At present, Moscow and the central economic region of Russia are protected from a nuclear missile attack by a potential enemy in the form of the A-135 Amur anti-missile system. In order to maintain the required defense capability, this system is being modernized. Some of the details of such works are openly discussed.
Plans for the near future
Since the beginning of this year, officials and the media have reported several times about the implementation of various works in the context of the development of the existing missile defense system. First of all, we are talking again about the modernization of the deployed system through the introduction of new components.
On January 22, Krasnaya Zvezda published an interview with Major General Sergei Grabchuk, commander of the 1st Air Defense and Missile Defense Army of the Aerospace Forces. Talking about the prospects of missile defense, he recalled the deep modernization of the system without interrupting combat duty. The transition to a modern element base is underway. New computers with high performance are being mastered.
The development of promising interceptor missiles continues successfully. Due to their appearance, in the near future it will be possible to improve the characteristics of the missile defense system as a whole and expand its combat capabilities.
However, the topic of the development of antimissile defense was not disclosed in more detail. The particular importance of such projects forces us to maintain secrecy and does not allow disclosing even the most general technical data.
According to foreign data
On April 15, Russian projects in the field of missile and anti-space defense again became the reason for loud statements. US Space Command has issued a special statement on the latest Russian actions. The reason for such a speech was the next tests of Russian anti-satellite weapons.
The statement notes that the Space Command on April 15 recorded an anti-satellite missile test. In this regard, they recalled the readiness of the United States to restrain any aggression against them or their allies. Also, in the statement of the Space Command, they recalled "suspicious" spacecraft from the Russian group. In February, they maneuvered near the American satellite, which threatened its performance.
The official statement by the Space Command ended with accusations of Russia in its intention to limit the space potential of the United States while creating its own anti-satellite weapons. The authors also recalled the importance of space programs, the fight against the current pandemic, etc.
It is curious that the next message about the tests of the Russian missile defense system again comes from foreign sources. News of this kind has appeared regularly since 2014, and so far only the Pentagon and foreign media publish them. The Russian Ministry of Defense also regularly reports on tests of various components of missile defense, but the topic of anti-space defense has not yet been disclosed.
Modernization paths
According to known data, the result of the current modernization of the A-135 "Amur" missile defense system will be the emergence of the promising A-235 "Nudol" complex with wider capabilities and other characteristics. Apparently, it is envisaged to preserve the main part of the infrastructure and components of the A-135 - when they are updated and supplemented with other products.
The main components of the system, such as the Don-2N detection and tracking radar, command posts, stationary firing complexes, etc. must undergo modernization with the transition to a modern element base and with some improvement in performance. Some changes in transport, energy and other infrastructure are possible due to changes in the available components and the introduction of new ones.
The Nudol system should preserve the existing capabilities of the Amur to combat ballistic targets similar to the warheads of the potential enemy's missiles. In order to develop the combat means of the missile defense system, the modernized PRS-1M short-range interceptor missile has been developed and is being tested, designed to replace the existing PRS-1. It is known that several test launches were carried out, which ended in success.
Against satellites
2014-15 foreign sources regularly report on the testing of a promising interceptor missile designed to combat targets in low earth orbits. The latest news of this kind appeared just the other day - and again criticism and aggressive rhetoric followed.
In foreign sources, the new missile is called PL-19. The actual designation used by the Russian military remains unknown. The standard mobile launcher, according to some sources, is designated as P-222.
According to foreign data, since 2014, eight test launches have taken place - the last one took place a few days ago. Some of the launches ended in success. The first tests were carried out using a ground launcher; since 2018, a standard self-propelled combat vehicle P-222 has been used.
Russian officials have not yet confirmed the development of weapons to combat orbital targets, but they do not deny the existence of such projects. In addition, the news and statements of recent months do not contradict each other. Perhaps in the future, the Russian Ministry of Defense will nevertheless disclose the main data on a promising project.
Extended capabilities
From the available data, it follows that work on the deep modernization of the "Amur" and its restructuring into "Nudol" continues and is gradually approaching successful completion. In the coming years, the A-235 system will be able to take up combat duty, improving the protection of the capital region from an expanded range of potential threats.
The A-235 system should preserve and improve the capabilities of its predecessor to monitor the situation and identify potentially dangerous objects. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the ability to intercept ballistic targets using improved interceptor missiles. While we are talking about the modernization of one of the existing missiles, but in the future, the emergence of completely new products is possible.
In the conditions of modern conflict, a space group, equipped with vehicles for various purposes, is of particular importance. In addition, there is a risk of the emergence of promising orbital platforms for combat purposes. Such factors stimulate the development of anti-space weapons to strengthen the "traditional" missile defense. Judging by the news from foreign military structures and the media, similar work is already underway in our country and in some other states.
Thus, on the basis of the existing missile defense system A-135 "Amur", a promising complex of anti-missile and anti-space defense A-235 "Nudol" is already being created. By preserving the best features of its predecessor and obtaining fundamentally new components, the promising system will be able to more effectively solve the tasks of defending a critical area.
