A Russian Orthodox priest blessing a new batch of SU-27 fighters.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Jul 8 2014, 09:43 AM

Declassified photo of the construction of a Typhoon-class SSBN. What a monster!



Imagine what NATO would give for a set of these back in the 1980s.....

Depends on the purpose. Diesel-electric boats for local offshore patrol can afford to be small due to smaller powerplant & shorter operation time.

For a boomer carrying SLBMs or cruise missiles with patrol times of 5-6 months, it's not an option. The number of personnel and equipment for operating sophisticated missiles and a nuclear reactor effectively for such a long patrol time would neccesarily be large. Even the new Borey-class ICBM/Cruise missile submarine is as large as a US Ohio-class sub.


Comparison between Typhoon-class, Borei-class and UK Vanguard-class submarines

Russian Navy really churning out new submarines lately.

Besides the new Borei-class SSBNs (1 operational, 2 to be delivered in 2015, to replace the Typhoon-class SSBNs), the Russian Navy is rolling out the new Yasen-class SSNs proposed to succeed the old Victor-class SSNs and placing an order with St Petersburg Shipyards for 8 Advanced Kilo-class submarines.


Anyway, here's some interior shots of the recreational area of the decommissioned Typhoon-class SSBN Arkhangelsk. The recreational area included space for a gymnasium, some arcade machines, a small swimming pool, steam sauna (not powered by the reactor,I hope) and even a solarium with UV tanning lights!!



This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Jul 8 2014, 12:32 PM

A correction to my earlier post.

The Borei-class SSBNs have already 3 submarines in service. The Yury Dolgoruky (based at Northern Fleet), the Aleksander Nevsky and the Vladimir Monomakh (both based at Pacific Fleet). Military planners project the building of 10 Borei-class Submarines in total by the year 2025.


The Borei-class SSBN Vladimir Monomakh surfacing during patrols somewhere in the Pacific ocean

Bro, before this the entire Sabah & Sarawak the Malaysian Army deployed 1 Division only la wei,Infantry division aje pulak tu. Have to be split into 3 brigades some more (1 at Kuching, 1 at Sibu & 1 at Kota Kinabalu). Main military force concentrated at Semenanjung Malaysia.

NOTE: Completely unrelated pic

Adeii...Brader Iswara tu tak nampak ke kereta perisai berat 13 tan kat depan?

Buk long-range SAM system with (L-R) Command vehicle, radar vehicle and 2 missile launchers

Even if it's old, the Buk missile system still needs multiple support vehicles and a lot of people to operate it. It's not something you can just point and shoot like a short-range MANPADS missile (Igla,Strela, Stinger). From my readings, to engage a target a Buk missile battery at least needs a command vehicle, radar tracking vehicle and missile launcher. Most of the crew would need to be at least proficient with the radar tracking and homing system,which would be rare even in a conscript army like Ukraine/Russia simply because most conscripts are posted into infantry formations and sophisticated systems like communications and electronics are handled by professional core soldiers.

So probably it's not the work of a rogue person with a short-range MANPADS like Igla. Moreover,because of the relative sophistication of the system and the fact that there's probably not that many Buk missiles to go around in eastern Ukraine,the system is probably watched and monitored by top-level people and not being operated by low-level militiamen to prevent wastage. So a rogue operation is highly unlikely,people on high positions knows about the activities of each battery.

I'm also informed that all civilian aircraft carry a transponder identifying them as such,differentiating them from military aircraft. Wouldn't this show on the tracking radar of the Buk system? If so, can we consider the chilling implication that the people firing the missile know exactly what they are aiming for?

Apparently besides basic versions of the Buk missile launchers which are dependent on instructions from a command vehicle and Radar, some more modern versions of Buk missile launchers (TELAR version) have their own basic targeting & fire control radar,albeit a smaller,less powerful one than a dedicated radar. Could be a reason why civilian transponder is not detected by the system. If the system had used its dedicated radar,with its more powerful and comprehensive features,the system may have detected a civilian transponder.

