are in development. The "Ikar" was flown in 1999, carrying "Globalstar" satellites to orbit. The "Fregat" should see its first flight in 2000 or 2001. Part of the driving force behind these upgrades is to displace the "Soyuz U" avionics currently provided by NPO "Kharton" of Kharkov, Ukraine. The new digital avionics will dramatically improve the launcher's guidance, navigation, and control and will allow flight in less stable configurations with, for instance, larger payload fairings. Russia appears to have a design goal of upgrading the "Soyuz"- family with components produced entirely within Russia.

The "Soyuz" family is undergoing a diverse set of upgrades, which include the introduction of new upper stages, new fairings, and modernization of the core vehicle. The use of the "Ikar" upper stage on "Soyuz" was first demonstrated in early 1999. The improved "Fregat" upper stage will be introduced around 2000. These new upper-stage options for "Soyuz" will likely lead to the eventual retirement of the "Molniya", which has an older upper stage. Beginning in 2001, the "Soyuz ST" will be introduced. This is an improved version of the "Soyuz" core, which can use the "Ikar", "Fregat", or no upper stage. The "Soyuz ST" is intended specifically for commercial launches. A different upgrade configuration known as the "Soyuz FG" will be used for Russian government payloads and manned spacecraft.