Russia’s deadly new weapons striking fear into heart of the West | World Defense

Russia’s deadly new weapons striking fear into heart of the West

Redheart

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Russia’s deadly new weapons striking fear into heart of the West

RUSSIA’S deadly hi-tech weapons on display in the Middle East are spreading fear of another Cold War in the West.

Vladimir Putin is employing sophisticated modern warfare in supporting Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, and the world-leading electronics are making the US and its allies increasingly nervous.

The Russian president has sent fighter jets, drones and bombers to Syria, but it’s the spy weapons that could be the most powerful and dangerous. While surveillance equipment and “jammers” are ostensibly there to block communications by Islamic State fighters, it appears Russia is also targeting Western-armed rebels in an almighty display of power.

“We’re still trying to work out what the strategical aim is,” Middle East expert Rodger Shanahan from the Lowy Insititute told news.com.au

“Obviously to buttress the Assad regime, they’ve been allies for decades. There’s a significant air component and a few thousand troops, enough to defend [Russia’s] air base.

“It’s certainly Russia trying to protect its nationalist credentials and be a player in the region.”

While Dr Shanahan dismissed the idea of another Cold War, others aren’t so sure. US officials told the Times of London they were considering a revival of the protocols used to prevent such a confrontation.
Civilians on the rubble of a damaged site hit on Wednesday by what activists say were cluster bombs dropped by the Russian air force in the southern countryside of Idlib, Syria.

In recent weeks, Russia has sent in its IL-20 surveillance aircraft, known as “Coot” by NATO, armed with radar, eavesdropping equipment and optical and infrared sensors. It has also deployed advanced electronic jamming system Krasukha-4, used to block enemy radar and aircraft.

The Vasily Tatishchev, an advanced naval surveillance ship, sailed for the eastern Mediterranean on Monday, Interfax reported, with Turkey expressing serious concern.

This intelligence weaponry is a fresh example of “hybrid warfare” tactics, covert and deceptive operations used to achieve strategic objectives, according to Foreign Policy. With many calling for no-fly zone over Syria, it has helped keep Putin in control of the skies over the Middle East, said Igor Sutyagin, a senior research fellow at London think tank Royal United Services Institute.

Electronic warfare is one of Russia’s greatest strengths, where it out-muscles even the West. The deployment of jammers could directly affect NATO technology, blinding pilots and giving Russia a huge military advantage over the West.

“They would have understood the implications for America.” said Dr Shanahan. “The US reaction would have been considered.”
The Russian Navy's large landing ship Novocherkassk on its way to the Mediterranean Sea in Istanbul.


On Wednesday, Putin’s government said it had launched 26 cruise missiles, successfully hitting targets in north and north-western Syrian provinces. But US officials said four missiles had gone off course and landed in Iran.

Secretary of State John Kerry said he was worried that the “preponderance of targets” being struck by Russian forces in Syria were not related to IS. Local activists and US officials say the strikes have targeted Western-armed rebels, helping to prop up the Assad government.

The Russian Ministry of Defence responded with characteristic bullishness. “However unpleasant and ‘unexpected’ it may be for our colleagues at the Pentagon and Langley [CIA’s Virginia headquarters] about yesterday’s attacks by high-accuracy weapons on the [Islamic State] infrastructure in Syria — all the same, all rockets fired from ships found their targets,” said ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov.

The US has warned that further conversations may be required with Russia to avoid misunderstandings.

The deployment of the Krasukha-4 jamming system came after three days of aerial confrontations between Turkish jets and Russian-made warplanes used by Russia and the Syrian regime, The Times reported.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary-general, said the incursions were deliberate acts of harassment. “Intelligence that we have received provides me with reason to say it doesn’t look like an accident, it is a serious violation,” he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has remained defiant as the US expresses concern.


Russia’s aims in Syria are far more simple than those of the US, according to Dr Shanahan. “At some stage there will be a political settlement in Syria,” he said. “If they strengthen the Assad regime and weaken everybody else, it will make Russia’s rein in the Syrian hand much stronger in political bargaining. They don’t have to worry about IS, the West is doing that for them.

