203mm self-propelled howitzer gun artillery tracked armored vehicle Russia The 2S7 Pion M-1975 Description The 2S7 Pion M-1975 (Soviet name SO-203) is a tracked 203mm self-propelled gun designed and manufactured by the Russian defense industry. The 2S7 chassis was developed by the Kirov Factory under the designation of the Obiekt 216, with the gun and mount being developed by the Barrikady plant. The vehicle enters into service with the Russian army in 1975, and it has been referred to as the M-1975 as this is the year when the system was first observed. It is estimated that well over 1,000 of these systems have been completed, although the Russian Federation and many Eastern European countries have also used this vehicle. The 2s7 is still in service with the Russian army reserve forces and other countries in East Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, but production is stopped and it is no longer being marketed. The 2S7 was also used by the Ukrainian armed forces during the conflict of the Pro-Russian rebels. The 2S7 takes 5 to 6 minutes to come into action and 3 to 5 minutes to come out of action. The 2S7M is a modernized version of the previous 2S7 using the same 203mm cannon but with many new improvements. 2S7 main variants: - 2S7M Malka: latest variant equipped with R-173 communications equipment and can carry a total of eight 203 mm projectiles and charges. In addition, the rate of fire is increased from 1.5 to 2.5 rds/min Technical Data Armament The 2S7 Pion M-1975 (SO-203) main armament consists of a 2A44 203mm cannon. The 203 mm barrel has an overall length of 56.2 calibers and weighs a total of 7,800 kg and has a barrel life of about 450 rounds. When traveling, the 203 mm cannon is held in position by a manually operated travel lock mounted on top of the cab. Gun elevation, traverse, loading and operation of the spade are all hydraulic with manual controls for emergency use. Mounted at the very rear of the tracked chassis is a large recoil spade that, when lowered to the ground, provides stability during firing. The gun operator is seated at the rear of the vehicle on the left side and for the engagement of targets has a standard PG-1M panoramic day telescope that is used in conjunction with the K-1 collimator. Ammunition is of the separate loading type, projectile and charge, with a maximum muzzle velocity of 960 m/s. The maximum range, using unassisted ammunition, is 37.5 km. The standard 203 mm HE round is designated the ZOF 43 and weighs 110 kg, with a total of four projectiles and charges being carried on the 2S7 for immediate use. The remainder of the ammunition load is carried by another vehicle, usually a truck. In addition, there is a rocket-assisted high-explosive projectile that weighs 103 kg and has a maximum range of 47,500 m. Design and protection The chassis of the 2S7 Pion M-1975 (SO-203) is of all-welded steel armor construction that provides protection against the firing of small arms and shell splinters. It is divided into four compartments: driver, engine, crew, and rear compartment. When traveling, the commander, gunner, and driver/mechanic are seated in the driver's compartment at the front of the vehicle. The commander and driver are each provided with a circular roof hatch and in front of these are day periscopes for forwarding observation. At the front of the crew compartment, there is two small windows that can be covered by an armored shutter hinged at the top. To the rear of the engine is another crew compartment for the remaining four crew members who enter the vehicle via two circular roof hatches. Mobility The 2S7 Pion M-1975 (SO-203) is motorized with a V-46-I V-12 liquid-cooled diesel engine coupled to a manual transmission with eight speeds. The engine is located at the rear of the crew compartment cab. The suspension of the 2S7 Pion consists of seven dual rubber-tired road wheels on either side, with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear, and six track-return rollers that support the inside of the track only. Shock-absorbers are provided for the first, second, third, sixth,, and seventh road wheel stations. When deployed in the firing position, the chassis is lowered at the rear to help provide a more stable firing platform. The 2S7 can run at a maximum road speed of 50 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 600M The vehicle can cross a vertical obstacle of 0.7 m and trench of 2.5 m. Accessories Standard equipment of the 2S7 Pion M-1975 (SO-203) includes an NBC system of the over pressure type, heater, a 24 hp 9R4-6U2 auxiliary power unit, and night vision equipment. The 2S7 is provided with an ammunition handling system that enables a rate of fire of 2 rds/min to be achieved, this being operated by the loader. https://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_army_vehicles_system_artillery_uk/2s7_pion_m-1975_so-203_203mm_self-propelled_gun_technical_data_sheet_specifications_intelligence_description_pictures_video.html

