In addition to writing for Aviation Week Network, Maxim holds a key position at Russia's Air Transport Observer magazine (www.ato.ru). In the past he was in charge of several ATO sister aerospace publications and earlier worked for the Moscow-based CAST defense think-tank.
Maxim has a degree on international relations from MGIMO University, Moscow, Russia, and for several years worked at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The Russian air force is unveiling ambitious modernization plans for its transport fleet over the coming decade, including the introduction of the Antonov An-70 into its inventory. Delivery of the new equipment, however, remains an issue. Lt. Gen. Viktor Kachalkin, head of the air force’s military transport aviation command, says the new airlifters are slated to begin arriving in 2012. The intent is to complete the fleet renewal by 2020.
Moscow and New Delhi are discussing the modernization of Su-30MKI multirole fighters being assembled in India under Russian license. Indian media report that the program, dubbed the Super 30, has already been approved by the government’s security committee. The upgrade will cover the inclusion of new radar, avionics and the integration of an air-launched version of the Brahmos supersonic missile, Brahmos-A.
The Russian air force has received the first full training device for its Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber aircraft. The simulator is in use with the air force’s 4th combat employment and training center at Lipetsk. The training device was developed by the Zhukovsky-based CSTS Dinamika. The system completed government evaluation tests at the end of 2009, with approval for serial production following.
