Nothing new
Bulava and modernization have become the main "weapons" themes in 2009
Over the past year much has been said Russia's authorities to modernize Russia's military, the need to strengthen the nuclear shield, on the supply of new weapons and state defense order. In fact, were only two major themes: modernization, which in the beginning of the year had been promised a lot of money, and test an intercontinental ballistic missile "Bulava", of which there were two, and both - failed.
One of the topics mentioned was not independent and actually complicate the implementation of another project, passing by questioning the statements of Russia's leadership capacity defense potential of Russia. This is a project 955/955A "Boreas", created specifically for the Bulava, and the statement of the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, issued on December 24, 2009, the need to strengthen and build a nuclear shield.
Bulava "- no mace
In 2009 it produced two test-fired an intercontinental sea-based ballistic missile (ICBM) "Bulava" - 15 July and 9 December. These firings were 11 th and 12 th in a row and procured a list of already a total of seven failed missile tests. It should be noted that while only five launches of ICBMs were considered successful, and, according to the classification of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, two of them were partially successful, two - successful and only one "fully successful." Not enough, especially when you consider that in the future, Russia is planning to make a bet just on these missiles in the maritime element of the nuclear triad.
Eleventh launch of the Bulava was fired from the board the nuclear submarine Dmitry Donskoy, one of the missile silos that had been altered specifically for testing. Immediately after the start of a problem in the first stage engine, due to which the "Bulava" self-destructed in the 20-th second of flight. According to official figures, the most likely cause of failure was the defect in the steering assembly of the first stage.
After a false start resigned Director and General Designer of Moscow Institute of Heat Engineering, Academician Yuri Solomonov. In mid-September his place on a competitive basis by former general director of the Moscow Machine-Building Plant "Vympel" Sergei Nikulin. Thus Solomon remained as general designer of the Bulava.
However, the change in leadership institute developer project's success has not helped, though, perhaps, allowed to move a little further than during the 11 th launch. During the 12-second test at the Bulava began to malfunction engine third stage, because of what the rocket deviated significantly from the course. By the way, this test launch, produced in the Baltic Sea, in the morning on Dec. 9 had the opportunity to observe virtually the entire Norway - deviate from the course and rotating a rocket was seen from afar.
Official data investigation by the special state commission, not yet published. According to Russian officials, the investigation will be completed no later than March 2010. More precise timing has never been named.
The last of a series of failed launches of the Bulava questioned another important project, the development of which is the Central Design Bureau "Rubin" from the end of 1980. In any case, Russia's mass media in mid-December, broke a number of articles in which he stated that the Defense Russia to think seriously about freezing the project of building nuclear submarines 955/955A Northwind - submarines, which will be set to ICBM missile silos "Bulava".
However, the War Department hastened to deny these reports, and even stated that the laying of the fourth submarine of the project "Northwind", scheduled for December 22, will be held on time. However, in just a couple of hours after it was decided to postpone the bookmark fourth submarine in the first quarter of 2010. At the same time ensure that the laying of submarine actually held in the first three months of 2010, nobody.
Construction of submarines of Project 955/955A engaged shipyard "Sevmash. This factory is now in various stages of readiness are three submarines of "Northwind": "Yuri Dolgoruky," Vladimir Monomakh "and" Alexander Nevsky ". The fourth tab in was to get the name "Saint Nicholas". Yuri Dolgoruky already in factory testing and will soon be transferred to the Naval Fleet of Russia. What is going to do with the new Navy submarine, the weapon for which all does not fly, is unknown.
ICBM "Bulava"
Range solid-fuel Bulava, capable of carrying from eight to ten independently targetable nuclear warheads, is eight thousand miles. Capacity of each of the warheads, the Bulava is up to 150 kilotons. Starting weight of missiles - 36,8 tons, and throw-weight - only 1.8 tons. The missile will be equipped with a new system to overcome missile defenses. Missile Development is engaged in the Moscow Institute of Heat Engineering, which laid the foundation of a new ICBM existing Topol-M ".
Meanwhile, the project "Northwind", armed with Bulava, should be the basis for future nuclear deterrent forces of Russia, sea, and almost the most important element of the nuclear triad. Recall triad consists of three elements: in addition to intercontinental sea-based nuclear missiles, it includes ground missiles, including the silo-based and long-range strategic air force with bombers, capable of delivering nuclear warheads over long distances.