Aviation Defense News February 2022 aerospace air force industry Posted On Friday, 11 February 2022 15:01 A new communication system is being designed for interaction of Su-30SM2 fighter jets with drones, the Izvestia daily writes. Okhotnik S-70 (Picture source: Russian MoD) Prospective communications “Naval Su-30SM2 will be able to exchange information with drones and control them. The aircraft will detect and attack the adversary at a distance of hundreds and thousands kilometers,” the newspaper writes. It is due to a data exchange system installed on the fighter jet. The data exchange system of Su-30SM2 will be unified with the uniform communications, data exchange, navigation and identification system (OSNOD) of Su-57 fighter jet. Head of the scientific and technical center of Polyot enterprise Alexey Ratner told TASS “OSNOD has been designed for a long time and has operated several generations. Su-57 modification was designed exactly for the aircraft.” The system will be installed on Su-30SM during an upgrade. OSNOD will help the crew coordinate actions with prospective Russian drones, including S-70 Okhotnik. OSNOD was designed for big data exchange between air, ground and sea forces. It can be carried by various aircraft, warships and mobile and stationary ground vehicles. OSNOD has a high carrying capacity of the channels and its components are easy to exchange. Ratner said “it ensures constant crypto protection and makes interception of messages senseless. It is one of the most jam-resistant communication systems at present.” Drone, jet interaction Russia has been engaged in research of the joint engagement of fighter jets and drones for a long time. OSNOD for Su-57 and its modification for Su-30SM2 promote interaction with prospective Okhotnik heavy drone. Su-57 has already operated with it. The first flight took place in September 2019 and tested the interaction of aircraft. The Defense Ministry said the test flight “expanded the radar field of the fighter jet and guidance for air weapons.” A full-fledged interaction between a fighter jet and a drone will increase the capabilities of the strike aviation. The United Aircraft Corporation told TASS the joint engagement will make the drones fulfill a whole set of missions and fight air and ground targets by the commands of the manned aircraft. OSNOD will help the pilot control four Okhotnik drones. Okhotnik Okhotnik S-70 was designed by the Sukhoi Bureau with a tailless scheme and stealth technologies. Open sources said the takeoff weight is 20 tons and the maximum speed is close to 1000 km/h. Batch supplies are expected in 2024. Okhotnik made the maiden flight on August 3, 2019. It lasted over 20 minutes under the control of the operator. https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2022-news-aviation-aerospace/february/8183-su-30sm2-to-interact-with-drones.html

Defense News February 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Wednesday, 09 February 2022 15:29 The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Jordan of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) Alternate Warhead (AW) Unitary Rocket Pods and related equipment for an estimated cost of $70 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. GMLRS rocket fired from M270 (Picture source: Lockheed Martin) The Government of Jordan has requested to buy 114 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary High Explosive (HE) Tri-Mode Fuze (GMLRS-U) (M31) Rockets; and 114 Reduced Range Practice Rockets (RRPR). Also included is support equipment; publications and technical data; personnel training and equipment; systems integration support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $70 million. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Dallas, TX. Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Jordan. The MLRS Family of Munitions (MFOM) includes a variety of precision-strike rockets and missiles, with on-going evolutionary development to meet the needs of the warfighter. These combat-proven low-cost, low-risk rounds greatly reduce collateral damage and provide tremendous capability and flexibility in addressing today’s threats. Guided MLRS Specifics: • Persistent, responsive, all-weather, rapidly-deployable, long-range, surface-to-surface, precision-strike capability • Fired from both the MLRS M270 family of launchers and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers • 6 Guided MLRS rockets per launch pod, with 2 pods carried by the M270 launchers and 1 pod carried by the HIMARS launchers • More than 40,000 Guided MLRS rockets produced to date and climbing • Guided MLRS rockets have a reliability rating exceeding 98 percent Current Guided MLRS variants include: • Guided MLRS Unitary: The combat-proven Guided MLRS Unitary round integrates a 200-pound unitary warhead, providing a precision strike for point targets. The Unitary variant has a range exceeding 70 