WILL POST-SOVIET TERRITORY AIR DEFENSE BE UNITED?
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
May 3, 2006 Wednesday
Russia is ready to establish a privileged regime for its partners
in Air Defense United System, including supplying them with modern
anti-aircraft complexes S-300
NUCLEAR SUBMARINES; The program of development of the naval strategic
nuclear force until 2010 is aimed at retaining combat readiness of
the naval strategic component and the creation of the first submarine
of generation four (project 955 Borei) with the Bulava solid-fuel
ballistic missile with MIRVs.
CIS air boundaries united defense takes a leading position in united
collective measures, taken by post-soviet countries in the military
sphere. Notwithstanding disintegration processes that are taking place
in Commonwealth countries, Air Defense United System established over
10 years ago is still working, which was revealed at the recent staff
command training of CIS Air Defense United System.
Russian Air Forces second Commander-in-chief Lieutenant-General
Aytech Bizhev stated, that aircraft alert forces of CIS Air Defense
United System have successfully fulfilled all the missions. “Over ten
missions, connected with strengthening air boundaries of CIS countries,
have been worked on”, said Bizhev. According to his words, Air Forces
Commander-in-chief Army General Vladimir Mikhailov, who was heading
the training, expressed his satisfaction with CIS countries national
army units and subdivisions, which participated in the training.
It is vital to note that forces and subdivisions of only eight CIS
countries took part in staff command training: those of Armenia,
Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
and Ukraine. However, according to the agreement of February 10,
2005 Air Defense United System includes 10 countries, Georgia and
Turkmenistan besides the named eight countries. As is known, Georgia
officially left the CIS military structure last year, and Turkmenistan,
having announced its neutrality, does not participate in CIS collective
military organs activities. The role of these two countries in united
defense of CIS air border is reduced to zero, but they have influence
on CIS countries security. In fact, CIS South is not safe. Last year
Georgia prohibited Russian reconnaissance airplane A-50 to fly to the
territory of Armenia during staff command trainings of Air Defense
United System. This year pilots didn’t try to do it. Thus, it is
possible to talk only about partial air boundaries defense of Air
Defense United System. In fact, only the countries which are included
in Collective Security Treaty Organization actively participate in
CIS Air Defense United System (that is Armenia, Byelorussia, Russian
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan). Ukraine and Uzbekistan take
part in staff command training on the bilateral basis. At the same
time Kyiv can cease participating in Air Defense United System if
the Ukraine will be allowed to NATO.
Moscow is trying to establish a privileged regime for Air Defense
United System countries to keep Russia’s neighbors in the limits of
the united system. For example, supplying anti-aircraft complexes with
spare parts, their maintenance and service is fulfilled by Russian
factories on the privileged basis. For these purposes there is finance
in the Russian budget. The other day Russian Air Forces General staff
Commander Boris Cheltsov stated, that anti-aircraft missiles S-300
produced by the concern “Almaz-Antey” would be in the armament of all
countries of CIS Air Defense United System. Of course, such statements
should be done by politicians, not by military men. However, is it has
been said by the representative of Air Forces Commander-in-chief, by an
authoritative military commander, it is possible to suggest that there
had already been the corresponding political decision made. Let us
remind that anti-aircraft complexes S-300 are exported to Byelorussian
without charge. From July 1 the complexes will be airborne alert. This
is a very important geopolitical step. According to the words of
Russian Air Forces second Commander-in-chief Lieutenant-General Aytech
Bizhev this fact that the complexes will be airborne alert will allow
to replace the farthest limit of the air objects hitting area to 150
kilometers to the West. The contact area will be 400 kilometers larger,
accordingly. It is a vital strategic-tactical step for the Russian
Federation. S-300 is capable of hitting a target at the height of
20-45 kilometers, applying fire to 6 targets at the same time. To
compare with, American “Patriot” can blaze away only 4 air targets.
If analogous complexes will be supplied to other countries of Air
Defense United System, Russia and its allies will be able to control
to certain degree boundaries of China, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran,
Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania and of Baltic countries. It would
be an important step in providing security for the Russian Federation
and its allies. However, it is not yet clear how NATO countries will
react. Any action can cause a counter-action. It is quite possible
that the West will make up neutralization measures for CIS integrated
military structures, like Air Defense United System.
The Russian naval strategic force (…) presents units of nuclear
submarines armed with ballistic missiles at the Northern and Pacific
fleets. The units are subordinated to the General Staff. The Navy
controls their construction, combat-training and the deployment in
patrol areas.
(…) The experience gained during the creation of first nuclear
submarines and diesel submarines (projects V611 and 629) let the
USSR start creating the K-19 nuclear submarine (project 658) with
ballistic missiles in the mid-1950s. The submarine was added to
arsenals on November 22, 1960 (underwater displacement is 5,000
tons). The characteristics of the submarine: two nuclear reactors
(30,000 h.p.); underwater speed – 30 knots; depth – 300 meters,
durability – 50 days; crew – 100 people; weapons – three R-13 missiles
(D-2 complex) with the range of fire of 650 kilometers.
These submarines had to rise to the surface in order to launch
missiles. In all, eight such submarines were built.
The submarines were armed with the R-21 missiles (D-4 complex) in
1963. They could be launched from the underwater position (project
658M). The range of fire increased to 1,400 km. (…)
The Navy received project 667A submarines with 16 ballistic missiles
in 1967. They became the forefathers of a range of submarines known
in the West as Delta-I, Delta-II, Delta-III, Delta-IV (projects 667B,
667BD, 667BDR, 6677BDRM).
