Our aircraft are among the most advanced and technologically advanced
The military Department summed up the results of the year. The completion of a 10-year weapons program, large-scale exercises, the introduction of artificial intelligence in control systems, as well as the development and supply of new weapons to the troops. In short: according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, " the combat capabilities of the armed forces have increased by 13%", the development of the country's Defense Plan for 2021-2025 has been completed (the document is closed). The army received more than 250 thousand units of weapons and weapons of destruction to them. The level of implementation of the state defense order has reached almost 100 percent. "Our armed forces are among the most advanced and most technologically advanced armies in the world," the Defense Minister stated at the final board of the military department. The rearmament of the army is truly amazing. At the moment, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the troops reaches a record high of 70%. Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu notes that " the planned indicators of purchases of modern samples due to the measures taken will allow to bring the level of modernity of the army and navy to 75.9% by the end of 2024."
In addition, according to him, taking into account the existing state contracts, the total number of warships under construction and upgraded in the far sea zone will be 41. By 2025, the Aerospace Forces will receive 94 aircraft and helicopters, including 22 fifth-generation Su-57 fighters. In total, the Defense Ministry plans to receive 76 such fighters. The first production car has already been handed over to the pilots.
The biggest changes are in Russia's nuclear triad. The commander of the Strategic Missile Forces, Sergei Karakayev, says that only until the end of this year, three regiments of intercontinental ballistic missiles will take up combat duty. Thanks to this, the share of modern complexes will be brought to 81% in the Strategic Missile Forces, and by 2024 it should be 100%. At the board of the Defense Ministry, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin announced plans to further improve the strike potential of the Strategic Missile Forces. He said that plans are currently being worked out to transfer the Avangard hypersonic complex from Stiletto missiles to advanced missile systems.
Due to technical features, we can only talk about equipping this modern hypersonic maneuvering combat unit with heavy Sarmat missiles. Given that it is capable of carrying up to 10 tons of payload, we can talk about installing up to four such warheads. At the same time, it is important that the second stage of the deployment of the Unified Space System (CES) grouping is being completed in Russia. After the launch of the fourth Dome satellite, the country was able to detect and escort ballistic missiles fired in our direction as soon as possible.
Information provided by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Bypassed on hypersonic
The global achievement of this year is the creation of a hypersonic missile "Zircon". The third test launch from the frigate project 22350 "Admiral Gorshkov" actually put an end to the issue of technological superiority of the country in the field of creating advanced strike weapons. Hypersonic missiles are being created in the United States, China and a number of other countries, but only Russia is showing real results today. At the same time, the machine is created in a format factor that allows it to be installed on both existing and under construction ships. This is possible thanks to the universal launcher 3C-14. With its help, you can use cruise missiles "Caliber", "Onyx", and soon the most modern – "Zircon". The launcher is already on the small missile "Buyans" and "Karakurts", will be on the promising frigates and upgraded heavy nuclear missile cruisers of the project 11442M "Orlan", the head of them – "Admiral Nakhimov" – is completing a global modernization in Severodvinsk.
Deputy Defense Minister responsible for the state defense order, Alexey Krivoruchko, says that the first to receive these missiles will be the ships of the project 1155 "Marshal Shaposhnikov" and the multi-purpose submarine of the project 949A "Irkutsk". The first ship will be handed over to the fleet in 2020, the second-in 2022. But more important are the 22350 frigates. This year, the country replaced Ukrainian gas turbine installations and delivered the first domestic M55R.
"Admiral Gorshkov – is the hope of our fleet to return to the World Ocean. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree on the opening of PMT in Sudan. According to the document signed between Moscow and Khartoum, the land for the Russian base will be given free of charge. Russia will be able to accommodate no more than 300 personnel and no more than four ships, including those with a nuclear power plant.
Information provided by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Speed of intelligence
At the final board, Vladimir Putin said that it was necessary "to more actively master and test weapons and equipment with elements of artificial intelligence during combat training." He stressed that " such weapons significantly increase the potential of units and formations, not only today, but also in the near future will largely determine the outcome of the battle."
