March 2007 - Russia Special Weapons News

Russian envoy warns of "serious conflict of interests" over US missile plans IRNA 31 Mar 2007 -- Russia's Ambassador to Germany Vladimir Kotenev warned of a "serious conflict of interests" following US plans to deploy 10 missile interceptors and a radar track system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
No U.S. missile shield elements deployment in Russia - ministry RIA Novosti 31 Mar 2007 -- A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry denied Saturday media reports that Russia proposed the United States to deploy elements of missile defense shield on its territory.
Top Russian Lawmaker Calls for Scrapping Presidential Term Limits VOA 30 Mar 2007 -- A leading Russian lawmaker has reiterated calls for constitutional changes that, if approved, would allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in office beyond next year
U.S. Invites Russian Participation in Missile Defense Program Washington File 29 Mar 2007 -- Top U.S. defense and diplomatic officials again invited Russian participation in a newly developed air defense system in Europe designed as a safeguard against ballistic missile attacks from potential threats in East Asia and the Middle East.
Russia to adopt long-term space program - Putin RIA Novosti 29 Mar 2007 -- Russia's Security Council will discuss a long-term space program through 2040, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
Russia calls for broader talks on U.S. missile shield - FM RIA Novosti 29 Mar 2007 -- Russia's foreign minister called Thursday for broader consultations on the deployment of elements of the U.S. missile defense system in Central Europe.
Corruption still plagues Russian military - chief prosecutor RIA Novosti 29 Mar 2007 -- The level of corruption in Russia's Armed Forces is showing no signs of declining, the chief military prosecutor said Thursday.
Putin, Bush discuss missile shield, Kosovo, Iran on the phone RIA Novosti 28 Mar 2007 -- U.S. and Russian Presidents George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin discussed on the phone Wednesday key international issues, the Kremlin press service said.
Russia to respond to U.S. missile shield plans in Europe RIA Novosti 28 Mar 2007 -- Russia will be guided by a principle of "reasonable sufficiency" in its response to U.S. missile shield plans in Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper Wednesday.
Glonass system to be launched by year-end - Sergei Ivanov RIA Novosti 28 Mar 2007 -- The Glonass global navigation system will be inaugurated later this year, Russia's first deputy prime minister said Wednesday.
Russian Land Forces formations to be rearmed by 2011 - commander RIA Novosti 28 Mar 2007 -- More than 20 formations of Russia's Land Forces will be fully re-equipped with modernized armaments and military hardware by 2011, the commander of the Land Forces said Wednesday.
Land Forces are core of Russian Armed Forces - commander RIA Novosti 28 Mar 2007 -- Land forces will continue playing a dominant role in possible local and regional conflicts as the threat of them escalating into war still exists in the modern world, a top Russian military official said Wednesday.
NATO, EU Welcome Latvia-Russia Border Treaty RFE/RL 27 Mar 2007 -- The European Union and NATO have welcomed the signing today of a long-awaited border treaty between Latvian and Russia.
Russian ministry urges strategic security, air defense agreements with U.S. RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2007 -- Russia is seeking to secure agreements with the United States on controversial issues of strategic security, including plans to deploy air defense missiles in Central Europe, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
Russia allocates $380 million for Glonass in 2007 RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2007 -- Russia has earmarked 9.88 billion rubles ($380 million) for its global navigation system Glonass program in 2007, the Russian space agency said Monday.
NATO chief for discussing missile shield in Russia-NATO Council RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2007 -- NATO's secretary general said the proposed deployment of a U.S. missile shield in Central Europe had to be discussed within the Russia-NATO Council.
Defense min. confirms mountain brigades to be formed by December RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2007 -- Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov confirmed Monday that the 33rd and 34th motorized rifle brigades will be completely formed by December 2007.
Russia starts Pacific naval exercise RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2007 -- Russia has begun a scheduled naval exercise in the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Fleet press service said Monday.