kilometers. • Guided MLRS Alternative Warhead (AW): The Guided MLRS AW round was the first munition developed to service area targets without the effects of unexploded ordnance, complying with the U.S. Department of Defense cluster munitions policy and international policies. The AW variant has a range exceeding 70 kilometers and delivers a 200-pound class fragmenting warhead. • Extended-Range (ER) Guided MLRS: A new developmental variation of the Guided MLRS family, ER GMLRS offers an extended range out to 150 kilometers in all weather conditions. ER GMLRS shares significant commonality with legacy Guided MLRS, and is deployable by M142 HIMARS and the MLRS M270 family of launchers. The rounds incorporate a larger motor and have enhanced maneuverability due to tail-driven control. Alternative Warhead Program In April 2012, Lockheed Martin received a $79.4 million contract to develop a GMLRS incorporating an Alliant Techsystems-designed alternative warhead to replace DPICM cluster warheads. The AW version is designed as a drop-in replacement with little modification needed to existing rockets. An Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) program was to last 36 months, with the alternative warhead GMLRS expected to enter service in late 2016. The AW warhead is a large airburst fragmentation warhead that explodes 30 ft (9.1 m) over a target area to disperse penetrating projectiles. Considerable damage is caused to a large area while leaving behind only solid metal penetrators and inert rocket fragments from a 90 kg (200 lb) warhead containing approximately 182,000 preformed tungsten fragments. The unitary GMLRS also has an airburst option, but while it produces a large blast and pieces of shrapnel, the AW round's small pellets cover a larger area. On 22 May 2013, Lockheed and ATK test-fired a GMLRS rocket with a new cluster munition warhead developed under the Alternative Warhead Program (AWP), aimed at producing a drop-in replacement for DPICM bomblets in M30 guided rockets. It was fired by an M142 HIMARS and traveled 35 km (22 mi) before detonating. The AWP warhead will have an equal or greater effect against materiel and personnel targets while leaving no unexploded ordnance behind. On 23 October 2013, Lockheed conducted the third and final engineering development test flight of the GMLRS alternative warhead. Three rockets were fired from 17 kilometers (11 mi) away and destroyed their ground targets. The Alternative Warhead Program then moved to production qualification testing. The fifth and final Production Qualification Test (PQT) for the AW GMLRS was conducted in April 2014, firing four rockets from a HIMARS at targets 65 kilometers (40 mi) away. On 28 July 2014, Lockheed successfully completed all Developmental Test/Operational Test (DT/OT) flight tests for the AW GMLRS. They were the first tests conducted with soldiers operating the fire control system, firing rockets at mid and long-range from a HIMARS. The Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) exercise was to be conducted in fall 2014. On 15 September 2015, Lockheed received a contract for Lot 10 production of the GMLRS unitary rocket, which includes the first order for AW production. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_february_2022_global_security_army_industry/jordan_to_buy_gmlrs_guided_multiple_launch_rocket_systems_alternate_warhead_unitary_rocket_pods.html

Naval News February 2022 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry Posted On Wednesday, 02 February 2022 11:44 According to information published by the U.S. Ministry of Defense on February 1, 2022, the U.S. Navy will send the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole to partner with the UAE Navy before making a port call in Abu Dhabi. Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (Picture source: U.S. MoD) On January 17, 2022, a terrorist attack against three oil tanker trucks and an under-construction airport extension infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates was carried out by the Houthi movement using drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. USS Cole (DDG-67) is an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyer home-ported in Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Cole was launched on 10 February 1995 and commissioned on 8 June 1996 in Port Everglades, Florida. The Arleigh Burke-class of guided missile destroyers (DDGs) is a United States Navy class of destroyer built around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multifunction passive electronically scanned array radar. These warships were designed as multi-mission destroyers, able to fulfill the strategic land strike role with Tomahawk missiles; anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) role with powerful Aegis radar and surface-to-air missiles; anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with towed sonar array, anti-submarine rockets, and ASW helicopter; and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) with Harpoon missile launcher. https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2022/february/11347-us-navy-send-arleigh-burke-class-destroyer-uss-cole-to-assist-uae.html