Next year, the army will begin implementing the automated tactical command and control system (ASUV TK), which is being created as part of the development work "Constellation-2015". The system will create the world's largest software military complex and automate management processes, providing operational and continuous management of combined-arms and support military formations. It combines intelligence, guidance and control in a single information space. Integrated management of troops will be carried out using navigation systems, satellite and unmanned surveillance systems. Equipping troops with on-board computers makes it possible to exchange information with each unit of military equipment.
Chief Peacekeeper
Since the beginning of the 2000s, peacekeeping missions have become an important element of the combat training of the Russian armed forces. During this time, special peacekeeping units and units appeared as part of the Land, Airborne Troops and even the Navy. The concept of "peacekeeping actions" was introduced in the governing documents – in combat regulations, various manuals and even collections of standards. For such missions, special equipment and equipment were actively purchased, including mobile checkpoints, means of stopping vehicles, inspection systems, etc.In 2020, Russia deployed peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh. This is the 15th motorized rifle Brigade, which is stationed in the Samara region.
It is noteworthy that the Samara peacekeepers are part of the system of so-called UN standby treaties. This means that, at the request of the United Nations, the brigade's military personnel can be quickly deployed to any hot spot in the world.
Another brigade in the Russian Armed Forces is designed to carry out peacekeeping missions, although its name does not include the word "peacekeeping". This is the 31st Airborne Assault Brigade from Ulyanovsk. Its personnel, as well as their colleagues from the 15th omsbr, undergo specialized training. In the outgoing year, Ulyanovsk paratroopers had to pass the inspection of a special UN commission to enter the system of reserve contracts. This year, separate peacekeeping units and units appeared in each military district. For example, as part of each Airborne division, one battalion is assigned to peacekeeping, and several marine battalions have also become peacekeeping. The status of peacemaking was given to engineering and sapper units, army aviation squadrons, as well as special medical units.
Information provided by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Air Cavalry
In the past year, the Russian armed forces have successfully completed a long and very complex experiment. As part of the Airborne Troops, so – called units and units of a new type appeared-airmobile battalions, artillery divisions and brigades. Moving "airmobiles" on helicopters. Therefore, the weapons and equipment of such units are specific: light cars, buggies, ATVs. In the future, they will receive specialized armored vehicles of the Typhoon-Airborne family»
The experiment with the formation of airmobile companies and battalions started several years ago. New units were created on the basis of the 31st Airborne Assault Brigade. Paratroopers of the new type managed to take part in several exercises, including the strategic "Vostok-2018", "Center-2019" and "Caucasus-2020". The last maneuvers were the final test for the airmobile units.
Summing up the results of the "Caucasus-2020", the Chief of the General Staff, Army General Valery Gerasimov, emphasized that the so-called mobile echelon was shown for the first time. Unlike traditional elements (first echelon, second, etc.), for which the front and direction of movement are initially defined, the mobile can operate in a wide radius by the decision of the command. For example, quickly create a defensive line in a dangerous direction or delay the retreating enemy. It is based on airmobile units that move by helicopter. This is a great option for participating in local wars and conflicts, as well as for conducting humanitarian missions.
The Caucasus 2020 exercise shows that the Defense Ministry is not just developing the system, but also forming a new tactic for parrying emerging threats to the country. For us, they are more than relevant.
"NATO sees Russia as its main threat and is building up its military capabilities near our borders. By 15% compared to last year, the intensity of reconnaissance and demonstrative actions of American aircraft and ships near the Russian borders has increased, " Sergei Shoigu said at the final board of the Defense Ministry. Washington has begun relocating combat units from Germany to Poland and the Baltic states, and the forward presence of American ships in the Arctic region is being increased. NATO training has become a system at our borders.
"In August and September alone, 55 combat aircraft, including strategic bombers and 12 precision weapons carrier ships, participated in them," the minister said.
In the context of the denunciation of previously concluded agreements with the West on arms control and the activities of foreign armies near our borders, all this is very serious and directly affects our immediate future. Vladimir Putin signed a basic document on the approval of the Fundamentals of state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence. The document reflects Russia's reaction to the scrapping of the system of international treaties by the United States on arms control, military activities, as well as a return to the practice of intimidation and blackmail with the possibility of resuming the use of nuclear weapons.
Alexey Ramm
Alexey Mikhailovich Ramm is a military expert.