The principle of the nuclear triad is simple - even if an enemy attack destroys two elements of the system, the third should be a retaliatory nuclear strike on the most important cities in enemy territory, enemy to inflict unacceptable levels of damage. In this regard, nuclear submarines, autonomous navigation which is theoretically limited only by crew endurance and provisioning, especially important - they allow secretly deliver nuclear warheads anywhere in the ocean. This submerged submarines virtually impossible to detect until the very moment of launch rockets.
December 24, 2009 Dmitri Medvedev appeared in the "Results of the President of Russia." In interviews with the heads of three federal TV channels, Russia's president, said that "our nuclear shield can solve all the problems that he must solve." However, the failure of the Bulava possibility of Russia's nuclear shield questioned. Let him not now but in the long term - when the composition of Russia's Navy will be displayed obsolete nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles, in their place to place will be nothing.
Upgrade and update
The term "modernization of Russia's army in 2009, he received a dual meaning. On the one hand, the army was reformed in the course of which had been abolished and some parts of the formation. On the other hand, the term implies a total upgrade weapons and equipment used by Russia's military. In particular, according to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's Russia, the share of modern weapons and equipment of Russia's army in 2020 should be at least 70-80 per cent against the current ten. For this purpose, Russia intends to spend up to 2011, about four trillion rubles.
Luckless "Bulava", by the way, was supposed to be one of the elements of the modernization of the armed forces of Russia in 2009 - it was expected that ICBMs before the end of the year will rise in the ranks. However, this did not happen.
MLRS
MLRS "Whirlwind". Photo Lenty.Ru "
In mid-November 2009, Putin announced that funding for the military-industrial complex of Russia for the year totaled about 970 billion rubles. According to the prime minister, to finance the military industrial complex were involved in such instruments as interest rate subsidies, as well as direct contributions to the authorized capital of companies. These measures have been spent 70 billion rubles.
Putin did not elaborate on what those funds went. It can be assumed that due to the said sum of missile and artillery forces of Russia in 2009 started getting modernized self-propelled howitzers MSTA-S, "Acacia" and "Pinks" and multiple rocket launchers "Twister," "Hurricane" and "Grad". In addition to the armed forces have started new funds exploration, including the "Credo-1S", "Little Stork," "Zoo-1M, gas stations-7M and Tipchak.
The list proceeds to purchase equipment not completed. Thus, the Air Force fully modernized fleet of Su-27 fighters to the version of Su-27SM (they can strike at ground targets with precision-guided weapons), as well as the Sukhoi Su-24 and Su-24M2 versions. Began to modernize and other aircraft. In addition, the Air Force received two new Sukhoi Su-34. Total Ministry of Defense of Russia ordered 32 such aircraft, which should completely replace the outdated Su-24.
By the end of 2009 completed the modernization and passed all factory tests of the fifth rocket carrier project 667BDRM Dolphin K-18 "Karelia". This submarine in mid-December, went to the place of registry, and its place on the stocks of the Sevmash "took the sixth and last boat project" Dolphin "- K-407 Novomoskovsk.
In total, the purchase of military equipment and armament Russia intends to spend in 2009-2011 was over one trillion rubles. With that money, in particular, will buy a hundred new helicopters, including 30 units of army aviation command vehicle Ka-52 Alligator. In 2010, according to Medvedev, in the Armed Forces are expected to reach 300 units of armored vehicles, five Iskander, 30 helicopters, 28 combat aircraft and three nuclear submarines, a warship class corvette, and 11 spacecraft.
Ka-52
Ka-52 Alligator. Photo Lenty.Ru "
Most of these techniques, which have already embarked on the arms of Russia or even should do in the Armed Forces, is not new and in fact is only a modernization of old samples. Completely new technology - in the future. In particular, in August 2009 the contract was awarded to "Tupolev" in the development and creation of long-term long-range aviation aircraft complex (PAK DA, promising long-range bomber). In December, testing has begun a promising frontline aviation aircraft complex (PAK FA, a promising fighter, also known as T-50, or "product 701"). Also, was launched a new attack submarine of the latest generation Severodvinsk (project 885 "Ash").
It's all just and is the same one, according to Putin, "Current and future technology, not just a reliable as the howitzer in 1938." It is hoped that it really would be such. The essence of the modernization of Russia's army in 2009 was reduced to upgrade and repair of military equipment, and several test launches of missiles (the latter in December, flew "Voevoda", NATO classification - Satan), whose aim is the extension of their service
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