Iranian Su-24s have reportedly been spotted over the Mediterranean and along the coast of Africa. The IRIAF chief is on the record saying that they carry out long range training flights.

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MK upgrade brochure…..Algerian Su-24MKs have undergone this upgrade.

Russia to hold competition to choose new Navy corvette – paper
23/08/2010

The Russian Defense Ministry will hold a competition in September to select a new corvette for the Navy to replace the Project 20380 class, a business daily said on Monday, citing sources in the shipbuilding industry.

The competition should produce a mobile, fast-moving ship with a helicopter hangar and a distinct modular layout for weapons, Kommersant said………..

continued
http://en.rian.ru/business/20100823/160303044.html

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Oil tankers through North East Passage

Not military news, but will have a strategic effect in case it should ever be done frequently and routinely. Anyhow, another first step.

http://www.barentsobserver.com/?id=4800813&cat=0&language=en

some related (to the above) news

First high-tonnage tanker through Northeast Passage
http://www.barentsobserver.com/first-high-tonnage-tanker-through-northeast-passage.4809756-116320.html

Russian government dedicates 3 upgraded Il-114-300T’s and 2 Il-76′s to Arctic research
http://www.russiandefenseblog.org/?p=1525

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Video about Nuclear Icebreakers (has some good footage)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWY9gJpq0rs

You guys are amazing 🙂

Countries don’t usually get involved in dick measuring contests but spend available resources to counter perceived threats. Russia only started re-equipping it’s armed forces in a planned way only since 2008 so it’s a bit early to pass judgement yet….everything before that was very minimal and add-hoc.

The number of Mig-31BMs currently is probably a squadron’s worth so far. The Sokol plant which carries out the upgrade released a report back in May that the order for 2009 had been carried out and that it expects a new order.

Nizhniy Novgorod Aviation Plant ” Sokol ” expects in 2010 to sign a new contract with the Defense Ministry to upgrade the MiG-31
http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=84764&cid=25

Earlier the Airforce commander had said that the plan is to have 9 squadrons of BMs…..they’ll probably upgrade all Mig-31B models while they’ll retire the Mig-31BS (which are older airframes brought up to B standard).

IMO it was a mistake to dump the F-14 in favour of the F-18….

Look I agree it’s possible but I haven’t so far come across any serious reports mentioning the Kh-101 as a possible weapon for the Su-34.

I think there’s a better chance we’ll see the Kh-101 on ships and subs rather than on a Su-34.

Nope. This program was meant to upgrade old Su-27 (not already upgraded Su-27) airframes to Su-35 standard. However the program is canceled.

Well off course it’s meant to upgrade old Su-27 (not already upgraded)…..and it hasn’t been canceled.

All Su-27s that will remain in operational use after the reform have to be upgraded by 2015-20. Su-35 components will be used to achieve a degree of uniformity. Whether they’ll be called SM-2 or not is not known…..just like not all upgraded Su-24s aren’t designated Su-24M2.

…….

BARS is better overall…..currently the Su-27SM has somewhat more powerful engines but then again it doesn’t have TVC.

It probably could in theory (with some modifications) but since the Kh-101/102 is a strategic weapon I don’t think a tactical bomber really needs it….it also might be seen as an escalation or violation of current treaties.

It should be R-37 AA-X-13/AA-13 Arrow

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vympel_R-37

It’s almost certainly an upgraded R-37