Armata T-15 and Kurganets-25 IFV to get 57mm Au-220M Baikal remotely operated turret with smart ammunition

How Smart Will the Armata’s Smart Munitions Be? ‘Really Smart’

21:51 21.02.2017(updated 22:01 21.02.2017)

On Monday, Tekhmash, the Russian defense firm developing shells for the Armata T-15 and Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicles, announced that new ‘smart ammunition’ will be created for the armored vehicles by 2018. Speaking to Sputnik, military writer Viktor Baranets took note of the expected features of these smart shells.

Speaking to RIA Novosti on the sidelines of the IDEX-2017 defense exhibition in the UAE on Monday, Tekhmash director Sergei Rusakov said that new smart munitions for Russia’s Armata Universal Combat Platform-based armored vehicles would be ready starting in 2018, the same year that the mass rollout of the T-14 next-generation main battle tank is expected to start.

The company earlier announced that preliminary testing was underway for new smart rounds for the 57mm Au-220M Baikal remotely operated turret, which can be mounted on the Armata T-15 heavy infantry fighting vehicle and the Kurganets-25 family of IFVs, as well as the Bumerang amphibious armored personnel carrier, another new Russian armored vehicle.

Speaking to Radio Sputnik about the news, retired army colonel and military observer Viktor Baranets explained the concept behind these so-called smart munitions.

“Smart munitions are shells which are highly accurate and, to some extent, capable of ‘thinking’,” the expert noted. “For example, the Armata T-15 is equipped with the Afghanit active protection system, which detects flying projectiles and automatically prevents them from reaching the vehicle, either shooting them down or blowing them up. This is active defense.”

“But the Armata can be used not only as a tank gun, but also as a rocket launcher to launch projectiles, which can themselves select their target while simultaneously taking account of a variety of factors,” Baranets added. “During the flight toward the target, this round takes into account temperature, wind strength, distance, the target’s speed, etc.”

In addition, the expert explained that one of the main tasks before the makers of smart munitions today is the creation of defensive systems for the shells themselves. “Along with the creation of highly precise smart munitions…electronics engineers are also furrowing their brows trying to figure out ways to create a system that can prevent enemy jamming of a round’s ‘thinking’ while it flies toward its target,” Baranets said.

Of course, “the real level of protection, and the capabilities of these weapons can be demonstrated only in real battle,” the expert noted. Accordingly, “in Syria, we did not lose any time in vain. For our equipment, the fight against terrorism has also become a very serious ‘exam administrator’. Moreover, many conclusions have already been made to make these weapons even more effective,” the officer concluded.

Original post sputniknews.com

Armata T-15 with “Burevestnik” with a 57 mm automatic cannon and ATM 9M120 “Ataka”

Vladislav Perminov

ATAKA-T guided weapon system

9M1201 missile

Designed to defeat stationary and moving fielded and future main battle tanks, other armoured (IFVs, APCs) and small-size (like pillboxes and bunkers) targets, fortified assets, manpower under cover and in the open as well as aerial low-level targets flying at speeds of up 400 km/h in the day- and night-time and surface small-displacement vessels.

The ATAKA-T guided weapon system (GWS) (industrial code B07S1) is intended for installation in turrets and fighting  compartments of various combat vehicles based on a tank chassis (e.g., tank support combat vehicle (TSCV), BMPT[TSCV]-72), IFVs, APCs, tractors, and other military trucks, ship-borne mounts, including those of foreign origin.

Ataka-T GWS specifications
Parameter	Value
Missile guidance	Semiautomatic laser beam riding
Laying angles for 9M120-1 missile: – in azimuth, deg. – in elevation, deg.	360 (due to turret rotation) From minus 10 to plus 25
Firing range of 9M120-1 missile, km	From 0.4 to 6.0
Target altitude with reference to carrier datum (for 9M120-1 missile), km	From 0.0 to 2.0 (maximum target altitude is ensured over range of 3.3±0.5 km)
Number of targets engaged simultaneously	1
Missile launch mode	Consecutive
Rate of fire, rounds./min.	3-4
Selection of missiles by warhead type	Provided
Armour penetration behind ERA (for 9M120-1 missile), mm	800, minimum
Time of flight to 5 km, s	14.5, max.
Average flight speed	Supersonic
Reaction time (minimum time for GWS to launch missile after achieving fully operational state), s	Less than 1.2
Number of missiles loaded on launcher, pcs.	Up to 4
Time for manual loading/unloading of one launcher guide, s	30, max.

