4 of Russia’s most dangerous military weapons

Kalibr cruise missile

Admiral Grigorovich patrol ship is for the first time involved in the military operation in Syria

TASS

The capability of these new cruise missiles was shown to the world for the first time in 2015 during Russia’s Syrian campaign, when the Caspian Flotilla eliminated terrorist targets with the rockets from a distance of 1,500 km.

Kalibr cruise missiles fly close to the ground, skirting the terrain at supersonic speeds. This makes it very hard for enemy defense systems to shoot them down, not to mention terrorists only equipped with artillery and portable anti-aircraft missile systems.

The projectiles are loaded with 500 kilo warheads which eliminate everything within a radius of several hundred meters of the explosion. The Kalibr is also one of the world’s most precise weapons and is able to hit a target up to 2,500 km away with an accuracy of 30 meters.

Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier

Russian heavy aircraft cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov.

RIA Novosti

A true heavyweight of the Russian military and the only aircraft carrier in service in the country’s Navy. It can carry up to 50 aircraft. This monster was used for the first time in its 35-year history during the operation in Syria, where it spent three months in late 2016 fighting terrorist groups.

At this moment, the vessel is being repaired in Russian docks at a cost of 40 billion rubles ($708 million). It’s outdated Soviet-era Granit missile system are being replaced with launch pods capable of firing Russia’s new cruise missiles - Kalibr-NK. The Admiral Kuznetsov will also be decked out with Zircon missiles - the first rockets to reach hypersonic speeds during military tests in Russia.

Manufacturers will also have to deal with take-off and landing issues after the flagman lost two jets due to problems with the ship’s flight deck. Its aircraft group will still be comprised of MiG-29K/KUB and Su-33 fighter jets.

‘Terminators’ of the Russian Army

A BMPT-72 (Terminator 2) heavy infantry fighting vehicle in Zapad 2017, a joint military exercise by the armed forces of Russia and Belarus at Luzhsky.

Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

These tank support units for close urban combat were also baptized in battles with terrorists in Syria. 

They carry up to four 9M120 Ataka missile launchers, two 30 mm 2A42 autocannons, two AG-17D grenade launchers, and one coaxial 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun - a pretty solid kit for an armored fighting vehicle created to flank T-14 Armata tanks.  

The second version of the battle machine is not beefed up with as many weapons as its predecessor - it can only take down one target instead of three, after it lost its AGS-17 automatic launchers - but it is cheaper. A number of “Terminator-2” vehicles will be delivered to the military in the coming years, although the final number won’t be finalised until the Defense Ministry announces its plan for 2018 to 2025.

The White Swan

A Tupolev Tu-160 supersonic heavy strategic bomber at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2017 in Zhukovsky.

Eugene Odinokov/RIA Novosti

The Tu-160M2 was dubbed “The White Swan” for its elegant wings and long white fuselage and pointy beak.  

Today it’s Russia’s biggest aircraft bomber and can carry up to 40 tons of guided and unguided bombs and missiles. It can also drop nuclear warheads.

The plane can eliminate targets far beyond the reach of air defense systems with its new Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles  that were also tested in Syria.

Despite this, in 15 years it will be changed with a new era strategic bomber - the PAK DA. According to its manufacturers, it will be able target enemies without leaving Russian airspace.  

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