Russia’s Armata May Show Combat Capabilities in September

The new Armata armored tracked platform has reportedly combined and assimilated all the last decade’s major developments and innovations in battle vehicle design and construction.
The platform’s chief tank (T-14) sports an unmanned remotely controlled turret armed with a brand new 125 mm 2A82-1M smoothbore cannon. Its muzzle energy is greater than one of the world’s previously considered best cannons: the German Leopard-2 Rheinmetall 120 mm gun.
The 125 mm gun has 15-20 percent improved accuracy and its rolling fire angular dispersion has improved 1.7 times.
According to Russian media, the Armata tank might also come with a specially developed 152 mm gun, the most powerful ever cannon to be mounted on a main battle tank.
The tank’s turret will also carry a 30 mm sub-caliber ranging gun to deal with various targets, including low-flying aerial targets, such as attack planes and helicopters.
A 12.5 mm turret-mounted heavy machine gun is reportedly capable of taking out incoming projectiles, such as anti-tank missiles. It’s capable of neutralizing shells approaching at speeds of up to 3,000 meters per second.
The tank’s crew is securely enclosed in a multi-layer armored capsule separated from the ammunition container. The vehicle is fully computerized and only needs two servicemen to operate it. Each can also deploy the tank’s weapon systems.
The tank’s targeting is reportedly done with an active-phased array antenna and a large variety of other sensors.
The Armata platform allegedly has a fully mechanized electric transmission, powered by a 1,200 HP diesel engine. For greater efficiency, maintenance and repair schedules have been extended.
Within its blueprint, the Armata armored vehicle has the potential to evolve into a fully robotic battle vehicle.
According to preliminary estimates, 2,300 units are required for the Russian army.

rostechnologiesblog

The Russian Defence Ministry and Uralvagonzavod are considering the possibility to demonstrate combat characteristics of the new Armata tracked vehicle platform at the Russia Arms Expo-2015 (RAE-2015) that will be held in September in Nizhny Tagil. This was announced by Uralvagonzavod Deputy Director for Special Equipment Vyacheslav Khalitov.

“The general public would like not only to see this development during the Victory Parade, but also to attend demonstration of its combat characteristics at the exhibition in Nizhny Tagil. We are currently discussing this issue with the Defence Ministry,” Mr. Khalitov stated.

Uralvagonzavod Director General Oleg Sienko earlier said that demonstration of the new platform might become a key event of the RAE-2015 exhibition. The Armata can also be seen during the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2015.

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Huge Amounts Of Weaponry Abandoned By Ukraine In Debaltsevo

The Barricade

A key accusation directed towards Russia by America and the EU during the Ukrainian crisis has been that of Russia allegedly supplying the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics with weaponry. Despite not having any substantial evidence, the question at the center of this accusation has been “how else can you explain their influxes of weaponry and supplies?”  The answer in the case of recent events is quite simple and can be explained by the momentous routing of the Ukrainian army by the NAF at Debaltsevo (Debaltseve).

The Ukrainian army at Debaltsevo, despite Poroshenko’s lies, were in fact encircled and heavily defeated by the NAF. With heavy casualties and no way out of the cauldron, up to 2000 soldiers opted to abandon their weapons and flee with their lives. President Poroshenko proclaimed to the world that this retreat was in fact a ‘planned withdrawal’, an odd statement to make considering the sheer…

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Day of the Defender of the Fatherland Concert at the State Kremlin Palace

http://www.redarmychorus.ru/

Throughout the world, the Russian Army Ensemble equate to such well-known Russian brands as the Bolshoi Theater, the Hermitage, the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow Kremlin Diamond Fund. And he rightly earned its unique and brilliant creative artistry. Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army named A.V.Aleksandrova – always a welcome guest at government celebrations. Traditionally, no celebration of the Day of Defender of the Fatherland is complete without a concert in the State Kremlin Palace in the presence of the President of the Russian Federation and the nations top officials.

Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation took part in the solemn event devoted to the Day of Defender of the Fatherland, which was held at the State Kremlin Palace.

In the beginning of the concert, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin has congratulated the military personnel, civilian personnel and veterans of the Armed Forces with the upcoming holiday.

