Russia`s Military Satellites in 2019; Russia to Monitor NATO Drills; UAE Buys KC-46A Tanker

By TOC

PANAGYURISHTE (BGM) – Russia will launch two Meridian-M military communications satellites in 2019, TASS reported.

“Before the end of the year, two upgraded Meridian-M-series communications satellites will be launched,” Shoigu said at the ministry’s board meeting.

Russia will also complete creating the orbital military communications grouping that will consist of four Blagovest satellites, the defense minister said.

“This will provide a possibility to expand the areas of satellite communication accessibility on the territory of Russia and outside it, including in the Arctic,” the defense minister said.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet’s patrol ship Smetlivy has left Sevastopol and is currently en route to the coast of Bulgaria in order to monitor NATO drills, a source in the region’s security forces informed TASS.

“Last night, the patrol ship has left Sevastopol. Smetlivy has embarked on this trip in order to monitor the NATO air defense drills set to be held on the territory of Bulgaria and near the Bulgarian coast,” the source stated.

The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a surprise customer for KC-46A Pegasus, having formally made a request to buy the tanker aircraft, according to manufacturer Boeing, Defense News reported.

Speaking to reporters at a media event on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue regional security summit in Singapore, Jeff Shockey, Boeing’s vice president of global sales for defense, space and security, confirmed that the Middle Eastern kingdom had issued a letter of request for three tankers.

The UAE now joins the list of potential markets for the KC-46A, alongside other interested parties such as Indonesia, Israel, Norway, Qatar and NATO.

Read more: Russia Upgrading Il-80 and Il-82 Planes; ‘Emergency’ Arms Deal; IDF Destroys Attack Tunnel

Read more: Islamic State Suicide Bomber in Afghan; India Equips Su-30 with I-Derby ER; New Canadian Drones to Use E-Scan Radar

Follow us everywhere and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you can open the page from any computer, mobile devices or web browsers. For more up-to-date news from us, follow our Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages. Do not miss the chance to subscribe to our newsletter.

>>Be a reporter: Write and send your article.<<

BulgarianMilitary.com
Editorial team
Source: TASS, Defense News