Why Is Russia Aiming Missiles at China?

[Peter1469]

Why Is Russia Aiming Missiles at China?

Russia is building up missile brigades in its Eastern Military District along the Chinese border. Curious.

In early June 2017, Russian mediareported that yet another Ground Forces missile brigade received the dreaded road-mobile 9K720 Iskander-M missile system (known in Russian military parlance as an “operational-tactical missile system,” or OTRK in short). The brigade in question is the 29th Army’s newly established 3rd Missile Brigade, based in Russia’s colossal Eastern Military District (MD). Formed in December 2016, this brigade was initially armed with the aging 9K79-1 Tochka-U tactical ballistic missile system, and became the Eastern MD’s fourth missile brigade to be re-equipped with the Iskander-M as part of the Russian Defense Ministry’s plan to phase out all Tochka-Us by 2020. The district’s three other brigades — the 107th, 103rd and 20th — received their Iskander-M OTRKs in 2013, 2015, and 2016, respectively. As a result, there are presently more Iskander-M brigades in the Eastern MD than any other district; Russia’s other three military districts (Central, Southern, and Western) currently house two Iskander-M brigades each. What, then, is the purpose of these four brigades?

Whereas the task of Iskander-M OTRKs being deployed in Russia’s Western MD is to hold U.S. and allied forces in the Baltics and Poland at risk, the systems stationed in the Eastern MD appear to primarily serve a different purpose: strengthening both Russia’s conventional and nuclear deterrence against China. Indeed, while an Iskander-M system stationed in Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast allows Russia to target a wide range of NATO military assets, including the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense (BMD) system in Poland, an Iskander-M stationed in Russia’s Far East has very limited ability to threaten U.S. forces deployed in the region.

According to Russian sources, the Iskander-M’s 9M723-series of quasi-ballistic missiles have a range of 400-500 kilometers (250-310 miles), while the 9M728/R-500 ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM) — frequently erroneously referred to as the Iskander-K — possesses a range of under 500 km. This largely restricts the Iskander-M to targets on Japan’s Hokkaido Prefecture, leaving key U.S. military assets, including the AN/TPY-2 BMD radar in Japan’s Amoroi Prefecture and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea, beyond the system’s reach. A possible exception is Misawa Air Base in the east of Aomori Prefecture; however, targeting this facility would require deploying the Iskander-M to the southern tip of Kunashir Island in the Kurils.

Read the rest at the link. See also the map with the unit coverage areas.

http://thediplomat.com/wp-content/up...01-790x437.jpg

[Casper]

Why Is Russia Aiming Missiles at China?

Russia is building up missile brigades in its Eastern Military District along the Chinese border. Curious.



Read the rest at the link. See also the map with the unit coverage areas.

It is a misconception that Russia and China are allies, they have fought several border wars, and unless it is an unusual situation, they are not Friends, history, as you well you know, is your ally. China wants Asia, we cannot give it, and Russia wants the World. Which is the Bigger Threat?

[Peter1469]

It is a misconception that Russia and China are allies, they have ought several border wars and unless it is an unusual situation, they are not Friends, history, as you well know, is your ally. China wants Asia, we cannot give it, and Russia wants the World. Which is the Bigger Threat?

Russia doesn't want the world. It is a declining power. It wants secure borders.

China definately wants to become a world economic power. I doubt that they have many expansionist goals outside of the South China Sea region.

[Crepitus]

Russia doesn't want the world. It is a declining power. It wants secure borders.

China definately wants to become a world economic power. I doubt that they have many expansionist goals outside of the South China Sea region.

I disagree on Russia. I guarantee Vladimir Putin does not see himself as president of a declining country.

I agree with tour assessment of china.

[Casper]

Russia doesn't want the world. It is a declining power. It wants secure borders.

China definately wants to become a world economic power. I doubt that they have many expansionist goals outside of the South China Sea region.

Incorrect and Correct

Russia is run by an old schooler, anyone that understands his history knows what he wants. He wants to be the next Lenin or Stalin, He wants to use his power to rebuild a "NueRussia", one built upon the old and he new, a Russia that is to be respected and feared. Trust Russia at your peril.
China is a different animal, they want the best of Both Worlds, the Communists Love the money, but fear Freedom, they have their eyes on South East Asia, and want to control the shipping and the Entire Region. That we can do something about, and better before the BS goes too far. Believe this, China is playing Chess, NK is one of their Pieces.
Now we find out if Trump is truly Presidential.
God Help Us All..................

[Peter1469]

I didn't say that I trust Russia. I said it is in decline.

Their population is shrinking. That means less economic output. That means less to spend on a military and war.

Incorrect and Correct

Russia is run by an old schooler, anyone that understands his history knows what he wants. He wants to be the next Lenin or Stalin, He wants to use his power to rebuild a "NueRussia", one built upon the old and he new, a Russia that is to be respected and feared. Trust Russia at your peril.
China is a different animal, they want the best of Both Worlds, the Communists Love the money, but fear Freedom, they have their eyes on South East Asia, and want to control the shipping and the Entire Region. That we can do something about, and better before the BS goes too far. Believe this, China is playing Chess, NK is one of their Pieces.
Now we find out if Trump is truly Presidential.
God Help Us All..................