Earlier in the day to veterans of the Great Patriotic war were awarded the Jubilee Medal “70 years of Victory in Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.”
eng.kremlin.ru/news/23630
In addition, at the State Kremlin Palace opened a series of exhibitions dedicated to the Russian Army. During the month visitors of the concert hall will be able to see the wooden figures of “polite people”, pictures of World War II and the modern stage of development of the Armed Forces of Russia. The exhibition also presents samples of newspapers 30-ies and 40-ies and 50-ies and samples, souvenirs and clothing, prepared by the Design Bureau of Voentorg.

As explained by the head of Department of Culture of the Ministry of Defense of Russia Anton Gubankov, the exhibition is an introduction to the act that guests of the Kremlin Palace saw at a concert performance, which consisted of several actions – the prologue, the dedication of the Great Patriotic War and the life of the modern army of Russia.

Another highlight of the concert was part of the concert group song and dance Ensemble of the People’s Liberation Army of China, sang along with the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army Alexandrov famous front “Katyusha” in Russian and Chinese languages.

For more information about the Alexandrov Ensemble https://kappsa.wordpress.com/

Shoigu’s Latin American Tour Aims to Strengthen Regional Stability – Russian Defense Ministry

Although largely unreported in western media the recent tour of Latin American countries: Venezuala, Nicarauga and Cuba by a Russian delegation headed by the Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu demonstrates the determined strength and resolve of President V. Putin and Russia to withstand the feeble attempts from the west to isolate the worlds largest country. Perhaps this serves to explain the MSM news and informational blackout of what can only be characterized as a highly successful strengthening and renewal of friendship. Many do not recall the long history of Russian ergo Soviet relationship with Latin American countries, for them this visit could be seen as new or unexpected. Even as US/NATO seek to expand into countries which Russia has warned against-Ukraine, Georgia citing threats to its strategic core interests, the implications are clear. In 1962 during the heighth of the Cold War, the US installed nuclear tipped missiles in Turkey and Italy. These strategic weapons served to alter the balance of power with Operation Anadyr being the result of the USSR attempt to restore deterrence. Known as the Cuban Missile Crisis or the week that the world stood still. The so called European missile shield and NATO expansion explained as defensive, is most certainly not seen as that in Russia.
Just as the installation of Jupiter missiles in Turkey and Italy upset the balance of power causing a response, so too will reckless expansion of NATO. Historians agree that the world was never so close to thermonuclear war as in October 1962.
I am by no means suggesting what will or will not be the Russian response(s), only that inevitably there will be. The idea that there exists a line between defense and reckless escalation goes unacknowledged in Brussels and Washington. Perhaps it is an indication of the nexxus of rampant greed and corruption that exists between NATO policy makers and their defense contractors. Since most of the brainwashed west sees no problems with NATO in Ukraine they should understand if the response(s) are Russian ICBMS in Cuba or a strategic bomber base in Venezuala or Nicaragua.

Shoigu’s Latin American tour aims to strengthen regional stability – Russian Defense Ministry

MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax-AVN) – Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s official visits to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba were scheduled in advance and reflect the Russian leadership’s consistent policy to strengthen regional stability, said Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov.
“Importantly, the visits were scheduled in advance. They were not extraordinary and were not connected with Europe’s and the United States’ sanctions, either,” Antonov told Interfax-AVN on Sunday, summing up the results of Shoigu’s Latin American tour.
“Many keep saying today, that Russia has just started dealing with problems of Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. We have always attached great importance to broadening dialogue with Latin America. The Russian defense minister has paid official visits to this region twice over the past two years. Our dealings with Latin America are not of momentary nature, but reflect the Russian leadership’s consistent course to strengthen regional stability and assist the regional states’ effort to build their armed forces,” he said.
“The Russian Defense Ministry welcomes Latin American countries’ steps to promote socioeconomic development. We are also convinced that if further progress is to be made in this area, strong and reliable armed forces must be built. This involves efforts to raise a reliable shield against obstructionist, terrorist and other subversive forces active in the region, not, of course, to militarize the regional countries’ economies,” Antonov also said.
During Shoigu’s official visits much attention was given to an assessment of regional problems that have cropped up lately, he said. “Against the backdrop of new challenges and threats old problems sharpen, including territorial disputes and political contradictions,” Antonov said.
http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=571992
Sd

The navies of Russia and Venezuela are planning to hold joint military drills in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea, near US territorial waters, a source says.

