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.
MOSCOW, NEW DELHI and LONDON — At face value, this week’s annual Russo-Indian governmental commission on military cooperation was just an ordinary affair aimed at smoothing the often bumpy ride of bilateral defense collaboration. For Moscow, however, India is no longer an ordinary market.
MOSCOW and LONDON — Prompted by Western and competitive air-to-air developments and renewed domestic funding, Russia is now offering upgraded versions of its own weaponry in the export arena. Russian industry claims testing of an improved version of an active radar-guided medium range air-to-air missile is already complete.
The first flight of the PAK FA (T-50) tactical fighter, the fifth-generation replacement for Russia’s Su-27 fleet, has been officially postponed until the end of the year. Government and military officials report, however, that development is continuing and there will be no delay in the overall program. The T-50 is slated to enter service with the Russian air force in 2015.
