The DoD has already begun looking at ways to get around the unidentifiable launch problem. Given that long-range launch detection is performed typically via a satelltie using an IR sensor, one solution being looked into is a unique IR signature for a conventional ICBM.

If you can make the conventional missiles discernable from nuclear ones, this is a really great idea I think.

Personally I think its a great idea as well. Really rapid deployment time (i.e. 20-30 mins anywhere), good accuracy (hopefully), big payload etc. I can see why the Russians are worried but I think that there are ways round it. The discernable signature thing is a bit pants in my opinion but maybe something else. The US and Russia already inform each other about test launches of ICBMs so why not simply inform the Russians about the use of such a missile in advance – i.e. “Look here, we’re going to fire a conventional ICBM at Iran right now, its going to fly this and this route at this and this time and hit this and this target. You guys okay with that?”

Problem solved.

In Russia the factories and installations are still run until they crack. As long as there was a small chance of cheap-patches none gets the idea for a real replacement in time.

Sens I used to think that you knew what you were talking about – now I just know you’re a nutcase who won’t allow a single positive thing to be said about Russia. Ever.

Is it going to be cheap enough to operate to compete with the An-124? If not then whats the point? If so, then this really could be significant news.

MOSCOW, May 18 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian Armed Forces will get a large procurement of new weaponry by the end of this year, a deputy defense minister said Thursday.

Colonel General Alexander Belousov said the Armed Forces would receive about 30 main battle tanks, 40 infantry fighting vehicles, more than 100 armored personnel carriers, modernized surface-to-air missiles, more than 10 combat helicopters and a regiment of silo-based Topol-M ballistic missiles.

The acquisitions will be made under a major modernization program highlighted in President Vladimir Putin’s state of the nation address May 10 and in statements by a number of senior military officials.

“The modernization program for 2006 envisions the procurement of about 30 new T-90 tanks and modernization of more than 180 T-72 and T-80 tanks,” Belousov said, adding that this meant older tanks would stay in service longer.

He said the army would receive more than 40 new BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), 100 BTR-80 and BTR-90 armored personnel carriers (APCs), new BMD-2 and BMD-3 airborne IFVs and about 4,500 Kamaz and Ural trucks. More than 350 IFVs, 170 APCs, and 90 airborne IFVs will be modernized, he said.

Belousov also said 50 frontline aircraft would be modernized, including Su-24 Fencer tactical bombers, Su-25 Frogfoot attack aircraft, Su-27 Flanker and MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters. He added that 20 surface-to-air missile systems would be modernized and equipped with new missiles.

“We have ordered more than 100 new missiles for these systems,” Belousov said. The Army will also get more than 10 new Mi-28 Havoc and Ka-50 Hokum attack helicopters, he added.

“The Strategic Missile Forces will put a regiment of silo-based Topol-M ballistic missiles on combat duty by the end of this year,” Belousov said.

Impressive spending spree! Is this really all going to be purchased and delivered during the next six/seven months?

Ink: mate I guess you did The Ka-50-2 was starting to get confused with the Ka-52 so they decided to call it the Ka-54 keeping it in line with the current designation status. We had a thread about that about a year ago, look it up

Fair enough.

Actually now that you mention it I do vaguely recall a thread like that… Remind me to stop fuelling my memory with beer. :rolleyes:

– It is interesting that even the money needed is not very much. For three and a bit more billion rubles, we overhauled 106 airplanes last year, 76 helicopters, 364 engines and a number of other components. In airplanes, this is four regiments, in which connection overhaul has been only in our repair plants, plus helicopters – three regiments. 182 aircraft, now we have all of them with two engines, fly on overhauled engines. And if you add here also the overhaul performed by industry, we don’t look so bad.

Given that the Russians are rather well known for introducing upgrades and improvements during major overhauls I wonder how much this is the case with all these overhauls performed last year.

If only a limited bombing campaign is trully intended then it could be carried out tomorrow by B-2s, B-52s and assets already deployed in the theatre. In theory, there would be no need for a long and obvious build up. A longer, more sustained and intense bombing campaign is clearly another story.