They carried long-range ballistic missiles. The type of warheads and
their power changed. These submarines were called strategic missile
submarines.
Project 667A submarines were produced until 1972. In all, 34
submarines were created (underwater displacement – 9,500 tons; two
nuclear reactors – 50,000 h.p.; underwater speed – 30 knots; depth –
320 meters; R-27 missiles (RSM-25 complex) with the range of fire
of 3,000 km; launch depth – 50 meters). Modernization of the project
was aimed at increasing the range of fire to 3,900 km. (…)
The USSSR built 18 project 667B submarines (underwater displacement
– 10,000 tons; two nuclear reactors (24,000 h.p. each); underwater
speed – 25 knots; depth – 320 meters; crew – 120 people; durability –
70 days; 12 R-29 missiles – 8,000 km; precision – 1.5 km) in 1972-1977.
In addition, the USSR design project 667BD submarines (underwater
displacement – 11,400 tons; nuclear reactors, underwater speed and
durability are the same; depth – 3900 meters; maximum depth – 450
meters). The strong hull was by 15 meters longer. This is why the
submarine carried 16 R-29 ballistic missiles (three MIRVs on each).
The range of fire increased to 9,000 km; precision – 900 meters.
Launch depth – 55 meters. Four such submarines were built until 1975.
(…)
Project 667BDR submarines were added to arsenals in 1976 (underwater
displacement – 10,600 tons; two nuclear reactors (60,000 h.p.);
underwater speed – 24 knots; crew – 130 people; durability – 90
days)/ In all, 14 such submarines were built until 1985. The main
peculiarity of its RSM-50 missile complex was that the missiles could
carry three different types of warheads: R-29R with three MIRVs –
6,500 km; R-29K – seven MIRVs; R-29RL – one powerful warhead, 9,000
km. The submarines carried 16 missiles. Their precision was around
900 meters. The majority of submarines were repaired and modernized
before 1991 when the collapse of the Russian defense industry began.
This is why they managed to operate in the 1990s. However, Russia
had to scrap part of submarines due to the START agreements. However,
it’s possible that some project 667BDR submarines will operate until
the creation of new generation submarines.
In response to the Trident program (Ohio submarines), the USSR
launched the Typhoon project in 1981, aiming to create project
941 submarines (…) (underwater displacement – 25,000 tons). The
submarine consisted of two strong hulls linked one light hull. The
new architecture increased the survivability of the submarine and
the reliability of weapons. The submarine had two reactors 80,000 h.p.
each. Its underwater speed was 27 knots. The depth is 500 meters. The
RSM-52 complex consists of 20 three-stage missiles (R-39) with ten
MIRVs each. The range of fire exceeds 10,000 km. The launch depth is
55 meters. The typhoon is equipped with anti-aircraft complexes. The
crew is 179 people; durability – 120 days. (…)
Project 667BDRM followed the Typhoon (seven submarines built since
1981). At present, these submarines are the foundation of the naval
strategic nuclear force. Russia will use them until 2010-15. These
submarines are superior to generation two nuclear submarines. Their
characteristics are similar with that of the Ohio submarines.
Displacement is 10,800 tons (underwater displacement – 13,000 tons);
two nuclear reactors (60,000 h.p. each); underwater speed – 24 knots;
depth – 650 meters; crew – 120 people. The RSM-54 missile complex is
armed with 16 R-29RM missiles (9,300 km). Every missile carries four
MIRVs. The missiles can destroy small targets thanks to their high
precision (missile silos, command posts and more). The submarine can
launch all missiles from the depth of 55 meters. The RSM-54 complex
is superior to the Trident-2 complex. It’s not ruled out that the
R-29MR missiles will carry ten MIRVs (due to the US’ withdrawal from
ABM). The missiles can be armed with ordinary charges and small nuclear
charges, which can destroy small targets without damaging neighboring
settlements. This means that such submarines can be used in different
military conflicts. (…)
At present, the Russian Navy has seven project 667BDRM submarines,
five project 9941 submarines and two project 667BDR submarines. Two
Typhoon submarines are in good technical condition. One of them is
involved in tests of the Bulava missile complex.
In other words, Russia has 11 strategic nuclear submarines, which carry
184 ballistic missiles with 944 warheads. Weakening of the strategic
submarine group makes the Russian military worry, especially after
the US’ withdrawal from ABM and the factual liquidation of START-I
and START-II. The US currently has 18 nuclear submarines with 432
ballistic missiles and 3,120 MIRVs.
The new agreement on strategic nuclear weapons was signed on May 24,
2002 (it came into force on June 1, 2003). According to the agreement,
Russia and the US must cut the number of strategic nuclear warheads
to 1,700-2,000 kilotons until December 31, 2012. (…)
The Russian president signed the decree to increase the naval component
of the strategic nuclear force to 55% until 2005 in 1998.
The program of development of the naval strategic nuclear force
until 2010 (…) is aimed at retaining combat readiness of the
naval strategic component and the creation of the first submarine
of generation four (project 955 Borei) with the Bulava solid-fuel
ballistic missile with MIRVs.
The submarine was laid up on November 2, 19996. The displacement
of the submarine will amount to 24,000 tons. Depth – 450 meters;
underwater speed – 30 knots. This will be the most noiseless
submarine in the world. It will combine the most up-to-date technical
solutions. The missile complex will be able to overcome anti-missile
defense. The submarine will be equipped with a rescue chamber for
1000 servicemen. (…)
The second phase of the program (2006-10) is aimed at serial production
of the new submarines, which must retain the nuclear potential of
the naval strategic nuclear force after scrapping of generation three
submarines. (…)