Current Events in Europe

From Aviation Week Russian Air Force Rekindles Upgrade Goals Aug 19, 2009 Alexey Komarov/MoscowDouglas Barrie/London Moscow is on the brink of concluding its largest fighter aircraft order in almost 20 years, with the Russian air force's leader setting far-reaching procurement and restructuring plans. Funding, however, is a fundamental concern. Col. Gen Alexander Zelin, the air force chief, says the overhaul is intended to improve operational readiness and give the service what it urgently needs to counter future threats. All elements of the air force will be affected: organizational structure, aircraft, weaponry, training and infrastructure. Existing di…

Work in progress in the two new LHD for Australia based in the Spanish Juan Carlos I design: Canberra launched on 17 February 2011: http://www.infodefensa.com/?noticia=el-lhd...-de-fene-ferrol Adelaide keel laid-down on 18 February 2011 in the same slip: http://www.infodefensa.com/?noticia=navant...-para-australia Asked the project director Jorge Lopez Novo about the Russian purchase of the French Mistral design, his answer was: " ... probably Russian Navy was looking for smaller ships than Juan Carlos I",

From DefenseNews Chirac Warns Would-be Attackers France Could Respond With Nukes By PIERRE TRAN, PARIS President Jacques Chirac extended France’s nuclear doctrine Jan. 19 with a warning that states considering using terrorist attacks or weapons of mass destruction run the risk of a nuclear retaliation. “Leaders of states which might resort to terrorist methods against us, just as those envisaging to use, in one way or another, weapons of mass destruction, should understand they expose themselves to a firm and proportionate response on our part,” Chirac said in a keynote speech on a visit to Le Vigilent, the most modern of France’s nuclear ballistic missile su…

Clear photos of the almost new Italian CVH Cavour in Marseille (and two years after his commisioning, without the two intended 76mm Super Rapid guns fitted, but I see something like radar gun director for those weapons): http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=114588

Great stuff (especially from a Harpoon DB perspective) on the Royal Navy's planned Type 26 frigate: Q&A with BAE Systems on Type 26 Frigate Design Update at Euronaval 2012 (Navy Recognition) Type 26 changes again (UK Armed Forces Commentary blog) Type 26 Frigate - Global Combat Ship (Navy Recognition)

Russia ‘Showing Interest’ As BALTOPS Exercise Begins (USNI News) Article includes USN fact sheet with OOB info for those of you interested in putting together a scenario.

From DefenseNews Chirac Warns Would-be Attackers France Could Respond With Nukes By PIERRE TRAN, PARIS President Jacques Chirac extended France’s nuclear doctrine Jan. 19 with a warning that states considering using terrorist attacks or weapons of mass destruction run the risk of a nuclear retaliation. “Leaders of states which might resort to terrorist methods against us, just as those envisaging to use, in one way or another, weapons of mass destruction, should understand they expose themselves to a firm and proportionate response on our part,” Chirac said in a keynote speech on a visit to Le Vigilent, the most modern of France’s nuclear ballistic missile su…

A first deployment of the CVH Cavour with 8xHarriers on the East Mediterranean (near to Syria?) with her new 76mm guns, lots of clear pics, from Mer et Marine (in French): http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/la-flotte-italienne-se-deploie-en-mediterranee-orientale

Against a not yet identified Russian "crusier". And remember, HMS Defender has not anti-ship misiles, neither UK maritime patrol aircrafts or aircraft launched anti-ship missiles (only can use perhaps Alarm, Brimstone and LGBs): http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html

Russia grounds 'Bear' bombers following accident and fire (Jane's)

The Most Serious Russian Violation of the New START Treaty Yet (RCD, 16 May 2022)

Air Power Australia (APA) has released its assessment of the Sukhoi PAK-FA. Assessing the Sukhoi PAK-FA

From Jane's [excerpt]

Confirmed, Russian pump-jet SS Alrosa now has Kalibr capabilities: https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2022/may/11739-russian-black-sea-fleet-oldest-sub-b871-alrosa-to-start-sea-trials-soon.html

From http://www.defence-aerospace.com VT Group Secures Contract For New Offshore Patrol Vessel Source: VT Group; issued Feb. 25, 2005 VT Group plc has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Defence for the construction of a new 80 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel (Helicopter) for the Royal Navy. The ship will be built to VT’s account, with production starting in June. She will be handed over to the Royal Navy in Autumn 2006, entering service, after the completion of trials, in Spring 2007. The ship will be chartered to the MoD for an initial period until March 2012. The programme is expected to be worth an initial total of around £30 million, under a …

From Defense Aerospace [excerpt]

DGA Receives the First Retrofitted Navy Rafale (Defense Aerospace)

From DefenseNews Posted 06/28/07 19:18 Russia Carries Out Successful Missile Test By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESS, MOSCOW Russia has carried out a successful test of a sea-based intercontinental missile from a nuclear submarine, the military said Thursday. The test on the new Bulava ballistic missile was conducted in the White Sea off Russia’s northwest coast, military spokesman Igor Dygalo told AFP. “The missile warhead arrived in the foreseen deadline” in the Kura test range in the Kamchatka region of Russia’s Far East, the spokesman added. The missile was fired from the submarine Dmitry Donskoi, which was used for a test which failed last October. Two other tests h…

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NY Times article here. August 17, 2008 Military Analysis Russians Melded Old-School Blitz With Modern Military Tactics By THOM SHANKER WASHINGTON — Russia’s victorious military blitz into the former Soviet republic of Georgia brought something old and something new — but none of it was impromptu, despite appearances that a long-frozen conflict had suddenly turned hot. The Russian military borrowed a page from classic Soviet-era doctrine: Moscow’s commanders sent an absolutely overwhelming force into Georgia. It was never going to be an even fight, and the outcome was predict…

From The Guardian [excerpt]