Russian Navy, there are now more than 20 military ships from different countries in the area of the Bay of Aden, but they are not being used effectively because of a lack of coordination. Another Ship Hijacked Near Somalia
The Somali pirates hijacked another dry-cargo vessel, Cec Future of Denmark, past week. The hostages are 13 crew members, including 11 Russians. Neither the NATO naval forces nor Russia's frigate Neustrashimy had prevented hijackers from their audacious attack. NATO
Expansion and tensions The Russia-NATO Council restored
Yesterday Brussels hosted a meeting of NATO foreign office chiefs. The ministers touched upon two questions of special importance to Russia: whether the Russia-NATO Council will resume its work (the Alliance suspended it in August after the war in South Ossetia). Russia: Ease Moscow's Suspicions
Russia has reason to feel betrayed by the process of NATO expansion, begun in 1997. Seven years earlier, the Russians believe, American and German officials working on German reunification pledged not to take advantage of Moscow's weakness by extending NATO into Russia's traditional backyard. The Realist Resurgence
Russia is weaker than it looks, which is why NATO's soft-power strategy can still prevail. Russia official blasts "secretive" UN-NATO deal
Moscow on Thursday accused NATO and the United Nations of secretly forging an agreement that tightens their cooperation without informing Russia, a U.N. Security Council member whose relations with NATO are badly strained. Russia Ready to Team Up with NATO
Russia is ready for partnership with NATO all disagreement notwithstanding, President Dmitry Medvedev announced Saturday, when addressing the Council on Foreign Relations, PRIME-TASS reported from Washington. Expansion
NATO's First Line of Defense? It Shouldn't Be Here
There are plenty of voices in Ukraine and Georgia calling for a more nuanced and cautious approach to foreign relations, including with Russia. But in pushing the NATO issue to the fore, the Bush administration is using its waning days to reward local leaders who have the most to gain from confronting Moscow. Gates Seeks To Reassure Baltics, Ukraine
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is sending a strong signal of support to the Baltic states and Ukraine as he attends the November 13 NATO-Ukraine meeting in Tallinn. Georgia urges clear NATO signal on membership
Georgia needs a clear signal from the NATO military alliance that it is on the road to membership and such clarity might have averted the August war with Russia, President Mikheil Saakashvili said on 29 October. Gates Urges Russian Calm Over Expansion of NATO
The official focus of the talks among the NATO ministers was whether to push alliance membership for Ukraine, and if so, how. But a broader question permeated the meeting: How should NATO deal with a resurgent Russia? NATO checks Ukraine progress amid Russia objections
NATO, meeting on Russia's doorstep, held talks with Ukraine Friday to assess its progress toward membership of the alliance, but prospects for a promised entry action plan were dim. Russia Gloats Over Veto of NATO Plan
Russia's ambassador to NATO said Wednesday that the alliance's decision to rule out near-term membership for Ukraine and Georgia shows that the U.S.-led military bloc is shying away from interfering with Russia's sphere of influence. Missile Defense Systems
Not just US, not just Poland The return of missile diplomacy
Missile diplomacy is now back in full swing as Russia pledges to deploy new missiles in its westernmost region, Sergei Blagov writes for ISN Security Watch. Russia modernizes missiles in response to US plans
Russia's Strategic Missile Force chief, Col.-Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov, said the military will commission a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile and modify the existing missiles. Poland seeks to reassure Russia on missile defense
Poland will shortly offer new confidence-building proposals to Russia on the U.S. anti-missile system planned for Eastern Europe, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said on Wednesday. Finns Want Radar to Watch Russians
The Finnish Air Force has allocated €200 million to purchase a new radar system, BarentsObserver reports, citing the Yle information agency. The Finnish military confirms that the number of violation of Finnish airspace by Russian planes has increased in recent years, leading to the decision. Czech Parliament Shelved U.S. Radar Consideration
The Czech Parliament will deliberate on the U.S. radar deployment in the country no sooner than a new administration arrives in Washington, Miroslav Vlcek, who is the speaker of the Czech Parliament's House of Representatives, made clear during the meeting with his Russia's counterpart Boris Gryzlov. Poland will wait for missile decision by new U.S. administration