Launcher specifications:

Number of launcher-mounted missiles:	4
Launcher weight without package: B07S1.01.000 launcher, version 1 B07S1.01.000 launcher, version 2	108 kg, max. 119 kg, max.
Missile arrangement on launch module: B07S1.01.000 launcher, version 1 B07S1.01.000 launcher, version 2	stacked staggered outwards
Overall dimensions of launcher components: B07S1.01.000 launcher, version 1: – B07S1.01.150 left-side launch module – B07S1.01.160 right-side launch module B07S1.01.000 launcher, version 2: – B07S1.01.350 left-side launch module – B07S1.01.360 right-side launch module	920х263х431 mm, max. 920х263х431 mm, max.   920х418х330 mm, max. 920х418х330 mm, max.

Source kbm.ru

57-mm automatic gun mount AU-220M/57-мм АВТОМАТИЧЕСКАЯ АРТИЛЛЕРИЙСКАЯ УСТАНОВКА АУ-220М

Предназначена для установки на перспективные и модернизированные боевые бронированные машины с целью повышения огневой мощи мотострелковых и пехотных подразделений.

Позволяет расширить сферу боевого применения боевых бронированных машин за счет решения задач стрельбы по воздушным целям.

СИСТЕМА УПРАВЛЕНИЯ ОГНЕМ:
Предназначена для управления процессом обнаружения и идентификации целей, наведением и огнем 57-мм автоматической пушки и 7.62-мм пулемета при стрельбе с места, с ходу и на плаву во всех условиях боевого применения.

Оснащена комбинированым прицельным комплексом, вклющающим в себя телевизионный и тепловизионный каналы, лазерные дальномеры и независимую 2-плоскостную стабилизацию поля зрения.

ЗАЩИЩЕННОСТЬ:
Круговой обстрел – защита от пули калибра 7,62 мм (~3 уровень защиты по STANAG 4569).

Лобовая проекция – защита от пули калибра 30 мм (~5 уровень защиты по STANAG 4569).

Translated by google:

Designed for installation in advanced and upgraded armored vehicles to increase the firepower of infantry and mechanized infantry units.

It allows you to expand the scope of application of combat armored vehicles at the expense of solving problems shooting at air targets

FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM:
Designed to control the process of detection and identification, guidance and fire 57-mm automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun when firing from the place with the move and afloat in all conditions of combat use.

Equipped combining aiming system, vklyuschayuschim a television and thermal imaging channels, laser rangefinders and independent 2-planar stabilization of the visual field.

PROTECTION:
The circular firing – from bullets of 7.62 mm Protection (~ 3 protection level STANAG 4569).

The front projection – from 30 mm caliber bullet protection (~ 5 level of protection for STANAG 4569).

Main Specifications

Overall dimensions, mm:Length x Width x Height	5820 x 2100 x 1300
GUN automatic caliber 57 mm
Maximum rate of fire, rds. / Min	80
Range of fire, m	12000
Angles pointing, hail– vertically – on the horizon	-5 … 60360
allowance of ammunition	80
Types of ammunition	shots unitary loading with high-explosive, armor-piercing projectiles and manageable
Paired 7.62-mm machine gun
Rate of fire, rds. / min	700 … 800
Accurate firing range, m	1500
Ammunition, pc	2000

Burevestnik’s 57 mm А-220М Source burevestnik.com

AU-220M 57mm automatic cannon

The 57mm gun that’s also used in Atom 8×8 is basically an Anti-Aircraft gun used in S-60 towed AA system. The gun was developed in 1950’s.

The same cannon also used in ZSU-57-2 Soviet self propelled anti-aircraft gun

Burevestnik’s 57 mm А-220М naval artillery module, from which the AU-220M was effectively reverse engineered.

