Russia is raising a new regiment, and this is bad news for the West

Russia is expanding its air defense capabilities, and is using the spoils of war to diversify its capabilities based on reverse engineering. At the same time, Turkish defense products continue to gather demand, with the latest interest being Saudi Arabia in fighter jets. And in Europe, France is working to increase its nuclear offensive capabilities. About all this and more in the weekly defense industries corner of Globes.

Russia is building the first S-500 battalion

The Russian Chief of Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, announced the creation of the S-500 “Prometheus” battalion, which will be equipped with his country’s most advanced air defense system. The system has two purposes: long-range air defense and anti-missile defense, and has an improved range significantly over its predecessor, the S-400: 600 km, compared to 400 km. Beyond that, the system is able to handle Faster missiles.

Other notable advantages are the ability to intercept intercontinental missiles and satellites orbiting the Earth at low altitude. In this way, the Russians may use a system that is basically defensive for offensive purposes, which are dangerous to the Western world. Damage to a satellite could be a serious damage to civilian systems such as weather monitoring and communication, and to military issues, mainly intelligence.

At the same time, on the ground, Russia is working to recover the spoils of war from Ukraine. According to a report in the “Military Observer”, the Russians took an American-made Abrams M1A1 tank in Ukraine and transferred it to a Russian armor factory. The purpose behind the move is for Russian engineers to test the tank, and perform reverse engineering: a process in which, when they manage to get their hands on a vehicle, experts analyze its components in depth – and then produce one a month in a serial process.

Ukraine launches a new domestically produced UAV

From the other side of the battlefield, Ukraine continues to expand its unmanned capabilities. Now, they have launched the Shchedrik UAV, which is designed to monitor enemy movements. A prominent feature of the UAV is its silent propulsion capabilities, which make it difficult for the enemy to detect it – while carrying enhanced electronic warfare capabilities that characterize the battlefield in Ukraine .

Shchedrik can reach a speed of 150 km/h, operate at a range of 40 km and at a height of up to 4 km. This is one of many UAV models that reflect the goal presented by President Volodymyr Zelensky to produce up to 4 million UAVs in Ukraine by The end of next year. At the same time, two months ago they announced in Kiev that they had already placed orders for a total of 1.8 million UAVs per year. 2025.

Saudi Arabia is interested in Turkish fighter jets

Saudi Arabia is negotiating with Turkey for the purchase of 100 fifth-generation “Kaan” aircraft, which are expected to enter operational service in the next decade. This is reported in the Turkish media, which states that the contacts include, along with the purchase, the transfer of part of the production and technological know-how to the Kingdom. Contacts between the parties have accelerated in recent months, after in October the commander of the Saudi Air Force, Turki al-Saud, visited a number of Turkish companies.

The very Saudi interest in such a strategic deal is not surprising due to two main issues. First, the kingdom is not the first to be interested in Caan planes. The Ukrainian ambassador in Ankara, Vasil Bodner, announced his country’s interest in the planes already in February of this year. And secondly, even before Bodner’s announcement, the Saudis and Turks signed a very significant deal in 2023 to purchase 60 Bayratkar Akinci attack drones for $3.1 billion.

And if we are dealing with attacking drones, the Turkish Air Force is expected to operate the advanced model “Anka 3” in the near future. The new drone is expected to include precise offensive capabilities, alongside collection and intelligence means. Anke 3’s speed is Mach 0.7 and it is capable of operating at an altitude of up to 40,000 feet. Its maximum take-off weight is 6,500 kg, and its carrying capacity is 1,200 kg.

France’s new nuclear missile will enter service in a decade

The new French ASN4G hypersonic air-to-ground missile is expected to enter operational service in 2035, and occupy a central place in the local military nuclear program. The system is being developed by MBDA France in collaboration with Unra, and it is expected to reach speeds of Mach 6-7 (8,645-7,410 km/h). The missile will have maneuverability and stealth capabilities, which are expected to make it difficult for radars to detect it and for air defense systems to intercept it .

The French are planning the system for launches from aircraft, including future sixth-generation aircraft, as well as from aircraft carriers. The French military industry is one of the leaders in the world, and this is a step that expresses its advanced capabilities also when it comes to innovative technologies. According to French media, the system will use, for example, quantum computing applications to optimize the missile’s propulsion system.

The Ministry of Defense inaugurated the AI ​​Administration

The director general of the Ministry of Defense, Major General (ret.) Eyal Zamir, this week inaugurated the new administration for AI and autonomy, in a ceremony attended by the head of the Defense Ministry, Brigadier General (ret.) Dr. Danny Gold; Head of the IDF Agency, Major General Eyal Harel; and other senior officials.

The administration was established with the aim of centralizing the AI ​​revolution and autonomous tools in the IDF and the Ministry of Defense. The AI ​​and Autonomy Administration will unite many experts and work with the technological units in the IDF, academic researchers, defense industries and start-up companies, in order to make a leap forward in the operational and technological capabilities of the IDF “to.

The AI ​​and Autonomy Administration will operate under the Ministry of Defense and will join the leading development administrations in the Ministry of Defense, including the Chariot and Armored Vehicle Administration, the “Homa” Missile Defense Administration, the Space Administration, and the UAV Administration.