Russia continues to continuously demonstrate and introduce various new types of weaponry while drafting its weaponry plans for the next decade. The process of upgrading weaponry also demonstrates Russia’s focus on the Asia-Pacific region and the Arctic.
Combat robots, laser weapons, hypersonic missiles
Russian Defense Minister Shoigu said on May 21 that Russia has developed combat robots that carry artificial intelligence and can fight independently as shown in science fiction movies. These robots are not just in the experimental stage, but are now in mass production, Shoigu said. Russian media reported two years ago that the Russian military plans to set up robotic combat units by 2025.
Shoigu also said that day, Russia is vigorously developing laser weapons systems. He said that on the one hand, laser weapons have been equipped with troops, and on the other hand, they are constantly being improved and upgraded. The Interfax news agency reported that laser weapons can not only destroy incoming targets in the air, but also attack satellites in space orbit. The Russian army was equipped with laser weapon systems in 2018, mainly to protect on-board strategic intercontinental missiles on the move. Five strategic rocket units are already equipped with laser weapons.
Shoigu also said Russia continues to deploy the Vanguard hypersonic weapon system, which can be launched by strategic intercontinental missiles, and is testing the Zircon hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile. Shoigu’s statement reveals that Russia still attaches great importance to its strategic nuclear forces. According to Shoigu, Russia’s strategic nuclear forces are 86 percent modernized and equipped, and no other country’s military is comparable to Russia’s today.
Priority artificial intelligence, hypersonic as weapons in the next decade
At the same time, Russia has begun to develop and draft a weapons and equipment plan for the next decade from 2024 to 2033. Deputy Prime Minister Borisov, who is in charge of military industry and weaponry affairs, said recently that the plan will be completed by the end of this year.
Borisov, an arms expert, said the plan would prioritize the development of hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence and combat robots, and would focus on the development of new, non-traditional weapons. He also said that the newly developed “drill” aerial bombs have demonstrated their efficiency in tests and will be equipped with troops soon.
The “Diamond” aerial bomb was developed for the Su-57, a fifth-generation warplane that has just been equipped with the Russian military. The bombs can be dropped far beyond the range of enemy air defense fire and can be dropped by parachute to attack ground tanks, radars and other targets.
Russia is also currently developing a heavy unmanned combat aircraft system commanded and controlled by the Su-57. In the future, a single Su-57 fighter aircraft will be able to command and control multiple unmanned aircraft.
Yerichaninov, another leading official in Russia’s military industry, told the media a month ago that by 2020, the Russian military will have reached 70 percent modernization of its weaponry. By 2023, it will increase to nearly 73 percent.
Yerichaninov said that the authorities will not reduce funding for the new version of the Russian weaponry program for the next decade. He said a new version of the report on the analytical assessment of Russia’s security risks by 2053 will be completed in the fall and will be presented to Putin at that time.
Three aircraft carriers considered
The pro-official Russian newspaper Kommersant revealed on May 22 that three aircraft carriers are likely to be considered in the new version of Russia’s weapons program for the next decade. One will be deployed in the Northern Fleet, another in the Russian Pacific Fleet and the third in the Mediterranean.
The Russian Navy currently has only one aircraft carrier, which is being refitted and upgraded. This carrier is the same class as the Chinese Liaoning. In the Soviet era, all aircraft carriers, including the one currently in service in Russia, were built in Ukraine. Russia has no past experience in building aircraft carriers, and building three carriers with a full fleet of escorts, carrier aircraft and other supporting facilities will undoubtedly be a huge challenge.
According to an analysis by Kommersant, Russia also needs to have a huge dock for building aircraft carriers, and none of the existing docks are suitable. In addition, several major naval shipyards also have a lot of problems. But in any case, building aircraft carriers could help drive the development of Russian shipbuilding and other industrial upgrades.
Amphibious assault ships commissioned in the Far East to boost Russian Far Eastern naval capabilities
At a shipyard in Crimea, Russia began construction of two 40,000-ton amphibious assault ships last year. Before the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, Russia had ordered two amphibious assault ships from France and developed attack helicopters specifically for this purpose. But later, due to Western sanctions, France resold the amphibious assault ships to Egypt.
The two amphibious assault ships under construction in Crimea may all join the Pacific Fleet in the future, Interfax news agency said, citing Russian Defense Ministry sources. Russia’s Pacific Fleet celebrated the 290th anniversary of the fleet on May 21. Russian Navy Commander Yevmenov said in a message that day that two types of nuclear submarines with intercontinental strategic missiles, as well as diesel-electric submarines, amphibious assault ships, and a variety of new corvettes and ocean-going frigates will continue to be added to the Pacific Fleet. In addition, the Pacific Fleet is upgrading its existing destroyers.
Russian naval shipyards are building six diesel-electric submarines for the Pacific Fleet that can carry the Caliber cruise missile. These cruise missiles can be used to launch long-range attacks on the coast. Pacific Fleet Commander Avakyants said the first two submarines will enter service this summer. When all six submarines are in service by 2024, the Pacific Fleet’s combat capabilities will be significantly increased. Amphibious assault ships, strategic nuclear submarines and other new ships are joining the Pacific Fleet, showing the Russian military’s increasing attention to the Asia-Pacific region.
Confrontation with the West not forgetting the defense of China
Despite the tensions with NATO on Russia’s western borders, Putin’s authorities are not neglecting the defense of the Far East in any way, especially by continuing to be on guard against China. In the just-held May 9 military parade commemorating victory in World War II, the local parade in the city of Khabarovsk (Buri), located on the banks of the Amur River, across the Heilongjiang River as China calls it, displayed for the first time the T-80BVM main battle tank. The tank was developed especially for operations in the Far East, including the Russian-Chinese border, and in the harsh Arctic conditions, where the tank engine can easily start at low temperatures.
A feature of Russia’s May 9 parade this year was that almost no new equipment was presented in Moscow’s Red Square. However, there were a number of new weapons on display at the local level, including several new vehicle-mounted artillery systems, among others. Russia is developing several new vehicle-mounted artillery systems, primarily for use in large-scale armed conflicts, while equipping airborne forces and improving the mobile strike capability of its troops.
Kanovarov, a scholar of strategic issues, said Russia’s geographic location has largely influenced military building and weaponry thinking. In any case, Russia is a land power,” Kanovarov said. Although Russia also has access to the world’s oceans, continental power may seem more important to Russia.”
Russia has likewise stepped up development of a variety of weapons systems for use in the Arctic, including helicopters, warplanes, icebreakers for the navy, artillery systems mounted on tracked tractors that can travel in snow, air defense systems and more.
Recent Comments