So it is possible to launch a missile autonomously by a single TELAR version of the Buk missile launcher,but without benefit of dedicated radar support which might have deteced the MH17's civilian transponder in the first place. But the question still stands,who has the capability to operate relatively sophisticated long-range SAM missiles like this from the separatists side (as has been accused)? This system is as a US security expert has stated, "not something you simply get on and push a button. There are literally military schools dedicated solely to teaching military officers to be good at these types of systems (long-range SAMs)".


Basic Buk system missile TEL(Transporter,Erector,Launcher) system,dependent on commands from separate radar & command vehicles



Buk system TELAR (Transporter, Erector, Launcher, Acquisition Radar) version, note radar system housing in front part of turret,enabling it to launch autonomously without dedicated radar & command vehicles

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Jul 18 2014, 04:06 PM

No choice, China shipbuilding,especially Naval ships are currently at breakneck pace. Unless they want to find one day PLA-navy ships docking at Manila harbor unmolested, they have to invest in Navy ships,no matter how burdensome to Pinoy treasury. At least the new ships can get 1-2 cannon shots before Chinese anti-ship missiles sink the entire Pinoy fleet

Economics experts estimate China shipbuilders delivered $5.7 Billion USD worth of various boats/ships to EU countries in 2012, donno how much the figure will be this year,but no doubt will be much higher. Chinese shipbuilders have grown more experienced & skilled with every ship they build.

In a related matter, ahhh the mother of ironies.....

Defense think tank proposes a major fleet of 400 Y-20 Heavy Transports to PLAAF

A Chinese defense think tank from the National Defense University (NDU) in Beijing has pressed the PLAAF to consider a 400-strong transport fleet of the brand new Y-20 heavy transport planes to ensure the mobility and readiness of the PLA in any future deployments or conflicts as soon as it is ready to enter production.

The Y-20 Kunfeng is developed from 1993 with assistance from engineers of the Antonov Aerospace company in Kiev. The Y-20 is currently in final prototype stages, but experts say China's rapidly developing defense industry can start full production of the planes starting from 2017 or 2018. The plane is capable of lifting around 65 tons of equipment or 120 paratroopers. Other variants of the Y-20 such as Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system and aerial refueling versions are also under parallel development. The Y-20 is slated to serve alongside the cold-war era Il-76 heavy transport plane, in service since the 1980s.


Xian Y-20 Kunfeng Heavy Transport plane

News Link: Chinese defense think tank proposes 400-strong transport fleet

Russian Navy orders 'Navalized" version of Ka-52 for Mistral LHD ships

The Russian navy has ordered a batch of special 'navalized' versions of the Ka-52 'Alligator' strike helicopter in view of the expected shipment of the French-built Mistral class LHD ships Sevastopol and Vladivostok later this year and in 2016. The Mistral class LHD ships can accomodate up to 16 helicopters for combat operations,but a more realistic load would be 8 Ka-52 strike helicopters and 8 Ka-29 'Helix' transport helicopters.

The Russian Mistrals will feature heavy modifications to enable them to operate in Arctic conditions and an enlarged hangar space to house the taller contra-rotating propellers of the Kamov helicopters the Russian navy expects to equip the Mistrals.


Diagram of the special 'navalized' version of the Ka-52 'Alligator' strike helicopter

News Link: Russian Navy orders 'Navalized' version of Ka-52 strike helicopter for Mistrals

-Repost sorry

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Aug 7 2014, 09:53 AM

Can't see why not, Chinese MBTs not as large & heavy as western MBTs. Latest Type-99 MBT weighs in at 50 tons,well within the Y-20 carrying weight.

Many observers criticize the Y-20 prototypes because of low marks on range & speed when compared with western heavy transport planes. However the Y-20 prototypes use old Soviet Il-76 engines,which are not so efficient in range & speed. PRC Defense ministry has confirmed full production units will use new,locally produced WS-20 Turbofan engines used in local fighter planes that can increase carrying weight, range, speed & fuel economy of the production Y-20. Until now, the WS-20 prototypes have improved the performance of several test Il-76 transports in PLAAF service.


