State Armaments Program 2011-2020

MODERN ARMAMENTS - BACKBONE FOR MODERNIZATION OF RUSSIAN ARMED FORCES
Author: Anatoly Gulyaev

Anatoly Gulyaev - Chief of Armaments Department, RF Ministry of Defense
Military Parade, No. 2, 2011

The past two decades saw the emergence of new warfare assets, primarily precision guided weapons. Their use in conjunction with advanced IT-based intelligence, command & control and targeting systems has drastically changed the forms and methods of warfare. A new type of wars has appeared where there are no fronts, continuous lines of contact of the parties. Combat actions are conducted through the entire depth of the country's territory. In fact, the notion of "rear" no longer exists.

In these wars, precision guided weapons and information management systems that ensure rapid detection of the most vulnerable elements of enemy forces and the immediate employment of weapons against them are keys to winning victory over the enemy. In other words, it is not the quantity but the quality of weaponry that shapes the "look" of future armaments systems.

With regard to clarifying the look of the Armed Forces and the trends in the evolution of armaments in leading foreign countries, the Russian Ministry of Defense has studied the necessary measures that involve re-equipping the services and arms of the Armed Forces with modern weaponry at an accelerated pace, including systems and complexes capable of providing an adequate response to a high-tech enemy.

According to the new national security strategy, the strategic nuclear forces continue to play a major role in ensuring security of the Russian Federation and its allies. They can deter a wide range of possible threats - from the enemy's use of weapons of mass destruction to full-scale employment of large conventional forces.

To achieve military-strategic and political goals and counter current and emerging threats to national security of Russia, the various options for using nuclear and conventional offensive weapons are considered by the leaders of the country as necessary.

The major direction of Russia's military-technical policy is to preserve its strategic triad consisting of ground-, sea- or air-based striking weapons.

In the Strategic Missile Forces, the existing ICBM systems are being re-equipped with fifth-generation fixed and mobile missile systems. To preserve missile systems with heavy-class missiles in the SMF grouping, a new missile is being developed to replace the existing Voevoda (SS-18 Satan) missiles, which have demonstrated high deterrence capabilities over the whole period of their service. All future ICBM systems will be able to penetrate the future US BMD system and remain in service through 2030-2040.

The naval strategic nuclear forces are undergoing another upgrade through re-equipment with fourth-generation SSBN submarines armed with the new SS-NX-30 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Compared to existing SSBNs of the previous generations like Dolphin (Delta-IV) and Akula (Typhoon), new submarines have higher operational and fighting performance, a high degree of automation of the engagement processes, which will enable them to accomplish missions in any military-strategic situations.

In general, air-based missile systems operational with the air component of the strategic nuclear forces meet the requirements placed for this class of weapons. However, for better efficiency of mission accomplishment, the existing fleet of Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers is undergoing upgrade and is being re-equipped with new missile and bomb models.

In addition, continuous improvement of aids for penetrating the potential adversary's BMD and the development of new warheads for strategic missile systems of all basing types are under way.

The command and control system for strategic nuclear forces is a key support element of the strategic armaments system. In the period through 2020 it is planned for undertake a number of key efforts to improve the reliability of its functioning and resistance to enemy countermeasures.

As regards space weaponry, it is planned to develop advanced space systems and complexes before 2020 that will qualitatively improve information support of the Russian Armed Forces.

As to space communications, there are plans to develop an integrated satellite communications system with new generation spacecraft launched into geostationary and highly elliptical orbits. The deployment of this system will provide reliable communications and command and control of the RF Armed Forces at all levels of control, from strategic to tactical.

The evolution of space reconnaissance assets through the development and deployment of spaceborne imagery, radar and electronic intelligence systems and complexes in space will significantly improve the quality of intelligence data and promptness of its delivery to users.

To date, most of the aircraft fleet is above 20 years old and consists of models, whose design and capabilities were laid back in the 1970s. Until the mid-1990s, they had still been able to maintain parity with foreign counterparts. Today, most of in-service domestic aircraft cannot provide parity with weapon systems operational with the armies of developed countries.

In the near to medium term, a fundamental change in the situation is expected (planned). Modernization of the Air Force fleet will be provided through the joint efforts of the RF Ministry of Defense and the domestic aircraft industry through the development of advanced aviation equipment and armament and their supplies to troops.

In the near term it is planned to complete the development of a future frontline aircraft system (PAK FA) and an inter-service airborne early warning and guidance system (A-100).

Procurement of the An-70 medium military transport aircraft offering unique takeoff/landing performance and a spacious cargo cabin, as well as the adoption of the II-76MD-90A and An-124 versions, being superior to their foreign counterparts, will help the Armed Forces enhance their troop mobility capabilities.

Besides, the troops have begun taking deliveries of such new high-performance air materiel models as the Su-35S multi-role fighter, Su-34 frontline bomber, Mi-28N and Ka-52 attack helicopters, as well as new air weapons, primarily precision guided missiles. The procured aviation equipment represents the state-of-the-art in terms of technology and performance levels and is superior to its foreign counterparts on some indicators.

Prospects for the development of air defense weapons and equipment are associated with inter-service commonality efforts undertaken as part a unified air defense missile weapon system (ADMWS), further expansion of the target classes engaged, and increase in combat sustainability. Development of new ADMWS models has been organized within a comprehensive target program linking the development efforts on new generation SAM systems, new circuit components, new materials and technologies envisaged by SAP 2020 with a draft federal target program "Development of Russia's Defense Industrial Complex in 2011-2020."

The future armaments system for the Air Defense Forces will comprise the following main types of armaments and equipment:

Mobile multichannel long-range SAM system (S-400);

Mobile multichannel versatile long-range SAM system capable of intercepting ballistic targets at high altitudes (S-500);

Inter-service medium-range SAM system (Vityaz PVO) with a circular engagement area;

Common shipborne air defense missile/gun system for air defense of surface ships of various classes from future air threats;

Air-based laser system for soft kill (suppression) of electro-optical systems of spacecraft to be used in a future US BMD (Sokol-Eshelon)

Prospects for military radars are associated with the development of a unified automated radar system as the information and technical backbone of Russia's Federal Airspace Intelligence and Control System, reduction in the range of radar types due to standardization of radars used in the services of the Russian Armed Forces, development of inter-service modular radars, automation equipment sets (AES), repair and maintenance facilities, as well as the creation of high-performance secondary radars and facilities.


