Alex Orlov

Author

Alex Orlov is a freelance journalist based in Helsinki.

Latest news

China and Iran look beyond Russian market for UAS and precision weapon exports

Chinese and Iranian firms unveiled new UAS and smart munitions at Army-2023, claiming they reflected lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict and were attracting international interest.

Russia's UVZ makes new push to convert outdated T-72 tanks to BMPT 'Terminators'

Russia's UralVagonZavod (UVZ) is offering the conversion of older T-72 main battle tanks (MBTs) into BMPT-72 'Terminator'-style fire support vehicles. According to UVZ, this offering is primarily intended for international customers who possess ageing fleets of the tank.

Land Warfare

New Russian 8x8 armoured vehicle breaks cover at Army-2023 event

Russia's VPK (Military Industrial Company) presented a new 8x8 platform during the Army-2023 show near Moscow earlier in August. While the vehicle was displayed under the designation BTR-82A (Advanced), Shephard has established that it is not an upgraded version of the venerable BTR-82 platform, but a completely new design.

Defence Notes

Russia to restructure military production and supply chain

Russia's Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu revealed plans for 2023-2025 during the ministry's annual collegium session on 30 November.

Defence Notes

Russia to restructure military production and supply chain

20th December 2022

Russia's Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu revealed plans for 2023-2025 during the ministry's annual collegium session on 30 November.

Defence Notes

What Russia's defence budget means for the Ukraine conflict

16th December 2022

Russia is increasing spending significantly compared to previous expectations, with some 9.4 trillion roubles allocated for 2023 across defence and national security.

Land Warfare

Does new Russian equipment sighted in Ukraine reflect expediency or policy shifts?

8th November 2022

Deployment of new equipment to Ukraine may reflect efforts by the Russian defence industry to overcome materiel shortages, while buying time for restructuring and adjusting to new conditions.

Air Warfare

Russia turns to creative solutions to fill UAV capability gaps

24th October 2022

Deals with Iran and using regional government funds to bypass traditional defence procurement channels are some of the ways Russia is trying to fill its qualitative and quantitative drone capability gaps.

Land Warfare

Army-2022: New Russian recon vehicles displayed, but capability gap remains

25th August 2022

VPK displayed a new variant of its developmental BRM reconnaissance vehicle, while UVZ exhibited an upgraded version of the BRM-1K. Neither seem viable candidates for filling situational awareness capability gaps for Russian mechanised infantry units.

Land Warfare

Army-2022: Russian military moves to address artillery weaknesses

22nd August 2022

Russia is commencing series production of three new artillery systems and a specialised reconnaissance vehicle to address weaknesses highlighted by operational experience in Ukraine.

Land Warfare

Army 2022: Russia seeks to apply experience from Ukraine war to improve medium armour

18th August 2022

Will Russian manufacturers be able to correct inherent IFV design deficiencies that have been exposed during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine?

Defence Notes

Ukraine conflict prompts precision strike and artillery shift in the Baltics

5th August 2022

The Baltic states are fine-tuning their pre-war defence procurement plans following lessons learned from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, with a renewed focus on long-range and precision fire capabilities.

Uncrewed Vehicles

Claims of Iran drone deal highlight Russia's UAS capability gaps

2nd August 2022

The US National Security Advisor's statement about the supply of Iranian drones to Russia has sparked considerable attention, but is this deal viable and really wanted by Moscow?

Uncrewed Vehicles

Russia employs Prokhod-1 UGV for mine-clearance in Ukraine

29th July 2022

Russian heavy UGV appears for the first time in Ukraine.

Land Warfare

Russia claims combat debut in Ukraine for Koalitsiya SPH

21st July 2022

Russian forces have reportedly employed the Koalitsiya SPH in Ukraine. If true, this marks the first combat use of the most modern and sophisticated artillery system in Moscow’s arsenal.