Rail wars? Russia ponders new railroad-based missile systems

Plans are underway to create combat railway-based missile systems designed to give Russia a more flexible means of defense.

­The system consists of a train with two or three diesel locomotives and specialized railcars, which look like refrigerator or passenger railcars, but carry intercontinental ballistic missiles, together with command posts, Col. Vadim Koval, the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman for the Strategic Rocket Forces (RVSN)the Russian Defense Ministry, told reporters.

Although the last railway-based missile unit was decommissioned almost a decade ago, the system is getting a second look as a means of protecting Russia’s vast landmass as global threats become more diversified.

"A final decision, however, has not been taken on the issue," Koval added.

The idea of using railroads to move around missiles is not new. Koval noted that the first unit of railway-based missile systems was put on combat duty in Kostroma in October 1987, and removed from service in 2005.

However, with the nature of warfare changing and the global situation increasingly volatile and unpredictable, military leaders argue it may be a good time to give some versatility to Russia’s missile defenses.

Meanwhile, Russia is looking for ways to counter the US missile defense system, which is being deployed in Eastern Europe. Despite Moscow’s warning that the technology has the potential to spark a new arms race, US and NATO officials remain adamant and refuse to cooperate with Russia. Washington has even rejected Moscow’s request to provide it with legal assurances that the system will never be activated against Russian territory.

Railway-based missile systems are designed for use along special military patrol routes, as well as railway lines used by the public.

Formerly, three missile divisions – near Kostroma, Krasnoyarsk and Perm – were deployed. Employing 12 trains, the system transported 36 missiles, each with 10 nuclear warheads.

Russian military experts say that with technological advances made in missile technology, the use of railroad-based systems could be an effective means of protecting Russia.

Russia tightens border with next-gen air defense system

The Russian military will deploy state-of-the-art air defense systems along its southern border by the end of the year, the Defense Ministry announced.

“In accordance with the Southern Military District’s modernization plan, the S-400 ‘Triumph’ will replace S-300PM systems on combat duty before the end of this year to protect Russian airspace,” district spokesperson Col. Igor Gorbul told Interfax-AVN on Monday.

The deployment will consist of Pantsir-S missile and artillery systems, as well as advanced radio equipment, he said.

The S-400 is a next-generation anti-aircraft weapon system capable of firing three different missile types. The system was designed to intercept and destroy jamming planes, radar planes, reconnaissance aircraft, strategic carriers, cruise missiles and medium-range ballistic missiles.

Military analysts reported that the Triumph is capable of tracking more than 100 targets simultaneously at ranges of over 600 kilometers (370 miles), and destroying up to 12 targets at varying distances.

The Almaz Central Design Bureau reported that the fifth air defense regiment will shift to the S-400 system by the end of the year.

The deployment of the S-400 to Russia’s south comes at a time of increasing tensions between Russia and NATO over the latter’s plans to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe. The US initially pledged to cooperate with Russia on the project, but later retreated on that promise. Several Russian officials have warned that the issue could spark another arms race unless a bilateral agreement is reached.

The Triumph air defense system successfully completed launch tests conducted at the Ashuluk training range in Russia’s Astrakhan region in August.

Moscow to spend over $720 bln on new military aircraft

Serviceman of the Baltic fleet marines' reconnaissance group setting a Grusha unmanned air vehicle in flight at the Khmelevka military range, the testing grounds for air drones.

Russia’s air force will get 1,600 new warplanes and choppers by 2020, announced President Vladimir Putin. The program will cost Moscow some US $723 billion.

­“We are talking primarily about providing our forces with state-of-the-art modern technology,” Putin said at an air show in the Moscow Region ahead of the 100th anniversary of the country's air force. “Over 600 new warplanes and 1,000 helicopters will come into service by 2020 – not mentioning the upgrade to already existing systems.”

Putin thanked industry workers and officers for helping the aviation “endure the difficult times of the 1990’s and early 2000’s.” He also added that the role of a strengthened air force in Russia’s armed forces will be increasing.

The renovation will primarily cover the long-range strategic aviation, tactical aviation, army air force, combined with the introduction of high-precision armament, electronic warfare defense systems, and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft systems.

Speaking at the air show, Putin pointed out that much of this planned work has already begun.

The Russian military faced tremendous spending cuts in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. During his presidential campaign, Putin defined the strengthening of the country’s military as one of his primary goals.