The military exercise is scheduled to take place in the second half of the year and will involve a unit of Russia’s Northern Fleet ships and Venezuela’s Air Force planes, Interfax-AVN news agency quoted an unnamed military-diplomatic source as saying on Thursday.
Russia’s missile carrying nuclear cruiser, Pyotr Veliky (Peter the Great), as well as support vessels will take part in the military maneuvers, the source said.
“Russian and Venezuelan naval crews are expected to practice force deployment efforts in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea and hold joint tactical maneuvers in formations and air defense drills,” the source said, adding that details of the exercises will be finalized in March.
The military maneuvers mark the second time that a Russian fleet will be in the area since the end of the Cold War.
In December 2008, the Russian Northern Fleet’s Pyotr Veliky and large anti-submarine ship Admiral Chabanenko took part in a military exercise, dubbed VenRus-2008, with Venezuela’s navy in the Caribbean Sea.
Earlier, Russia announced that its Navy would build up a constant presence throughout the world’s oceans.
On February 10, the Secretary of

Russia’s Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, said Moscow plans to improve defensive capabilities amid rising threats from the US and its allies.
Patrushev said the US and its allies have opted for the path of confrontation with the Russian Federation, reminding that history shows Moscow will never be intimidated by the West’s threats.

presstv.com/Detail/2015/02/12/397301/Russia-Venezuela-to-hold-joint-drills

Venezuelan president calls to create shield to protect country from possible US aggression
tass.ru/en/world/775545

Nicaragua to Buy Russian MiG-29 Fighter Jets

http://www.siberianinsider.com/nicaragua-to-buy-russian-mig-29-fighter-jets.html

The Russian-Cuban relations in the military and military-technical sphere are developing in a constructive way, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu said during the meeting with Cuba’s President Raul Castro on Saturday.
“Our relations in the military sphere are developing constructively,” the Russian defence minister said, adding: “We are interested in expanding cooperation in the naval sphere.”
Shoigu thanked the Cuban side for a reception of Russia’s Navy vessels during the call at the port of Havana.
He also invited Cuba’s military delegations to participate in this year’s tank biathlon international competitions, international war games, the 4th international security conference and the international scientific and technical forum Army 2015.
Raul Castrol said Cuba’s military delegations would take part in these events.

Shoigu said the approaches of Russia and Cuba on global and regional security issues “fully coincide.” “Our countries are bound by common interest in forming a just and polycentric world order based on equality, adherence to international law and respect for it with the central role of the United Nations,” he said.
The minister said his visit to Cuba comes as the countries see a robust development of bilateral ties. “Your country is our long-time friend and a symbol of love of freedom and independence in Latin America,” he said.

“Cuba, which has survived in the conditions of a blockade for over half a century, continues firmly and consistently following the track of defending its national sovereignty and implementing its development model,” Shoigu said.
Shoigu also said that today the good and time-tested relations between Russia and Cuba are revitalizing. The visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Havana in July 2014 gave an impetus to strengthening bilateral ties, he said.
“Our priority it to implement the agreements reached during the highest level meetings,” he said.
The long traditions of friendship between the people of Russia and Cuba are a “firm basis for expanding bilateral cooperation and coordinating efforts on the international arena,” he said.
Shoigu concludes his trip to South America, during which he also visited Venezuela and Nicaragua.
tass.ru/en/russia/777626

During a visit to Nicaragua, the Russian Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu opened topographic center, the equipment for which it was supplied and mounted by Russian specialists.

“We hope that the centre will make a significant contribution to improving the combat capabilities of units and formations of the army of Nicaragua, which will benefit the Nicaraguan people,” said Sergei Shoigu at the opening ceremony of the center.
He toured the centre, equipped with mobile digital topographic system and classroom training.
The commander of the army of Nicaragua army General Julio Aviles thanked the head of the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, noting that the center meets the most modern requirements.
Equipment equipment for the center, which is located on the territory of the chief command of the army of Nicaragua, was delivered 106 experimental optical-mechanical plant, Moscow).

