Russian President Vladimir Putin promises new weapons will outstrip Western defence technology

News.AU

Mr Putin’s statement came as the military successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile launched from a nuclear submarine yesterday.

Putin accused the West of using the crisis in Ukraine to reinvigorate NATO, warning that Moscow will ponder a response to the alliance’s decision to create a rapid-reaction “spearhead” force to protect Eastern Europe.  

His comments came as Russia’s relations with the West have plunged to their lowest point since the Cold War due to Russia’s role in the crisis in Ukraine. They appear to show that the Russian leader is determined to pursue a tough course in the face of more Western sanctions.

Addressing a Kremlin meeting on weapons modernisation, Putin ominously warned the West against getting “hysterical” about Moscow’s rearming efforts, in view of US missile defence plans and other decisions he said have challenged Russia’s security.

“We have warned many times that we would have to take corresponding countermeasures to ensure our security,” Putin said, adding that he would now take personal charge of the government commission overseeing military industries.

He said Russia’s weapons modernisation program for 2016-2025 should focus on building a new array of offensive weapons to provide a “guaranteed nuclear deterrent;” rearming strategic and long-range aviation; creating an aerospace defence system and developing high-precision conventional weapons.

Among the new arsenal are:

Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 Fighter Jets: Intended to be Russia’s new frontline fighter, the prototype of the T-50 first flew in 2010. It is intended to be the match for the US F-22 “Raptor”, with stealth characteristics and engines capable of “supercruise” — high speed and high fuel economy.

PAK DA Strategic Bomber: Russia’s answer to the B-2 “Spirit”, this next-generation strategic bomber is intended to be almost invisible to radar and capable of carrying a huge array of conventional and nuclear missiles. Little else is known other than its expected service date: 2025.

MiG Skat Combat Drone: The idea of stealth combat drones has been embraced by Russia, with two contenders currently vying for production contracts. It is intended to carry missiles and bombs into heavily defended areas up to 2000km away in order to destroy radar and anti-aircraft weapons. This would clear the way for manned aircraft to deliver their crushing blows.

A-100 AWACS: This new early warning and combat command aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2016. Built around an IL-276 transport airframe, the extended-range surveillance aircraft will be used to tracking aircraft and vehicles over a broad swathe of territory.

Stealth Attack Helicopter: Russia has announced plans to begin construction of a new “stealth” helicopter to roam future battlefields in search of armoured vehicles and command bunkers. Few details have so far been revealed on the $1 billion design project which has two contenders developing designs. Among the military’s requirements are a low sound signature, small radar cross-section, long-range and anti-aircraft missiles capable of engaging fighter jets. A similar project in the United States, the “Comanche” attack helicopter, was abandoned a decade ago.

Guided Missile Destroyers: Named Project 2196, this major surface warship would be a severe threat to the United States Navy which has lost its way with a new class of “littoral” combat ships which are proving to have highly limited effectiveness and a new advanced “stealth” destroyer, Zumwalt, which has proven so expensive that only two will be built. The new Russian destroyer is intended to be capable of fighting submarines, surface ships and aircraft, while also providing support for amphibious operations. It also is intended to be built with stealth technology.

T-90AM “Armada” Tanks: This is a reworking of Russia’s older T-72 tank which went so far as to essentially produce an entirely new design. It features a new protection system blending hardened steel, composite (laminated) armour and reactive plates, along with a new engine, new gun and updated sensors. An automated gun on top of the turret is capable of destroying incoming rocket projectiles. It is expected to enter service next year.

Air Defence System: Intended to be at least twice as capable as the West’s “Patriot” ant-aircraft and antimissile system, the S-400 “Triumph” — given the NATO code name SA-21 Growler system uses three different missiles to give it a comprehensive range of capabilities over both long (400km) and short (120km) ranges.

Anti Ballistic-Missile System: Currently under development, the S-500 missile is intended to be capable of intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles when combined with radar input from the likes of the new A-100 AWACS aircraft. It is supposed to be able to track and shoot at up to 10 supersonic targets at any one time at heights of up to 40km.

Despite promising much, there is some doubt about delivery.

The difficulties faced by the Russian arms industry have been highlighted by the long and painful development of the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile, which has suffered repeated launch failures.

Its designers finally seem to have cured the glitches, and the navy boasted of a successful launch of the Bulava from a nuclear submarine yesterday. Two more launches are set for the fall.

Putin said potential threats must be thoroughly analysed to avoid overburdening the economy with excessive military spending. He would not elaborate on prospective weapons, but he and other officials have repeatedly boasted about new Russian nuclear missiles’ capability to penetrate any prospective missile shield.

Putin’s emphasis on high-precision conventional weapons reflected government concerns about the US and other NATO countries enjoying a significant edge in that area.

The comparative weakness of Russia’s conventional arsenals have prompted Russia to rely increasingly on a nuclear deterrent, with the nation’s military doctrine envisaging the possibility that Russia may use nuclear weapons first in response to a conventional aggression.

Talking about potential threats, the Russian president specifically pointed at the US missile defence program and Washington’s plans to develop new “hypervelocity” conventional weapons that could strike targets anywhere in the world in as little as an hour with deadly precision.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who is in charge of weapons industries, told reporters after the meeting that Russia will respond to the US challenge by developing its strategic nuclear forces and aerospace defences.

Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said the military will focus on developing defensive systems to counter the new US programs, according to the Interfax news agency.

Russia inherited most of its arsenal from the Soviet Union and has struggled to develop new weapons systems after the post-Soviet industrial meltdown.

With hundreds of subcontractors going out of production, Russian arms manufacturers often had to make components themselves, swelling costs and affecting production quality.

Putin said Russian defence industries must rid themselves of a dependence on imports and quickly become capable of producing key components at home.

Faced with a pro-Russian insurgency in the east backed by Moscow, Ukraine has already cut arms exports to Russia. They include missile components, helicopter engines and turbines for naval ships that Russian arms makers may find hard to replace. Western nations also have cut exports of military components to Russia.

http://www.news.com.au/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-promises-new-weapons-will-outstrip-western-defence-technology/story-fndir2ev-1227055102574