Poland is ready to wait patiently for the new U.S. administration to decide the fate of the planned U.S. missile defense shield in Central Europe, the foreign minister said Friday. Russia Might Supply to Cyprus Missile Defense Systems
At the Moscow talks, Cyprus' President Dimitris Christofias will deliberate on potential development of military and technical cooperation of Moscow and Nicosia, Interfax reported. Russia's Military to Check Cuba's Missile Defense Facilities
Chief of the Battle Antimissile Defense Staff of the RF Armed Forces General-Lieutenant Alexander Maslov visits Cuba October 27 through November 3. Maslov goes to Cuba together with the delegation of Russia's military, said Igor Konashenkov, the aide to the commander of the RF Army. Joint Defense for Russia and Belarus
Russia and Belarus will sign an agreement creating a joint missile defense system. "In military terms, it is practically defense against NATO." US Missile Defense Gates and European Officials Criticize Medvedev for His Bellicose Talk
Russia's threat to station missiles along its border with Europe drew strong criticism from senior United States and European officials Thursday, as they prepared to confront President Dmitri A. Medvedev on the matter before heading together to Washington. Moscow Won't Cooperate on Missiles
The United States is "frustrated" at Moscow's refusal again to cooperate on missile defense in Europe, U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood has stated. "It seems that every time we put forward a proposal, they reject it," Wood said on Monday. Russia rejects U.S. missile proposals
The Kremlin on Wednesday rejected U.S. proposals aimed at easing concerns over a missile defense system in Europe and said it would try again to resolve the row once Barack Obama is in the White House. Compromise on U.S. missile shield possible - Kremlin source
Russia believes that a compromise on a controversial U.S. missile shield in Europe is still possible, but is waiting for more constructive proposals from the new U.S. administration, a Kremlin source said on Wednesday. Military Reform
Reform begins, controversy ensues
Moscow Must Gear Up to Fight Information Wars, Diplomatic Academy Dean Says
The Russian government must prepare to fight information wars which are becoming an ever more important part of geopolitical life, restoring parts of the Soviet-era system and going beyond that as well. Rights Group Focuses Attention on Conscript Suicides
A local human rights group has discovered an alarming reason behind the depressingly high statistics for suicides in the army: the Soldiers' Mothers pressure group has learnt of at least five recent cases where young people with marked suicidal tendencies or who had made previous suicide attempts were drafted into the army. Omerta In The Officer Corps
The Russian Defense Ministry is undertaking what some analysts are describing as the most far-reaching restructuring of the armed forces since World War II. But apparently, nobody is allowed to talk about it. The Double Asymmetrical Response
In his annual address to the Federal Assembly, President Dmitry Medvedev declared the decision to keep three regiments of the 28th missile division in Kozelsk. In the West, they viewed it as the revival of cold war epoch. But it emerged that the military set to disbanding Tatishchev division armed with similar missiles instead of Kozelsk one. New National Security Strategy Coming
A new national security strategy is being developed in Russia for the period through 2020, Interfax reports, citing the press service of the National Security Council. "It is an important political document containing the officially acknowledged goals and strategic priorities and measures in domestic and foreign policy," the press service elucidated. Russia Ready For Meaningful Military Reform. Again. Really
On Friday 26 September, President Medvedev used a meeting in Orenburg with military district commanders during the Centre-2008 exercises to make his latest statements about defence modernisation. Russian brass resist post-Georgia military reform
Russia is launching its most radical army reform in decades after its brief war in Georgia underlined the need for a more agile military than the one designed to fight the Cold War. Russia to downsize Armed Forces to 1 mln by 2012
The Russian Armed Forces will total 1 million servicemen, including 150,000 officers by 2012, the defense minister said on Tuesday. Russia plans to raise defense expenditure by 50% in 3 years
Russia is planning to increase its spending on defense by 50% in the next three years, a senior MP said Tuesday. Russia's Interior Ministry Annually Puts Into Service 20 New Types of Weapons