Reduction in the number of radar types will supposedly be done through equipping ELINT units mainly with two basic types of radar systems: medium- and high-altitude duty-combat mode radar system (Nebo-M) and low altitude radar system (Podlyot). In addition, to enhance the capabilities of radar groupings, the SAP 2020 provides for the following development efforts:

Inter-service mobile 3D programmed-scan multiband early warning radar system for solving the air defense and national missile defense tasks;

Inter-service mobile solid 3D low-altitude surveillance duty radar operating in the UHF band.

Automation of AD and ELINT command posts and control posts is currently being implemented in the following areas:

Development of advanced standardized AES as part of a future Air Force C2 system;

Re-equipping the troops with the Fundament series AES aimed at establishing a common automated radar system that will allow ELINT command posts (control posts) to get information on the air situation from the radars operational with ELINT units of the Air Force and other combatant arms, as well as from radars of Russia's Air Navigation System;

Modernization of the existing Krym series AES for establishing interaction with zonal (enlarged) centers of a common air traffic control (ATC) system, with regard to setting up the Federal Air Navigation Service.

Armaments Program's measures will help re-equip AD Forces with current and advanced weapons with the required number of SAMs and equip AD groupings with combat sustainment capabilities by 2020.

Currently, Russia still has a quantitatively large naval fleet, whose performance level does not meet present-day requirements. The current ship strength is characterized as follows:

Quantitatively, the submarine and surface ship fleets have approached the minimum level required to accomplish their missions;

Qualitatively, the naval equipment and armaments of general-purpose naval forces (GPNF), except for a number of systems, are inferior to their counterparts that are in service with the leading world powers;

Technical condition of GPNF's naval equipment and armaments is characterized by a low serviceability rating, the ships are operated with various limitations mainly due to the expiration of ship machinery life.

On this basis, two main strategic areas for Navy development have been identified to increase its combat capabilities.

The first area encompasses an in-depth upgrade of ocean-going surface combatants like the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov that will ensure its staying in service with the Russian Navy through 2030, cruising and big nuclear-powered submarines with equipping them with precision guided missile systems, and the construction of multimission surface combatants operating in the off-shore maritime zone - Project 22350 frigates and Project 11356 destroyers, surface combatants operating in the inner maritime zone - Project 20380 and 20380M corvettes and water area patrol ships - a new-project corvette combining the functions of mine countermeasures and small antisubmarine ships, as well as the completion of small artillery ships (Project 21630) and missile ships (Project 21631) before 2020.

The second area includes:

Development and construction of Project 885M attack nuclear-powered submarines and the development of a new-project nuclear submarine;

Development of an advanced nonnuclear submarine with a new powerplant;

Development of a new-project advanced multimission destroyer for operations in the off-shore maritime zone;

Construction of new-project diesel submarines;

Construction of four large landing/helicopter dock ships, and completion of a Project 11711 large landing ship.

To qualitatively upgrade and build a modern fleet, it is necessary to apply advanced system solutions and state-of-the-art naval shipbuilding technologies like:

Precision guided weapon technologies;

Unconventional weapon technologies, use of robotic systems and unmanned aerial vehicles;

Signature reduction technologies (stealth technologies), use of special coatings made using nanotechnology, and selecting special forms of ship hull lines;

Intersystem standardization technologies;

Technologies for developing new types of powerplants;

Technologies for creating new materials;

Information technology.

Through the qualitative upgrading and re-equipment of the Navy, it is expected that the share of newly-built ships in the Navy will exceed 50% by 2020, and at least 85% by 2030.

As to missile armament of the Land Forces, in 2011 it is planned to adopt a missile with longer range and better firing accuracy for the Iskander-M theater missile systems. By 2016, the development of the Udarnik advanced tactical precision guided missile system will be completed.

In the area of tube artillery, work is underway to increase the range and accuracy of fire of artillery shells of all calibers and systems, as well as automation of artillery guns and MRUs launch vehicles has been conducted. A promising inter-service 152mm self-propelled artillery system as well as 120mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery guns for the Airborne Troops are undergoing tests.

In the field of anti-tank missile systems, work on a homing system realizing the "fire-and-defeat" principle is proceeding. Its results will be implemented in self-propelled antitank missile systems like the Kornet-D and Khrizantema-S and will provide round-the-clock and all-weather capabilities. Also, by 2020, it is planned to adopt the Baikal type ATGW.

As for the armored vehicles, the existing fleet includes more than 20,000 tanks, while their requirement for 2020 is much lower. However, only T-90 tanks and a portion of T-72 tanks have the required upgrading potential. The rest tank versions will have to be decommissioned from the Armed Forces.

To replenish the armored vehicle fleet, by 2015 it is planned to develop:

Common inter-service tracked platform for a combat vehicle and a support vehicle on its basis;

Common inter-service wheeled platform for a combat vehicle and a support vehicle on its basis;

Medium tracked platform for a combat vehicle and a support vehicle on its basis;

New-generation medium- and heavy-capacity automotive platform for a family of multipurpose tactical protected automotive vehicles and modular mobile workshops on its basis.

In the field of soldier equipment, by 2020, the troops will receive close combat weapons and individual soldier gear comparable to their foreign counterparts in their characteristics and surpassing them in weapons.

In today's conditions, the accomplishment of tasks facing tactical units and the most effective use of strike weapons are impossible without a well-functioning information management system. The Unified Tactical Command and Control System (YeSU TZ), which is being developed, belongs to such systems.

Under the State Armaments Program, the supplies of the YeSU TZ kits are scheduled for 2011.

It should be noted that creating a unified tactical command and control system meeting current requirements in the transition of the Russian Armed Forces to a new look is a critical scientific and technical problem.

