Russian Armed Forces News & Discussion thread

[Maximmmm]

It's a little bit of a mystery. No new Tu-160s have been built on top of the 16 Russia has had for a number of years, despite various promises to the contrary.

Didn't they have some spare frames?

http://lenta.ru/news/2012/02/08/tornado/
36 Tornado systems to be purchased in 2012, still haven't had a decent picture of the damn things though.

http://lenta.ru/news/2012/02/08/su34/
Air force to recieve 10 Su-34s this year. Good to see production speeding up.

http://lenta.ru/news/2012/02/08/t50/
Pak fa prototypes have completed 120 flights.

[XTX-Horus]

http://www.lenta.ru/news/2012/02/07/fleet/
MOD plans to increase the final numbers to 10 from 8 till 2020.

I am sceptical if that number can be reached within a reasonable timeframe (<15 years) considering that so many other submarines and vessels have to be built. And then there is corruption too, significantly slowing down production due to vast amounts of money being embezzled. It would be super fantastic if those numbers are attained though, it would make me ****.

http://lenta.ru/news/2012/02/08/t50/
Pak fa prototypes have completed 120 flights.

Great news!

I have some questions though:

1: When will the next generation of Destroyers and Cruisers be designed and built?
2: Will the Russian VVS upgrade all Beriev A-50M's to A-50U standards?
3: How many Il-78's are in Russian service?
4: Is the R-77 in service or not? If yes, how many and are they in production?

Many thanks beforehand for awnsering these questions.

[Fulcrum-35]

Amount of corvettes remained the same – 35 ships including 18 of projects 20380 and 20385. Additionally, defense ministry plans to purchase six Project 21630 Buyan small-size gunnery ships and six Project 11711 large landing ships.

http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=14239

It is supposed to be 5 of project 20380, 13 of project 20385 and what are the remaining 17 ? Buyan-M ? If this is the case, I've never read Zelenodolsk planned to built such a big number... Would you have any info ?
Thanks in advance.

[metberkut]

4: Is the R-77 in service or not? If yes, how many and are they in production?

No, and none.

[artjomh]

No, and none.

There are some leftover stocks from way back then, mostly for testing and whatnot.

[void]

Didn't they have some spare frames?

There are probably some spare frames and titanium spines lying around the factory yes. But to my knowledge none have yet to be actually turned into a flying aircraft, despite promises to the contrary for a number of years. It's possible for KAPO to build some more Tu-160s, but they are yet to do so.

[Elbs]

Re-opening production lines is extremely expensive. Is it really worth it just to build a dozen or so bombers? Especially if a new bomber project is on the horizon.

[artjomh]

Re-opening production lines is extremely expensive. Is it really worth it just to build a dozen or so bombers? Especially if a new bomber project is on the horizon.

Personally, I don't think we'll many new bombers until the PAK DA.

Most of the bomber fleet is pretty new (built in late 80's) and everything is going though an overhaul program.

[void]

Re-opening production lines is extremely expensive. Is it really worth it just to build a dozen or so bombers? Especially if a new bomber project is on the horizon.

That depends. Production lines for a strategic bomber of the Tu-160 class are never going to be large anyway. Same with something like the B-2. Most of the parts are custom built in very small numbers. It all really depends on what is left at KAPO.

[Elbs]

Except B-2 was a 100+ airframe program which made the unit cost manageable until politicians drastically cut the order. I just don't think there's much the Russians could do with a few more Tu-160s that they couldn't do with an expanded, upgraded Tu-22M fleet.

[Maximmmm]

I am sceptical if that number can be reached within a reasonable timeframe (<15 years) considering that so many other submarines and vessels have to be built. And then there is corruption too, significantly slowing down production due to vast amounts of money being embezzled. It would be super fantastic if those numbers are attained though, it would make me ****.

A though we all share but like to gloss over with optimism. (and some positive signs these past few years)

1: When will the next generation of Destroyers and Cruisers be designed and built?
2: Will the Russian VVS upgrade all Beriev A-50M's to A-50U standards?.

1: Only jesus knows. The media keeps reviving the old project 21956 pics, but if there's ever going to be a destroyer it won't be anything like that outdated and frankensteiny thing. There's always rumors and sometimes statements about a possible order in the next few years, but nothing concrete.
My guess is it'll be 2014-2015 before we know some stuff for sure.

2: Hopefully, there's one done and ready so I would assume the VVS is running it through its paces and seeing if there's some kinks. The real question is would it be smarter to wait and build new AWACS on the upcoming modernized ILs.

[Maximmmm]

http://www.navy.ru/news/navy/?ELEMENT_ID=104328
Caspian flotilla getting some more love this year.

[Maximmmm]

Oh and say artjomh,
What is the actual difference between the Gremyashchy and its steregushy counterparts? Is it just like the Soobrazitelny, or are there other differences?

[void]

Except B-2 was a 100+ airframe program which made the unit cost manageable until politicians drastically cut the order. I just don't think there's much the Russians could do with a few more Tu-160s that they couldn't do with an expanded, upgraded Tu-22M fleet.

I wonder if the people behind the scenes ever actually realistically expected to build 100 B2s....
Anyway, the Tu-160 is intercontinental in range and compared to the Tu-22M is much better at "showing the flag". Remember that out of the nuclear triad, the purpose of the strategic bomber is its ability to send a political message. You cant do that with silo ICBMs or with submarines. A nuclear capable bomber you can use to intimidate and flex your muscle. In that role, a Tu-160 imo does a much better job than some Tu-22Ms.

[artjomh]

Oh and say artjomh,
What is the actual difference between the Gremyashchy and its steregushy counterparts? Is it just like the Soobrazitelny, or are there other differences?

1) 20380 has CODAD propulsion, 20385 is CODAG (same gas turbines as Gorshkov class frigates)
2) 8 cell UKSK module instead of 8 Uran launchers
3) 16 Redut AD launchers instead of 12.
4) New sensor package with an AESA targeting radar in a single optronic integrated mast.