The RF Interior Ministry annually puts into service some 20 new types of weapons, combat vehicles and special devices that are exhibited at Interpolitekh, Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev announced when opening the 12th International Interpolitekh 2008 show of devices designed to ensure the state security. Russian army urgently needs to modernize weaponry - top brass
Russia's Armed Forces urgently need new weaponry to replace the obsolete armaments inherited from Soviet times, the deputy defense minister for armaments has said. Russian military to be fully rearmed by 2020
Around 80-100% of the Russian Armed Forces will be equipped with modern weapons and military hardware by 2018-2020, the Russian General Staff chief said on Wednesday. Opposition to Russian military reforms grows
The Kremlin is grappling with a growing opposition in the military to the most sweeping overhaul of Russia's armed forces in over a generation. Military Training Also In for Makeover
The number of military training institutions will be cut from 65 to 10 in a move that is sure to be unpopular. The Defense Ministry will retain six academies, one military university and three military science centers (that will be a new form of educational institution). Police Give Up Kalashnikovs
The Russian Interior Ministry has decided to give up the use of Kalashnikov machineguns and Makarov pistols. The firearms will be replaced by PP-2000 submachine guns and Yarygina pistols. New Russian Rapid Reaction Force
The Russian Defense Ministry intends to form Rapid Reaction Forces in the nearest future. The Draft Enforcement Operation
The fall draft begins in Russia today, October 1, 2008. The General Staff intends to draw 219,000. Rights defenders expect the military to hit the target by draft raids and by sending to Army young people of poor health. Military Institutions
Corruption, problems, strengths Corruption Up in Russian Army
Losses from corruption in the Russian Army this year have topped 2 billion rubles, Interfax reported on Monday, citing an interview with Alexander Sorochkin, head of the military investigations department. Researchers Swindle Defense Ministry
The Russian Interior Ministry department of economic security has uncovered the embezzlement of 9 million rubles from the Defense Ministry through the use of falsified contracts.
Missiles and Nukes Bulava Missiles in Mass Production
One more launch of the Bulava intercontinental missile is planned for this year and mass production of the missile will begin in 2009, simultaneously with the end of trials, Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov told the government presidium, Interfax reports. The Iskander Factor
The Russian President's pledge to deploy short-range Iskander-M missiles to the Kaliningrad Region has been no surprise to specialists. First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov mentioned it back last July. Russia: Nuclear Forces Projection Up to 2020
Even on current analysis the following strategic realities suggest that Russia is the foremost candidate to challenge USA and not China (1) Russia's existing strategic nuclear weapons arsenal outnumbers the United States whereas China's nuclear arsenal at about 400 warheads is a remote comparison. Russia insists its nuclear arsenal is secure
"Despite all the difficulties our country faced in the beginning of the 1990s, standards of security and physical protection of Russian nuclear arsenals remained high. There have been no 'leaks' of nuclear weapons." Interview: Iskander Missiles More Bark Than Bite
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has pledged to deploy short-range Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad, a western exclave that is surrounded by European Union countries. Is this a new initiative, and what are the missiles' capabilities? Navy Black Sea Fleet Decommissioned to Russia's Coast
Under a special memorandum on the RF Black Sea Fleet's wind-up by May 28, 2017, Russia is to elaborate the plan for pulling out its sailors and vessels from Ukraine already in 2009. Ukraine presses for signing the document, while in the RF Foreign Ministry, they don't hurry to do it, proposing to revive the issue in nine years. Russia's ageing navy still packs a deadly punch
This Russian warship left the shipyard 25 years ago and it shows: the electronics consoles look like museum exhibits and its hull carries a thick crust of paint from years of running repairs. Yuri Dolgoruky Submarine to Take Sea This Year
Yuri Dolgoruky newest strategic nuclear submarine will take sea before this year-end; its reactor will be set into motion in November, Sevmash (Severodvinsk) General Director Nikolay Kalistratov told RIA Novosti.
