I keep getting this nasty feeling we will see VLS Shtil on the Admiral Gorshkov. The 50km variant is nothing to sneeze at, but 120km 9m96 would be so much better. Though if that cell on the Soobrazitelny is indeed 9m96, it would make sense that Gorshkov would carry potentially a mix of 40km and 120kn 9m96s.

Actually Jordan ordered a pair of Il-76MFs, the first one flew recently.

Bulava has been launched again successfully! Excellent news!

Cheers,
TR1

Some decent footage of the Neustrashimy training:
http://www.tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/43neustrashimyy59_vyshel_na_strelby_2710.html

There was originaly 24 Su-33.
With a few lost over the years, there should at least be a full squadron, possible 20 of the Su-33SM in service in the years to come.

The VVS Mig-29K’s will not enter service untill the Indian orders are completed, which will take years.
And they will enter service in batches i guess, just like the Indian K’s.

Its way to early to speak about the K’s replacing or service together with the Su-33SM’s.

I believe I saw talk of Ks being delivered to the Russian Navy as soon as next year or the year after that (Of course not the entire batch). Going to check on that, but apparently they won’t have to wait long for the first examples.

Edit:
For what its worth:
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100115/157562223.html

Oh and:
http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100928/160747881.html

So the reports about putting 29Ks on the Kuz are not true ?

They are. Ks and KUBs will serve alongside Su-33s.

I do not know the specifics of why the Ka-60 is not favored, but it is clear that so far there has been no official desire or interest in the type- there have simply been no orders nor is there any indication of any orders in the near future. A few years ago Russia resumed purchasing utility helicopters for its own military, but it has been exclusively modernized Mi-8s, ANSAT and I believe Mi-26s.

Mi-8 apparently does fine in Kavkaz (which I am from while we are on the subject :p), I have no indication there are technical problems with the Ka-60, it is just not needed I guess.

On the subject of the Mi-38:
http://www.take-off.ru/news/98-sent-2010/510-mi-380-09-2010
The third Mi-38 airframe, which is under construction, will have TV7-117V (VK-3000), which gets rids of the foreign engine problem and will enjoy a performance advantage over the P&Ws.

-TR1.

yes, the Su-33s are getting old. But fortunately India has saved Russia time and money by purchasing MiG-29Ks, makes it easier for Russia to buy some of these as replacement.

As for those old Kamovs.. do they have any upgrades? Maybe they can buy some Z-9s from China or W3s from Poland :diablo:

Su-33 is getting modernization. New Kamovs have also been delivered at low rates for the past few years now.