RSK MiG could reduce it's staff by 1,000

RSK MiG could reduce it's staff by 1,000. According to sources consulted by RNS the reason is the lack of contracts after Egyptian MiG-29s are delivered. Last summer 200 workers were made redundant. At the end of this year 500 employees from administration and the Mikoyan Engineering Centre in Moscow will follow. The other 500 will leave in 2018. RSK MiG employs 14,000 people, of whom 40% are below 35.

The company has stated that the reduction is due to the reshuffling of workers from Moscow to Niznhy Novgorod. Sokol Factory will organise production of Il-114 and final assembly of MiG-35.

  MiG-35 production (Unknown).

References:

- https://rns.online/industry/Istochniki-RSK-MiG

T-90 tank destroyed in Syria (16-11-2017)

This T-90 was totally destroyed in the fighting around Abu Kamal. The causes of it's destruction are not known. some sources state that the tank was destroyed to prevent it from falling to the enemy. Others point out that it was the one captured a few weeks ago by ISIS.

References:

- Photos found in twitter.

T-90 in Iraq

This photo would the first of a T-90 in Iraq. The vehicle was filmed in aletejahtv. The flag correspond to a Shia militia (Hezbollah or other).

References:

- http://gurkhan.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/90.html#more

Weapons and Security 2017 exhibition in Kiev

On 10-13 October the exhibition "Weapons and Security 2017" was held in Kiev (Оружие и безопасность-2017). The Ukrainian industry showed some it's latest weapons. The most interesting novelty was the Strazh combat support vehicle, similar in philosophy to the Russian BMPT.Other vehicles like the tractor conversion don't deserve much credit.

Strazh vehicle

T-72AMT.

Light weapons

Kraz truck with Uragan rockets

BTR-60T

Upgraded BRDM-2, named BTR-NIK.

Otaman

Practika. upgrade of BTR.

Techimpex Light Tactical Vehicle.

AT missiles.

Remote stations for machine guns

Dron.

BTR-4MV1.

Armoured vehicles.

 

KRAZ truck.

Upgraded ZSU-23-4.

Maxim.

Polish self propelled gun KRAB.

Armoured transport created by Boris Tkach from T-150 tractor.

Acces.

 Driver position.

References:

- http://ukroboronprom.com.ua/
- https://milnavigator.tv/k
- http://tie.in.ua/ru
- http://mil.in.ua/kraz
- http://news.ua/auto/
- https://bmpd.livejournal.com/2895133.html#cutid1
- https://bmpd.livejournal.com/2890180.html#cutid1

First Mi-26T2 helicopter for Jordan

Photos of the first Mi-26T2 heavy helicopter for Jordan have appeared in the media. This country signed a contract for 4 helicopters in September 2016.

References:

- http://forum.keypublishing.com/

- https://www.ruaviation.com/news/2016/9/13/6842/

T-80BVs at Zapad-17 military exercise

Internet media from Russia and Belaus have published photos of T-80Bvs during the Zapad-17 military exercise. Up to a few years ago they were not that common in the Russian Army as most of them were into storage. Now they will be upgraded to the standard BVM. The vehicles below belong to the 4th Tank Division.

References:

- http://otvaga2004.mybb.ru/viewtopic.php?id=1708&p=13
- http://vestnik-rm.ru/news-4-21369.htm

One hundred years of Spanish Naval Aviation

On the 13th of September the Spanish Naval Aviation it's 100th aniversary. Loads of photos and other material can be found by using the "hashtag" #100AviaciónNaval in twitter. The video below, created by the Spanish Navy, is excellent, and shows some of the ships and aircraft used in all these years.

References:

- https://twitter.com/Armada_esp
- http://fly-news.es/militar/la-armada-espanola-celebra-los-100-anos-de-la-aviacion-naval/

Russia will reactivate T-80 tanks

11-9-2017

Some photos have surfaced in otvaga2004. The modernised vehicle uses many elements from T-72B3 modernization (ERA armour, FCS). The table seems to contain a few mistakes. I have never come accross the designation GTD-1250OTF, and gun is the same as in older vehicles.

6-9-2017

Russian press has reported that Omsktransmash, Uralvagonzavod and the Russian MoD have signed a long term contract to modernise and support T-80s (1). The vehicles will receive a Sosna-U FCS, equipped with a thermal sight and automatic tracking system for the target. The upgraded version will have a lower fuel consumption, as in current versions it can reach 7.5 liters/km. The operating temperatures will be lower, with starting capability at -50°C. 

18-1-2016

Russian MOD will reactivate an unspecified number of T-80BV. Defence companies "Omsktransmash" and "Special Design Bureau of Transport Machinery" will create a modern version with new armour, generators (*) and Sosna-U. The objetive is to unify the systems with those used in T-72/90.

T-80BV in Chechnya's first war (Unknown copyrigth).

It is probable that the tanks will be fielded in areas like Siberia, Far East or the Artic, where the turbine can use it's superior cold start characteristics.

The reason that led to the reactivation is that tanks equipped with turbines are more suitable in very cold areas, like Siberia, Far East or the Artic. The cold start characteristics are an advantage of turbines over diesel engines. This was also considered during the Soviet era by fielding T-80U and UD in different areas. There are currently 3000 T-80BV in storage.
 
References

- http://izvestia.ru/news/644174
- http://otvaga2004.mybb.ru/viewtopic.php?id=1351&p=14
- http://omskregion.info/ (1)

(*) It probably refers to an AUP (Auxiliary Power Unit).

Douglas Bader's humour

I wonder what would happen nowadays if you go to a school and tell anecdotes in this way...

Exhibition of Nicaraguan Army

The Nicaraguan Army has organised an exhibition to celebrate the 38th anniversary of it's foundation. The majority of the equipment is of Russian/Soviet origin. The most remarkable piece is the T-72 "Beliy Oriol" (White Eagle), which has been upgraded with a state of the art fire control system. It includes a panoramic sight for the commander, and is probably the most advanced of it's type in South America. On the other hand the ERA armouris still Kontakt-1.
 

Presentation

Artillery.

Mi-17.

D-20 and BM-21.

 

T-55.

BDRM-2.

BTR-70

 BTR-70 with ZU-23.

T-72 "White Eagle"

References:

- https://gurkhan.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/38.html#more (Gallery)

Recovery of 2 Sherman tanks in the Barents Sea

The Russian Navy has recovered 2 Sherman tanks from a sunker ship in the Barents Sea. These are the 3rd and 4th tanks to be recovered from the same ship, a Liberty type called Thomas Donaldon. It was hit by a torpedo fired by German submarine U-968 on 20th March 1945.

References:

- https://vk.com/mil