Naval Warfare
Estonia ploughs on with coastal defence upgrade
Joint procurement of anti-ship missiles has fallen flat, but a recent demonstration illustrates how keen Estonia is to overhaul its coastal defence systems.
Naval Warfare
Rokot combines multiple shipboard communications capabilites
Unified communications platform is already being installed on Russian Coast Guard vessels.
Air Warfare
Su-30SM2s are destined for Baltic duties
Two dozen Su-30SM2 fighters will be delivered to the Russian Navy by late 2022, mainly to the Kaliningrad Oblast where they will replace ageing Su-27s.
Naval Warfare
Baltic states hope for joint naval procurement
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania want to develop joint naval procurement programmes — but for the time being, they must focus instead on upgrading existing platforms or buying second-hand vessels.
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Naval Warfare
Russians aim to prove size matters with Belgorod
30th March 2021
Almost 30 years after it was laid down, the longest nuclear-powered submarine in the world is scheduled to start state trials in May. Is it a case of 'better late than never'?
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Land Warfare
Russia looks north with Nabrosok
26th March 2021
R&D programme includes four self-propelled artillery systems for use in Arctic conditions, as Russia becomes more assertive in the region.
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Naval Warfare
Capability gaps hamper Varan aircraft carrier
17th February 2021
A somewhat unfamiliar design — and the lack in Russia of a carrier-based AWACS capability — suggest that the Nevsky Design Bureau has bitten off more than it can chew.
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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.
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Land Warfare
Russian redcaps put Patrol on the road
20th January 2021
Armoured and mine-resistant vehicle is being rolled out to Russian military police for use in foreign operations.
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Air Warfare
Georgia eyes domestic production of UAVs and Su-25s
19th January 2021
While the Georgian MoD has made clear its ambitions, realising them may prove more complicated.
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Naval Warfare
Bulk buy of BK-16 looms for Russia
8th January 2021
New high-speed landing boats are expected for the Russian Navy and Coast Guard in 2021.
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Defence Notes
Russia expects Prometheus to breathe added fire into air and missile defence
5th January 2021
S-500 features enhanced radar and missile capabilities including warheads to hit space targets.
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Air Warfare
Ukraine aims high with aviation modernisation plan
22nd December 2020
Ukraine's Soviet-era combat aircraft fleet is overdue for modernisation, as Kiev seeks to spend big on buying from Western suppliers.
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Defence Helicopter
China remains drawn to Russian helicopters
12th November 2020
Development of indigenous helicopter types has not stopped Beijing from buying Russian-made military helicopters
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Land Warfare
Russia could buy Manul in 2021-2022
4th November 2020
There is potential for procurement of an initial 30 vehicles
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Defence Notes
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict adds extra motivation for Georgian procurement
21st October 2020
The ex-Soviet republic aims for a rapid overhaul of its equipment inventory to NATO standard, but this may actually turn out to be an expensive and lengthy process
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Air Warfare
Russia continues quest for sixth-generation fighter
30th September 2020
Recent public remarks from Anatoly Serdyukov, head of the aviation cluster in Russian defence conglomerate Rostec, indicate that a sixth-generation fighter aircraft for Russia will …
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Training
Ukraine grasps naval training support from UK
15th September 2020
The UK is to lead an international training programme for the Ukrainian Navy, which requires new equipment and systems to recover from a period of …
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Land Warfare
Baltic armies continue to modernise with a wary eye on Russia
7th September 2020
The Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania may accelerate their rearmament programmes by developing their own weapon systems as well as procuring them from …
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Defence Notes
Ukraine leans on US to build military capability
17th July 2020
Ukraine continues to expand its armed forces with the help of the US, with the acquisition late last year of additional Javelin antitank missiles being …
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Defence Notes
Inherent pitfalls remain as Russia aims to seize potential of lasers
6th July 2020
Russia plans to accelerate work in the next few years to develop new laser weapons for its armed forces, according to recent statements from MoD …
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Naval Warfare
Russia pushes on with domestic alternative to Mistral
10th June 2020
The Russian MoD has signed a contract worth an estimated RUB100 billion ($1.43 billion) to build two helicopter carriers for the country’s navy, in a programme …
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Defence Notes
Russia eyes new bases to project global power
26th May 2020
Recent statements from senior military commanders, as well as insight gleaned by Shephard from military analysts, indicate that Russia is intent on expanding and reinforcing …
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Training
Russia maintains training tempo after NATO rebuffs “offer” to freeze drills
12th May 2020
Russia will conduct military training exercises as scheduled for the rest of 2020, after officials said NATO rejected a suggestion to mutually halt drills in …