The cannon uses 57x347mm semi-rimmed ammunition. The image below shows the 57mm ammunition vs the Bofors 40×365 ammunition.

Image: ©WarfareTechnology 2014Image: ©WarfareTechnology 2014

The gun is recoil operated. Rate of fire is 105-120 rpm and the muzzle velocity is around 1.020 m/sec. It has a barrel length of around 4.4m.

The effective firing range against ground targets is 4km’s.

The gun has a new automatic loading capable ammunition feed system that houses 20 ready-to-fire rounds as shown below.

Image: ©WarfareTechnology 2014

The turret basket has a powered 73 round ammunition carousel that provides ammunition to the linkless feeder above. Source ©WarfareTechnology 2014

Images are from public domain unless otherwise stated

Main image by Saidpvo.livejournal.com

Updated Aug 23, 2018

T-15 Armata Heavy IFV: Here

KURGANETS-25 IFV: HERE

MBDA Apache stand-off weapon or Storm Shadow / SCALP

MBDA to regenerate French, UK Storm Shadow/SCALP EG missiles

Robin Hughes, London – IHS Jane’s Missiles & Rockets

27 February 2017

Key Points

• Mid-life refurbishment will address obsolescence and to replace life-expired components
• Modernisation of the missiles will leverage a joint design phase launched in July 2014

The French and UK ministries of defence have placed a joint contract on MBDA for the mid-life refurbishment of their Storm Shadow/SCALP EG (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée – Emploi Général) long-range conventionally-armed deep strike weapons.

The contract was announced at a meeting of French Director-General of Armament Laurent Collet-Billon and his UK counterpart, Minister of Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin in London on 22 February. However, the UK segment of the contract element (valued at GBP146 million [USD182 million]) was approved in October 2016, and the French segment (value not disclosed) on 30 December 2016, respectively.

Original post janes.co

The Storm Shadow / SCALP is a long-range, air-launched, stand-off attack missile designed and developed by France-based MBDA Systems. The missile was developed primarily for the UK and French armed forces. It is derived from the MBDA Systems’ Apache anti-runway missile.

The missile is intended to strike high-valued stationary assets such as airbases, radar installations, communications hubs and port facilities. The Storm Shadow is capable of engaging the targets precisely in any weather conditions during day and night. The long range and low attitude combined with subsonic speed make the Storm Shadow a stealthy missile.

Storm Shadow guidance and navigation system

The Storm Shadow missile is designed to strike the targets with an enhanced accuracy, employing different navigation systems installed onboard.

The navigation system of the missile includes inertial navigation (INS), global positioning system (GPS) and terrain reference navigation for better control over the path and accurate target strike. The missile is fitted with a passive imaging infrared seeker.

Image: tpe-rafale.e-monsite.com

The Storm Shadow missile is programmed with each and every detail of the target and the path to be taken to reach the target prior to its launch. Once released from the aircraft, the missile follows a pre-programmed path at low level with the help of continuous updates from the onboard navigation system. It employs imaging infrared seeker to compare the actual target area with stored imagery repeatedly until reaching the target.

Storm Shadow warhead details

The missile is fitted with a two-stage bomb royal ordnance augmented charge (BROACH) blast/ penetrator warhead.

The first stage of the warhead makes the way for the second stage by cutting the surface of the target. The larger second stage (main) of the warhead then penetrates into the target and detonates.

Storm Shadow propulsion system

Turbomeca Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet – Image: leteckemotory.cz

The Storm Shadow missile is equipped with a Turbomeca Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet propulsion system, which can produce a 5.4kN of thrust. Source airforce-technology.com

Apart from extreme accuracy, the second element of Storm Shadow effectiveness is the sophisticated warhead it carries, the Bomb, Royal Ordnance, Augmenting CHarge (BROACH). BROACH uses a precursor penetrator charge followed by a follow through main charge. Combined with an advanced fuze (like Paveway IV, from Thales) it has proven to be devastatingly effective. Source thinkdefence.co.uk

Image: thinkdefence.co.uk

Technical data:

Originated From: France

Possessed By: France, United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Alternate Name: APACHE AP, SCALP EG, Storm Shadow, SCALP Naval, Black Shaheen