Defense News February 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Friday, 04 February 2022 10:55 Saab Giraffe 4A radar Lockheed Martin is partnering with Saab and Diehl on the Falcon air defense system, which is effective against small- and medium-range air threats (Picture source: Saab) Hence, the UAE is said to be interested in the Falcon short and medium-range air defense system unveiled at IDEX 2019 (Abu Dhabi) by an industry team consisting of Lockheed Martin, Saab, and Diehl Defence. The three companies were then aiming for the Falcon to replace the UAE’s aging MIM-23 Hawk air defense systems, Defense News reported then. The open architecture of the Falcon weapon system supports easy integration into any air operations center. Let us recall that the U.S. had phased out its MIM-23 Hawk system in 1994 in favor of the longer-ranged but somewhat less flexible MIM-104 Patriot missile. Falcon uses Lockheed Martin’s Sky-Keeper command and control battle manager, with an integrated 40km range Infrared Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled (IRIS-T) SLM interceptor and vertical launcher developed by Diehl Defence and Saab’s 360° AESA Giraffe 4A radar. Diehl’s IRIS-T-SLM (Infrared Imaging System - Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled - Surface-Launched, Medium-Range), derived from the IRIS-T air-to-air missile, is the system’s active component. With a 40km range and 20km altitude ceiling, a high-explosive fragmentation (HE-F) warhead and an impact/radar proximity fuze, the missile sits between longer-ranged systems such as the MIM-104 Patriot (70-160km range depending on the version; 24km altitude ceiling) and short-range missiles such as the FIM-92 Stinger (under 8km range) in terms of capability. The Giraffe 4A radar provides the Tactical Operations Center with continuous updates on the location of all tracked targets. Being a multi-functional radar means it provides a simultaneous picture of airborne tracks, “sense and warn” of incoming rockets and mortars and targeting data for the Sky-keeper missile system C2. In addition, the G4A is capable (one of the few sensors in its class to do so) of precisely tracking the target-bound interceptor in flight, as well as the target. Falcon short and medium-range air defense solution (Picture source: Lockheed Martin) https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_february_2022_global_security_army_industry/uae_interested_to_acquire_falcon_air_defense_system_to_counter_houthi_aerial_threats.html

By Dylan Malyasov Feb 8, 2022 Russia has not let up with a military build-up along the border with Ukraine and deployed to border areas its 203-mm self-propelled guns, that could fire tactical nuclear shells. Social media users posted videos showing 2S7 Pion self-propelled artillery guns at Vesela Lopan, Belgorod region, just 17 kilometers (10 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Some experts said that this ic. could be an upgrade version of an artillery system, called 2S7M “Malka”. The 2S7 self-propelled gun, known popularly as the “Soviet atomic cannon”, can carry up to four 203 mm nuclear shells that could eliminate targets at a range of 37.5 km. According to GlobalSecurity.org, 2C7 “Peony” is designed to suppress and eliminate nuclear weapons (SJA), artillery, mortars, equipment, rear, command posts, enemy manpower. The main purpose of this self-propelled gun, which went into operation in 1975, was the suppression of enemy rear lines, the destruction of particularly important nuclear weapons and facilities in tactical depths up to 50 kilometers away. The 2S7 ‘Pion’ self-propelled gun developed in the 1980s and still considered as one of the most powerful cannons in the world. On top of that, Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday warned a nuclear war could break out if Ukraine joins NATO and accused the West of ‘complete disregard for our concerns’ hours after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Moscow. https://defence-blog.com/russian-atomic-cannons-move-closer-to-ukraine-border/

