M60T and Otokar Cobra under attack in Syria

Islamic State has published a video with another attack to a Turkish tank. As in previous occasions, it took place in the al-Bab area. The images show the launching of a 9K111 Fagot AT missile and how it hits the front armour of a M60T tank. The Lepard 2 next to it reverses and takes cover behind the turn.

Then an Otokar Cobra vehicle is sent. It is also hit by an AT missile. According to the information available, the M60T crew did not suffer injuries. Two passengers in the Cobra were injured. In this link the video can be seen.

References:

- http://www.tank-net.com/forums/
- https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq

Russia has offered second-hand MiG-29s to Serbia

16-12-2016

The primer minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, has declared that the Fulcrums could arrive in March 2017. They will have 2 years of service left before an overhaul is needed. Then the entire fleet (6 ex-Russians + current 4) will be repaired and kept in service for another 14 years. The government is also looking at acquiring another 13 Airbus helicopters (1).

21-11-2016

The Russian government has offered Serbia second hand 6 MiG-29s free of charge. Serbia would have to pay for the upgrade/modernization, which is about 50 million $. If the deal goes through it would be an important acquisition for the Serbian Armed Forces, as only 3 MiG-29s and 1 MiG-21bis are comabt ready

This type of scheme has been followed by some countries after the Cold War. The client gets excess material free of charge but has to pay for refurbishment/modernization and spares. Russia should have a number of MiG-29 9.12/9.13 available, as many have been replaced by advanced derivates of Flanker.

MiG-29s and other fighters stored at Kubinka (fotografersha.livejournal.com)

The Russian government has also offered Buk SAM systems, but Serbia has rejected them as it cannot afford them (60 million $).

Back in 2013 the Russianmedia reported a contract for 6 MiG-35, but it was never fulfilled as IMF put pressure on the Serbian government to cancel the deal.

References:

- http://www.opex360.com/2016/11/19/la-russie-va-livrer-6-avions-mig-29-la-serbie/
- http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2265939.html
- https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20161215/1483717706.html (1)

First photos of Russian Aerospace Forces MiG-35

These are the first photos of the newly built MiG-35 acquired by the Russian Aerospace Force. According to Russian sources the first flight took place on the 20th November. In theory 37 should be acquired, followed by another batch.

The development of this variant has been critisised because of the delays. At some point it was supposed to have an AESA radar, but it is still using a mechanical Zuk. In any case, it has won a large contract with Egypt (46 aircraft) and is relatively cheap. It also provides RSK MiG with work. At the end of the day, it will pla a secondary role, behind PAK FA and Flanker variants.

Fuentes y enlaces de interés:

- www.russianplanes.net

- MiG-29SMT and MiG-35 in the Russian Aerospace Forces

Two Leopard 2 tanks attacked by AT missiles in Syria

ISIS has published another attack on Turkish Leopard 2 tanks. Both vehicles are in a position when hit by AT missiles. The sequence is shown below. The second vehicle comes worst as the ammunition explodes and causes a fire.

 

Leopard 2s have not been operating for long, but 3 have already hit by missiles. It is almost as if they were expected and ambushes were prepared.

References:

- http://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/456092.html
- http://www.tank-net.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=34025&page=144
- First Leopard 2 under attack in Syria

ISIS was booty in Palmyra

Yesterday ISIS managed to regain control of the historical city of Palmyra, which had been in their hands from May 2015 to March 2016.  The occupation horrified the Internonal Community because of the crimes commited against civilian population and the looting/destruction of historical artifacts. In the propaganda videos it is possible to see captured SAA vehicles.

T-72.

T-55.

 BPM-97 'Vystrel'.

Ural-4320. 

It remains to be seen if ISIS can keep the city under its control. The Russian Aerospace Force (VKS) has increased the number of sorties, up to 64, and the Syrian Army will try to regain the city.

Referenes:

- Photos via twitter.

- http://charly015.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/la-cosa-se-desmadra-en-palmira
- https://www.theguardian.com

MiG-29KR with R-77 missiles

These screen grabs are really interesting because they show a MiG-29KR on Kuznetsov carrier equipped with R-77 air to air missiles. It is the first time this missile is seen in an operational Russian Navy aircraft. Also mounted is a KAB-500Kr bomb.

Sensor de guiado.

The MiG-29KR deployed on the carrier are more modern than the Su-33s. Deliveries took place very recently, in 2013-15.

Fuentes y enlaces de interés:

- https://vk.com/milinfolive

Su-33 accident in Syria (3-12-2016)

8-12-2016

Data on the Su-33 accidente have been published. The aircraft was Red 67, and had been modernised in 2012-2013. The weather conditions that day were good, 12 kms visibility and less than 12 knots wind speed. The possibility of excessive speed during landing has been discarded.

The investigation found that the Flanker deviated on one of the landing axis by more than 0.5 meters (4.7 when the maximum is 4.2). After 50 meters the arresting cable snapped (1). 

3-12-2016

Yesterday a Su-33 naval fighter crashed while performing a landing on the Kuznetsov carrier. The Su-33 did land but the arresting wire snapped and failed to stop the aircraft, which fell of the deck. The pilot managed to bail out. This is the second accident of the naval fighters deployed in the Russian carrier. Both losses were caused by problems with the arresting wires.

Su-33 landing on the Kuznetsov (http://su-27flanker.com/).

A comission is being organised to investigate the cause of the accident. It could be due to a faulty wire or a landing at inadequate conditions (speed/angle). It seems that aircraft operations have been suspended because Israeli naval authorities were informed that the exclusion zone in the area of operation from 7:00AM to 7:00PM has been suspended.

References:

- http://kommersant.ru/doc/3162180
- http://portierramaryaire.com/foro/ (info by Shomer)
- http://kommersant.ru/doc/3164261 (1)