Class: Short Range Cruise Missile

Basing: air-, ship-, sub-launched

Length: 5.1 m (5.5 m for SCALP Naval)

Diameter: 630 mm

Launch Weight: 1,300 kg (1,230 kg for APACHE AP)

Warhead: 1 X 400 kg HE penetration

Propulsion: turbojet

Range: 140- 400 km

Status: Operational

In Service: 2004

Variant		SCALP EG/Storm Shadow
Range		400 km
Platform		Air-Launched
Warhead		1X400 kg HE penetration
Diameter		630 mm
Launch Weight		1,300 kg
Countries Possessing Missile		France, Greece, Italy, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom

Technical data source missilethreat.csis.org

Russia’s mordenized T-90 gets new gun

Lock and Load! Armata Endows Russia’s Main Battle Tank With Deadly Cannon

15:15 21.01.2017(updated 15:18 21.01.2017)

The latest modernization of Russia’s main battle tank, the T-90, will embrace the firepower capabilities of the advanced T-14 Armata. The Uralvagonzavod machine building company recently published the tank’s photo for the first time.

“The T-90M will receive a modernized smoothbore 125mm 2A82-1M cannon, the one used in the Armata, and a new fire control system characterized by a higher precision and a higher rate of fire, and its barrel durability will be increased up to 900 shots,” Russian military expert Alexei Leonkov told Zvezda TV.

The gun is 20 percent more precise and has 17 percent more muzzle energy (a firearm’s destructive potential is directly proportional to this factor) than the rival model on Germany’s Leopard 2 battle tank. The automatic loading mechanism allows for the use of projectiles up to one meter long, such as the armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS) called Vacuum-1, which is used in the Armata.

The T-90M’s ammunition load totals 45 projectiles. In addition to shells, the modernized tank is capable of firing Invar and Invar-M tandem-charge guided missiles, which are said to be able to effectively penetrate the protective shielding of all existing and prospective armor vehicles used by foreign armies.

The tank is now protected from enemy fire with the Malakhit reactive armor and the Afghanit active protection system, which were designed for the Armata family of vehicles. Reactive armor is in essence an extra layer of metal “bricks” covering a vehicle’s parts, which bear the main weight of a shell’s hit and cushion its destructive effect. In its turn, the active protection system can “blind”, deflect and strike down an enemy missile or other anti-tank weapon.

The lower part of the turret is now additionally protected by slat armor, shielding it from anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades. The surveillance means of the tank’s commander and the gun sighter allow for an equally efficient search for targets day and night, in motion or in a stationary position.

According to Leonkov, Russia is going to upgrade 400 T-90 battle tanks to the T-90M level.

Thanks to the Armata “refresh pack”, the Russian main battle tank will be able to conduct even more effective combat operations in different weather conditions and strike targets despite stiff enemy resistance.

The family of Armata platform-based military vehicles is the latest achievement of Russian armor engineers.

Original post sputniknews.com

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125mm 2A82-1M smoothbore gun

The 125mm 2A82-1M is noticeable in that it does not have a fume extractor. These are normally used to pull the toxic gases from the firing process out of the muzzle after the round has exited so they do not blow back in to the turret when the breach is open so the crew avoiding breathing in the gases. As the turret is unmanned a fume extractor is not required.

Image: tanknutdave.com

The main gun is coupled to the autoloader, which Russian media has said is capable of firing 10+ rounds per minute.

The Fire Control System has the latest version of thermal sighting equipment for the gunner and commander’s independent sight. The ballistic computer has the latest sensors and laser range finder and is able to track moving targets increasing the 1st hit probability of the main gun. Source tanknutdave.com

Source fofanov.armor.kiev.ua

It would have a fume extractor as seen in main pic…

Related post:

Russia to start exports of new T-90SM/MS

India Ministry of Defense plans to purchase 464 Russian T-90MS

T-90MS/SM: Details

Al Stubborn

U.S. Marine Corps released Request for Information for 11,000 M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles

The Marine Corps Wants To Buy 11,000 M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles

By MATTHEW MOSS  on February 16, 2017

Last week, the U.S. Marine Corps released a Request for Information to manufacturers enquiring about their capacity to produce 11,000 more M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles. This stoked rumors that the Marine Corps is looking to replace its M4s with the M27, which were first sparked last November when 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines was equipped with the M27 instead of the M4 during pre-deployment exercises as an experiment.