At Least 20 Killed In Accident On Russian Nuclear Sub
An accident aboard a nuclear Russian submarine has killed at least 20 people and injured another 21 during a test run in the Pacific Ocean. President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a full inquiry into the incident, the worst involving a Russian submarine disaster since the "Kursk" sank in 2000, killing 118. Russian sub accident points to Navy's shortcomings
At least 20 people died on the sub, which media reports say was to be handed over to India. Crew member caused tragedy on Russian nuclear sub
A crew member activated without permission a fire safety system on board the Russian nuclear submarine Nerpa, causing the deaths of 20 people, investigators said. Airforce MiG-29 Pilot Didn't Eject Himself to Navigate from Dwellings
Pilot Valeryan Koparev, who didn't survive the crash of MiG-29 fighter jet near Chita, had no time to eject himself as he was guiding the jet away from the dwelling houses.
MiG Will Hardly Reach UAC in Near Term
The entry of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RSK MiG) into United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will be probably postponed for a year and a half, till MiG's rehabilitation is completed. Russian Air Force Cuts 50,000 Officers
In the next three years, 55 airbases will be set up based on squadrons. The rank of ensign will be eliminated. Russia Sends Helicopters to Central Africa
The Russian Federation and the European Union inked in Brussels an agreement on Russia's participation in the EU military mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (EUFOR Tchad/CAR), the RF Foreign Ministry announced. Russian Arms Sales
Russia is the world's #2 arms dealer Russian Arms Still Bestsellers
A report prepared for the U.S. Congress entitled "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Countries 2000-2007" states that Russia was the world's second largest arms exporter in 2007, and the four previous years, sandwiched between traditional leader the United States and Great Britain in third place. Quite a Few Nations Interested in Russia's Iskander-E Missiles
Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and other states are interested in buying Russia's Iskander-E tactical missile systems. Algeria's MiGs to Land in Russia
The RF Finance Ministry finally sanctioned yesterday the money appropriation for the buyback of 34 MiG-29 SMT fighter jets from Algeria. Europe Russia Makes Armed Vehicles for Greece
Russia and Greece are preparing to sign an intergovernmental agreement and contract on the delivery of 420 BMP-3M armored personnel carriers to Greece. Oboronprom Steps Aboard of Italian Helicopter
Russia's Oboronprom has clinched a €40-million deal with Italian AgustaWestland for the license assembly of AW139 helicopters. UTair airline that signed the intention protocol for 35 to 49 helicopters will probably become the first client.
Latin America Venezuela Will Buy Russian Tanks
Venezuela is considering the purchases of Russian T-92 tanks and armored vehicles as part of a plan to increase the country's defensive abilities. New Russia-Venezuela Military Contract
Russia and Venezuela may sign a contract for the delivery of a large shipment of BMP-3 armored vehicles in the next month. Asia China Ready to Buy Su-33 Shipboard Fighters in Russia
China intends to acquire a consignment of Su-33 shipboard fighters in Russia, ARMS-TASS reported with reference to Russia's sources of Jane's Defence Weekly. Russian Defense at Airshow China 2008
More than 40 Russian military-industrial enterprises will show their products at the 7th international Airshow China 2008 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, reports the press service of Rosoboronexport. The show runs from November 4 through 9. Helicopter Contract Signed with China
The Rostov Helicopter Production Complex (Rosvertol) signed a contract for the delivery of a Mi-26TS helicopter, the best-selling helicopter in the world, to China at Airshow China 2008 on Tuesday. A number of documents connected with helicopter deliveries were also signed. Thailand Orders Russian Weapons
This is the first time Southeast Asia's largest country has purchased weapons from another country other than the United States.
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