The unified tactical control and control system is part of the lower-level of the automated troop control system for the Russian Armed Forces. It is a set of interconnected tactical-level automated control systems and communications facilities of the Russian Armed Forces' groupings.

The main goal of creating the YeSU TZ is to increase the effectiveness of tactical units through the development of advanced software / hardware systems, which will enable control of subordinate the subunits to a platoon, a squad, a crew, and to an individual soldier inclusive, both as part of a grouping of troops (forces) and in cooperation with units of other military formations.

Development and adoption of the YeSU TZ will ensure the integration and combined use of weapon systems, information support, electronic warfare, control, communications and data exchange, while their field practice may clarify the requirements for further improvement and development of such systems.

In addition, equipping the troops with advanced equipment models and support facilities will ensure the mission accomplishment by troop groupings in different climatic conditions, at any time of year and day.

Thus, the implementation of measures aimed at establishing a modern armaments system, as well as the complete delivery of new armament and military equipment models (complexes, systems) to troops will provide the required and sufficient level of equipment of the RF Armed Forces.

GarryB wrote:Excellent post there Austin... very interesting... lots of good stuff there.

GarryB wrote:

A new SSN design sounds interesting... Would expect it to be smaller than current models and most likely cheaper too so that it can be made and manned in numbers.

MODERNIZATION OF ARMY - A PRIORITY OBJECTIVE

In March, President of Russia - Supreme Commander of the RF Armed Forces Dmitry Medvedev held two important meetings on national defense capacity issues: an enlarged meeting of the RF Ministry of Defense's Board and a meeting with the heads of defense industry enterprises. The results of activities in 2010 were summed up and the objectives for 2011 were outlined.

The President gave top priority to force development issues. Back in 2008, he tasked the Ministry of Defense and the Security Council to shape a new "look" of the army through its comprehensive modernization. Over the past period all four core sectors were involved in the army reformation process: the command structure of the armed forces, legal and regulatory framework, personnel, and equipment of troops with modern weaponry.

Setting the objective for 2011, the Russian President has identified three main areas of force development: new armaments, a new quality of troop management and a new status of the officer. Unlike most countries in world, Russia, due to its geopolitical position and size of its territory, has to develop and maintain a high level of combat readiness of the full range of weapons available in all possible services and arms of the armed forces. Dmitry Medvedev out lined this primary condition of national security as "a comprehensive modernization of the armed forces", stressing at the same time that absolutely eliminates "drawing our country into a costly arms race."

LAGGED BEHIND THE FOREFRONT

Modernization of the armed forces is carried out according to the State Armaments Program (SAP) for 2010-2020, for whose implementation 20 trillion rubles have been budgeted. Its target is to bring the level of equipping the Russian Armed Forces with modern types of armaments to 70% by 2020, while the level of fitting with military equipment will reach 100% by 2016. The new documents - SAP-2020 and the Federal DIC Development Program 2011-2020 - are also focused on advanced research and development.

In 2010, the share of supplies of new military hardware has reached 15%. Troops received 20,000 pieces of new military equipment, including 27 ICBMs, 34 strategic air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM), 21 aircraft and 37 helicopters, 19 SAM systems, 61 tanks and 325 combat armored vehicles, six spacecraft were launched.

In 2011, it is scheduled to deliver: 36 ICBMs, 20 strategic ALCMs, two strategic missile submarines (SSBN), three attack nuclear submarines (SSN), five spacecraft, 35 aircraft, 109 helicopters, 1 surface combatant ship and 21 SAM systems.

Commenting on the SAP-2020, First Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin said that deep modernization of the Russian armed forces' assets lies ahead and three new approaches to the transformation of the Russian Armed Forces will help accomplish this objective.

The first approach is as follows: priority for the Ministry of Defense is not support of the whole domestic industry but equipping the Army with armaments and military equipment competitive in the global market in order to meet the necessary requirements for defense capabilities under conditions of modern challenges and threats. That is, if the domestic industry does not manufacture any kinds of competitive armaments, this should not deprive the Russian armed forces of the opportunity to purchase advanced weapons abroad.


The second approach involves reaching defense R&D expenditure parity with the United States. In the reporting financial year, the US spent 11% of its 2010 defense budget (79.1 billion dollars) on R&D. The Russian SAP-2020 envisages a 10% level of R&D costs (about US $70 billion), which corresponds to annual spending on innovation in the US defense sector and is approximately 9% of all US expenses on defense research and development.

The third approach to military modernization envisages creating a common information space - from the General Staff to every single soldier on the battlefield. This is a so-called future soldier gear, which in addition to body armor, ammunition and weapons will include a special helmet with two displays and microphone, communication and data exchange means, as well as other high-tech devices (a full-fledged communication system). At the initial stage the Russian army will buy several kits of the French FELIN system from Sagem Defense Securite/SAFRAN, and then the Russian defense industry will develop a similar system.

Chief of General Staff - First Deputy Defense Minister General of the Army Nikolai Makarov said that outdated military equipment was often procured in the past. As a result, over 20 years of the post-Soviet period the Russian army continued to share views of the 1970's and essentially "lagged behind the front line" - he noted. Priority in military affairs, as Nikolai Makarov highlighted, is given today to precision-guided weapons, space facilities and information technologies. The digital technology and automated troop command and control systems determine everything in the modern theater of operations - the effectiveness of combat operations, interoperability of interservice task forces, maneuverability of forces and facilities, pace of warfare, precision of strikes, losses of personnel and equipment.

Reporting on the progress in the replacement of analog automated troop control equipment with digital systems, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said that by the beginning of this year a comprehensive upgrade aimed to establish a modern information / telecommunications infrastructure in the army was completed at 259 military facilities. By the end of the year the number of re-equipped facilities will reach 500 and thus the Russian President's order will be accomplished on time and in full. The deliveries of a sixth-generation radio to troops will begin already this year, and an advanced military communications satellite constellation will be completed by 2018.

"Means of communication are a key issue of improving the combat capability of our armed forces," - the RF President stressed the importance of this priority area.

