Russian Armed Forces Gallery And Discussion Thread

BeachBoys

14/08/2008

A tale of Russian aircraft carriers

MOSCOW - After years of debate the naval command andthe national leadership seem to have agreed that the navy should haveaircraft carriers. But this has not always been the case. To understandcurrent thinking, it is necessary to take a look at the history ofaircraft carrier building in Russia.


The Russian navy first used seaplanes in World War I, when its Black Sea Fleet used them to bombard enemy ports.

The possibility of building full-scale aircraft carriers was firstmooted in Russia after the Civil War. Plans were drawn up to convertsome ships - the training ship Komsomolets, the battleship Poltava anduncompleted battle cruisers of the Izmail class - into a new type ofvessels.


However, the economy and industry were at such low ebb that the programs had to be postponed until better times.


The next step was taken in the late 1930s, when Soviet naval architectscame up with two new projects: Project 71 (a light aircraft carrierwith 45 planes) and Project 72 (a heavy aircraft carrier with 62planes).


The work got under way, but World War II intervened. After the war thenaval chiefs again raised the issue, but Soviet leaders did not sharethe admirals' enthusiasm for this class of vessels. Nonetheless, theshipbuilding program the country adopted in the 1950s provided for theconstruction of two light aircraft carriers, to gain operatingexperience and test their capabilities.


But when Stalin died, construction of large surface ships practicallyground to a halt: the new leadership did not believe in traditionalfighting services and opted for missile and nuclear weapons. Thequestion was shelved for 10 more years.


In the late 1960s, the navy got its first helicopter cruisers, Moskvaand Leningrad. But they were specialist craft intended for veryspecific missions, and could not operate as regular carriers. Meanwhilethe Nevsky PKB, the country's largest producer of surface ships, waspondering plans for a carrier of 45,000 to 50,000 tons. Intended toprovide air cover for groups of surface ships and submarines, it was tocarry a complement of 35 to 40 planes, including deck-based MiG-23fighters, early warning aircraft, and helicopters. The ship's ownarmaments were meant to deal with aircraft and submarines.


But instead of a fully operational carrier, the navy again got a dud -the Nikolayev shipyard began building a series of Project 1143 ships.These so-called "heavy aircraft carrying cruisers" were to be equippedwith hunter-killer helicopters and Yak-38 vertical take-off and landing(VTOL) planes. Bazalt anti-ship missiles provided an additionalcapability.


Still, the idea of a full-blooded aircraft carrier was slowly butsurely forcing its way into the open. It had high-placed patrons: theMinister of Shipbuilding Boris Butoma, who was interested in big ordersfrom the navy, and Defense Minister Andrei Grechko, who quiteundiplomatically requested that industry build aircraft carriers likethe USS Nimitz. It was decided that with completion of the two Project1143 heavy aircraft carriers Kiev and Minsk, contrustion would begin onthe first carrier of Project 1160, with a displacement of 80,000 tons.


But the anti-carrier lobby prevailed, and instead of starting a newseries a third Project 1143 ship, Novorossiisk, was built. The goodwork, however, was continued - by 1967 the Nevsky PKB had completedplans for a Project 1153 ship, which, though smaller than the previous1160 project, was still a true carrier and, importantly, had a nuclearpower plant. But the deaths of Grechko and Butoma put paid to theundertaking. After the Novorossiisk was launched in 1978, Nikolayevstarted construction of a fourth Project 1143 carrier. The new vesselwas named the Baku and was to be fitted out with then non-existentYak-141 fighter planes.


But the lame philosophy of Project 1143 was clear to everyone - despitebeing twice as large as British Invincible class light carriersequipped with Sea Harriers, the Russian vessels barely differed fromthem in capability. The missiles they carried, while increasingdisplacement and adding to costs, did not redeem them - the shipsproved cumbrous and under-armed either as missile cruisers or lightaircraft carriers.

Normally-configured aircraft, moreover, required atotal redesign of Project 1143 ships.


The upshot was that, in 1982, when the Baku hit the water, theNikolayev yard laid the keel of a vessel capable of carrying afull-bodied air wing of MiG-29 and Su-27 jets. Yet the ship, initiallychristened the Riga, proved another messy compromise: it had a rampinstead of a catapult and 12 Granit anti-ship missiles in verticallaunch silos to complement the organic aircraft.


