In a December 9 statement, Russia’s Northern Fleet reported the completion of missile launch trials for the Project 20385 Gremyashchiy, a corvette first laid down in February 2012. During the test, the warship fired SS-N-27 Sizzler and P-800 Oniks antiship missiles against simulated enemy ships. The SS-N-27 is a subsonic missile with a range of...
On November 30, Russian state media reported the country’s military test fired a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile from a MiG-31K earlier this month. The fighter aircraft took off from Olenegorsk air base and fired the Kinzhal against a ground target at the Pemboi training ground in Russia’s Komi Republic. The launch reportedly took place in mid-November....
From November 24-26, Russia’s Ministry of Defense displayed the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) to U.S. officials. According to a Russian Ministry of Defense statement, the visit was arranged “for the purpose of keeping the New START Treaty viable and effective;” the system is expected to go on combat alert in December 2019. The Avangard...
On November 17, the head of Russian defense firm Rostec confirmed that India had completed an $800 million advance payment for the S-400 air and missile defense system, with deliveries expected for completion in 2025. India and Russia had signed a $5.5 billion deal for five S-400 batteries in October 2018. In total, the deal...
On October 30, Russia test fired a SS-N-32 (RSM-56) Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from Knyaz Vladimir, its first Borei-II (Project 955A)-class submarine. According to Russian authorities, the missile successfully overflew Russia to strike a target in the Far Eastern Kamchatka region. The SS-N-32 Bulava is a submarine-launched variant of the Topol-M ICBM with a...
On October 24, Russia’s Rezonans Research Center announced that a new Rezonans-N early warning radar would come online in Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, a Russian territory in the Arctic. The deployment would mark the third Rezonans-N radar constructed in the Arctic region, and is expected to enter service in November 2019 after a brief acceptance and...
On October 21, Russia tested two submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) during military exercises in the Barents Sea. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, the tests were intended to verify the operation of its SS-N-18 (R-29R) SLBMs, which are reportedly nearing the end of their service life. During the test, one of the missiles failed to...
On October 15, Russia initiated a major drill of its Strategic Missile Force Dubbed “Thunder 2019,” the exercises are expected to conclude on October 17. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the drill will involve 12,000 troops, 213 missile launchers, 105 aircraft, 15 surface ships, 5 submarines, and 310 items of additional hardware. Russia...
On October 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his country was aiding China “to create a missile-warning system, a missile-attack warning system.” While China possesses several long-range radars, it has not yet deployed a larger homeland ballistic missile warning system like Russia and the United States. Details of the cooperation arrangement remain unknown. Related...
On September 25, defense industry sources confirmed that Russia will flight test an upgraded variant of the Oniks sea-launched cruise missile in the coming months. According to a TASS report, the upgraded missile, designated Oniks-M, will feature a 800 km maximum range, improved guidance, and hardening against electronic countermeasures. While tests were scheduled to begin...