The RFI for 11,000 M27s could indicate a possible push to replace the M249, which continues to be used by weapons platoons. However, I believe it is more likely that the Corps is simply looking to add more Infantry Automatic Rifles to its inventory. Currently, Marine infantry battalions typically have over 80 Infantry Automatic Rifles distributed at the fireteam level. Just 11,000 new rifles will not re-equip the riflemen of the Corps’ 32 infantry battalions, but it will enhance their firepower and perhaps pave the way for future orders.

While the Marine Corps would no doubt love to replace its current service rifle with the M27, especially with the branch’s emphasis on marksmanship, the M27 is considerably more expensive. Each M27 costs in the region of $3,000, according to a November Military.com report. While this is cheaper than the M249, it is significantly more expensive than the M4, which costs approximately $750 per carbine. The Marines’ purchase of an additional 11,000 M27s, the Corps’ largest single order for the rifles so far, will probably cost in excess of $30 million. With the Marine Corps’ annual budget a fraction of other branches, it’s understandable that it is seeking to expand its capabilities with a battle-tested weapon system, rather than attempting to fully transition to the M27.

The demand for the M27’s improved accuracy over both the M249 and the M16A4 and M4 came from hard-learned lessons in Afghanistan. The M27 has a slightly longer range than the M4, and is able to hit targets out to 600 meters, while area fire is effective out to approximately 800 meters.

In 2015, the service announced a decision to move away from the long-serving M16 to the shorter M4, favored by the Army. At the same time, the Corps moved the M249 from fireteams to weapons platoons and introduced the M27. The M27 has the advantage of having fully automatic capability, something that the M4 and M16A4s, which have a three-round burst setting, do not have.

The M27 is based on Heckler & Koch’s gas-operated, piston-driven HK416. It has a free-floating 16.5-inch barrel to improve accuracy and cooling. The M27 feeds from standard 30-round or PMAG magazines; however, high-capacity magazines are a future option for suppressive fire. The IAR is issued with a Trijicon ACOG optic and a bipod for both precise accurate fire and suppressive fire. The Corps is also experimenting with suppressors for M27 and other small arms systems. In Afghanistan, the M27’s greater range, accuracy, and rate of fire were found to enhance Marine patrols, which had previously relied on M240 medium machine guns and designated marksmen to return longer range enemy fire effectively.

Only time will tell if the Marine Corps really intends to transition the M27 from a support weapon role to an infantry rifle. In the meantime, 11,000 more M27s will greatly enhance the Marine Infantry’s firepower.

Original post taskandpurpose.com

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M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle

The M27 IAR fitted with SU-258/PVQ Squad Day Optic, Harris bi-pod, fore grip and Advanced Target Pointer Illuminator Aiming Light (ATPIAL). Note: the M27 was initially issued with a Grip-pod fore grip/bipod, an arrangement that has been replaced by a separate fore grip and bipod. A Vickers Combat Applications sling is also attached to this M27. photo : US DoD – Source: americanspecialops.com

A HK416D is a modified variant of a Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifle. It was introduced in 2010. In turn the HK416 is an improved version of the M4 carbine, that is widely used by the US military. The HK416D has been adopted by the US Marine corps as the M27 in 2011. Marines initially ordered 4 748 rifled and planned to obtain a total of 6 500 of these automatic weapons. These partially replaced the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, that was adopted back in 1985. The main goal adopting the M27 was to enhance automatic rifleman’s maneuverability, especially in urban terrain. However the M249 will remain in service with the US Marine Corps. The new weapon is distributed one per 4-men fireteam.

In terms of appearance and ergonomics the M27 is very similar to the M16A4 and M4A1 and has a familiar feel for soldiers, reducing the time needed for retraining. However the German Heckler & Koch company successfully improved this weapon and cured a lot of its problems.