Even before she was launched, the first full-blown Soviet aircraftcarrier changed her name from the Riga to Leonid Brezhnev. In 1987, shewas renamed the Tbilisi and in 1990, Admiral Kuznetsov.


The Kuznetsov has remained the only Soviet-built carrier. Itssister-ship Varyag, which was laid down two years after the Kuznetsov,was launched but remained unfitted, while the Ulya璶ovsk, a largervessel with catapults and a nuclear power plant, was cut up on theblocks.


The Kiev, Minsk and Novorossiisk also suffered a sad fate. In 1993,they were decommissioned and sold to China as floating entertainmentcenters, while the Baku, renamed Ad璵iral Gorshkov and sold to India,is currently being refitted as a standard aircraft carrier atSeverodvinsk, Russia.


In the 1990s, few if any debated the subject. The theme re-emerged inthe mid-2000s, when it was declared that Russia needed severalaircraft-carrying ships in its Northern and Pacific fleets.


The numbers mooted ranged from two or three to six or eight. Now plansenvisage building five to six carriers over the next 20 years.Construction proper is expected to start after 2012.


Much as we might wish to believe in the feasibility of these plans,there remain several unanswered questions. What missions will theaircraft carriers and their escort groups fulfill? When and with whatfunds will Russia re-engineer (or build from scratch) theinfrastructure of its naval bases for new ships? What types of planeswill be based on them? How are their crews to be staffed? And lastly,how long will it take to build these vessels and their escorts,especially with the current personnel squeeze in the shipbuildingindustry?


It is my sincere hope that the navy's command and national leaders knowthe answers to these questions. Other瓀ise, we will get at best acouple of unprovided-for ships, which will have to be sold after 10 to15 years of service, or at worst, nothing.  


By Ilya Kramnik
RIA Novosti

http://www.mnweekly.ru/national/20080814/55342082.html

BeachBoys

10/07/2008

Russia Blasts US-Czech Missile Defense Deal

RUSUTSU, Hokkaido, (RIA No璿osti) - Russia willrespond to U.S. missile shield plans in Central Europe, PresidentDmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday, pledging at the same time thatMoscow would not resort to 慼ysterics' over the issue.


"I repeat once again, we are not satisfied with it, and I have saidthis to my counterparts. Of course, we will not get hysterical over theissue, but we will consider what steps to take in response," Medvedevtold journalists after the G8 summit in Japan.



Medvedev also said Russia was dismayed by the Czech Republic signing onTuesday a missile shield treaty with the U.S., but added that Russiawas ready for further talks.


Moscow has strong璴y opposed the possible deployment by the U.S. of 10interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic as athreat to its security and nuclear deterrence. Washington says thedefenses are needed to deter possible strikes from "rogue states."


"At the same time, I would like to say once again that of course we arenot closed to further talks and will continue them, including with theparticipation of our G8 partners and North Atlantic alliance states,"the Russian leader said.


Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that if the U.S.-Czechtreaty, which still requires final approval from the Czech parliament,is ratified, and U.S. strategic missile defense elements are deployednear Russia's borders, Moscow would be forced to respond with a"military-technical approach" rather than a diplomatic one.


Russia has offered the U.S. the use of its radar stations in Armavir insouthern Russia and Gabala in Azerbaijan as alternatives to the plannedCentral European sites, but Washington said they could only be used as"supplements," if at all.


Russia's envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, said the U.S.-Czech dealundermines Euro璸ean security and pushes the world toward a new armsrace.


"Missile defense systems in the Czech Republic and Po璴and are atotally destabilizing element between the East and the West. The Czechauthorities have surrendered their people to nuclear slaughter in favorof the interests of military and industrial groups," he said.


Reuters earlier quoted the Penta璯on press secretary as saying theRus璼ian Foreign Mi璶istry's warning was designed to make Washington'sEuro璸ean partners nervous.


"I can only assume Russia's belli-cose rhetoric is designed to makeEuropeans nervous about participating in this system, but that won'twork," Geoff Morrell was quoted as saying.

http://www.mnweekly.ru/news/20080710/55337404.html

BeachBoys

24.09.2008 12:05

Zhyrinovsky tells when Russia will bring its troops in Ukraine

揑f Ukrainian authorities begin a physicaldestruction of the Russian population or any repressions against it,Russia will have a right to make a military intervention

BeachBoys

13/ 10/ 2008

Russia to start production of new Ka-52 helicopters in October

MOSCOW, October 13 (RIA Novosti) - The Progress aircraft maker,based in Russia's Far East, will start production of a new model of theKa-52 Hokum-B attack/reconnaissance helicopter in October 2008, acompany official said Monday.