"I will control supplies of armaments and military equipment," - said Dmitry Medvedev, adding that the fulfillment of obligations will be monitored in all phases - from development to deliveries. In this respect, the President proposed to maintain a balance between the customer and the contractor: state order should ensure a reasonable level of profitability for companies (in order to develop and introduce new technologies), but the prices of DIC products should be transparent, while the responsibility for meeting the obligations under state defense order will be raised. Beginning next year the total defense expenses will reach 4.5% of GDP, exceeding that of the US (3.5% of GDP).

Addressing the heads of defense enterprises and the Russian government, the Russian President categorically stated that today, under conditions of sufficient government funding of the defense industry, dependency, manipulation of prices and a steady increase in contract price in the industrial sector are no longer welcome. "The vicious system must be broken, otherwise we will not be able to meet the objective, which I said about - to equip our army and navy with new weapons by 2020. The money is available, it is necessary to bring order," - said Dmitry Medvedev, assuring that since part of the obligations under state defense order have not been met, hearings will be held soon and responsible persons from industry and government institutions will be determined.

TRANSFROMATION OF ARMED FORCES' STRUCTURE

Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces Nikolai Makarov, speaking at a general session of the Academy of Military Sciences, strongly criticized the approaches to the organizational structure of the Russian army, where emphasis is still placed on a massive Soviet-style army for flank confrontation along the front line. "The past 20 years have seen rapid development of the forms and methods of warfare. These changes are associated with the transition from large-scale linear actions of multi-million armies to new generation maneuvering defense of professionally trained armed forces and network-centric warfare, "- he explained, adding that this experience of leading Western armies has not been reviewed and not taken into account in Russia yet. The main requirement for modern armed forces in the world is the ability to conduct expeditionary military operations.

Chief of General Staff's critical statements were made after the meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense's Board, where Russian President - Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces instructed the military to drastically improve the quality of command and control, especially at the level of joint strategic commands and armies. The new organizational structure of the Russian Armed Forces established last year consists of four military districts and four operational Joint Strategic Commands - West (St. Petersburg), Center (Yekaterinburg), East (Khabarovsk) and South (Rostov-on-Don).

Due to recent changes in the deployment of troops to improve their mobility and firepower capabilities in strategic sectors, eight (instead of 33) large bases of army aviation were established and the airfield network was optimized. Such a transformation helps maintain the country's military infrastructure multi-layered in the main strategic directions. The Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces has set the objective - "to thoroughly test the new troop management structure during the Center 2011 Exercise, moreover, taking into account Russia's ensuring interregional security, jointly with its CSTO allies (much attention will be paid to interservice interaction of Russian armed forces and operative cooperation with armies of the Allies).

The new effective fighting strength of the Russian Armed Forces with the established number of 1 million servicemen and an updated troop training and command and control system is today strong interservice groupings in all strategic directions. According to the President of Russia, the most important areas for defense strengthening and security maintenance are the eastern and far eastern sectors, where increased attention will be given to modernization of the defense infrastructure.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov considers the separation between the operating and supporting functions within the army management system as the major results of the ongoing reform. "Two areas of responsibility have been established: the first area includes force planning, implementation and development, the second - logistic support of the Army and Navy," - said Anatoly Serdyukov. - The main objective of the next stage of the military reform is to increase the fighting capabilities of force groupings in the strategic sectors. To this end, in 2011 it is planned to complete forming new formations and units, three combined arms, one missile, two artillery and seven air defense missile brigades (out of 12 planned), nine reconnaissance brigades and three engineer brigades, implement a package of measures to improve the battle readiness of the formed units."

As to logistic support of the Armed Forces, a unified system of logistic support of troops with armaments, military equipment, ammunition, fuel, food, clothing and other property has been established, a stocks storage system has been optimized - eight integrated bases and 10 logistic brigades have been stationed in the areas where the formations and units are deployed.

This year the aerospace defense (ASD) troops will be formed by bringing together the existing air defense, missile defense, missile warning and space control systems under common command & control. All the decisions will be adjusted depending on negotiations with NATO over Russia's participation in EuroBMD. In order to build a common ASD system, as well as to further strengthen the Strategic Missile Forces with three missile divisions, form 14 new army aviation brigades, 12 air defense missile brigades for army air defense, and other fighting units, which will be equipped with high-tech weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles, it was decided to increase the number of officers by about 70,000 people.

Earlier, summing up the results of 2010 on the central state TV channels, the Russian President emphasized that in general the Ministry of Defense carefully implemented his instructions on forming a functioning army. "Our army still remains largely Soviet. Not because the Soviet army was bad - the time was different, the size of the country was different, and the objectives were different. We must reform the army,"- said Dmitry Medvedev. He approved the MoD's proposals concerning maintenance of 220,000 officers and 425,000 soldiers serving under contract. At the same time, approaching the NATO countries' practice, the number of conscripts will be reduced to 10-15% in future.

All the force development processes in Russia help more successfully promote the interests of the state in the international arena. A new treaty on strategic offensive arms with the US has heavily affected the military reform. Multilateral and bilateral areas of military cooperation are developing. Our military capabilities are improved taking into account also international commitments for the rapid delivery of peacekeeping forces for UN and EU missions. In the framework of international agreements, the missile and ammunition storage system is optimized (74,000 rail cars with explosion-hazardous armaments will be destroyed within the next two to three years).

NEW STATUS OF SERVICEMEN

The issues related to military personnel like strengthening the officer corps, improving the education system, improving combat training, fight against corruption, providing social guarantees for servicemen and military pensioners, improving service conditions, as well as well-being of service families are under priority control of the country's president.

In 2010, the amount of combat training in troops was increased by 30% (over 2,000 exercises were conducted). The main event - Vostok (East) 2010 operational / strategic exercise - involved 56,000 servicemen, more than 10,000 pieces of equipment, including 170 combat planes and helicopters, 54 warships. This year it is scheduled to hold about 3,000 exercises, including the Center 2011 operational / strategic exercise jointly with the armed forces of CSTO countries, and the Cooperation 2011 Russian-Belarus exercise.

