DefenceTalkRussia launched an upgraded version of its Soyuz rocket on Saturday, successfully delivering a scientific satellite into space. The Soyuz-2.1v light class rocket includes a new engine design. “The operational crew at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome (in Russia’s Arkhangelsk Region) has successfully conducted a unique launch of a light-class Soyuz-2.1v rocket carrier with Volga upper stage […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-launches-upgraded-soyuz-rocket-49990/

DefenceTalkRussia will draft a plan in the coming year to deploy rail-mounted nuclear missiles as a potential response to the United States’ Prompt Global Strike program, the commander of its Strategic Missile Force said on Wednesday. “A Defense Ministry report has been submitted to the president and the order has been given to develop a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-plans-rail-mounted-missiles-to-counter-us-global-strike-program-49957/

DefenceTalkRussia revealed on Monday that its armed forces had moved nuclear-capable Iskander missiles closer to Europe’s borders in response to the US-led deployment of a disputed air defence shield. The advanced version of the Russian missile has a range of 500 kilometres (310 miles) and could potentially be used to take out ground-based radar and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-moves-nuclear-capable-missiles-closer-to-eu-49951/

DefenceTalkRussia’s military will have 500,000 soldiers serving on professional contracts within a decade, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday. Half of the armed forces will be made up of professional service personnel by 2022 under plans to shift away from conscripts and more than double the number of contract soldiers from the present 220,000. But […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-military-to-recruit-500000-professional-soldiers-by-2022-49907/

DefenceTalkThe accord with Iran to curb its nuclear program means a planned NATO anti-missile system in Europe, hotly opposed by Moscow, is no longer necessary, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavarov argued Wednesday. Moscow fears the system would compromise its own defences while NATO says the project is meant only to protect Europe from Iranian development […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-nuclear-accord-nato-missile-defence-unnecessary-russia-49898/

DefenceTalkPresident Vladimir Putin said Tuesday the share of modern weaponry in Russia’s armed forces would reach 30 percent in 2014 and urged the military to stay alert for threats and challenges. The armed forces would receive more than 40 inter-continental ballistic missiles, 210 warplanes and helicopters, and more than 250 armored vehicles in a year, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/putin-says-russia-will-upgrade-its-weaponry-49903/

DefenceTalkA Russian fighter jet unit has arrived at a Belarusian airbase where it will be stationed on alert duty as part of an integrated regional air defense network, Belarusian news agency BelaPAN reported. Four Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker fighter jets and technical personnel have been based at the Baranovichi airbase, BelaPAN said on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-sends-first-fighter-jets-to-belarus-base-49875/

DefenceTalkRussia has begun testing a new radar designed to detect highly maneuverable aerial targets – including cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles – at a range of up to 3,000 kilometers (over 1,800 miles), allowing it to cover most of Europe. The new-generation over-the-horizon radar, dubbed Container, was put on trial duty near the town […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-activates-aerospace-defense-radar-aimed-at-europe-49873/

DefenceTalkRussia’s armed forces will conduct test flights of a drone aircraft from the United Arab Emirates early next year, the manufacturer said. The unmanned United 40 Block 5 long-range reconnaissance vehicle will be tested to assess whether it meets the military’s operational needs. The medium-altitude drone can stay airborne for more than 100 hours and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-test-uae-made-drone-next-year-49815/

DefenceTalkA St. Petersburg-based shipyard on Thursday floated out the first of six Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines to be delivered to the Black Sea Fleet in the next two years. The much-anticipated delivery of these submarines, dubbed by the US Navy as “black holes in the ocean” because they are nearly undetectable when submerged, is a key […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-floats-out-stealth-submarine-for-black-sea-fleet-49766/