The Ka-52 is a twin-seat derivative of the Ka-50 Hokum-A attackhelicopter, and is designed primarily for reconnaissance and targetdesignation purposes. It is similar to the U.S. AH-64 Apache attackhelicopter.


"The Kamov design bureau has successfully completed testing of theKa-52 Hokum-B attack/reconnaissance helicopter and it has been adoptedfor service with the Russian Air Force," Konstantin Parshin said.


"The production of the helicopter will start in October at the Progress aircraft-manufacturing company," the official said.


Deliveries of the Ka-52 Hokum-B to the Russian Air Force will start in 2009.

According to its commander, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, the Russian AirForce will receive more than 100 new combat helicopters, including theKa-52 and the Mi-28N Night Hunter, over a five-year period up to 2015.


The Kamov design bureau has said it plans to supply Ka-50 and Ka-52 helicopters to foreign customers in the future.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081013/117707666.html

BeachBoys

18.09.2008

Russian Navy to remain off Abkhazia until U.S. ships leave region

Russian warships will continue patrolling waters off the coast ofAbkhazia until all U.S. ships leave the Black Sea, Russia's NATO envoysaid on Wednesday.

Russia sent warships from its Black Sea fleet to ensure security alongthe coast of Georgia's breakaway province of Abkhazia following anattempt in early August by Georgian forces to retake South Ossetia,another breakaway republic.

"I think our ships will stay near the coast of Abkhazia as long as itis necessary to ensure security [in the region]," Dmitry Rogozin told anews conference in Brussels.

On August 20, the Turkish government gave permission to three U.S.ships to enter the Black Sea as part of relief efforts in Georgia. Theystayed in the region for 21 days, in line with the terms of the 1936Montreux Convention, which governs passage through the Bosporusstraits, and according to Washington have already left the Black Sea.

The fourth ship, the USNS Pathfinder (T-AGS 60)oceanographic survey ship, which is owned by the Military SealiftCommand and has a civilian crew and scientists on board, is currentlyanchored in the Sevastopol harbor at the invitation of the Ukrainiangovernment.

Russian intelligence believes that U.S. ships are spying on the RussianBlack Sea fleet and that along with humanitarian aid delivered militaryequipment to Georgia, including new air defense systems.

Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia onAugust 26 and signed friendship and cooperation treaties with them onWednesday. The move came after a five-day war between Russian andGeorgia over South Ossetia.

President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that Russia would notpermit any new Georgian aggression against Abkhazia and South Ossetia,and that Moscow was ready to render the republics support, includingmilitary.

http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=5747

BeachBoys

Fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin came up with the new uniforms for the Russian Armed Forces and other security agencies.



Ladies

BeachBoys

10/10/2008

Russian choppers on top

A hundred years ago, the French Breguet brothers, borrowing apage the Wright brothers across the ocean, lifted off in a flyingapparatus for the first time, thus marking the birth of the 憊erticalascent plane.'


In Russia, it was Nikolai Kamov and Alexander Mil who designedhelicopters. Kamov's company marks its 60 anniversary this year, whileMil is just one year older.

By competing and vying with each other, the two design bureaus havegained world fame: their 5,200 helicopters have flown in more than 80countries; they also sport the flags of the UN and the Red Cross.

TheMil outfit has produced 15 basic models and more than 200 versions. TheMi-28N Night Hunter is not an upgrade, but the first militaryhelicopter on the post-Soviet space and the main combat vehicle forRussia's Defense Ministry.


The Kamov firm, starting with systems for the navy, has become the onlycompany in the world to launch a serial production of 慶o-axialhelicopters' (two counter-rotating blades give increasedmaneuverability and stability to the craft). And now recall the killingability of Black Sharks, and the two-seater Alligator, which has astrike potential unequalled anywhere else in the world. It has anonboard digital computer, while pilots are provided with helmet-mountedtarget designators, thermal imagery technology.


In the post-Soviet period, the two firms experienced nasty bumps on theroad to the free market. They paid exorbitant prices for materials andparts, and suffered arrears from customers. Meanwhile, theprofit-bringing export flow must never flag, and besides Russian oilworkers, rescue services, businesses and the military also needhelicopters as good as those supplied to the West. The current demandfor civilian helicopters alone is more than 2,000 units.