Analysis focus army defence military industry army Posted On Thursday, 03 February 2022 09:55 The United States will move approximately 3,000 service members to Romania, Poland and Germany in response to Russia's continuing build-up of forces on its western border with Ukraine and in Belarus, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said on February 2 during a news conference. Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said a 1,000-member Army Stryker squadron will deploy to Romania from Germany (Picture source: DVIDS) The move demonstrates America's commitment to the defense of NATO allies, Kirby said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has deployed a full range of military capabilities on its western border. While U.S. officials still believe Putin has not made up his mind to invade Ukraine again, he certainly has the capabilities needed to do so, the press secretary said. "The current situation demands that we reinforce the deterrent and defensive posture on NATO's eastern flank," Kirby said. "President [Joe] Biden has been clear that the United States will respond to the growing threat to Europe's security and stability. Our commitment to NATO Article Five and collective defense remains ironclad". Kirby stressed these deployments are prudent and temporary and done in consultation with European allies. He stressed that the forces are not going to fight in Ukraine. "They're going to ensure the robust defense of our NATO allies," he said, adding that these deployments are in addition to the prepare-to-deploy orders that Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III gave to 8,500 service members last month. Those troops are not involved in this movement. Kirby said a 1,000-member Army Stryker squadron will deploy to Romania from Germany. They will join roughly 900 U.S. service members already in that country. "This force is designed to deter aggression and enhance our defensive capabilities in frontline allied states," he said. The troops will begin moving out in a couple of days. The deployment is at the express invitation of the Romanian government. The United States is also sending about 2,000 troops from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Europe in the next few days, Kirby said. "The 82nd Airborne Division is deploying components of an infantry brigade combat team and key enablers to Poland, and the 18th Airborne Corps is moving a joint-task-force-capable headquarters to Germany," he said. "Collectively, this force is trained and equipped for a variety of missions to deter aggression and to reassure and to defend our allies. Not surprisingly, we work very closely with our Polish and German allies to set the stage for these movements, and we absolutely appreciate their support." The situation in the region is fluid and the United States will continue to review force posture, "and we will make adjustments as the situation warrants," Kirby said. The United States is not the only nation beefing up troop presence in the front-line states. Kirby noted French President Emmanuel Macron also announced sending units to Romania and that Spain, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are also consulting with allies to deploy forces to reinforce NATO's eastern flank. The United States already has "robust capabilities" in Europe with about 80,000 troops. The U.S. forces join hundreds of thousands of European service members to defend the continent. "We stand united," Kirby said. "These movements are unmistakable signals to the world that we stand ready to reassure our NATO allies to deter and defend against any aggression." U.S. soldier fires FGM-148 Javelin antitank missile, Grafenwoehr Training Area, Aug. 21, 2019 (Picture source: DVIDS) https://www.armyrecognition.com/analysis_focus_army_defence_military_industry_army/us_to_deploy_3000_additional_troops_to_romania_poland_and_germany.html

Analysis focus army defence military industry army Posted On Thursday, 03 February 2022 16:42 Daily Sabah, grounding its info from various sources, reports that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern Thursday (February 3) that Russia is continuing its military buildup around Ukraine, pointing that Moscow has now deployed more troops and military equipment to Belarus than at any time in the last 30 years. BMPT "Terminator" Tank Support Vehicles (Picture source: Russian MoD) More high-level diplomacy was expected in Moscow and Kyiv amid deep uncertainty of Russia’s intentions. Russia now has more than 100,000 troops stationed near Ukraine’s northern and eastern borders, raising concern that Moscow might invade again, as it did in 2014, and destabilize the Ukrainian economy. Russian officials deny that an invasion is planned. "Over the last days, we have seen a significant movement of Russian military forces into Belarus. This is the biggest Russian deployment there since the Cold War”, NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels. He said that Russian troop numbers in Belarus are likely to climb to 30,000, with the backing of special forces, high-end fighter jets, Iskander short-range ballistic missiles, and S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Minsk on Thursday, February 3, to check on preparations for major Russia-Belarus wargames scheduled for Feb. 10-20. Shoigu met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Speaking about the drills, Lukashenko said the goal was "to reinforce the border with Ukraine.” Stoltenberg welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision on Wednesday to send 2,000 United States-based troops to Poland and Germany and shift 1,000 more from Germany to Romania, demonstrating to both allies and foes Washington's commitment to NATO’s eastern flank. https://www.armyrecognition.com/analysis_focus_army_defence_military_industry_army/russia_moves_30000_troops_and_military_equipment_to_belarus.html