U.S. air shield possible only with Russia's involvement - FM RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2007 -- U.S. plans to deploy air defense missiles in Europe could negatively affect Russia's relations with NATO if implemented unilaterally without Russia's involvement or any consideration of collective interests, Russia's foreign minister said Friday.
Pilot error possibly to blame for MiG-29 crash - Air Force RIA Novosti 22 Mar 2007 -- Pilot error may have been to blame for the crash of two MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters that collided in the Rostov area Wednesday, an Air Force spokesman said Thursday.
Moscow hopes U.S. will listen to argument against missile shield RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2007 -- Russia's foreign minister said Moscow hoped the United States would listen to its appeal against Washington's plans to deploy a missile shield in Central Europe and the Caucasus.
Two MiG-29 fighters collide over southern Russia RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2007 -- Two Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters have collided in the Rostov Region in southern Russia, but both pilots survived the accident, a local police source said Wednesday.
U.S. missile defense threat to stability - Russian AF official RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2007 -- U.S. missile defense deployment in Central Europe poses a serious threat to Russia's national security and could undermine strategic stability in the world, a high-ranking Russian Air Force official said Tuesday.
IAEA delegation visits uranium enrichment center in East Siberia RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2007 -- A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is visiting the Angarsk chemical plant, the site of a uranium enrichment center, a senior IAEA official said Tuesday.
No anti-missile radars in Russian embassies-Space Forces command RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2007 -- Ballistic missile early warning (BMEWS) radars will not be deployed on the premises of Russian embassies abroad, Russian Space Forces command said Tuesday.
Russia's strategic aviation conducts tactical exercises RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2007 -- Russian strategic aviation has successfully completed five-day tactical exercises practicing interoperability with air force and air defense units, the Air Force commander said Monday.
US missile defense in Europe could drag Russia into arms race - gen. RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2007 -- U.S. missile defense deployment in Europe could drag Russia into a new arms race, a senior Russian air defense commander said Friday.
Russian, U.S. experts to meet over missile shield in April RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2007 -- Russian and U.S. experts will discuss Washington's missile defense plans in Central Europe on the sidelines of a NATO-Russia Council meeting in April, a NATO official said Friday.
Russia demands halt to unlicensed production of its weapons RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2007 -- The production of Russian weapons in eastern Europe without licenses causes direct damage to the country's economy and interests, a first deputy prime minister said Friday.
Russia new aerospace defense to stop any aggression - top brass RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2007 -- The implementation of a new aerospace defense concept, which combines elements of air, missile and space defense will allow Russia to stave off any aggression, a senior air defense commander said Friday.
Russia spends $1.1 bln annually on defense industry - govt. RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2007 -- Russia spends about 30 billion rubles ($1.1 billion) a year on its defense industry, the head of Russia's Federal Industry Agency said Thursday.
Senior Atomstroyexport official heads to Iran Thu. for NPP talks RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2007 -- The head of Russian company Atomstroyexport's department for the construction of the Bushehr NPP in southern Iran will fly to Tehran for a final round of talks
Russia invites North Korea to discuss 13 cooperation issues RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2007 -- Russia has proposed that North Korea put 13 issues, including its $8-billion debt to the former Soviet Union, on the agenda of a Moscow meeting of the bilateral cooperation commission March 23.
Russia doubts progress in N. Korea nuke talks - deputy FM RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2007 -- No breakthrough should be expected during a new round of talks on North Korea's nuclear program, as negotiators will mainly focus on evaluating progress in earlier agreements, Russia's deputy foreign minister said Thursday.
Russia's defense firms to provide 40% of industry reform funding RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2007 -- Russian defense companies will provide 201 billion rubles ($7.7 bln) or 40% of the finance required to reform the country's defense industry, the first deputy prime minister said Wednesday.
U.S. for cooperation with Russia on uranium enrichment centers RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2007 -- Cooperation between the United States and Russia to establish international uranium enrichment centers would help promote the safe and secure use of civilian nuclear energy, a high-ranking U.S. official said Wednesday.