But the industry has its specifics, Mikhail Kazachkov from theHelicopter Industry Association told RIA Novosti in an interview. Itsbane is the lengthy production time: an idea to finished product takes,on average, 12 years.


The authorities have decided to restructure the helicopter industry, tooptimize its cash flows and make it more competitive. For that purposethey brought its separate branches under one umbrella, calledHelicopters of Russia. Reformers from the Industry and Trade Ministryand the Oboronprom Corporation are currently integrating the designbureaus, manufacturing facilities, and service centers more vigorouslythan in aircraft building. Things are moving toward the unification ofresearch, technical and production policies. And in order to lay a goodgroundwork for continued efforts, a unified scientific and engineeringcouncil, and an innovation engineering center have been set up.According to Sergei Mikheyev, Kamov's general designer, a competitiveand creative spirit, emphasis on extra-corporate aims, and the mergingof the two teams, although seemingly paradoxical, have producedexcellent results.

The reform pursues strategic aims: to make Russia the world leader inseven years, bring the output of helicopters to 450-500 units per yearby 2015 (the current figure is 120), and to corner 15% of the worldmarket, while increasing sales to 400 billion rubles. Assetconcentration, effective management, and optimization of intellectualresources, production facilities and costs are the overridingobjectives.

New projects have great importance as well. According to AndreiShibitov, the head of Helicopters of Russia, the first project in thedevelopment program through 2015-2020 will be a basic high-speedhelicopter: "Its concept is not just high speed, it is a combination ofmany new features." The second project will be a light helicopter inthe weight class of 1.5 to 2.5 tons. "Today we are working on theMi-34, but it is not a helicopter of the future. Western equipmentcompels us to go one better," he said.

Designers are not going to catchup with the Robinson company, but are aiming at an entirely new productwith an advanced Russian engine. The third project concerns helicoptergunships. Russia is not going to upgrade the Night Hunter or Alligator,but will develop whole new systems of the fifth generation. Finally,there will be a project to develop a multi-role unmanned aerialvehicle.


Different versions of the Ka-32 successfully operate in Canada, Korea,Chile, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Japan and China. Contracts have beensigned to supply Mi-24NPs to the Russian air force and Mi-35Ms toVenezuela. Work is under way on secret projects for security agencies.


Helicopters in Russia are a must, they provide transport services wherethere are no roads or waterways. According to the Industry and TradeMinistry, Russia has less than 14 civilian helicopters per one millionof population, while in Canada the figure is 56; in the U.S., 40; andin Japan, 15.


By Alexander Peslyak

http://www.mnweekly.ru/comment/20081010/55350512.html

BeachBoys

11/09/2008

Inside the cockpit with Sergei Melnikov

Russian combat jets are regarded as wonders of militarytechnology, with Su-27 fighter recently being named one of the bestcombat aircraft in history. The Moscow News talks with Sergei Melnikov,a test pilot with the Sukhoi aircraft holding, about the past, presentand future of military aviation.

MN - Sergei, you are a test pilot, have you ever gotten achance to compare Russian and foreign aircraft "from the inside?" Whichones are better?


SM - Unfortunately, I had very few such opportunities.Russia is not importing any military aircraft and thus we are nottesting them. I flew some foreign aircraft, of course, but these werespecial planes made for aerobatics. But it's true that some Russianjets are ranked as the best in the world and the Su-27 fighter is oneof them.


MN - So, what makes this particular aircraft so special?

SM - The Su-27 is a very maneuverable aircraft, makingit perfect for dogfights. I remember when it was first demonstratedsome time ago, one American pilot made a comment which has become asort of a slogan for us.


He said, "If you encounter a SU-27 in a dogfight the only thing you cando is eject." This was said about the first generation SU-27 and now weare producing new generation aircraft with vectoring engine nozzles -they are even more manageable. These aircraft are a real breakthroughand there is nothing else like this in Russia and abroad.


MN - When you mentioned the extreme maneuvering ability of theplane I recalled the famous Pugachev Cobra trick - when the aircraftalmost stops in mid-air. Many experts question if this maneuver can beapplied in actual combat. Can you comment on this?