Defense News February 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Friday, 04 February 2022 10:52 According to a video published by the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) on February 3, 2022, Russia confirms the arrival of S-400 air defense missile systems in Belarus and will conduct military training exercises in a training ground area in the Brest region, near the border with Ukraine. Russian soldiers unload vehicles part of the S-400 air defense missile system in an undisclosed area in Belarus. (Picture source Print Screen Video Footage Russian MoD) Citing information from the Russian MoD, the S-400 air defense missile systems will be deployed in a training ground area in the Brest region which is located in the southwestern part of Belarus, bordering the Podlasie and Lublin regions of Poland on the west, the Volyn Oblast and Rivne Oblast of Ukraine on the south, the Grodno Region and Minsk Region on the north, and Gomel Region on the east. The Russian S-400 will conduct training exercises in the framework of the Unified Regional Air Defense System of Belarus and Russia with the goal to strengthen the Russian-BelarusianUnion State's Unified Regional Air-Defense System (URADS). Russia's defense ministry reported in January 2022, that it was transferring of two battalions of the air defense missile system S-400 Triumf from Russia's Eastern Military District’s Air Force and Air Defense Army to Belarus. The missile systems will participate in Belarus' and Russia's recently announced military exercises "Allied Resolve". The S-400 is a long-range air defense missile system that is designed to intercept cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, stealth aircraft, and electronic warfare aircraft. The system is considered the most modern and powerful air defense system in the inventory of the Russian Armed Forces. The S-400 is a semi-mobile air defense missile system and all the components are based on truck chassis. Different platforms and launching vehicles in the system are carried by trucks. They are deployed and installed at an appropriate position to start operating. The system comprised of these different platforms can be integrated into the air defense command control network, share the target data obtained and use the information from it. The S-400 Triumf is able to destroy cruise missiles and other types of missiles, including precision-guided ones, as well as AWACS aircraft, at ranges of up to 400 km. It can also detect stealth aircraft and other targets at all altitudes of up to 30 km and at a maximum range of 400 km. This air defense missile system can simultaneously engage 36 targets. An S-400 battery includes a 30K6E battle command system, up to 6 TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher) vehicles each with four missiles ready to be fired and the 55K6E command control unit and 91N6E search radar which has a range of around 600 km. The aerial threats are detected by the 91N6E radar and tracked by 92N6E engagement and launching control radar. Citing open sources information, the 92N6E radar has a range of around 340 km. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_february_2022_global_security_army_industry/russia_deploys_s-400_missile_systems_in_belarus_to_conduct_exercise_near_ukraine_border.html

By Dylan Malyasov Jan 11, 2022 Russia has continued to amass new troops near Ukraine’s border in recent days amid the Kremlin’s warning of military response to NATO’s expanding eastward. Citing American officials, The New York Times reported that the Russian military has positioned additional attack aircraft around the Ukraine border. According to The New York Times, attack and transport helicopters, along with ground attack fighter jets, would be a critical Russian advantage, should Moscow decide to invade Ukraine. As CNN previously reported, more Russian military units have been sent to the border area in recent days. Ukrainian officials fear the current military context could foreshadow a repeat of Russian moves that led to Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. https://defence-blog.com/russia-moves-additional-attack-aircraft-to-ukraine-border/