Russia denies reports on Bushehr construction payments RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2007 -- Russia's nuclear agency denied Wednesday Tehran's claims that Iran recently paid a $12.7-million installment for the construction of a nuclear power plant in the south of the country.
Russia pledges to supply fuel 6 months before Bushehr NPP launch RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2007 -- Russia has pledged to supply fuel to the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran six months before its launch, the country's nuclear chief said Wednesday.
Report Urges Greater US Efforts to Secure Radiological Material VOA 14 Mar 2007 -- A new report by a U.S. government watchdog agency says the U.S. Department of Energy has made only limited progress in securing many of the most dangerous sources of radiological material in the former Soviet Union, leaving them vulnerable to terrorists
United regional air defense system could expand within CSTO RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2007 -- A united regional air defense system could encompass almost all territory of the former Soviet Union within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a senior Russian military official said Tuesday.
Russian top brass hopes East Europe will deny U.S. air shield RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2007 -- A top Russian military official said Tuesday he hoped East European NATO countries would refuse to deploy U.S. air defense missiles on their territory.
Russia: Moscow Halts Fuel Shipments To Tehran RFE/RL 13 Mar 2007 -- Russian officials have said that nuclear fuel will not be delivered to Iran this month as planned because of Tehran's alleged failure to make payments on the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Iran expects Russia to supply fuel to Bushehr NPP by late March RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2007 -- Iran expects Russia to fulfill its obligations and to supply fuel to the Bushehr nuclear power plant by late March as scheduled, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said Tuesday.
Russia insists Iran fulfill UN, IAEA decisions - ministry RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2007 -- Russia insists that Iran implement resolutions of the UN Security Council and the board of governors of the international nuclear watchdog, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
Atomstroyexport to continue construction of Bushehr NPP RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2007 -- Russian company Atomstroyexport will continue the partial construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran despite financing difficulties, the project's contractor said in an official statement Tuesday.
Iran hopes talks with Russia will resolve Bushehr NPP issue RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2007 -- An Iranian government spokesman said his country expected the current negotiations with the Russian contractor in the suspended $1-billion Bushehr nuclear power plant project to resolve the issue.
Russia: Reviving The Army, Revising Military Doctrine RFE/RL 12 Mar 2007 -- Members of the Russian military can no longer accuse the Kremlin of neglect.
Russia reduces military conscription to one year RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2007 -- President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree reducing the term of military conscription from two years to one for those drafted after January 1, 2008, the Kremlin press service said Monday.
Bushehr NPP will not be launched in Sept. -Atomstroyexport RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2007 -- The Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran will not be launched in September 2007 as planned, a spokesman for the project's contractor, Atomstroyexport, said Monday.
Russia-Iran talks on Bushehr NPP begin in Tehran RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2007 -- Russian and Iranian experts have begun talks on the settlement of financial issues associated with the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran, a spokesman for Russian nuclear exporter Atomstroyexport said Monday.
Russian delegation in Iran to continue Bushehr NPP talks RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2007 -- A group of Russian experts that flew into Iran Sunday will continue talks on the further construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the project's contractor said Monday.
Iran expects Russia to supply fuel for NPP by end of month RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2007 -- Iran expects Russia to supply nuclear fuel for Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant by the end of March, despite disagreements over the financing of the plant's construction, an Iranian official said Sunday.
Russian delegation goes to Iran for Bushehr NPP talks RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2007 -- A Russian delegation will fly to Iran Sunday to continue talks on the further construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the south of the Islamic Republic, the project's contractor said.
Russian leader says $190 bln funding for military equipment RIA Novosti 09 Mar 2007 -- A total of 5 trillion rubles ($190 billion) will be earmarked to equip the army and Navy with modern arms until 2015, Russia's president said Friday.
