A Navy Main Staff source has told Interfaks that Borey-class SSBN Yuriy Dolgorukiy will launch its first Bulava SLBM on 17 December.
The RVSN has decided to implement testing for narcotics use among its personnel, according to ITAR-TASS. It will begin next year. The RVSN spokesman provided no explanation why his branch will institute drug testing.
RIA Novosti reports Russia will have contract reservists from 2016. GOMU Chief Vasiliy Smirnov tells the wire service conscripts will be asked if they want to stay in the reserves for pay. Russia’s requirement for reserves should be lower in the future given the recent shift to smaller, higher readiness forces and away from cadre units that would need fleshing out with mobilized reservists. This story’s been around for a while. It’s not clear how much reservists would be paid, or what their commitment would be. It hasn’t been easy for military commissariats to mobilize reservists even for infrequent exercises and training assemblies in the past.
Lenta.ua is reporting a Defense Aerospace story that the Indians have moved acceptance of the Admiral Gorshkov (Vikramaditya) carrier off from the beginning to the end of 2012 because the ship will need more work.
RIA Novosti cites military medical sources saying VDV Commander, General-Lieutenant Shamanov may not be discharged from the hospital until after 1 January.
IA Regnum reports the Chelyabinsk governor has complained to Defense Minister Serdyukov about the resumption of explosive ammunition disposal at Chebarkul, and also about Su-24 flights over Chelyabinsk.
RIA Novosti and Lifenews.ru report that a document creating a Russian DARPA may soon be put before President Medvedev. The agency would be independent of the Defense Ministry, but conduct ‘breakthrough research in the interests of national security.’ The idea was first raised back in September.
Russian Defense Policy 