By Dylan Malyasov Jan 18, 2022 Russia has sent additional troops to Belarus for joint drills starting in February, according to Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin. “A situation may emerge when the regional group’s forces and capabilities are not sufficient for reliably ensuring the Union State’s security and we must be ready for its reinforcement. An agreement has been reached jointly with the Belarusian side that it will be necessary to engage the State’s entire military potential for joint defense,” Fomin told a briefing for foreign military diplomats. According to Alexander Fomin, a variety of joint operations for neutralizing threats and risks of destabilization on the borders of Russia and Belarus will be practiced during an exercise of the Union State’s joint reaction force. “The presidents of Russia and Belarus agreed to hold this exercise back last December. The presidents made a decision to carry out an early check of the troops’ readiness for maintaining military security and to practice various scenarios of joint operations to neutralize threats and destabilization risks on the border of the Union State,” Fomin told a news briefing for foreign military attaches. The upcoming joint military exercises, named United Resolve, are to take place amid soaring tensions between East and West over Ukraine. Russian military forces and hardware had already begun arriving in Belarus and these threaten a potential invasion that could unleash the largest conflict in Europe for decades. https://defence-blog.com/russia-sending-more-troops-to-belarus-for-joint-military-drills-near-ukraine-border/

1. 1,200 Russian paratroopers and fighters are maneuvering in Crimea By TOC on Dec 24, 2021 MOSCOW, ($1=73.17 Russian Rubles) – On December 24, flight tactical exercises with fighters took place against the background of maneuvers that 1200 paratroopers are conducting in the Crimea and Krasnodar Territory. The military exercises of the Russian paratroopers are carried out under the leadership of the Commander of the Airborne Forces, Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov. Bulgarian Military.com has learned this information from the Information and Mass Communications Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. “Initial, battalion tactical exercises with an assault battalion and reinforcements have been conducted,” the Russian military told Interfax. At the training ground, as indicated, in practical exercises, combat training tasks are performed by tactical groups in the offensive using reconnaissance forces and means to identify objects of a conventional enemy to organize its defeat with standard artillery and attached means. The actions of a mobile team to combat UAVs were also demonstrated. “In the course of solving the tasks of combat training, the paratroopers hit conditional targets, denoting UAVs to a potential adversary. The shooting was carried out with standard small arms and airborne combat vehicles BMD-2K-AU, anti-aircraft guns ZU-23, and MANPADS Verba. Also from three firing positions were worked out the actions of artillery units, heavy fire-throwing systems TOS-1A “Solntsepek” and self-propelled artillery guns 2 C-9 Nona, which suppress firing points, places of concentration, and command positions of the conditional opponent,” explained the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The Flame-Thrower TOS-1A With the support of the mobility squad, consisting of standard and attached engineering troops, rapid advance and blockade of the areas by airborne units was ensured. In addition, the ministry said that as part of the dynamic display of the collection was demonstrated the work of an automated controlled payload platform, which was lowered from the AN-26 aircraft of the Russian Air Force at a distance of 5 km from the landing site from an altitude of 2500m and landed at the intended point. A total of more than 250 units of military equipment are taking part in a gathering of airborne forces at the Opuk test site in Crimea and the Raevski test site near the town of Novorossiysk in the Krasnodar Territory. Russian fighters moved to Crimea The Su-27SM3 and Su-30M2 fighters from the Southern Military District [SWO] during tactical flying exercises [LTU] worked out the relocation of aircraft to operational airports in Crimea from the Krasnodar region, the Black Sea Fleet [BSF] announced also. “The crews of the multi-role fighters Su-27SM3 and Su-30M2 from the mixed aviation formation of the Southern Military District, stationed in the Krasnodar region, have worked out the rerouting of aircraft to operational airports,” it was reported. “The relocation has taken place at various airports in the Southern Military District area of ​​responsibility, including airports in Crimea, where temporary refueling points for aviation equipment, as well as parking areas and work areas for aviation weapons specialists, are located,” reported by the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet. According to him, during the LTU “the crews completed accelerated preparation of combat vehicles for take-off and performed paired synchronous take-offs.” In addition, during the flights, “the pilots worked out the tasks to repel the attack of the imaginary enemy bombers at these airports,” it is reported. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2021/12/24/1200-russian-paratroopers-and-fighters-are-maneuvering-in-crimea/