Basic comparison between Xian Y-20, Illyushin Il-76 and Boeing C-17 Globemaster

The situation in Iraq is beginning to look like a Tom Clancy novel that was never published.

The main players and their situation:

US: Launching airstrikes on IS positions,ostensibly to protect 'US assets & personnel of the US Consulate in Erbil'. Effects of airstrikes as yet inconclusive. May deploy additional troops in addition to the 300 'military advisers' already in place.

Iraq PM Nouri Al-Maliki: launched a crackdown on Baghdad on 11.8.2014 against government officials opposed to his bid to secure a third term as prime minister. Iraqi President Fouad Masoum is rumoured to already have been arrested by troops loyal to Al-Maliki. Iraqi Special forces have been deployed across the Baghdad 'green Zone" and Iraqi troops with armoured vehicles set up road blocks on all roads leading in and out of Baghdad.

Kurdistan: Has openly,in defiance of the authorities in Baghdad have asked for military assistance and supplies directly from the US. The refugee situation has grown from critical to perilous,with refugees from Northern Iraq that fled the IS onslaught in past months believed to be around 350,000-500,000 and it is unknown how long can the KRG (Kurdistan regional Government) can continue support them.

Islamic State: Despite the insurmountable odds, Islamic State (IS) militants and their Iraqi Sunni allies have remained on the offensive on all fronts in recent days, capturing the important Mosul Dam and continuing to advance north in Sinjar and Jalwala,despite resistance from Kurdish Peshmerga militias. Reports of IS deploying 152mm artillery strikes against Peshmerga. Counter-attacks by Iraqi army and Shia militias against IS-held Baiji and Kirkuk have fizzled out, despite renewed calls of resistance from Shia clerics.

Iran: Iranian Revolutionary Guards confirmed to have deployed in Iraq proper. Iranian air force training Iraqi air force to pilot SU-25 attack planes.


If Clancy had wrote something like this, I'd buy it.

PLA training for Ship-borne helicopter landings on a maritime assault simulation.



(Wagner's Ride of the valkyrie can be heard)

PLA new destroyer DDG-172 Kunming arrives at Yulin Naval Base, Hainan Island on 6/8/2014

The Kunming(DDG-172) , the lead ship for the Luyang III Missile Destroyer series have arrived at Yulin Naval base on Hainan Island. The Destroyer, said to be comparable with the US Arleigh-Burke Destroyer class is set to be deployed to the PLA South Seas fleet and highlight the authority of the PRC's claim over the South China Sea area. The next four ships of the class have also been earmarked for deployment to the South Seas Fleet by 2020.

The Kunming is a 7500 Ton Guided Missile Destroyer equipped with a high performance next generation Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) Radar (said to be comparable to the AEGIS Radar System) and armed with 1 x 130mm multipurpose Cannon, 6 Torpedo tubes and 64 Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) cells for multiple types of ordnance. This includes Anti-Air, Anti-Ship, Anti-Submarine and Cruise missiles.

The Luyang III Missile Destroyer series is planned to have 12 ships with the Kunming already in service and the Changsha in final sea trials. A further 6 hulls are still under construction (The Guiyang, Chengdu, Hefei, Nanjing, Yinchuan and Taiyuan) and are under various stages of construction with a planned finishing date somewhere during 2016-2017. The final four ships are already ordered by the PLA Navy and are set to start construction somewhere in 2018.

Wikipedia entry: Type 052D Guided Missile Destroyer series

Vietnamese Army recruits share a funny moment. OMG,still use tikar mengkuang leh!

Avibras plant in Brazil showing a variety of Military vehicles including ASTROS II MLRS systems. Is is just me or are they been painted with Malaysian camo pattern? On the other hand,the pic is undated,so it might be an earlier order.

Not sure but likely they are, VPAF not one of the high-budget armed forces. And since these are recruits could be they have not been issued the standard equipment of the army. But the pics look like contemporary to me tho.

Other pics of the VPAF recruits



Morning exercises and marching out for outdoor training.

More pics of PLA ampihibious landing on a maritime assault simulation exercise.