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.
Russia’s Phazotron is beginning the next stage of development testing of an active, electronically scanned array (AESA) fighter radar, and Indian air force pilots are slated to fly with the system this year.
Moscow has finally decided to buy an upgraded variant of the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, the Su-35/Su-27SM2, as an interim until the fifth-generation fighter enters service. The decision was confirmed by Vladimir Putin, the Russian prime minister, during a visit to Sukhoi assembly facilities in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Putin was shown a Su-35 prototype — as well as the Sukhoi T-50 prototype to meet the air force’s next-generation fighter program, known as PAK FA.
Maxim Pyadushkin (Moscow), Douglas Barrie (London)
Russian defense officials are trying to shield near-term procurement funding from budget cuts driven by the global economic downturn. Even without the ongoing financial travails, however, some air force programs are lagging well behind production targets.