SM - The correct name for Puga璫hev's Cobra is"dynamic exceeding of the attack angle," but yes, it is more commonlyknown after the pilot who first performed it at the Le Burget air showin 1989. I must note Pugachev flew the first generation Su-27, the onewithout vectoring nozzles, which made the trick even moreextraordinary.


At first it was purely a research maneuver aimed at testing thecapabilities of the plane, but now we have begun to invent ways toapply it in aerial combat. The most obvious use for it would be in adogfight - the Cobra maneuver allows the aircraft to stop and toquickly set sights on the enemy. Right now we are working on conductinga rocket launch from Cobra while turning - it is very complicated, butvectoring nozzles allow us to do this.


Unfortunately, the development of such combat aerobatics is seriouslyimpeded by severe lack of new aircraft in the air force, as well as bythe shortage of fuel and spare parts which results in less training forpilots...


MN - Are you saying that the Russian Air Force suffers from lack of training?

SM - The situation is not cheerful, but it used to beeven worse in the Nineties. Compared to the Soviet Union, the modernRussian Air Force is operating in much tighter conditions. I can tellyou that now we have only one Air Force school, preparing all types ofpilots. I was able to choose from 10 schools that trained only fighterpilots when I decided to become a cadet. Young lieutenants who graduatefrom our schools sometimes never enter an aircraft before they becomecaptains and this usually takes five years. We have a good pilot schoolin Lipetsk, but it is not a cadet school.


MN - But what about the much advertized revival of the Russianarmy, something the Russian and foreign media speak so much about?

SM - Here again I will say that the situation isbetter than it used to be, but much worse than it was back in Soviettimes. Yes, the air force has resumed long distance missions, what wecall 憆ound the corner' flights - the flights around Norway and thenalong the North American coast. But for the Soviet Air Force these wereroutine missions that were flown almost daily. The situation hasstarted to improve, but it is only a start and we must not relax.


MN - But foreign officials often sound alarmed over theseresumed missions. Are they receiving incorrect information, or is itpossible that they are playing for the public?

SM - I can say that this kind of reaction isjustified. Western politicians would like to see the Russian army incomplete ruins and of course they are worried by any signs of revival.Even now the Russian Air Force is something to be reckoned with - ourfighter planes are better and our morale is better. I mean, Russianshave always been ready for self sacrifice; it is still true today. Inthe modern world this is a strong factor and other pilots are simplyafraid to mess with us.


I can give you one example, and I consider it very important. In early1996, our aircraft carrier group went to the Mediterranean and for thethree months that we were there the Americans stopped bombingYugo璼lavia.


We were and we still are a force that can affect the global political situation.


MN - Speaking of the global situation, the Sukhoi design bureauis a top exporter of combat aircraft. What attracts the customers,quality or prices or both? How can you comment on this situation?

SM - We are not trading for dumping prices on theinternational markets, our prices are almost as high as, for example,American ones. So it must be quality that makes other nations buy ouraircraft.


We also do a lot to build our aircraft as our foreign buyers want them- first of all this applies to the Su-27, which falls under theuniversal combat aircraft category - the most popular category in theworld.


Originally it is an air superiority fighter jet, but it can work as anattack aircraft as well. Of course, we offer other things - likeforeign made electronics on our devices. It is strictly forbidden inthe Russian Air Force - the military must be completely independentfrom foreign suppliers, but for foreign partners we often do this.


We also offer a whole complex of services - training for pilots,maintenance. All this firmly attaches our buyers to us and this is agood thing for our national economy - arms exports is basicallyexporting high technologies, the most advanced branch.


MN - What makes the Sukhoi design bureau special?

SM - I can say we are the leader in the industry now.Of all Russian aircraft producers we manage to keep salaries on arelatively high level and we have all the best specialists. I must addthough that this is possible only due to our foreign contracts - theorder from our own Defense Mi璶istry is very small. But we all hopethat this might change - people are willing to work for their country,it is a matter of patriotism and pride.  ■


By Kirill Bessonov

http://www.mnweekly.ru/interview/20080911/55345891.html

BeachBoys

01.10.2008

Russian warship visits naval base near Kyoto

A Russian warship from the Pacific Fleet has made a port call at theMaizuru naval base in Japan's Kyoto Prefecture, a Navy spokesman saidon Tuesday.

Maizuru hosts a key district headquarters for Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force.

