Maksim covers aerospace developments in Central Asia for Aviation Week. He has worked for Russia's Air Transport Observer magazine and was in charge of several ATO sister aerospace publications after working for the Moscow-based CAST defense think tank.
Maksim has a degree in international relations from MGIMO University, Moscow.
Russia’s airborne troops may soon get a modernized version of the BMD-4M armored vehicle that is lighter, faster, more spacious and better equipped. First presented by manufacturer Kurganmashzavod (KMZ) in March, the tracked vehicle is a compromise between the military’s need for a modern and powerful weapon and efforts by the manufacturer to reduce production costs by standardizing its product range.
The operational capabilities of India’s air force will be significantly upgraded late this year when the service receives the first of three A-50EI airborne early warning aircraft. The aircraft, based on the Ilyushin Il-76 airframe, are being built by Beriev Aircraft Co. of Russia. The airborne early warning (AEW) systems will be installed by Israel Aircraft Industries’ Elta subsidiary. The AEW system incorporates IAI/Elta’s Phalcon radar, which uses active electronically scanned arrays.
ST Engineering Ltd. of Singapore has developed a concept vehicle that’s designed to maximize the use of network-centric capabilities, unmanned reconnaissance vehicles and soldiers in urban combat. Called “Mothership,” it is based on the Terrex 8 X 8 armored infantry fighting vehicle.
