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...
Between September 17-19, the Russian armed forces flight tested several 9M723 Iskander ballistic missiles during military exercises in Kazakhstan. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, the exercises successfully struck their targets from “several hundred kilometers away.” The Iskander missile entered Russian service in 2006 and has a range of 500 km. Related Links: Пуски ракет...
According to an internal government document, Russia plans to deploy Bastion-P coastal defense units to two islands in the disputed Kuril Island chain, Kyodo News reported on August 2. Russian government officials have noted the systems have “already been moved and are now being prepared for operation.” The P-800 Oniks antiship missile which the Bastion-P...
On August 27, Iran revealed a new cruise missile, named “Mobeen,” at Russia’s MAKS military exhibition. According to state media, the subsonic cruise missile has a range of 450 km and weighs 670 kg when armed with a 120 kg payload. According to the exhibit, the missile entered service in 2018. Related Links: Iran Displays...
On August 26, Russia began military drills near the Black Sea, mobilizing over 8,000 troops in an interservice exercise. During the drills, the Southern Military District’s Iskander-M crews practiced electronic missile launches and reloading procedures. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, the exercises were designed to simulate “a massive strike against the notional enemy’s command...
