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

The portfolio of Russian military industry increases

Rosoboronexport has informed that the portfolio of Russian military industry increased in the first 6 months of 2017 from 42 to 45 billion $. The main successes of previous years have been the sale of Su-35s, Su-32s (to Algeria) and naval contracts with India. According to Rosoboronexport sources there is an increased interest in Russian equipment following it's use in combat.

The figure is noticeable if we take into account that countries like China, Turkey and South Korea. Russia has also gained new markets like UAE and Kuwait. The collapse of relations with Ukraine have not really affected the fulfillment of contracts, and Russian companies have been replacing Ukrainian suppliers. In the cases where it was not possible, agreements with other countries were reached.

References:

- http://roe.ru/press-centr

Fifty years since the first flight of the Su-24 Fencer

The second of  July marked the 50th anniversary of the su-24 first flight. It was carried out by the test pilot Vladimir Ilyushin. The T-6-1 prototype was rather different from the final version, which entered service in 1975. It did not have variable geometry wings. Despite the long development the Fencer was a success, it was produced until the 1990s and exported in good numbers. It will remain in service for a few more years with several Air Forces.

T-6-1 (airwar.ru)

References:

- https://www.ruaviation.com/news/2017/7/4/9116/

- http://www.airwar.ru/enc/xplane/t6.html