The development of all types of Russian air defense continues, and in this context, the current 2019 is one of the most important periods. In recent months, officials have several times disclosed plans for new developments, including the S-350 Vityaz anti-aircraft missile system. It was reported that this year the domestic air defense will receive the first production model of the new air defense system.
Recent past
In the last days of last year, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that several new anti-aircraft systems would be handed over to the army in 2019. Together with other products, the S-350 air defense system will go to the unit. In early March, new details emerged. Then it became known that the first complexes "Vityaz" by the end of the year will be at the disposal of the Military Academy of Aerospace Defense. Marshal G. K. Zhukov. With the help of this technique, the academy will prepare calculations for combatant air defense systems.
On April 12, as part of the Single Day of Military Acceptance, new reports were made about the S-350. It was argued that by this time the complex had passed state tests and successfully launched anti-aircraft missiles. All this made it possible to launch the assembly of the first serial air defense system.
On June 19, information about the success of the Vityaz project was confirmed at the highest level. During the meeting of the Collegium of the Ministry of Defense, the head of the defense department Sergei Shoigu recalled the successful completion of the development of the S-350 air defense system with increased fire capabilities. However, he did not give other details of this project.
The minister said that this year the aerospace forces, including those responsible for air defense, will receive 205 models of new equipment and weapons. As a result of such deliveries, the share of modern products will reach 82%. The purchase of promising air defense and missile defense systems was named a priority, and this fact is an incentive to put the Vityaz into service and develop other air defense systems.
Near future
All the main plans of the industry and the army for the near future in relation to the S-350 air defense system have already been determined and known. The next event with the participation of "Vityaz" will be in just a few days. A promising sample is planned to be shown at the "Army-2019" exhibition. It should be noted that it will not be a novelty for visitors: this technique has already been demonstrated several times at domestic events. However, the first demonstration of the complex is expected in its final form, corresponding to the appearance of future production samples.
Over the next few months, the construction of the first serial air defense system will end with its transfer to the Military Academy of the Aerospace Forces. This will be followed by the start of the personnel. Plans for the second and subsequent serial "Knights" have not yet been officially announced. However, it is obvious that the appearance of these complexes should be expected in the very near future. They may already be at different stages of construction, and their transfer to the customer will take place in the current or next year.
Also, in the near future, the appearance of a decree on the adoption of the S-350 into service with the Russian army is expected. Such a document will become an official point in the program for the development of a new air defense system. Further, there will be only "everyday" production and operation in the troops.
Goals for the future
The S-350 "Vityaz" air defense system was developed taking into account the general plans for updating and modernizing the Russian air defense facility. This system should replace several types of obsolete samples. It will also provide an increase in combat capability required to counter modern and future threats.
"Vityaz" was developed as a replacement for the old S-300P / PS air defense systems. It was previously planned that the complexes of these modifications will complete their service no later than 2015, and by this time the transfer of units to the new S-350 will begin. Certain difficulties led to a change in the original schedule, but the essence of the modernization remained the same. Air defense units of the Aerospace Forces will receive completely new equipment to replace obsolete ones.
The question of the timing and volume of the serial production of Vityaz is still open. In the past, it was reported that in 2010-15. should write off about fifty S-300P / PS, which could indicate the required number of air defense systems to replace them. However, this issue was not disclosed in official statements. The same is with the timing. Obviously, the production of several dozen S-350s will take more than one year, but how long it will last was not specified. It is also not possible to make a plausible estimate based on the available data.
However, it is already clear what role the new S-350 will play. He will have to replace the outdated S-300P / PS air defense systems and supplement the systems of the S-300 family of later modifications, as well as the modern S-400. In the future, the advanced S-500 complexes will join this technique. In the distant future, the S-400, S-500 and S-350 will form the basis of the object air defense. Complexes of several types will be able to provide a developed echeloned defense with the ability to intercept aerodynamic and ballistic targets in a wide range of ranges and altitudes.
In the recent past, a version has become widespread, according to which the "Vityaz" can enter the military air defense. In this case, he had to replace the Buk-M1 self-propelled systems. However, according to the latest data, the S-350 will serve only in the air defense and missile defense forces.
New benefits
The S-350 Vityaz air defense system was created to replace the older S-300P / PS and differs markedly from it. The presence of such differences is due to the specifics of modern threats and the development of air attack weapons. In addition, measures were taken to simplify the complex and increase the efficiency of its operation.
The S-350 complex includes several fixed assets made on self-propelled chassis. These are the 50P6E launcher, the 50K6E combat command post and the 50N6E radar, the 9M96 and 9M100 guided missiles, as well as a set of auxiliary systems and vehicles. An air defense missile system of this configuration can quickly go to a given position and deploy. Interaction with other air defense systems and command and control facilities is provided.
The 50P6E launcher carries and can use 12 missiles of different types, while several such vehicles are included in one battery, which increases the total ammunition load. 9M96 and 9M100 missiles are capable of intercepting air targets in the near zone and at medium ranges. The launch range reaches 120 km; maximum target speed - 1 km / s.
From the point of view of architecture, the S-350 air defense system has advantages over the S-300P / PS. As part of the latter, the so-called. launch complex - a system of one main and two additional launchers with four missiles each. Thus, the battery "Vityaz" with the same size of ammunition is smaller and easier to transport. The same number of installations, respectively, allows you to increase the total ammunition.
Increasing the ready-to-use ammunition load gives the Vityaz additional advantages. In this configuration, the S-350 will be able to more effectively counteract massive air strikes. The experience of recent conflicts shows the relevance of such threats and the need to be prepared for them.
Milestone 2019
The design of the promising S-350 Vityaz air defense system took several years. In 2013, industry built the first prototype of such a system. Subsequently, multi-stage tests began, the completion of which was reported in April. Now the construction of serial equipment for use for training purposes is underway, and after that, samples for operation in the troops will appear.
Thus, 2019 is of great importance both for the S-350 complex and for the air defense and missile defense forces. However, the current plans for the modernization of the armed forces provide for the most active and continuous development of air and missile defense. Therefore, we should expect that the next 2020 will be no less important for the air defense and security of the country as a whole.