Dmitry Medvedev stressed that only fully trained officers are able to carry out modernization of the armed forces: "The troops should be replenished with the commanders who can not only use sophisticated weaponry and modern equipment, but also train the conscript soldiers who now serve just 1 year." To this end, the Ministry of Defense has bought two training simulators in Germany with a capacity of 3,000 workstations for combat training of brigades' personnel. In the process of training, the initiative and leader commander qualities, the ability to work quickly and in a non-routine manner, save forces and facilities, and avoid personnel losses will be assessed rather than mechanical actions of the trainees. To enhance the fighting readiness of troops, personnel will be fully excused from doing fatigue duty and non-core activities since 2012.

The military education system based on a common approach to training at military and civilian schools is being actively reorganized. Military educational institutions, together with civil universities and defense enterprises, have developed new federal state educational standards to train primary level officers. At a March meeting of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev with the heads of industrial enterprises held at Metrovagonmash, a defense plant in Mytischi, near Moscow, the creation of a unified national qualifications map was discussed (RUIE is preparing 170 standards), which will take into account the lack of engineering skills determining not only the future of the defense industry, but also the combat readiness of the armed forces, because the servicemen admitted to new high-tech types of weapons must have engineering education.

A continuous professional officer education system will be established, much attention is paid to the professional sergeant training system. To give the children of servicemen an opportunity to get military education, the MoD has 19 military schools. Last year the first Presidential Cadet School was opened in Orenburg, and the second one will be set up in Stavropol (it is planned to open a total of eight such educational institutions).

Military compensation is dramatically changing: from 1 January 2012 the officers will receive between 50,000 rubles (platoon commanders) and 150,000 rubles or more (senior officers), which is comparable with money allowances of officers in the developed countries. The average amount of military pensions will increase 1.6 times.

Over the past two years the officers discharged from military service have received 100,000 apartments. The program to provide housing for officers will be completed within the next two years. Later, it is planned to provide apartments within a year after the servicemen are included in the waiting list.

The infrastructure of military camps is being optimized - only 184 out of the existing 21,000 camps will remain and their integrated infrastructure will be built.

To strengthen anti-corruption measures, the Anti-Corruption Council will be set up under the Ministry of Defense, while the Main Organization Inspection Department, Personnel Inspection, Military and Financial Inspections will be vested with additional powers.

DEFENCE INDUSTRY PIVOTAL MODERNISATION - A PRIORITY

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting in Votkinsk, the hub of the Russian rocket and missile engineering, in March 2011. The meeting discussed development and modernisation of the national defence industry and assessed readiness of the Russian industry and scientific centres to fulfil the new State Arms Programme for 2011-2020. A successful implementation of the programme will enable Russia to shape modern mighty Armed Forces, capable of countering any contemporary threat.

In his opening address the prime minister pointed out that a total of over 20 trillion Russian roubles were expected to be earmarked to implement the programme. "As compared with the previous programme, the amount will increase almost three-fold. Indeed, that is a lot of assets and much money for Russia. Naturally, we will have to divert the money from other lines of activities, but I believe it to be reasonable. What we see today is an extreme ease of adopting decisions on the use of force in international affairs. Developments in Libya are as good confirmation as any, which proves that our resolve to strengthen Russia's defensive capacity is justified."

Vladimir Putin emphasised that budgetary allocations would not be the only thing to grow, what was even more important requirements to armament quality, capabilities, and specifications would be toughened as well. "We need real new-generation hardware. It is unwise to waste money on manufacturing morally obsolete systems, therefore, much of the money, earmarked within the framework of the state arms programme, will be spent on advanced defence and technology developments," he stressed.

"Our objective consists in ensuring a comprehensive re-equipment of the Russian Armed Forces. It means that we have to establish really integrated and efficient Navy, Army, and Air Force, rather than separate outfits with modern materiel. For instance, Air Defence Forces will have to be re-equipped completely. The output of strategic and theatre missile systems will be doubled from 2013 on. All surface-to-air missile (SAM) regiments will get new S-400 Triumf and Pantsyr-S systems.

Troops will also field new strategic and theatre missile systems, such as Yars, Bulava, and Iskander-M," the prime minister stated.

"At the same time strategic offensive arms and missile defence systems will be developed in strict compliance with all international agreements, including the START Treaty. It will guarantee strategic stability and safety across the globe. However, all such agreements are structured in such a manner that nothing can prevent us from upgrading our offensive arms and maintaining their efficiency," Putin stressed.

According to the Russian prime minister, in excess of 1,300 pieces of arms and materiel will be procured under the state arms programme. A total of 70% of weapon systems to be fielded with the Russian Armed Forces by 2020 are expected to be top-notch, as opposed to simply new, arms. Development of 220 pieces of materiel will require opening new or expanding existing production facilities, and establishing cooperation between defence and civilian contractors. To cut the long story short, to drastically modernise Russia's Armed Forces it is a must to revamp its defence industry, introduce state-of-the-art technologies, attract promising managerial staff, engineers, and workers, as well as establish powerful top-notch production facilities, capable of manufacturing high-quality products by the deadlines, specified in corresponding contracts, at reasonable economically sound prices.

"Last year we took comprehensive stock of defence industry enterprises: in effect, we evaluated all branches of the defence industry, determined its realistic capabilities and readiness to manufacture new advanced products, and what is more important, to fulfil big-ticket mass-production contracts. The defence industry naturally requires investments in its development, therefore in addition to the state arms programme we have finalised the federal target-oriented programme for defence industry modernisation until 2020," Vladimir Putin said.

The draft federal target-oriented programme for missile system mass production envisions allocation of almost 77 billion Russian roubles, including 9.6 billion Russian roubles for the Votkinsk plant, over the afore-mentioned period of time.