An automatic Rifleman with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) lays down suppressing fire with a M27. Photo By: Cpl. Michael Lockett – Source: americanspecialops.com

The M27 is a gas-operated automatic weapon. It is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56×45 mm ammunition. It uses a patented gas piston system, derived from the Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle. This new operating system significantly reduced malfunctions and increased life of parts, comparing with the M16A4 assault rifle. The new weapon is much more reliable.

The M27 has a 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel. The barrel is cold hammer-forged and has a 20 000 round service life.

Charging handle is ambidextrous. Fire mode selector has three positions for “safe”, “semi-auto” and “full-auto”.

This assault rifle is fed from 30-round magazines. At the start of testing this automatic rifle used 100 round magazines, however these were unreliable. It is compatible with all standard NATO 5.56 mm magazines. However the M27 was criticized for its low magazine capacity, as it replaced the belt-fed 200 round suppressive fire weapon. Even though the M27 is more reliable and more accurate, it looses in terms of firepower to the M249. This magazine-fed rifle has to reload more often and is not able of sustaining fire. The gunner of the M27 is expected to carry a total of 16 to 22 magazines, depending on mission requirements. While the gunner of the M16A4 typically carries only 7 magazines.

Weapon has a telescopic buttstock, that can be extended or collapsed to suit the shooter.

   The M27 has a Picatinny-type scope rail and can be used with various scopes. It comes as standard with Trijicon 3.5x magnification day sight. There is a reflex sight on top for close-quarters engagement. Also there are flip-up diopter sight and front post for emergency use. The M27 has effective range of 550 m against point targets and 800 m against area targets.

There are accessory rails on all four sides of the forearm. The M27 is compatible with most current accessories for the M16 and M4, including a 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher. Also the M27 is often used with detachable bipod and laser pointer. Source military-today.com

M27 IAR Specifications

weight:	7.19 lbs (empty) 9 lbs (loaded with 30-round magazine)
length:	36.9 inches (stock extended fully) 33 inches (stock retracted)
barrel length :	16.5 inches
action :	Gas-operated short-stroke piston, rotating bolt
rate of fire :	Sustained: 36 rpm Cyclic: 700 to 850 rpm
muzzle velocity :	2,550 feet per second
effective range :	550 meters (point target) 600 meters (area target)
caliber :	5.56x45mm NATO
magazine :	30-round STANAG magazine

Specification data americanspecialops.com

Shenyang FC-31 developing carrier version

China’s FC-31 Fighter May Be Slated for Carrier Ops

by Chen Chuanren – February 23, 2017, 3:31 AM

Following the first flight of a second Shenyang FC-31 prototype, on December 23 last year, there are now discussions within the Chinese media that the improved aircraft might be slated for operations on the new Chinese carrier fleet. The aircraft has been named the “Gryfalcon.”

The second prototype is similarly configured to the model that was displayed at China’s Zhuhai Airshow last November. It features some common design elements to the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter, such as cropped vertical stabilizers. It also has an Electro Optic Targeting Sight (EOTS) under the nose. In an interview on Chinese television, military analyst Chen Hu said that it is not surprising to see elements of the J-20 on the FC-31, since both jets are being developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AIVC).

A new scale model of the FC-31 on display in the Shenyang Aviation Museum carries Chinese naval insignia, further hinting at a planned carrier capability for the aircraft. The museum is owned by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Like most carrier-borne aircraft, the FC-31 has a twin nose gear, and it was recently reported that the third Chinese aircraft carrier would be fitted with three steam catapults.

Chen also noted that the smaller and lighter footprint of the FC-31 gives it an advantage on a carrier’s limited deck space. Moreover, Shenyang would have an advantage over other Chinese aerospace companies, because of its experience in adapting the Su-27 for Chinese naval use as the J-15.

Specifications revealed at the Zhuhai Airshow suggest that the length of the Gryfalcon has increased from 16.8 meters to 17.5 meters. The maximum takeoff weight has increased by three tonnes to 28 tonnes. In addition, the wheel wells of the second prototype are significantly smaller, allowing for a larger internal weapons bay, capable of accommodating up to 8 tonnes of armaments.

The aircraft was originally powered by the Russian-supplied Klimov R-93 turbofans, but Chinese analysts have noted that the latest test flight did not produce the thick exhaust smoke seen in earlier flights. This suggests that the second FC-31 has new powerplants.