“Russia wants to wedge US interests so it is strategically located, and it wants to support allies to show it is ‘pick and stick’

“It’s certainly sending a message. Military power is obviously part of national power.”

A US official speaking to Foreign Policy said Russia has concealed communications and movements just as it did in Ukraine, hiding fighter jets in larger cargo planes.

What Russia’s long-term plans are, only Putin and his confidants really know, but they’re certainly making the rest of the world uneasy.

— With AP
 

Corzhens

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I think that offensive of Russia in Syria is not really to wipe out the ISIS and other rebel groups against Assad but to showcase their sophisticated weaponry. From what I feel, Russia's move is a hint to the US as if taunting the Americans that they have new toys. So if Russia is intent in driving away the ISIS then surely it will not take a week to annihilate the Syrian invaders.
 

Susimi

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It really does not suprise me that Russian forces are using these jamming weapons against Western forces in the region. I mean it's basically like what they do with their reconnaissance flights when they take them to the edge of western airspace, it's sort of baiting for a reaction, but in this case it just seems a whole lot more sinister.
 

arthnel

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Vladimir Putin makes no mistake when asserting Russian influence in regional and international affairs. He does not leave room for guessing and spelling and makes it very clear he wants Mother Russia to be revered once again. Let it not be a surprise if another cold war emerges in the very near future. At this point I still see a repeat of the coalition forces breaking the stride of Russia though. Nobody wants a repeat of that part of history.
 

explorerx7

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I have been hearing persons maintaining that the Russian weapons capabilities are inferior when compared to those of the Western forces. The main factor that is fuelling this belief is that the Russian economy is taking a beating because of falling oil prices. However, I have always maintained that it's a big mistake to believe that because the Russian economy is on the downturn, their weapons advancement will be restricted. The Russians have vowed that they will never again be invaded and I know they would spend their last dollar to ensure that promise will be kept.
 

Susimi

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I really would not underestimate the Russian military. While on paper and in appearance it might look dated and old, it can still hold it's own and pack a hell of a punch.

For instance the Su-27 fighter against an F-15. Sure the F-15 has got longer range weapons but in a dogfight I think the Su-27 can run rings around the F-15.
 

Lieutenant

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I really would not underestimate the Russian military. While on paper and in appearance it might look dated and old, it can still hold it's own and pack a hell of a punch.

For instance the Su-27 fighter against an F-15. Sure the F-15 has got longer range weapons but in a dogfight I think the Su-27 can run rings around the F-15.

The Su-27/30&35 have no edges over the F-15 in real combat.
 

Susimi

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The Su-27/30&35 have no edges over the F-15 in real combat.

In what sort of combat are we talking? In long range there is no question that the F-15 will be able to mope the floor with the Su's, but in a close up dogfight I just think the Su will have a slight edge over the F-15.

(Of course it all comes down to pilot skill)
 

vash

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In what sort of combat are we talking? In long range there is no question that the F-15 will be able to mope the floor with the Su's, but in a close up dogfight I just think the Su will have a slight edge over the F-15.

(Of course it all comes down to pilot skill)


Most air to air combat is beyond visual range. Dogfights only happen in movies now. With medium range air-to-air missiles are around at least 50 miles in range, the pilots never see the planes from the opposite side in an actual fight.

The outcome of an air to air battle is also decided by more than the jets themselves. There is also the ground based radar, command and control structure, as well as early warning planes and other means of an integrated command system. If your pilot is using nothing but the information his own jet fighter's equipment can provide him, then he is at a disadvantage.

The Su-27/30&35 have no edges over the F-15 in real combat.

Maybe or maybe not. These jets have never encountered each other on the battlefield. F-15 is quite old though, even with numerous upgrades, it is a 40?-year-old plane.
 

djordjem87

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It looks like a prep or experiment. They are testing new stuff with terrorists as potential threats. Another cover and a fake reason for this. Both sides are measuring their 'pride' and we'll see who is bigger. I vote for Russia because I am from Serbia and I do not like Americans but the fight is tied.
 
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