Russia-Iran talks on Bushehr NPP unconstructive RIA Novosti 09 Mar 2007 -- Negotiations between Russian and Iranian nuclear officials on further construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran produced no results, a Russian source said Friday.
Russia, Iran to issue statement on NPP debt RIA Novosti 09 Mar 2007 -- Russian and Iranian negotiators will make a statement on Tehran's outstanding debt for the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in south Iran, the project's contractor said Friday.
Russia denies Iran claim that Bushehr debt issue resolved RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2007 -- Russia has refuted Iran's claim Monday that the countries had resolved all outstanding financial issues regarding the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in south Iran.
Delivery terms for Il-76 aircraft to China may be revised RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2007 -- The timeframe for the delivery of Russian Il-76 Candid military cargo aircraft to China may be reviewed due to increased production costs, the head of Russia's Federal Industry Agency said Wednesday.
Russia wants answers on expansion of U.S. missile shield - FM RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2007 -- Russia's foreign minister said Tuesday that Moscow intends to press for answers to questions it has regarding the expansion of the United States' missile shield.
U.S., Russia could cooperate on missile defense - ambassador RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2007 -- The United States is prepared to cooperate with Russia on missile defense, the U.S. Ambassador in Russia said Tuesday.
3rd serial Su-34 fighter-bomber to take to the skies in November RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2007 -- The third serial-production Su-34 Fullback fighter-bomber will make its maiden flight in November 2007, the manufacturer said Tuesday.
Russia set to launch satellites from submarine - Navy chief RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2007 -- Russia will launch foreign satellites into orbit from a submarine in 2007, the Navy commander said Monday.
Russia to launch first micro-satellites in 2008 - space agency RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2007 -- Russia intends to launch its first research micro-satellites in 2008, the Federal Space Agency said Monday.
Russia revises military doctrine to reflect global changes RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2007 -- Russia is preparing a new draft of its military doctrine to reflect the growing importance of the use of force in foreign polices conducted by leading global powers, the Security Council said Monday.
Russian jet-maker MiG obtains full stake in engine producer RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2007 -- A 100% stake in Klimov, Russia's leading producer of gas-turbine engines, has been transferred from federal ownership to state-owned jet-manufacturer MiG, the Russian president's press service said Monday.
Russia Navy C-in-C urges submarine navigation agreement RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2007 -- Russia has called for an international agreement on the safety of submarine navigation to be signed soon, the Navy commander-in-chief said Monday.
Russia to receive 2 modernized strategic bombers in 2007 RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2007 -- Russia will commission two modernized Tu-160 bombers in 2007, the Strategic Air Force commander said Monday.
Russian bombers could suppress U.S. missile shield - general RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2007 -- Russia's strategic aviation has sufficient potential to suppress elements of a U.S. missile defense shield should it be deployed in Central Europe, the commander of the Strategic Air Force said Monday.
Putin's Choice Approved as New President of Chechnya VOA 03 Mar 2007 -- Chechnya's parliament has approved a former rebel leader as the war-torn region's president
Russia's new air defenses to be based on S-300 and S-400 systems RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2007 -- Russia's fifth-generation air defense missile system will be developed on the basis of existing S-300 and S-400 air defense complexes, the Air Force commander said Friday.
US shield in Ukraine, Caucasus could spark regional crisis-MP RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2007 -- Including Ukraine and the Caucasus nations into a U.S. air-defense system could cause another internal political crisis in these countries, a senior Russian MP said Friday.
Russia could respond to U.S. radar in Caucasus - Air Force chief RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2007 -- The deployment of a U.S. anti-missile radar system in the Caucasus would not affect Russia's defense capabilities, but the country could have to respond to the move nevertheless, the Russian Air Force commander said Friday.
Russia should not supply Syria with arms - Israeli deputy PM RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2007 -- Israel's deputy prime minister said Friday that Moscow should be pressured to stop supplying Russian weapons to Syria.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

March 2007 - Russia Special Weapons News