The Entire Russian Fleet

Kommersant has published a full directory of the Russian navy.

Setting of the Red Star?

Although not officially confirmed, a number of online "insiders" are reporting that the Russian Air Force may be leaving the red star in favor of a three-color star of the Russian flag. Some FSB airframes have been spotted carrying the new insignia. Awaiting further notice...









http://www.airliners.net/photo/Russia---Air/Antonov-An-72P/1241600/L/



http://scalemodels.ru/modules/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5390&highlight=

Russian Moves on Separatist Regions

As Kosovo independence approached, all eyes were on the Russian response. The fear was that Russia would use Kosovo as a precedent to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abhazia in Georgia, as well as Pridnestrovie in Moldova. However, Vladimir Putin promised in his final press conference, that Russia "will not play the fool," meaning play tit-for-tat with the West, but that plans have been drawn nonetheless.

The first responses have now emerged. While not formally recognizing their independence, Russia appears to plan on expanding economic, legal and political interaction with the contested regions. The government has already suspended economic sanctions with Abhazia and the parliament has been pushing for closer ties with all three regions. Where this ultimately leads is difficult to predict, but it will be one to watch.

A Flying Air Force (Update)

As mentioned before, the Russian Air Force has been showing a significant increase in military training activity, with no signs of letting up this year. Here are three examples of recent and upcoming exercises, as reported by the Russian MoD. Note, all three exercises involved live firing, although according to unofficial sources, the air to air fire was limited to short-range, IR-guided missiles only.

Between March 11 and March 14, four fighter regiments, flying the Su-27, MiG-31 and MiG-29, conducted training at the "Ladoga" firing range. In total, about 100 flights were made, including at night.

On March 26, the "Telemba" firing range hosted a regiment of 20 MiG-31s for daytime and night-time training flights.

Between April 1 and April 10, over 10 aviation regiments of various types, including fighter (MiG-31), frontal (Su-24), army aviation, transport, support, and communication units will participate in a number of activities as part of the Air Combat Conference and training exercises over the "Ahuluk" and "Kapustin Yar" ranges.

Defense Export Problems (Update)

India has agreed to a cost increase for the former Admiral Gorshkov. Exact numbers have not yet been agreed on, but estimates range from $500m. to $1.2bn of additional funds.

Meanwhile, Andrey Dutov, head of the Russian Federal Agency of Industry, indicated in an interview to Vedomosti (Russian link) that the MiG-29SMTs recently refused by Algeria may be adopted into Russian Air Force service.

Industry Consolidation (Update)

As previously reported (1 and 2), the Russian government is conducting massive restructuring of critical national industries, including aviation, shipbuilding, nuclear energy, defense technology and others.

On February 20, 2008, while visiting the Zhukovskiy flight research center with as yet to become President Elect Dmitriy Medvedev, Vladimir Putin announced the creation of the National Aircraft Construction Center, to be built in Zhukovskiy. Creation of the entity had quietly been signed into law beforehand.

The center is designed to combine the intellectual and production potential of Russian aircraft design and construction firms in a united net of new facilities.

Meanwhile, Jane's forwarded the opinion that Russian defense consolidation may offer investment opportunities for western companies. A free sample of the article is available here.