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Europe’s Stolen Voice PACE’s Lack of Common Sense and Cynicism are Largely the Result of US Pressure-Sergey Naryshkin

Prologue
In the recent state of the union address, obama made claim to having left in tatters the Russian economy. This served as the mantlepiece of his regimes accomplishments and was the focus of western media review of his speech. Previous to obamas boast, his underling biden had spoken of having to apply pressure to reluctant european governments in order to impose sanctions on Russia. The stated goal of US FP is to isolate the worlds largest country and 8th largest economy. There remains few who deny that the US government, agents, NGOs, and controlled financial networks were not responsible for the coup ‘d eat in Ukraine (Feb. 2014). The fact that this constitutes unlawful violation of a host of international laws and treaties appears to be of no concern to those who have condemned Russia for so called aggression. The reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia has frustrated US designs and set into motion a series of measures designed to make Russia pay the consequences for maintaining the peace on a peninsula which has historicaly been the scene of epic battles and great sacrifice. Apparently the masterminds who plotted the coup were under the assumption that Russia would vacate their Black Sea Fleet HQ and turn the keys over to NATO. The coup in Kiev was illegal and brought to power at the barrel of a gun. The threatening nature of this band of thugs and extremists which served as washingtons tool caused shock and alarm to Crimeas inhabitants as well as Russian speaking people throughout SE Ukraine. Odessa Trade Union Building 2 May 2014 became the defining moment for citizens to take action in order to save their families lives from the murders and mayhem which occured there. The events concerning this cruel act of barbarity went largely unnoticed in the west. Kievs claim of investigation is belied by the widespread celebrations that ensued during as well as after by Ukrainian political figures and general public. Petro poroshenko even used a scene from the burning building in a political advertisement for his election. The murders of at least 48 people were viewed as a victory.
Proclaiming death to Russians and referring to them as sub-human, the first act of the newly installed Rada was to make the Russian language illegal. Even now the fact that over 800,000 Ukrainian citizens have fled their country and sought safety in Russia goes unreported because it undercuts the false narrative of the Russian aggression mantra being systematicly conveyed in every newspaper on every television and in every opinion column throughout western media.

The following is a speech given by Sergey Naryshkin State Duma Speaker and envoy to PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe)

Англоязычная версия статьи С.Нарышкина в «Российской газете» (4 февраля 2015 года)
6 февраля 2015 года

Speaker of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin. “Europe’s stolen voice. PACE’s lack of common sense and cynicism are largely the result of US pressure”

