Russia To deploy the S-400 Missile System:
Russia is set to start deploying the S-400 Missile System by the end of 2007. The S-400 Triumf system which was developed by the Almaz Central Design Bureau is an upgrade of the S-300. Cooperation in the building of the S-400 Triumf system also came from Fakel Machine Building Design Bureau, Novosibirsk Scientific Research Institute of Instruments and the St. Petersburg Design Bureau of Special Machine Building. Although the system was originally designated the S-300PMU3, it has since been renamed the S-400. It has been designated by NATO as the SA-21 Growler. The system is regarded as comparable, if not better then the MIM-104 Patriot system of the United States. Although untested in real time war, NATO is concerned the S-400 may make its way onto the export market to hostile countries. South Korea is already developing a basic version of the S-400, which is being designated the Cheolmae-2. It is believed China will be a major buyer of the system. Russia eventually has plans to purchase up to 200 launchers by 2015. It will slowly deploy the S-400 in Moscow and Central Russia as it phases out the older s300. It is expected that all 35 air defense regiments will be equipped. The S-400 has a range twice that of its competitor the Patriot system. Development of the S-400 system started during the late 1990s with the first tests taking place at Kapustin Yar in Astrakhan. The S-400 has an estimated speed of around 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) per second. The S-400 Triumf system features radars capable of detecting and destroying low-signature targets (stealth aircraft). It is also capable of detecting and destroying cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. The S-400 features an advanced seeker head that is highly capable of tracking targets well beyond the horizon line with an estimated range of up to 400 kilometers.
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Russia Increasing Relations With Algeria:
In 2006, Russia and Algeria announced a complex, yet significant deal involving several billion dollars. The deal involved Russia agreeing to write off $4.74bn in Soviet-era debt. Much of the media reports have been focused on the arms part of the deal. The deal involves Russia selling Algeria Su-30MKA fighters, MiG-29SMT, MiG-29UBT fighters, Yak-130 trainers, S-300PMU-2 Favorit (SA-20) SAM systems, T-90S main battle tanks, Metis-M1 (AT-13) and Kornet-E (AT-14) anti-tank missile systems. Also included in the deal are Project 636 improved Kilo class submarines with Club-S (SS-N-27) missile systems. It is also likely the deal involved other arms that may have been kept secret. The significant return of Russia into the Algerian market marks a return of Russia to one of its traditional markets. During the days of the Soviet Union, Algeria was a major arms buyer, but when the Soviet collapsed, other countries such as Belarus and the Ukraine picked up much of the trade. In year 2000, Russia layed the groundwork for its move back into its traditional market. But of real importance to Russia has been its moves into the Algerian energy industry. Algeria has the eighth-largest gas reserves in the world. This lays the groundwork for long term plans of what might become a Russian dominated Gas Cartel. Russia is currently the leading producer of natural gas in the world. The European Union itself has some concern about this increased cooperation in the Gas sector as the two countries supply some 35 percent of the Unions natural gas. It has also been announced that Russia and Algeria will soon start working on nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries.
Petrostate: Putin, Power, and the New Russia