The FC-31 is self-funded by Shenyang, which is hoping to export it. The current list price for the Chinese is at $70 million, significantly lower than the F-35A Lightning II. In 2014, Pakistan’s defense production minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stated his country’s interest in procuring 30-40 FC-31. Discussions have since reportedly advanced beyond the initial phase.

Original post ainonline.com

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Related post:

New FC-31 spotted flight testing

New Shenyang FC-31 fifth-generation export fighter

Shenyang J-31: Details

Russia and UAE signed an agreement to co-develop a new fifth-generation fighter

Russia has plans to develop a fifth-generation light combat aircraft with the UAE, according to Sergey Chemezov, chief executive of Rostec, Russia’s largest military industrial complex.

Speaking at IDEX this week, Chemezov said an agreement had been signed and that work could begin soon. The project is reportedly to be based on an advanced version of the MiG-29. Chemezov also reported that the UAE was in a separate discussion with Rostec regarding the supply of Sukhoi Su-35 fighters.

Russia is making considerable efforts to grow its defence business in the Middle East region. On Monday, the UAE and the Russian Federation signed an agreement at the IDEX show covering co-operation in defence industries.

The agreement was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Denis Manturov, Russian Minister of Trade and Industry. Manturov commented: “One of the fields of this co-operation is the creation, development and supply of the fifth-generation fighter jet.”

Another deal has been struck between the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Middle East investors to create a consortium to buy a minority stake in Russian Helicopters, which is part of the Rostec conglomerate. Source janes.com

Related post:

Russia and UAE to work on future light 5th generation jet

Russia plans to sell MIG-35 fighter jets to Middle East

Sukhoi Su-35: Details

Mikoyan MiG-35: Details

China boosts arms exports by 74pc, while cutting reliance on outside providers

China boosts arms exports by 74pc, while cutting reliance on outside providers, report finds

Shi Jiangtao

Monday, 20 Feb 2017 | 9:19 PM ET

South China Morning Post

China has become less dependent on arms imports over the past five years due to increased military capabilities at home, while boosting its own exports by 74 per cent, according to a report released on Monday.

The study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute also showed a continuing arms race in Asia Pacific amid the escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, with Beijing’s Asian neighbours drastically increasing their arms purchases since 2012.

Comparing two five-year periods between 2007-11 and 2012-16, the volume of Chinese exports of major arms increased by 74 per cent. Its share of the global total of exports rose from 3.8 to 6.2 per cent, making it the third-largest supplier in the world, following the United States and Russia.

Unlike the US, which accounts for one-third of exports and supplies at least 100 countries, China delivered major arms to 44 countries, mostly in Asia and Africa. More than 60 per cent of China’s exports went to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar and another 22 per cent went to Africa.

China has also been expanding its market. In 2015, it exported type 90 multi-barrel rocket launchers to Peru, the first time Chinese weapons were used to equip Peru’s armed forces. A report released by the Pentagon last April estimated that China’s arms sales from 2010 to 2014 totalled about US$15 billion.

Thanks to China’s growing economic and military ability to produce its own advanced weapons, its arms imports fell by 11 per cent between the two five-year periods, the institute found.

But China remains partly dependent on Russia, Ukraine and France for certain key weapons and components, such aircraft engines, which accounted for 30 per cent of China’s imports. It also imported large transport aircraft, helicopters, vehicles and ships, according to the report.

The report also highlighted the ongoing military build-up in Southeast Asia. “Tensions between several countries with maritime claims in the South China Sea have directly or indirectly driven up demand for major weapons in this subregion,” it said.

Vietnam jumped from being the 29th largest importer to the 10th largest, with its imports climbing 202 per cent, the highest growth rate among the top 10 importers.

The Philippines saw an increase of 426 per cent, and Australia, which accounted for 3.3 per cent of the global total in the 2007–16 period, also invested heavily in naval and air force assets to counter a perceived growing threat from China, according to the report.