"Today, the Admiral Panteleyev large ASW shipaccompanied by a rescue tugboat arrived at the Maizuru port on anunofficial visit," Capt. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo told RIA Novosti.

The visit is part of the Pacific Fleet's agenda of annual activities in international waters.

"The Russian vessels will participate in joint exercises with Japan'sMaritime Self-Defense Force and practice coordinated maneuvering andcommunications," Dygalo said.

The Admiral Panteleyev is an Udaloy-classdestroyer that serves as an anti-submarine warfare platform fitted witha variety of ASW weapons and limited surface-to-air defensecapabilities.

The unofficial visit of the Russian ships to Japan will last until October 3, the spokesman said.                        

http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=5774

BeachBoys

01.10.2008

Russian frigate sails to Mediterranean for drills with Italian navy

A Russian warship from the Black Sea Fleet has entered the AegeanSea and is heading toward the Italian coast to participate in jointnaval exercises with the Italian navy, a fleet spokesman said onTuesday.

"The Ladny, a Krivak class guided missilefrigate, will participate in the biennial IONIEX-2008 exercises withthe Italian navy," the spokesman said.

Ladny participated in August in NATO's antiterrorist Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean.

In 2007, Russian naval ships took part in nine joint exercises withforeign navies, including Blackseafor - with the participation ofBulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia - and Open Spirit 2007,involving Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands,Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belgium, France, Norway, Finland, Sweden,and Estonia.

However, NATO suspended or cancelled a number of joint exercises thisyear following a brief military conflict between Russia and Georgiaover South Ossetia in August.

http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=5776

BeachBoys

03.10.2008

Nuclear-powered cruiser ready for new fuel

The Sevmash yard in Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk Oblast, has started the discharging of spent nuclear fuel from the cruiser Admiral Nakhimov. The vessel has been moored by the yard since 1999 awaiting the operation.

According to the Sevmash press service, the operation isconducted by local specialists together with representatives of theNizhny Novgorod-based company OKBM Afrikantov and the crew of a support vessel from the Belomorye navy base.

Lack of funding has forced the Navy to let heavy cruiser lie moored inSeverodvinsk for the last nine years. The 24,500 ton vessel stillremains in good shape thanks to regular maintenance from Sevmash.

The Admiral Nakhimov is 251 meter long. It has two reactors. The main military hardware is Granit cruiser missile, the Fort anti-aircraft missile, as well as the Osa-MA and Vodopad missiles. The ship also has three Ka-27 helicopters, Sevmash informs.

http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=5782

BeachBoys

08.10.2008

Lavrov says Russia-Venezuela cooperation not targeting U.S.

The strengthening of Russia's bilateral ties with Venezuela is notaimed at any other country, including the United States, the Russianforeign minister said Monday.

Speaking in an interview with Rossiiskaya Gazetagovernment daily that will be published Tuesday, Foreign MinisterSergei Lavrov denied Western media reports that the cooperation betweenRussia and Venezuela is aimed against the United States.

"I do not know how such conclusions are drawn. Neither Russia norVenezuela has any plans to attack anyone. Russia and Venezuela enjoycooperation basing on the norms of international law," Lavrov said.

Two Russian strategic bombers recently carried out patrols along thecoast of South America during a visit to Venezuela and a naval taskforce led by the nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy is on its way to the country for joint exercises in the Caribbean.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who visited Russia in late Septemberand met with President Dmitry Medvedev, has said the Russian navy willreceive a warm welcome in the Latin American country.

Russia's top diplomat said that instead of inventing unbelievablescenarios of a possible attack on the United States, "I would adviseCNN to begin a journalistic investigation into how an attack wasprepared on South Ossetia, which included an attack on Russia."

Lavrov, who is to meet Tuesday with his Venezuelan counterpart inMoscow, said that an attack on peacekeepers is under international lawconsidered an attack on their country.

In a bid to regain control over its breakaway republic, Georgian forcesmoved into South Ossetia on August 8 killing a number of Russianpeacekeepers and hundreds of civilians, prompting Russia to send in itsmilitary to force Georgia to peace.        

http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=5785

BeachBoys

17.10.2008

Three Russian patrol vessels in Barents Sea

There are currently three Russian fishery patrol vessels operating in the Barents Sea, Russian authorities confirm.

The Barents and White Sea territorial unit of the Russian federalFishery Agency confirm that three fishery inspection vessel currentlyare operating in the Barents Sea. All of the vessels haverepresentatives of both Fishery Agency and the FSB on board, Rosbaltnord.ru reports.

