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Military/Intelligence Bulletin 06/2016 – Ukraine develops Mi-8 helicopter Upgrade.

Ukraine’s Motor Sich is developing a number of multirole variants of MI-8MSB-V/W multirole to be employed against the pro-Russian separatist militants.

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Mi-8 MSB-V/W, multirole helicopter.

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They are aimed at addressing the threats posed by anti-aircraft systems held by the pro-Russian separatists in the contested eastern region of Ukraine.

Based on the MI-8T helicopter, the aim of the upgrade is to increase firepower and survivability, with the installation of an Adron SKZ-8V digital armament control system and a range of air-to-surface weapons including the GKKB Luch Baryer-V and Russian made Shturm-V anti-tank missiles, taken from existing MI-24 attack helicopter ordnance. Additional armour will  also be provided for the protection of the cockpit and Adron’s Adros ASH-01V infrared suppression systems for its engine exhaust ducts.

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MI-2MSB-V/W (nearest) and MI-8MSB-V/W at the Kiev military equipment expo. Photo from Motor-Sich company

There will be three MSB-V/W variants:

Version-1 an assault and attack helicopter fitted with a navigation system, electro-optic turret, laser warning receivers, radar, anti-aircraft missiles and grenade launcher pods.

Version-2 a patrol and reconnaissance helicopter similar to version 1, although it won’t be armed with anti-tank guided missiles. But, it will have pylon-mounted launchers for small UAVs, unmanned aerial vehicles.

Version-3 will be an airborne commands and control variant

All variants will have the new TV3-117VMA-SBM1V engine. They will have greater range and a higher ceiling.

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Photo MI-8MSB-V/W transport/assault helicopter at the Kiev military equipment expo. Photo from Motor-Sich company.

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Post copyrighted to Harvey Black

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Military/Intelligence Bulletin 05/2016 – Islamic State plans further attacks on European cities.

Following threats issued by video and using historical data and proxy attack indicators, it is clear that European cities are far from safe from further attacks by the Islamic State.

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Map of Europe.

By San Jose (map), Hayden120 (retouch) – Derivative work of Europe countries map en.png by San Jose, based on the Generic Mapping Tools and ETOPO2, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Which of our European cities are under the greatest threat?

The top 13 cities most at risk are considered to be the following:

In order of risk – Paris, Toulouse, London, Brussels, Copenhagen, Lyon, Frankfurt, Marseille, Strasbourg, Berlin, Stockholm, Vienna and Milan.

It is believed that firearms, rather than explosives, would more likely be used in any mass-casualty attacks. This hasn’t been the case so far, with simultaneous shootings and suicide bombings in paris on the 13 November 2015, where 128 people were killed and 352 injured. This was followed by attacks on Brussels’ airport and underground train network.

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Still from security CCTV footage showing three of the suspects at the Brussels airport.

This continuing threat from the Islamic State had been highlighted by the group itself, when they released two videos at the end of January. The videos depicted the usual beheadings, the first with explicit threats made against the UK. The second one released at the end of January, executions of so called spies were executed by gunshot. This time threats were made against Spain and Portugal.

The type of attack that concerns most European authorities, is a co-ordinated series of mass shootings of the kind witnessed in Paris. An even bigger fear, is the taking of a significant number of hostages.

Multi-phased attacks are expected, potentially gearing up for mid-2016. One potential target could be the Euro 2016 football championship. This will be hosted by France between 10 June and 10 July, at stadia in nine French cities.

Vigilance is the watchword….

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Post copyrighted to Harvey Black

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Military/Intelligence Bulletin 04/2016 – Russian Kornet-D SPATGMs on order.

The Russian military has ordered 92 x 9P163-3 Kornet-D, AT-14 Spriggen, a self propelled anti-tank guided missile (SPATGM) system carried on a Gaz-2975 Tigr chassis.

The 4 x 4 Tigr, powered by a Cummins engine, has a top speed of around 130+km per hour.

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First delivered to the Russian Army in 2006, the Gaz Tigr is a multipurpose, all-terrain infantry mobility vehicle manufactured by Gaz.

Photo By Digr – Ru-Wikipedia, initial image was here, CC BY-SA 3.0

There are a number of variants, some used for Internal security, a command variant, an anti-aircraft command module along with various export models.

 

Kornet-D/EM(export model)

Photo By http://www.defensetech.org/archives/images/russian_missile.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0,

Now, the Russian military has ordered 92 of this latest SPATGM variant. 2015, saw the manufacture of the Tigr-M armoured hull. This two-door Tigr-M chassis is used only for the Kornet-D SPATGM system.

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9M133 Korne, anti-tank guided missile system.

Photo By Mike1979 Russia – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

There are believed to be two versions of the Kornet-D, which will replace the ageing AT-5 (konkurs) and AT-6 Fagot). It made its debut appearance at the 9 May 2015 Victory Day Parade in Moscow.

The Kornet system has two masts, each carrying four 9M133M-3 Kornet missiles and a guidance and sighting unit. This allows for two targets to be engaged at the same time. The masts are fully retractable.

Its range is up to 8,000 metres and the twin warhead can penetrate 1,300mm of rolled homogenous armour behind explosive reactive armour. It is potentially the best in its class.

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Post copyrighted to Harvey Black

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Military/Intelligence Bulletin 03/2016 – Iskander TEL spotted in Syria.

Television footage and satellite imagery has revealed a single Iskander TEL deployed to Humaymim air base, currently the air base used by Russia’s air force in Syria.

Although it is clear that Russia has deployed an Iskander TEL in Syria, its purpose is as yet undetermined. The SS-26 is a mobile short-range ballistic missile system and is capable of carrying a number of differing warheads, including cluster munitions, fuel-air explosive enhanced-blast warhead, a bunker buster and an EMP, Electro-Magnet Pulse, warhead.

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9K720 Iskander – SS-26 Stone

Photo By Aleksey Toritsyn – Victory_Day_09_05_2010_Tech, CC BY-SA 3.0,

But on a more ominous note, the SS-26 can also carry nuclear warheads.

 

Iskander missile in launch position

Photo By http://www.defensetech.org/archives/images/russian_missile.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0,

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Iskander missiles right, and an OTR-21 Tochka missile on the left.

Photo By Leonidl – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

The range of an Iskander missile is believed to be in the region of 280-500km, although to comply with the INF treaty it would need to be officially less than the 500km. If the one in Syria is an export version, Iskander-E, then the range could be the lower 280km. The TEL chassis is an 8×8 MZKT 79306 ASTROLOG Truck.

The one sighted in Syria is believed to be either an Iskander-M ballistic missile system, or the Iskander-K, the cruise missile system. Why is it there? Consensus is that it has been put there as a warning to countries in the region not to attack Russian aircraft on the ground for fear of retaliation, or replace the role of the strike aircraft that have been withdrawn form the country. Perhaps it is there to target Patriot batteries based in Turkey, although at the moment the Spanish Patriot PAC-2 battery at Adan airport is too far from the border to threaten aircraft in Syrian airspace.

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Post copyrighted to Harvey Black