“With no regional arms control instruments in place, states in Asia continue to expand their arsenals”, said Siemon Wezeman, senior researcher with the institute’s arms and military expenditure programme. “While China is increasingly able to substitute arms imports with indigenous products, India remains dependent on weapons technology from many willing suppliers, including Russia, the USA, European states, Israel and South Korea.”

The Pentagon said in a report last year that China’s military modernisation, supported by an annual military budget growth of nearly 10 per cent in inflation-adjusted terms from 2006 through to 2015, had the potential to reduce core US military technological advantages.

Original post cnbc.com

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China boosts arms exports by 74pc, while cutting reliance on outside providers, report finds: Here (Media)

China has become less dependent on arms import over the past five years due to increased military capabilities at home, while boosting its own exports by 74 per cent, according to a report released on Monday. The study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute also showed a continuing arms race in Asia Pacific amid the escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, with Beijing’s Asian neighbours drastically increasing their arms purchases since 2012.

Image: onenewspage.com

Image: scmp.comImage: scmp.com

Source thestreet.com

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Venezuela receive upgraded Mi-35M2 attack helicopters

Upgraded ‘Hinds’ for Venezuela

The first upgraded Mi-35M2 attack helicopters have been delivered to the Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana (FANB, Venezuelan Army), AirForces Monthly correspondent Juan Carlos Cicalesi reports.

The FANB received three Mi-35M2 helicopters from a total of ten that are being upgraded in Russia by Rostvertol, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. The aircraft arrived at El Libertador Air Base in Palo Negro, Aragua State, on January 25. The Hinds were delivered on board an Antonov An-124-100 from a private cargo airline.

Venezuela was the launch customer for the original Mi-35M derivative. These aircraft feature Western radio kits including the Bendix-King KHF-950-10 (replaced on the last few machines by the KHF-1050) HF radio and two KTR-908 VHF radios, as well as the South African Reutech ACR500 multi-band digital UHF/VHF radio.

The ten aircraft were delivered to the Venezuelan Army in 2006-07.

Original post irforcesmonthly.com

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Russia and UAE to work on future light 5th generation jet

Russia and UAE to start working on 5th generation fighter 2018

February 20, 2017 TASS

Russia and the United Arab Emirates will get down to joint work on a future light 5th generation jet on the basis of MiG-29 as of 2018, the chief of Russia’s Rostec corporation, Sergey Chemezov, told the media on Feb. 20.

“We believe we shall start working on this plane as of next year. It will take seven to eight years to develop,” Chemezov said on the sidelines of the international weapons show IDEX-2017.

“A future fifth generation plane will be created on the basis of Russia’s Mig-29,” he added.

Earlier, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said that Russia and the UAE had concluded an agreement on industrial cooperation in military engineering, which enabled them to launch a fifth generation fighter project.

The head of the United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slyusar said the work on the plane was at the initial phase and Russia was in the process of drafting proposals. The UAC would participate in the project as the leader organization, and Sukhoi and MiG as co-contributors.

Source: TASS

Original post rbth.com

Images for illustration only

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Poghosyan: the task of creating a 5 th generation light fighter is not a priority for the KLA

MOSCOW, April 12th. (ARMS-TASS). The task of creating 5th generation light fighter is not currently a priority for the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). This ARMS-TASS, Mikhail Pogosyan, president of the KLA.

“I do not exclude the possibility of creating a light aircraft 5th generation, but this problem is not in the operational plans of the corporation”, – Pogosyan said.

Poghosyan noted that the immediate tasks in the field of lightweight fighters is the development of the MiG-29 program, build the functionality of these aircraft, and upgrading to the level of the MiG-35.

Contracts with Indian and Russian defense ministries on the MiG-29K / KUB dictate the need for “maximum concentration KLA efforts towards the completion of construction of these complexes,” said president of the corporation.

The head of the KLA said that after the completion of the MiG-29K / 35 will need to determine the vector of further development, “whether the work to go in the direction of the unmanned aerial vehicle, or light fighter of the 5th generation.”

Talking about the technical possibilities of the creation of the 5th generation of light fighter, the president of the KLA said that copying American counterparts will be ineffective for several reasons.Soviet and Russian aircraft has always developed their own scenario in accordance with the current military doctrine, he said.

Full article Here