The Teriberka vessel sails in the waters around Spitsbergen, while the Skumur patrols joint waters in the Barents Sea. The Tituvenay vessel is operating in the Russian 200 mile Economic Zone.

The Teriberka vessel recently took part in joint control training with Norwegian inspectors, Rosbaltnord writes.

http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=5794

BeachBoys

The Formation of the Soviet Navy: Introduction
Based on the articles by -
V.N. KRASNOV

BeachBoys

Design of the flotilla leader, ships of type 揕eningrad

BeachBoys

Later on, up to 1938, they continued to build submarines of Sch type ofV series in three versions and X series. Engineering design oftorpedo-loading devices was modified and upgraded. Owing to new dieselsinstallation, their surface speed was considerably increased andmechanism noisiness slightly reduced, while in submarines of X series ahigh-pressure air blow system was provided for. Emergency blow time wasreduced three times.

The project of small submarine of 揗

bravotwozero

9 years docking is 'F' too long man...............gilaarrrrr........

BeachBoys

kekurangan peruntukan untuk terus beroperasi selepas kejatuhan USSR.......

BeachBoys

20 terbunuh kemalangan kapal nuklear Rusia

MOSCOW 9 Nov. - Lebih 20 orang terbunuh, manakala 21 yang laincedera akibat satu kemalangan di dalam sebuah kapal selam berkuasanuklear, milik Rusia di Lautan Pasifik, semalam.

Kejadian itu merupakan nahas kapal selam terburuk bagi tentera laut Rusia sejak tragedi Kursk lapan tahun lalu.

Sejumlah 208 orang berada di dalam kapal selam itu, yang sedangmenjalani ujian di laut semalam, apabila berlaku kemalangan berpuncadaripada sistem pemadam kebakaran yang dihidupkan dengan tidak sengaja,kata jurucakap tentera laut Rusia, Igor Dygalo, hari ini.


Reaktor nuklear kapal selam itu tidak terjejas dan paras radiasi pada tahap normal, katanya.

Bagaimanapun jumlah korban, menyebabkan nahas itu sebagai yangterburuk sejak kapal selam nuklear Kursk karam di Laut Barents padatahun 2000 yang meragut nyawa 118 kelasinya.

Dygalo tidak menyatakan nama atau kelas kapal selam tersebut atau menyebut lokasi sebenar kejadian.

Sesetengah mangsa yang terbunuh adalah kakitangan sebuah syarikat pembinaan kapal, kata jurucakap itu.

Sebuah kapal pembinasa Rusia membawa mangsa yang cedera di pantai Timur Jauh.

Presiden Dmitry Medvedev mengarahkan Kementerian Pertahanan menjalankan siasatan menyeluruh mengenai punca kemalangan.

Tentera laut Rusia telah mengalami beberapa kemalangan maut,sekalipun peruntukan kewangannya telah banyak ditingkatkan dan Kremlincuba menonjolkan imej kekuatan tenteranya di dalam dan di luar negara.


http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=1110&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Luar_Negara&pg=lu_09.htm

[ Last edited by  BeachBoys at 10-11-2008 02:13 PM ]

BeachBoys

Kalashnikov turns 89, a 'happy man' for creating AK-47

by Staff Writers

Moscow (AFP) Nov 10, 2008

Legendary former Russian general MikhailKalashnikov, who celebrated his 89th birthday on Monday, said he was a"truly happy man" for having created the iconic assault rifle bearinghis name.

Mikhail Kalashnikov.

"I think I am a truly happy man. I created a weapon for the defence ofmy country and it continues to serve this cause and develop,"Kalashnikov was quoted as saying by the Ria Novosti news agency.

While the Kalashnikov rifle has become the weapon of choice by dozensof armies and guerrillas around the world, the World War II veteran hasbarely profited financially from the AK-47.

Born in a Siberian village on November 10, 1919, Kalashnikov had atragic childhood during which his father was deported under Stalin in1930.

Wounded during combat in 1941, Kalashnikov started working on his riflein 1947, driven to design by Soviet defeats in the early years of WorldWar II at the hands of far better armed German soldiers.

The Kalashnikov quickly became prized for its sturdy reliability in difficult field conditions.

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Kalashnikov_turns_89_a_happy_man_for_creating_AK-47_999.html