Iskander gets $1.2bln update to counter US missile defense

Russia is allocating $1.2 billion to modernize the weapon that they believe renders the US missile defense in Europe useless. Prime Minister Medvedev says the Russian army must make the Iskander-M its main weapon.

“Iskander-M is certainly one of the most efficient weapons in its class and, in our opinion, is far ahead of foreign analogs,” Medvedev stated at a meeting on the development of Russia’s defense industry. These systems should become the core of the Ground Forces’ missile units, the PM added.

The government has allocated 24 billion rubles (over US$740 million) to 17 enterprises for the serial production of Iskander-M missile systems, Medvedev said, cites RIA Novosti.

The arms-manufacturing plants will contribute 16 billion rubles (about US $495 million) of their own funds to the project, the head of the government said during his visit to the Kolomna Machine-Building Design Bureau (KBM), which makes Iskander missiles.

The Iskander missile system was officially adopted by the Russian Army in 2006. The system is produced in two versions: Iskander-M for Russian military forces and Iskander-E as an export modification of the defense weapon.

The modernization of the enterprises will help both to timely provide the Russian Army with Iskanders and also to increase the system’s export potential, a source in the governmental military-industrial commission told Kommersant daily.

“The demand for Iskander-E is quite high, but the domestic market remains the priority today," the source said. "The re-equipping of the enterprises will begin in 2014. Right after the majority of contracts with the Defense Ministry are fulfilled, the export trend will be intensified thanks to the modernization."

The Iskander tactical missile system has become Moscow’s counter-argument in the dispute over the US –planned missile defense shield in Europe – which Russia sees as a threat to its national security.

Back in November 2011, then-President Medvedev outlined measures Russia would take in response to the development of America’s missile defense. Those included the deployment of Iskander missiles in the country’s westernmost Kaliningrad Region.

Shortly after that, the head of state launched a radar system in Kaliningrad which protects the country from missile attacks and covers all Europe and Atlantic.

Iran reinforces nuclear rights, OKs atomic merchant ships

Iranian lawmakers have given the green light to design and construct atomic-powered merchant ships. The move underlines Iran’s argument that its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes, while the West suspect it of building atomic weapons.

A parliamentary committee has pushed through a bill approving the nuclear merchant ships project, reported semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr.

Mehr quoted MP Mohammad Bayatian as saying that the international sanctions placed on Iran for its alleged nuclear weapons program have forced the country to look for alternative fuel sources. As part of the sanctions many countries now refuse to sell fuel to Iran.

"Given the sanctions that enemies have imposed against our country, the bill must be enacted," Bayatian said.

Iran categorically denies Western allegations that it is developing atomic weapons and defends its right to a peaceful nuclear weapons program.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says that nuclear-powered merchant vessels are rare and uneconomical and there is some speculation as to whether Iran has the funds or resources to construct such vessels.

 ‘Too expensive to operate’

Nuclear-powered commercial vehicles are very rare because of high costs. There have only been four attempts to construct commercial nuclear vessels. The first one was America’s “NS Savannah” (operated 1962-1972), then German-built “Otto Hahn” (operated 1968-1979), a cargo ship that sailed some 650,000 nautical miles without any technical problems, and Japanese-made “Mutsu” (operated 1970–1992), which never actually carried any commercial cargo.

All three ships were eventually decommissioned because they were too expensive to operate and are now on display in showrooms. The only commercial ship that still operates is Russia’s Soviet-made “Sevmorput” (1988–present), currently stationed in the Arctic.

The bill follows an announcement by a senior Iranian naval official, claiming that Iran has taken the “initial steps” in designing its first nuclear-powered submarine.

Admiral Abbas Zamini told Iranian news agency Fars that the first stages of designing a nuclear propulsion system were underway. Zamini said such advances were necessary in order to carry out long-distance missions.

"All countries have the right to use peaceful nuclear technology, including for the propulsion system of its vessels," he stressed.

Western nations have voiced fears that Iran may be using the construction of nuclear submarines as a pretext to produce enriched weapons-grade uranium. Many US military submarines are powered by uranium fuel enriched to more than 90 percent, the same grade that is used in atomic bombs.

Nuclear stalemate

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been attempting to gain access to Iranian nuclear facilities to assess the validity of allegations of atomic weapons production.

