– Christian Science Monitor – Moscow’s upgrade to its Black Sea Fleet – headquartered with Ukraine’s blessing at Sevastopol – could make waves around the Black Sea, where NATO has a strong presence.

– RIA Novosti – Moscow and Kiev will soon sign an agreement regulating the upcoming overhaul of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, the Russian defense minister said on Wednesday.

– Defense Technology International – The 13th launch of Russia’s new Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile has been successful.

– RIA Novosti – Russia’s Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser will take part in a joint exercise with the French Latouche-Treville anti-submarine frigate this week.

Defense Technology International – Russia and the Mistrals: Will They? Won’t They?

Fortunately for their nerves, many senior managers of French military shipyard DCNS have been on holiday for most of August because the Russians have been blowing hot and cold over what appeared to be exclusive talks to purchase up to four Mistral-class helicopter carriers worth an estimated 1.5 billion euro ($1.9 billion) from them.

Daily Telegraph – Russian subs stalk Trident in echo of Cold War

Russian submarines are hunting down British Vanguard boats in a return to Cold War tactics not seen for 25 years, Navy chiefs have warned.

RIA Novosti – French warships for Russia to be armed with Ka-52 helicopters

Mistral-class helicopter carriers, which Russia plans to buy from France, will be armed with Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopters.

Defense Technology International – Bulava to Resume Test Launches

The test launches of Russia’s new Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile will resume at the end of August or beginning of September.

Defense Technology International – France To Build LHDs for Russia

Russia is ordering two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships (or BPCs) from France, with contract talks now underway. The previously reported plan was formally confirmed by embattled French president Nicolas Sarkozy, in a speech to workers at the shipyard where the vessels are to be built.

Defense Technology International – Caution, Helix on Deck

The Cold War must be over…Russian and Ukrainian Kamov Ka-27 Helix naval helicopters have been conducting deck landing trials on US Navy warships.

Defense Technology International – First Yasen class sub is completed

On June 15 Severodvinsk-based Sevmash facility officially completed the first multirole attack nuclear powered submarine of Yasen class (project 885). The construction of this sub named after its home city – Severodvinsk – took 17 years.

BBC – Russia jails ‘pirate’ over Arctic Sea ship mystery

A Moscow court has handed down a five-year jail term to one of the eight men detained over the mysterious seizure of the cargo ship Arctic Sea.

BBC – Russian forces storm tanker seized by Somali pirates

Russian forces have freed the crew of a Russian oil tanker seized by Somali pirates off the coast of Yemen, in a dramatic rescue operation.

BBC – Parliamentary chaos as Ukraine ratifies fleet deal

Chaos has erupted in the Ukrainian parliament during a debate over the extension of the lease on a Russian naval base in Ukraine.

Reuters – Deadly new Russian weapon hides in shipping container

A Russian company is marketing a devastating new cruise missile system which can be hidden inside a shipping container, giving any merchant vessel the capability to wipe out an aircraft carrier.

Defense Technology International – Addicted to Bulava

The Russian Navy is keen to have the new submarine-launched Bulava ICBM (SS-NX-30) in service despite moderate trial success demonstrated so far. On March 19 the top official from Navy headquarters was cited by RIA Novosti saying that another stage of trials is planned for the end of June.

BBC – Ukraine’s Yanukovych signals shift over Russia fleet

The newly elected president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych has suggested he would allow Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to remain in his country beyond 2017.

Defense Technology International – A Follow-On To Kuznetsov?

The Russian Navy is making plans for a new aircraft carrier fleet. Navy commander Adm Vladimir Vysotsky announced on Friday, February 26, that the technical design of Russia’s new aircraft carrier will be completed by the end of 2010.

The Times – Russia announces plans to buy four French warships from France

Russia is to buy four warships from France in the biggest defence deal with a Nato member since the end of the Cold War. In a move that has alarmed Georgia and the Baltic States, France and Russia said that they were in “exclusive talks” on the sale of Mistral-class amphibious assault ships.

Economist – The cruel sea

NATO allies worry about France’s decision to sell big warships to Russia.

Associated Press – France agrees to sell Russia advanced warship

France has agreed to sell Russia the Mistral amphibious warship and is considering a Russian request for three more, French defense officials said Monday. It would be the first major arms deal between Russia and a NATO member.

Washington Post – Critics say proposed sale of French Mistral ship to Russia will harm region

When the French navy’s 23,700-ton Mistral-class amphibious assault ship dropped anchor in St. Petersburg’s frigid harbor Nov. 23, it was doing more than paying a friendly visit to the Russians. The boxy 600-foot vessel — an advanced helicopter carrier, command center and hospital built for power projection and landing operations — was also advertising its many high-tech virtues with an eye on selling a copy to the Russian navy for about $750 million.

BBC – Russian missile test launch fails

A Russian test launch of the Bulava intercontinental missile has failed, resulting in a white light seen over parts of Norway.

Defense Technology International – Second Russian Stealth Frigate In Works

The Severnaya Verf shipyard in St Petersburg officially laid down the second Project 22350 frigate for the Russian Navy on November 26. The ship was named Admiral Flota Kasatonov. The first frigate of the class – Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov – has been under construction at Severnaya Verf since 2006.

Defense Tech – Russian Defense Industry In Crisis

Norman Polmar writes that the Russian defense industry may not have long to survive.