"The Votkinsk plant is our basic leading production facility, manufacturing missile systems. The enterprise has gained vast scientific and production experience, however, the wear of it production equipment is quite high. We will invest almost 1.7 billion Russian roubles in revamping the Votkinsk plant by 2013 within the framework of the state-guaranteed defence order. A total of approximately 15 billion Russian roubles will be earmarked for enterprises, manufacturing missile systems, i.e. your related enterprises, over a period of three years. The amount of finance allocated to this end will gradually grow in the upcoming years. This is exactly what is envisioned by the Federal Programme "Russian Defence Industry Development through to 2020," Vladimir Putin pointed out.

"Modernisation will cover all major sectors of the national defence industry: rocket and missile engineering, military aircraft industry, command and control, communications, and reconnaissance systems, ammunition, and shipbuilding. It is of paramount importance to start funding main development projects, procurements of new equipment, and design documentation development as soon as possible. The government discussed these issues several days ago and came up with the following proposal. In order to step up a full-scale modernisation of production facilities the government proposes that financial assets be allocated even before the Defence Industry Development Programme is officially adopted.

In the course of the meeting Vladimir Putin charged the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Economic Development, and the Russian Federal Space Agency looking into the viability of this pattern in relation to the rocket and missile engineering among other things.

In conclusion the Russian prime minister underlined that state customers should strictly fulfil their obligations and sign contracts on time, and should not delay payments and advance payments, while enterprises should manufacture "high-quality products by the deadlines, specified in contracts, at reasonable prices."

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting in Votkinsk, the hub of the Russian rocket and missile engineering, in March 2011. The meeting discussed development and modernisation of the national defence industry and assessed readiness of the Russian industry and scientific centres to fulfil the new State Arms Programme for 2011-2020. A successful implementation of the programme will enable Russia to shape modern mighty Armed Forces, capable of countering any contemporary threat.

MOSCOW, October 1 - RIA Novosti. Enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex began to develop the three families of combat and support vehicles for the Army on the basis of heavy, medium and light unified platforms (tanks, APCs and armored cars), told reporters on Saturday, the Day of the Army, a spokesman for the Press Service and Information Russian Ministry of Defense Lt. Col. Sergei Vlasov.

Day of the Land Forces says Russia on October 1st Presidential Decree "On establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation" dated May 31, 2006.

"For the Army initiated the development of a new family of platforms such as light -" Typhoon ", medium -" Boomerang "and" Kurganets-25 ", and heavy -" Armata "," Vlasov said.

He added that the full technical re-equipment of the Army plans to carry out in two stages.

According to Defense Ministry spokesman, on the first phase, from 2011 to 2015, major efforts will be focused on the purchase of modern weapons and military equipment for missile and artillery units, subunits, intelligence, electronic warfare and communications, and automated control systems for tactical level. In the second phase, from 2016 to 2020, is scheduled to begin a complete equipment and units with new modern weapons and military equipment on the base of unified platforms.

Speaking about preliminary results of the current academic year, Vlasov said that the Army in 2011, conducted more than 7500 firings offices, 2.6 thousand firings platoons, about 250 zug tactical exercises and over 80 battalion-level tactical training.

Land forces are the main type of the Armed Forces, they consist of a mobile and compact permanently combat-ready, capable of immediately begin the mission.

As part of the Army - motorized rifle, tank, artillery and rocket forces, air defense forces, special forces: intelligence, communications, electronic warfare, engineering, logistics, as well as radiation, chemical and biological protection.

Interview with Chief of Land Forces, Colonel-General Alexander Postnikov.
Alexander Tikhonov, "Red Star".

Tomorrow, on October 1, in the Russian Armed Forces will celebrate their professional holiday - Day of the Army. This is a special date in a series of professional holidays in our army, because at the present time are the main ground forces of the Armed Forces.

As part of the formation of the modern image of the Armed Forces of the Army began a compact, mobile, predominantly composed of military units of permanent readiness, able to immediately begin the mission. And the deployment of these compounds corresponds to the existing threats and allow for any strategic direction to create groups of troops (forces) to repel the aggression of the enemy as soon as possible. In this regard, at present the main efforts of the High Command are aimed at improving the Army as of the Armed Forces, has high capacity to conduct active operations at any variant of wars and armed conflicts. The fact that been done in the course of these efforts and what is planned for the near future, on the eve of the professional holiday of the "Red Star" said Chief of Land Forces, Colonel-General Alexander Postnikov.

- What are the tasks defined by the Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation on peace and war, are expected to be decided only by associations, formations and units of ground forces or with their direct participation?

- Army has always played an important and often decisive role in ensuring the military security of the state and defending our national interests. Under present conditions, their role and importance in our view, not decreased. After all, military units the Army has been and remains the only means of containing and controlling territory.

Only the presence of the Army in the Russian Armed Forces can provide a reliable defense of the Russian Federation with regard to the size and extent of its land borders, is over 22 thousand kilometers, and the particular political and geographical position.

In connection with this association, connection, and in general for Army assigned a number of important tasks, including participation in strategic deterrence and prevention of military conflicts. Priorities - part in repelling aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies, defeating the troops (forces) of the aggressor, forcing him to cease hostilities on terms that meet the interests of Russia and its allies. You can use ground forces in peacekeeping operations (restoration) of international peace and security. To deal with them in their composition are Army mechanized infantry, tank troops, missile troops and artillery, air defense forces, as well as special forces: intelligence, communications, electronic warfare, engineering, NBC protection and logistical support.

Of course, we are well aware that to ensure the military security of Russia can only work together, well-coordinated efforts of all kinds, arms of the Armed Forces and military units of other ministries and agencies aimed at implementing a significant number of interrelated and complex tasks. But this land forces, while maintaining its dominant position in the groups created for action at the regional (local) wars and armed conflicts continue to play an important role in the neutralization of contemporary security threats and challenges, including the effects of terrorism, being ready for any scenario complications of the military-political situation to ensure the military security of Russia.

- How, in light of the reform of the Armed Forces and the creation of joint strategic command to change the functions of the High Command of the Land Forces?

- It should be noted that earlier attempts at reform undertaken by the Army compounds in the main is to reduce the quantitative parameters without any fundamental changes in their organizational structure, management systems, improve and provide modern weapons and military equipment.

