• Defence Notes

  Russian self-reliance in microelectronics remains a distant dream

  4th May 2021

  A dependence on foreign-made microelectronics remains a critical vulnerability for the Russian defence sector.

• Defence Notes

  Persistent Russians sniff out Saudi opportunities

  9th April 2021

  Russian optimism on arms exports to Saudi Arabia is energised by icier relations between Riyadh and Washington.

• Land Warfare

  Drone-killer ATGM claim may prove an empty boast

  8th March 2021

  How realistic is the idea of developing an anti-tank missile that can also shoot down UAVs?

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Udar evolves with no destination in sight

  3rd March 2021

  What is the next step for the Udar combat UGV, after it has already undergone two redesigns in its short lifetime?

• Land Warfare

  US Army places emphasis on transformational vehicle capabilities

  12th March 2021

  The US Army is intensifying efforts to add advanced capabilities to its next generation of combat vehicles. The army plans to embed the newest sensors and technologies into these platforms, to ensure survivability, mobility, lethality and volume of fire.

• Land Warfare

  Rostec spearheads fourth-generation Sotnik R&D effort

  29th January 2021

  Robotic equipment will form part of the next wave of Russian combat gear.

• Land Warfare

  Russia targets 2023 for Sprut-SDM1 serial production

  2nd February 2021

  The Sprut-SDM1 programme appears to be making headway in Russia — but criticism remains.

• Land Warfare

  Is Russia eyeing Terminator 2 procurement?

  10th February 2021

  Terminator 2 fire support combat vehicle was developed for the export market but it may be attracting domestic interest too.

• Land Warfare

  Questions arise with dysfunctional BMD-4 family

  26th January 2021

  There are a number of reasons for doubting whether the BMD-4 is still a good fit for Russian airborne troops.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Russia plans airborne surveillance radar on rotary-wing UAV

  30th December 2020

  Rostec subsidiary also delivers helicopter UAVs as target drones for Russian Aerospace Forces.

• Air Warfare

  Rostec chief hails imminent arrival of first serial production Su-57

  8th December 2020

  Aircraft to be delivered to Russian Aerospace Forces ‘literally before the end of the year’

• Defence Notes

  US toughens export rules by blacklisting Chinese and Russian firms

  22nd December 2020

  Military End User list comprises 103 companies that pose an ‘unacceptable risk’ of diverting goods to the Chinese, Russian or Venezuelan military.

• Land Warfare

  Active exoskeleton could play role in Russian soldier modernisation

  8th December 2020

  Development of a powered soldier exoskeleton proceeds despite the absence of official requirements.

• Land Warfare

  Questions remain over fate of Armata

  31st December 2020

  The clock is ticking for the Armata programme to hit its delivery target.

• Land Warfare

  Lotos set to begin next trial phase but obstacles lie ahead

  10th December 2020

  The SPG features several advanced capabilities yet there may be delays before it fulfils its promise

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Tanks

  2S25 Sprut-SDM1

  Programme Background The Sprut-SDM1 is an upgraded version of the Sprut-SD, a mere 30 of which were produced for the VDV between 2006 and 2010 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Su-57 (Russia)

  Programme Background The T-50 prototype was shown for the first time at MAKS 2011. Serial production began in August 2018 after a contract was awarded ...

• Tanks

  T-14 Armata (Contracted)

  Programme Background The first contract for 132 Armatas was signed by the Russian MoD in 2015. This will comprise sufficient T-14, T-15 heavy IFV and ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  T-15 Armata (Contracted)

  Programme Background The first contract for 132 Armatas was signed by the Russian MoD in 2015. This will comprise sufficient T-14, T-15 heavy IFV and ...

• Tanks

  T-14 Armata (Forecast)

  Programme Background The first contract for 132 Armatas was signed by the Russian MoD in 2015. This will comprise sufficient T-14, T-15 heavy IFV and ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  T-15 Armata (Forecast)

  Programme Background The first contract for 132 Armatas was signed by the Russian MoD in 2015. This will comprise sufficient T-14, T-15 heavy IFV and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  BAS-750

  The BAS-750, or БАС-750, is a rotary-wing UAS unveiled at Army 2022 by Russian Helicopters. Described as a multifunctional UAV, it can host various payloads to complete several mission ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Loshtina-GUS

  In May 2017, Rostec unveiled a new-generation military satellite-on-the-move system for communications, called Loshtina-GUS. The system is based on Rostec’s R-444-D radio relay system and ...

• Tanks

  2S25 Sprut-SDM1

  Developed by Kurganmashzavod, the 2S25 Sprut-SDM1 is a 125mm-armed tracked self-propelled antitank gun developed to meet the requirements of the Russian Army's Air Assault Forces ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Zemledelie ISDM

  The Zemledelie ISDM (Remote Engineering Mining System) is a truck-mounted MLRS that is specifically designed to sow minefields. Consisting of 50 122mm launch tubes mounted on ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  R-430

  The R-430 radio relay system consists of several types of cross-country communication vehicles that support protected networking and communications in dense electronic threat and jamming ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  BAS-200

  Manufactured by JSC Russian Helicopters, which is part of Rostec, the Bas-200 is a rotary-wing UAS that was first presented at MAKS 2021.  Capable of ...

• Pistols

  Makarov PM/PB/PMM

  The Makarov PM is a compact service pistol, adapted for military and police use in 1951 and still widely used in Russia, former Soviet republics ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Korsar

  The Korsar, or Corsair, is a UAS intended for round-the-clock air reconnaissance, delivering kinetic strikes and carrying payloads. In 2018, plans for the Korsar included upgraded ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Chetak

  The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chetak was the last version of the Alouette III (which first flew in February 1959) to remain in production. More ...

• Tanks

  T-14 Armata

  The 125mm-armed T-14 Armata is the latest MBT to be developed for the Russian Army.  In late 2013, UVZ began trials of early prototype/pre-production models ...

• Self-propelled mortars

  2S42 Lotos

  The 2S42 Lotos (Lotus) is a self-propelled artillery system that is being developed by Rostec subsidiary TsNIITochMash to replace the Russian VDV airborne forces' and ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  T-15 Armata

  The T-15 Armata heavy IFV was first seen publicly during rehearsals for the May Day 2015 parade in Moscow. The T-15 has a diesel power ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Ka-226T

  Kamov’s Ka-226 is a further development of the company’s Ka-26 line of utility helicopters. However, the design has been heavily modernised, and the military Ka-226T ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW189

  Launched in June 2011, the AW189 is the latest-generation, twin-engine, 8t-class helicopter designed to answer the market demand for a versatile, affordable multirole platform. The ...

• Bomber

  Tu-160M

  The Tu-160M is the modernised variant of the original Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber (see separate entry) developed in the 1980s for the Soviet Air Force. It ...