The United States, France, Russia, Germany, Britain and China have called on Iran to immediately halt any nuclear activity that could aid in the development of a nuclear bomb. They have implemented heavy financial sanctions on the Islamic Republic with a view to pressuring Iran’s government into complying.

In order to break the political stalemate "a grace period with no adverse consequences in case their full transparency with IAEA inspectors reveal past wrongdoing," said former Chief UN Nuclear Inspector Pierre Goldschmidt.

Iran seeks international recognition of its right to refine uranium and an end to the sanctions that are crippling its lucrative oil industry.

Grounded: Major Russian space contractor accused of embezzling $17 million

Police are searching the offices of Russian Space Systems (RSS), as the bosses of the country’s biggest space contractor face accusations of large-scale fraud. The makers of Glonass, Russia’s rival to GPS, are accused of misappropriating $17 million.

­Police claim that between 2006 and 2010 RSS management set up several shell companies and then signed contracts with them to provide research and development for the Russian geolocation satellite program. The research was then done by internal staff, while the money was siphoned back to the top managers through a series of fly-by-night firms.

If guilt is proven, perpetrators will face up to ten years in prison, though no suspects have been named so far.

Tax inspectors raised similar charges against the company in 2010, but these were subsequently rejected in court.

Russian Space Systems has officially stated that there is no evidence of any crimes.

The company has enjoyed a tempestuous relationship with its main client, the Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos.

Russian media has widely speculated that Roscosmos has helped police initiate the investigation. Earlier this year, Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin accused RSS of financial irregularities. Russian Space Systems responded with an open letter demanding Popovkin’s resignation, citing his incompetence.

Glonass is a global positioning system conceived during Soviet times. Although it provided global coverage in the mid-90s, since then several of its satellites have fallen into disrepair. In recent years, Russia has spent billions on completing a constellation of satellites that would cover the entire planet. In 2010 3 Glonass satellites worth $80 million were destroyed after a failed launch, but the constellation was finally completed last year.

The Russian government plans to spend more than $9 billion on Glonass by 2020.

‘Predator’ on the prowl: Multi-billion DARPA rival set up in Russia - Video

 

A new multi-billion dollar agency will develop cutting-edge Russian weapons, after the Russian Duma overwhelmingly voted to establish the Future Research Fund (FPI).

The FPI's budget has not been finalized, but media speculation has predicted that it could be given more than $100 billion between now and 2020, though the funding is expected to be ramped up in steps.

“After 20 years of stagnation it will be hard to catch up with the West’s weapons development the ordinary way,” Vice Premier Dmitry Rogozin told the deputies ahead of the vote.

“We need a radical organization ready to take risks and work in the most promising areas. A real predator.”

The final vote tally was 425 for, 25 against.

Rogozin claims the agency can begin working within months, and will initially employ a staff of no more than 150.

He promised that key research would initially be decided by need, and that his team would initially concentrate on “automating systems” and “hypersonic technologies.”

When FPI was first mooted, its obvious comparison was with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) set up by the United States in 1958. With a budget of over $3 billion, it controls tight teams of scientists working on research that provides spectacular results (GPS and stealth planes) and embarrassing results (spy telepathy and halfnium bombs).

It is currently working on a thought-controlled prosthetic arm, an exoskeleton and a flying armored car.

Proposed by President Vladimir Putin, whose United Russia party enjoys a majority in the Duma, the FPI law was expected to be rubber stamped without a hitch.

Still, some voiced concern.

Communist Vladimir Fedotkin noted that “in the past 20 years we have seen a lot of funds, and every time the money has simply been stolen.”

Andrey Rudenko, from moderate opposition party Fair Russia, expressed fears about voting for an “opaque” organization, whose budget, scope and structure have not been made clear even to the lawmakers themselves.

In response, Rogozin promised that FPI would face strict internal audits, and appealed to the parliamentarians’ sense of patriotism.

Rogozin, who is the mastermind behind FPI and is expected to take charge of the new organization, is a divisive figure in Russian politics.

A journalist by education, he was widely known as a firebrand nationalist, who was once barred from running in an election for his xenophobic views. Since then, he has made a stunning political comeback, first serving as Russia’s prickly ambassador to NATO, before becoming one of the country’s most influential politicians.

He has previously been outspoken in his criticism of Russia buying high-tech weaponry from ab