In order to improve the structure of the armed forces, reducing layers of management and avoidance of duplication of various structures in 2010 was reorganized government and set up four military districts (Western, Southern, Central and Eastern), having in its composition between species groups of troops (forces) .

At the Command of the Army today charged with the task of building the Army and the improvement of their structure and organization of combat training, training junior specialists, planning, peacekeeping and disaster relief, development of tactical and technical requirements for armaments, military and special equipment for the Army.

- What special attention was paid to the preparation of the Army in 2011?

- The most significant event of the preparation of the Land Forces was held in September, the strategic doctrine "Center-2011 ', who were involved in more than 20 military units and formations. In practical actions that took place at six test sites, from the Army and units involved from the Central Military District.

The exercise, in addition to working out issues of interaction of heterogeneous and cross-species groupings and test the ability of commanders and staffs at all levels to manage, study and evaluate the possibilities and units of constant readiness to perform its tasks as intended by newly developed military documents.

As shown by action of troops on the firing ranges, training soldiers and officers in comparison with strategic exercises "Vostok-2010", "Kavkaz-2009" and "West 2009" has grown, especially in practical terms. Controls, connections, and the Army units operating in a whole effectively coped with the tasks. Significantly increased their cohesiveness and willingness to operate successfully in the modern combined arms battle. The personnel of demonstrated good proficiency, and most importantly - the desire to perform tasks.

During the 2011 academic year administration, the compound (military units) and units of ground forces also participated in joint military exercises with the armies of foreign countries, the main ones were the co-operative teaching of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus "Union Shield - 2011" Mongolian-Russian joint exercise "Selenga-2011."

Analysis of the results of 2011 school year shows a tendency of increasing the intensity and quality of combat training over the previous year. Total the Army has conducted more than 7,500 firings offices, more than 2,600 firings platoons, about 250 zug tactical exercises, over 80 battalion-level tactical training. During the gathering with the leadership of the Army was held ostentatious brigade combat exercise with live firing. In addition, it took more than 270 sborovyh events with the officers. It should be noted that in most performed charges involved the faculty of military schools, which allowed use of the rich academic experience.

- What is being done in the Army in the process of modernizing and upgrading weapons and military equipment?

- To improve performance during the overhaul of being upgraded, which is based in the installation of new weapon systems with a thermal imager, modern radio equipment and internal communications and switching controls. Implementing this approach will allow for 10 years to support the combined arms combat readiness units to equip the Army with new modern types of military vehicles.

In the transition to the new Army combat strength of heavy, medium and light brigades of the Army High Command in conjunction with industry to develop and start the creation of three families of combat and support vehicles for the Army on the basis of heavy, medium and light unified platforms.

Work continues on a new automated control system for tactical-level "Constellation-M2", which will provide a full function control, intelligence, communications, electronic warfare, navigation, and identification. And with the maximum efficiency will manage the tactical troop formations. Provided for building communications systems with a range of stations DTSV processing technology Wi-Fi and creating a nodal architecture communications system. The cycle of direct control in the brigade will be reduced by 1.6 times compared with the existing organization of government.

For the army air defense systems are developed and aerial reconnaissance from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with electro-optical and radar facilities. The development of ACS army air defense operational level, the establishment of radar duty and military regimes, common to SAM (SAM) and radar units.

Also, the incorporation of NBC reconnaissance on a single methodological, technical and organizational framework through the development of an automated system to identify and assess the extent and effects of weapons of mass destruction, radiation and hazardous chemical accidents, as well as automated radiation control system.

In the area of ​​exploration and development occurs and the creation of unified multi-purpose and multi-channel automated and unmanned combat high-precision systems that provide real-time reconnaissance, identification and defeat enemy targets. In particular, the complex is being developed with aerial reconnaissance drones, equipped with opto-electronic and radar facilities. Also being developed zvukoteploseysmicheskie and radio complexes intelligence.

In the area of ​​non-conventional weapons should mention the development of fundamentally new systems and models of weapons and military equipment on the basis of technical solutions using new physical principles, advanced robotic systems of weapons and military equipment. In particular, in the interests of the Army is the creation of designs (sets) non-lethal weapons destruction to participate in peacekeeping operations and operations in urban and densely populated areas.

- Battle Ground Forces capabilities are directly dependent on their equipment with new, modern weapons and military equipment. How active are their development, when the connection and receive part of a new technique?

- Capacity-building of military formations and units at the expense of equipping them with modern weapons and military equipment is a priority construction and development of the Army. Until 2020, according to the state armaments program for 2011-2020 the share of modern weapons will be at least 70 percent. Its implementation will create a system of arms-to-date.

At the same time upgrading the Army plans to carry out in two stages. In the first (2011-2015) the main focus will be on procurement of modern arms and military equipment designs, especially for rocket and artillery units, intelligence units, electronic warfare and communications, and automated control systems for tactical level. At the same time continue to develop a new family of platforms such as light ("Typhoon"), medium ("Boomerang" and "Kurganets-25") and heavy ("Armata").

In the second phase (2016-2020 years) is scheduled to begin a complete equipment and units with new modern types of weapons and military equipment on the base of unified platforms.

- And what about Kalashnikov?

- From Kalashnikov armed forces do not give up. It's small arms is on the Army and Navy.

However, existing stocks of AK-74 is much greater than our needs. In the next 10 years will be provided by ground forces with new AK-74, which now lie at the army warehouses. Therefore, an additional purchase for the Armed Forces of the small arms is not necessary.

At the same time, today the Ministry of Defence has formulated new demands on the technical characteristics of samples of small arms, the Army needed at present. Briefly they can be described as follows: must be significantly improved accuracy, sighting range, ergonomics machine, but it retained its reliability as a Kalashnikov rifle.

I know that today at the "Izhmash", and not only on him, already being developed completely new modern machine for the army. We are closely monitoring these developments and actively cooperating with enterprises.

I am sure that Russian gunsmiths who have experience of creating unique designs in small arms, worth cope with this task. The Armed Forces will get a weapon that will continue the best traditions of brand "Kalashnikov" and while nothing will give the latest foreign models.

