Russia acquires 2 MiG-35

The Russian Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with UAC (United Aircraft Corporation) for 2 MiG-35s. The aircraft will be delivered in 2017-2018. They will likely be used in testing, as it is a very low number for an operational unit.

MiG-35 (russianplanes.net).

According to RSK MiG CEO, a naval version can be developed (*). The MiG-35 has also been offered to India

References:
- http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/4021606
- http://www.aex.ru/news/2017/2/14/166252/

(*) The company has just fulfilled its contract with India for the MiG-29Ks.

5th generation fighter developed by RSK MiG

The French magazine Air&Cosmos has published this 5th generation fighter concept created by RSK MiG. Some specifications have also been provided. Maximum speed in M1.8-2.0 (+2.2 in MiG-35). The typical weight at take off is 15 tons, reaching a maximum of 25. For the MiG-35 these values are 19.7 and 29.7. Maximum range is 4,000 kms.

5th generation fighter created by RSK MiG.

As the graphic shows, the aircraft uses 2 engines. These would be VK-10Ms, with 10 tons thrust, similar to RD-33MK. It is the first time I read this designation. An alternative version with one engine has been developed. It would be equipped with "izdeliye 30", proposed for PAK FA.

Canards can be seen in the fuselage. These have been dropped in other 5th generation designs as they increase the RCS. The cockpit is rather different to the one shown a few weeks ago.

References:

- http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2430909.html

French weapons exports reach a record breaking €20 billion in 2016

France has broken its record for exports of weapon. 2015 had also been a record because the sales volume had reached €15 billion, but 2016 was even better due to contracts for Rafalen and submarines with India and Australia.

 

 

The graph above shows the volume of exports since 2003. There has been a huge increase since 2013 because of the Rafale and submarine sales. Main clients are India, Saudia Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait and Australia.

References:

- http://www.iiss.org/en/militarybalanceblog/
- http://www.air-cosmos.com/export-d-armes-2015-l-annee-de-tous-les-records-60713
- http://www.lopinion.fr/blog/secret-defense/record-historique-20-milliards-ventes-d-armes-francaises 

T-62M hit by an AT missile in Syria

One of the T-62Ms recently delivered by Russia was hit by an AT missile. The sequence below shows how it hits the side of the turret. It seems that the impact was on the BDD armour, minimising the penetration. The crew members inside the turret are able to evacuate the vehicle

This type of attack has been repeated numerous times during the conflic. The tank is used a pillbox and rebels are able to get close enough to fire a missile.

References:

- https://twitter.com/sayed_ridha

- https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq
- Tanks and BMPs delivered to Syria

Photos of the National Military Museum at Cairo, aircraft and missiles

After going through the tanks and artillery (link), it is the time of aircraft and missiles. One of the most remarkable weapon exposed in the museum is the antiship missile P-15 Termit (NATO code SS-N-2 Styx). It was used by the Egyptians to sink the Israel destroyer Eilat soon after the Six Days War. It was the first time a ship was sunk with these types of missiles.

S-125 missile and Sukhoi Su-7.

Yugoslav torpedo.

Yugoslav torpedoes 45 A.B. On the right the P-15 Termit can be seen.

 

Armament mounted on the Su-7.

Different aircrafts used by the Egyptian Air Force.

MiG-21 F-13.

MiG-17F.

Different types of bombs.

 S-125, AA equipment and MiG-17F.

Su-34 with SAP 14 jamming pod

Last January the Russian Aerospace Force (VKS) performed a series of exercises to check readiness of its units. The Su-34s based at Voronezh took part. In this video the setup for the missions at Buturlinovsky base can be seen.

Jamming pod.

 

This specific aircraft is carrying a SAP 14 jamming pod, similar to the ALQ-99 used by the EA-18G Growler. It was shown for the first time ar MAKS 2009, but is had not been seen in an operational unit before.

References:

- http://forum.keypublishing.com/RuAF-News-and-development-Thread-part-15/page88

- http://forum.keypublishing.com/Russian-radars-and-ECM-ESM-RWR-systems-thread

Annual production of tanks in the Soviet Union, 1973-1990

Last year Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) published a book to celebrate its 80th anniversary. The annual production of tanks in the Soviet Union can be found in it. It covers the years 1973 to 1990. It is the first time I see these data put together, see table below. Note that there are 2 factories producing T-72, UVZ and Chelyabinsk (ChTZ). The vehicles produced in the later were for export. As expected, production was reduced in the late 80s, as the Cold War drew to an end.

The increase in T-72 production is remarkable if compared to T-80. In 1973 30 were completed, 2 years later the figure reached 700. Production of T-80s needed 8 years for a comparable increase. It is worth remembering that the T-72 was a “mobilization tank”, designed to be produced in large quantities during a conflict. The reduction is T-64 production is very abrupt, from 600 to 0. 

References:

- http://otvaga2004.mybb.ru/viewtopic.php?id=1471&p=17

- http://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/298325.html