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.
MOSCOW — A top executive of the Russian KBM machine-building design bureau has confirmed that his company supplied Libyan government forces with the truck-mounted short-range anti-aircraft Igla-S (SA-24 Grinch) missiles recently spotted by the international media. Kolomna-based KBM is the designer of this system, as well as its predecessors, the Strela and Igla family of portable surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and has a government permit to export its products directly, without the help of Russia’s Rosoboronexport arms trade agency.
Russia hopes that upgrades to the Mi-26, now undergoing flight trials, will help boost the helicopter’s chances in an Indian air force competition. The Mi-26T2 is up against Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook; the order is expected to be for 15 rotorcraft. The -26T2 incorporates improvements based on the operational experience of the previous Mi-26 variants, say officials from Rostvertol, the manufacturer.
MOSCOW — Russia is hoping upgrades to its Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter that are now undergoing flight trials will help secure an Indian contract now out for competition. The Mi-26T2 is up against Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook in the effort to supply helicopters to the Indian air force. The order is expected to be for 15 rotorcraft.