- Please tell us about Social Security of Military Land Forces and their families. How many homeless officers, when they will be provided with accommodation?

- Currently under construction about a thousand houses in 39 regions of Russia. Until the end of the year should be put into operation six districts with all necessary infrastructure. More than 20 thousand apartments in a hundred new homes will be new residents in the suburbs, St. Petersburg, Stavropol and Krasnodar territories and the Maritime region.

The waiting list for housing space has decreased by almost half. Keeping the momentum building, completely secure permanent housing standing on the stage of war planned before the end of 2012.

It is also important that the acquisition of permanent housing is not necessarily connected with the place of service waiting list. If the soldier who serves, for example, in Khabarovsk, chose the place of residence outside Moscow and Krasnodar, he should make an appropriate statement in the service, which deals with housing register.

- What do you wish to subordinate the eve of the professional holiday - Day of the Army?

- I want to sincerely thank all the staff and veterans of the Army for the contribution they make to the common cause of ensuring the military security of Russia and warmly congratulate them for this memorable date, and wish you health, happiness and continued success in service and work for the benefit of our Fatherland

During the year 2012 Russia is to fine tune its new system of state defence procurement. Without that work it would be difficult to fulfil the state program worth RUR 20 trillion. The hopes are based on the introduction of long term contracts as well as consensus based pricing system. All disputes between the industry and the military will be resolved by a special military-industrial committee chaired by the new deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin. Until recently he served as Russia's representative in the NATO.

The program has never been published in full, but the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and representatives of the military-industrial complex have anounced a few figures. For example, the Ministry of Defense is planning to acquire a minimum of 600 new military aircarft, 1200 helicopters, over 50 battle ships of main classes, 8 strategic nuclear-powered missle carriers, 10 multi-purpose nucrear submarines, 1500 tanks, 56 divisions of S-400 anti-aircraft systems, 10 divisions of the new surface-to-airmissile systems S-500 and some others. Besides the acquisitions of new weapons the program includes a wide range of upgrade programs for several types of weapons and technical means. That includes hundreds of aircarft and helicopters, thousand units of armored vehicles, majority of the naval ships and submarines. The fulfillment of these ambitious plans largely depends on how well the military and the industry can work together.

The situation that by the end of 2011 took shape with the state defense procurement in Russia could only be qualified as a deadlock. The Ministry of Defense sought to buy new military equipment of adequate quality at minimal price while the producers wanted to not only cover their production costs, but also get financing for “future development”, “modernization” and also for “just in case”. The resulting disputes and scandals between them often times had to be resolved by the country’s top leadership.

Both President Dmitry Medvedev and prime minister Vladimir Putin both said it would be unacceptable to break the deadlines on the state defence procurement contracts. Both leaders personally supervised the negotiations on the most significant contracts – with the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), United Aircraftbuilding Corporation (UAC) as well as the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (MITT).

The issues of the financing of the defence procurement orders caused serious debates inside the Government itself. In particular, many experts believe that Finance Minister's disagreement with such increase in military spending was one of the key reasons of Alexey Kudrin's resignation last year.

Neither the Ministry of Defence, nor the industry or politicians seek to relive the experience of 2011. Everybody agrees that the problem needs to be solved, otherwise the RUR 20-trillion State Armaments Program (SAP) would be under threat. According to the 10-year SAP Russian Armed Forces are to radically upgrade their arsenal of military equipment – by 70% on average, including complete upgrade of some equipment. In particular, Strategic Rocket Forces are to get a 100% equipment upgrade.

According to the deputy director of the Center of Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Constantine Makienko: «In 2012 it is planned to streamline the procurement process of the Ministry of Defence itself. It now consists of three stages: the department of pricing, the legal department and main commands of various services of the Armed Forces. Besides that within the new system of price setting it is planned to fine-tune the relationship between the defence industry and the Ministry of Defence. Nobody will be forced to work harder, which will take its toll, while there are still no efficient methods of price setting worked out”, says Makienko.

However, the defence industry enterprises have had no choice but to constantly raise prices faster than the inflation rate warrants. Lack of funds for plant upgrade, problems with suppliers and small production runs – these are all the factors that don’t contribute to price decrease.

There are several ways to give more room for maneuver to the managers of defence enterprises. First of all it is the reorganization of the industry management system, which has been underway for several years via holding formation process. Secondly, the planning horizon can be extended via introduction of long-term contracts (launched wide scale last year). And thirdly, improved access to financing via increased acceess to the State Defence Orders as well as other sources of financing. Such sources of financing are funds allocated within the targeted federal program for the upgrade of the defence industry complex enterprises, as well as loans issued by banks against state guarantees. All these measures are to help the enterprises to move away from the “present day” mentality – unlike the birds in the Bible, modern industrial enterprises need to see their perspective not just for years to come, but for decades ahead.

«There will be no such acute crisis as in 2011», believes Constantine Makienko. «However, a number of problems are too deeply rooted to be resolved easily. If we talk about the real problems, the situation with the military transport aviation can be characterized as very acute if not critical, where the delays in completion of the majority of projects have grown out of proportion. At the same time there are areas where the development is quite successful. Specifically, it concerns the supply of helicopters – the «Helicopters of Russia» group have managed to launch production of high volume series, have built partnerships with suppliers, largely upgraded their production facilities, and thus are producing with competitive equipment. That also includes battle aircraft of the Sukhoi Construction Bureau – their production rates are increasing, and even if they do fall behind, it won’t be critical”, thinks Constantine Makienko.

The key issue of 2012 will be the role of the Military-industrial Committee formed by the Russian Government. With its new leader – deputy prime-minister Dmitry Rogozin and with the mission to “actively participate” in the resolution of conflicts and the building of cooperation between the military and the industry, the Committee is to become that very entity where consensus decisions acceptable to both the military and the industry will be made. “Acting by force doesn’t work any more” – this rule is valid for both sides. As Russian experience shows, disproportional influence of the military or the industry lobby does not lead to any positive results. Time will show whether this upgraded Committee can help balance the influences and interests.