An undated photo of the Shenyang-J-31
The Chinese Shenyang J-31 stealth fighter will use Russian-built engines when it enters production. The prototype was known use Klimov RD-93 engines, which were derived from the Soviet-era Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum’s RD-33 afterburning turbofans. Many observers had expected the new Chinese fifth-generation fighter to eventually sport domestically developed engines. Read More
Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark tail number 108
China has put the Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark carrier-borne multirole fighter into serial production, with at least eight production examples known to be flying already. This is in addition to the six J-15 prototypes, some of which conducted carrier trials on board China’s refurbished former Soviet Kuznetsov-class carrier, Liaoning. Read More
Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
This post has been updated to include a quote from French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.
Russia is willing to wait until the end of the year for France to make good on the delivery of the first ship in two hull amphibious warship deal that has been held up since September, according to a Thursday report in Russian news service RIA Novosti. Read More
Russian guided missile cruiser Moscow (or Moskva) arriving in the port of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Dept. of Government Information Photo
The flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet is currently in the South China Sea with plans to conduct air defense and “rocket, artillery and torpedo weapons,” drills in a rare visit to the region, according to an announcement issued Wednesday by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Read More
An undated photo of the Shenyang-J-31
China’s new Shenyang J-31 stealth fighter — making its debut next week at the Zhuhai international airshow — could eventually become more than a match for American stealth fighters in battle, several U.S. military and industry officials told USNI News. Read More
Photo from Audun Tholfsen and Yngve Kristoffersen of an alleged Russian ballistic missile submarine in the Arctic Circle on Oct. 16, 2014.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Russian Navy’s submarine force has been more active this year against the backdrop of soured relationships with the West over the ongoing internal conflicts in Ukraine and the forced annexation of Crimea by Russia, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert said on Tuesday. Read More
Yasen-class attack submarine.
The Russian Navy is set to take delivery of an improved Project 885M Yasen-class attack submarine in 2016 according to Russian state media. The new vessel, named after the city of Kazan, incorporates many improvements to the lead Project 855 boat, K-329 Severodvinsk, which was commissioned earlier in 2014. Read More
Russian Project 885 submarine during sea trials.
One of the U.S. Navy’s top submarine officers was so impressed with Russia’s new Project 885 nuclear attack boats that he had a model of K-329 Severodvinsk built for his office. Read More
USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) participates in a passing exercise with vessels from the Georgian coast guard in the Black Sea on Oct. 18, 2014. US Navy Photo
The U.S. command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) has left the Black Sea after several port calls with allies in the region, according to a Tuesday release from U.S. 6th Fleet. Read More
The Swedish navy was pushed into its largest anti-submarine effort since the close of the Cold war last week. Read More