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has just completed its regular session. Of the many issues on the agenda, the voting rights of the Russian delegation was definitely the most salient. It lurked just beneath the surface and came up in all discussions – from the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz–Birkenau concentration camp to the report on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine – proving once again that not a single major challenge currently facing Europe can be addressed without Russia’s active participation. The Russian delegation worked hard throughout the session, and not only during plenary meetings. On the eve of the start of the session, we attended yet another meeting (the third in the last six months) of PACE’s Presidential Committee.
Most of its members favoured restoring Russia’s voting rights, but they were ultimately unable to get this message across to the Assembly, which remains under the sway of frantic, rabid anti-Russian propaganda disseminated by a group of aggressive Russophobes. This determined the outcome of the vote on the powers of the Russian delegation. Stefan Schennach, Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee, one of PACE’s most influential committees, later openly called the result “stupid” and the pressure against Russia “senseless.” However, the grim business had already been taken care of. I should add that I was the only speaker of a national parliament in attendance. During the plenary meetings, I could not help thinking that I was witnessing something genuinely absurd, incompatible with elementary logic and the natural human desire for peace and prosperity for one’s people and family. This lack of common sense and cynicism are largely the result of pressure from the US, which openly acts as an aggressor seeking to repartition the world. But European politicians and parliamentarians have made it easier in recent years for the US to act in such an arrogant manner.
Ten days before the Russian delegation arrived in Strasbourg, a paragraph was added to the resolution of the European Parliament, which read “closer EU-US cooperation in Ukraine-related policies would be beneficial.” A more candid acknowledgement of this pathological dependency is hard to imagine. The months of criminal silence regarding the humanitarian crisis in the southeast of Ukraine are a vivid example of double standards. The State Duma issued a special declaration back in May 2014, calling on all European parliamentarians to pay attention to the crisis and put an end to it, which apparently fell on deaf ears. In my opinion, the reason is that this would have entailed acknowledging the root cause. Our foreign colleagues eschewed this sensitive issue at the first two meetings of PACE’s Presidential Committee, despite declaring that they are open to dialogue. It was at this January session of the Assembly that speakers started mentioning the horrible figures reported by the UN, and made a big deal of the unprecedented number of refugees. But did all this wailing amount to anything? Of course not. There were no decisions to provide immediate assistance or demands that the Ukrainian authorities hold the real culprits accountable. Human rights-based approaches immediately devolved into empty declarations. Moreover, blatant lies about the developments in Donbas went hand in hand with accusations against Russia, which is not a party to the conflict. Even when PACE learned that 800,000 Ukrainians had fled to Russia in less than a year, they didn’t care enough to acknowledge that these people are seeking refuge in our country from the deadly threat posed by the Ukrainian military. People tend to flee enemies and turn to friends for protection. In another appalling episode, the Russian delegation wasn’t permitted to make a statement during a session on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, under the pretext that the programme was already set (such worthless references to protocol have become the typical response to any internal issue within PACE). Russia, the direct successor of the state that liberated the camp, was not allowed to speak on the occasion. I didn’t see any signs of shame in the expressions of PACE bureau members. The liberators weren’t even mentioned during the session.
Not a single word! The President of the Assembly couldn’t find space for it in her opening remarks, which were quite lengthy. The other two speakers, a former prisoner of the concentration camp and a representative of a youth organisation, also failed to mention it. It was as if the surviving prisoners were saved from death by some kind of miracle, not the courage and sacrifice of Soviet soldiers. Not a single word of praise was addressed to the country that sacrificed 27 million lives to win the war! In the end, the celebration by PACE of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz left us with a strange feeling and, to put it bluntly, a bad taste in the mouth. PACE’s reputation as a common European platform for dialogue is rapidly waning. Today members of national delegations are being attacked at its doors (which happened to our colleagues from KPRF); tomorrow the same could happen in the plenary hall. The number of fringe politicians is growing, while the leadership of the Council of Europe is not willing to respond to their actions in an adequate manner. Despite all this, our interactions with the heads of the Assembly’s political groups, within its Presidential Committee and during their increasingly frequent visits to Moscow, have borne some fruit. This could be clearly seen during the roundtable discussion on the crisis of confidence, which we initiated in the Council of Europe.
Most speakers emphasised that dialogue is needed during crises like never before. Such a prominent politician as former PACE President Rene van der Linden forcefully insisted “that all be ensured the right to speak and fully carry out their work without seeking to impress ‘neighbours of our neighbours.’” Dividing lines have resurfaced, but it will be impossible to ensure European security, including in Ukraine, without Russia, he said. To be honest, the sincere words I heard from many foreign colleagues made me wonder why the Assembly is still dominated by a majority that is at once aggressive and obedient. Why does the majority fail to heed the voices of other colleagues or the voice of reason? Maybe Andreas Gross, the leader of one of the political groups, was right when he said that trust in Europe doesn’t need to be restored, but rather built, because there was never any trust to begin with. I think he’s right, but not entirely, as Russia has been sincere and open about its intentions to meet Europe halfway. And I don’t think that we were alone in this aspiration. Unfortunately, the events of recent months have forced us to rethink many things, including whether many of Russia’s partners – who chose to tether European policy to another continent – are reliable. It was a strange choice, to say the least: Europe is far from a novice in geopolitics, and at various times has strongly asserted its right to independence. Perhaps the turning point came several decades ago, when Europe opened its doors to US military bases, which are only formally affiliated with NATO, as the United States accounts for two thirds of NATO’s budget, according to experts.
Today, European leaders are urged to sign onto illegal anti-Russian sanctions. A year ago, European foreign ministers guaranteed with their signatures an agreement between the legitimate, elected president of Ukraine and the opposition, and then refused to implement it. Essentially, they signed off on the bloodshed on Maidan Square, in Odessa and in eastern Ukraine. To our great regret, they were quick to shelve the project to build a Greater Europe, along with efforts toward visa-free travel and other important arrangements. Were the two decades of sincere cooperation between Russia and Europe no more than a game rigged in one team’s favour? Nevertheless, I remain optimistic. Great achievements are always borne of great challenges. Russia has seen so many that we know all too well that it is impossible to alter history with lies and distortion. I’m confident that security on the continent has not become an empty phrase for responsible European politicians.
The parliamentary systems of these countries date back many centuries, and no procedural manoeuvring, disregard for international law or doublespeak can destroy these age-old values. Even during this extremely difficult PACE session, we clearly saw a growing recognition that there is no alternative to working with Russia, which is a European nation by virtue of geography and culture. Reason will prevail in the end.

pda.duma.gov.ru/news/274/912756/