Spy Plane Interception And New Equipment For Strategic Bombers: Military-Related Developments In Russia On August 12-13
A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a US RC-135 reconnaissance plane and a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft over the Black Sea, Russia’s National Defence Management Centre said. Further north, the Baltic Fleet forces completed their participation in the Russian Navy’s Oceanic Shield-2020 maneuvers that ran at naval ranges of the Baltic and North seas.
According to the National Defence Management Centre’s statement, earlier on Wednesday Russian airspace control systems detected two aerial targets flying over neutral waters of the Black Sea towards Russia’s border.
“A Su-27 fighter jet of the Southern Military District’s air defence alert unit was scrambled to identify the targets. The Russian aircraft approached both planes at a safe distance and identified them as a RC-135 reconnaissance plane of the US Air Force and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane of the US Navy.”
The National Defence Management Centre pointed out that the mission was carried out in strict compliance with international rules for the use of airspace, and that the US planes were prevented from violating Russia’s airspace. LINK
Also on Wednesday, Aerospace Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant-General Sergei Dronov announced that Russia’s Aerospace Force will get the latest Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets and Il-76MD-90A military transport planes by the end of the year.
“Defence enterprises are delivering new aircraft to the Aerospace Force. In 2020, they have already delivered Su-34 and Su-35S combat planes, Yak-130 and L-410UVP-E20 combat training aircraft, Mi-8 and Mi-28 helicopters in various modifications. Until the end of this year, the delivery of Il-76MD-90A and Su-57 aircraft is planned.”
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier said that the ministry had signed a contract on 76 Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets.
Russia’s Defence Ministry has also launched work this year to develop the aerodrome network for the Russian Armed Forces: repairs are planned to be completed at 14 airfields in 2020 and their number will grow to over 100 by 2027, the Aerospace Force deputy chief said.
“In the first place, the works will be carried out at the aerodromes for advanced missile-carrying aircraft, the combat duty of strategic missile-carrying bombers, including in the Arctic zone, and the airfields of operational-tactical aviation.”
The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter designed to destroy all types of air, ground and naval targets. The Su-57 fighter jet features stealth technology with the broad use of composite materials, is capable of developing supersonic cruising speed and is furnished with the most advanced onboard radio-electronic equipment. The Su-57 took to the skies for the first time on 29 January 2010.
The plane’s armament will include hypersonic missiles. The fifth-generation fighter jet has been successfully tested in combat conditions in Syria. LINK
In a separate development, the Baltic Fleet forces completed their participation in the Russian Navy’s Oceanic Shield-2020 manoeuvres that took place at naval ranges of the Baltic and North seas, the Fleet’s press office reported.
The naval exercises involved over 20 Baltic Fleet ships and support vessels: Project 20380 corvettes, amphibious assault ships, small missile ships, missile boats and other craft, the statement says.
The Fleet’s forces practiced anti-submarine warfare and air defence, mine countermeasures and anti-saboteur operations and held artillery firings of various complexity against air and sea targets. Aircraft and helicopters of the Fleet’s naval aviation provided support for the ships in accomplishing combat training missions, according to the statement.
At the Khmelyovka training range on the Baltic coast near Kaliningrad, the Baltic Fleet carried out a large-scale operation of its multi-service grouping to land an amphibious assault force. The operation involved up to 20 surface ships, support vessels and boats, 18 aircraft and helicopters of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation, over 30 items of combat hardware of marine infantry and engineering units and approximately 2,000 personnel. LINK
Finally, the press office of Ruselectronics Group (part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) announced that the upgraded Tu-160M2 and Tu-22M3M strategic missile-carrying bombers will get new communications systems based on the platform for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter.
As its main advantages, it is characterized by high reliability, rapid information transmission, a small weight and energy efficiency. The latest communications system is currently being developed by specialists of the Polyot Research and Production Company within Ruselectronics Group and is already undergoing flight tests.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in January 2019 that the troops would receive four new Tu-160M2 strategic bombers by 2023.
The Tupolev Aircraft Company is simultaneously upgrading Tu-22M3 bombers to the Tu-22M3M level with considerably improved combat capabilities. LINK
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
- US strategic bombers trained for strikes on Russia when they were intercepted over the Black Sea
- As NATO Plots Black Sea Dominance, Ukraine Joins The Fray
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