In the event of the outbreak of a hypothetical full-scale armed conflict with the use of all available means and weapons, Moscow and the central industrial region are exposed to special risks. The vast majority of strategically important military and administrative facilities are concentrated in these territories, making them an important target for the first strikes. As a result, our country needs to maintain and update the defense systems of Moscow and the surrounding regions in order to ensure the sustainability of state and military administration even in the most difficult conditions.
Both in the past and now, the main threat to Moscow is posed by the strategic nuclear forces of a potential adversary. The first blow to the Russian command and control structures should be carried out by land and sea-based ballistic missiles, as well as strategic aviation and cruise missiles of various types. In this case, the effective use of ground forces is excluded, which creates a characteristic picture and requires the creation of a special structure of protection.
Missile defense
For a number of reasons, the main threat to the central industrial region and Moscow is posed by ballistic missiles of a potential enemy deployed on land targets and on submarines. This understanding appeared in the middle of the last century, which led to the development and construction of an advanced missile defense system. In 1971, the A-35 system took over on combat duty. To date, it has been replaced by the newer A-135 Amur complex, which is currently undergoing modernization.
Radar "Don-2N"
The A-135 system is operated by the 9th Anti-Ballistic Missile Division, which is part of the 1st Air Defense and Missile Defense Army. All military units of this division, responsible for the operation of various elements of the "Amur", are located in the Moscow region - directly in the protected area.
Amur receives information about a missile attack from the enemy both from the missile attack warning system and from its own tracking equipment. The main component of the A-135 is the Don-2N multifunctional radar. Radar with active phased antenna arrays provides a view of the entire upper hemisphere. A target of the type of an ICBM warhead is determined at a range of 3,700 km and at an altitude of up to 40,000 km. Don-2N is responsible for tracking targets and aiming interceptor missiles at them.
The A-135 has five firing complexes with anti-missile launchers. According to various sources, up to 68 missiles are simultaneously on duty. Currently, 53T6 / PRS-1 missiles are in operation, designed to intercept ballistic missiles in the near zone. The product with a special warhead is capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 100 km and altitudes up to 45 km. Currently, work is underway on the updated anti-missile PRS-1M. It will be distinguished by increased range and height of destruction, as well as improved firing accuracy.
Over the past years, enterprises of the defense complex have been working on improving the A-135 system, aimed at increasing its tactical and technical characteristics. It will take several years to complete such work. The modernized version of the "Amur" is designated as A-235. According to various estimates, the updated missile defense system will retain its functions, but will have advantages over the modern one.
Air defense
The task of protecting Moscow and the central industrial region from enemy airstrikes and cruise missiles is assigned to two other formations from the 1st Air Defense and Missile Defense Army. These are the 4th and 5th air defense divisions, stationed in a number of settlements in the Moscow region. These divisions are armed with modern anti-aircraft missile systems of several basic types.
Tests of a promising anti-missile
The composition of two air defense divisions from the 1st Army includes one radio technical regiment and four anti-aircraft missile regiments. Almost all the anti-aircraft missile regiments of the two divisions have now been re-equipped with S-400 systems. At the same time, the 5th Air Defense Division still has two regimental sets of older S-300PM air defense systems in service. In the foreseeable future, a complete rearmament of the division will take place, thanks to which it will expand its capabilities. In total, about 20 divisions with two types of anti-aircraft systems are on duty in the units of the 1st Air Defense-Missile Defense Army.
Air defense divisions, armed with modern air defense systems, are capable of protecting Moscow, the Moscow region and the surrounding regions from a number of air threats. The S-400 systems are capable of fighting tactical and strategic aircraft, special aircraft for various purposes, as well as aircraft weapons and cruise missiles. It is possible to destroy short and medium-range ballistic missiles.
Several types of guided missiles are used to combat different targets in different ranges. The maximum firing range at aerodynamic targets is set at 400 km. Height - up to 35 km. The range for ballistic targets reaches 60 km. Each complex can simultaneously launch and direct up to 20 missiles.
Combat aviation
A significant number of aviation units for various purposes are concentrated at the bases of the Moscow Region and nearby regions. There are fighter, bomber, transport and other units. In the context of the defense of Moscow and the central industrial region, regiments and divisions involved in reconnaissance, control and interception of enemy aircraft are of greatest interest.
The 144th Airborne Early Warning Regiment, the only one in the country, is based in Ivanovo. It has 15 A-50 and A-50U aircraft, as well as one Il-22M air command post. The 8th Special Purpose Division is based at the Chkalovsky airfield (Moscow region), which has equipment for various purposes. It has 13 VKPs of the Il-22 and Il-22M types, as well as two Il-20 electronic reconnaissance aircraft.
An anti-aircraft missile regiment from the 1st Air Defense-Missile Defense Army is deploying to position
The Khotilovo airfield (Tver region) is the base for the 790th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 105th Mixed Division of the Western Military District. He owns 24 interceptors MiG-31BM and MiG-31BSM, as well as up to 30 fighters Su-27, Su-27UB and Su-30SM. Another squadron of MiG-31 interceptors is based at the Savasleika airfield (Nizhny Novgorod region), organizationally related to the 4th State Center for Aviation Personnel Training and Military Tests.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the Kubinka airbase, where the 237th Guards Center for the Display of Aviation Equipment is located. I. N. Kozhedub. The 237th CPAT includes the aerobatic teams "Russian Knights" and "Swifts". They have two dozen aircraft of the Su-27, Su-30SM and MiG-29 types, suitable for solving initial combat missions.
It should be noted that in the regions of the central industrial region there are many other air bases and aviation formations with a large number of various equipment. However, in their case, they are armed with transport and training aircraft, long-range bombers, tankers, as well as the entire range of helicopter technology of the armed forces. For obvious reasons, such air units cannot participate in repelling a nuclear missile strike or raid by enemy long-range aviation. However, some of them can be used for a retaliatory strike or in solving other problems.
Development prospects
Moscow and the surrounding regions are of particular importance for the economy, as well as for military and state administration, which makes special demands on their protection - primarily from a strike with the use of strategic weapons. Currently, the central industrial region has a well-developed defense system, which includes various means from different branches of the armed forces. The development of this system should continue in the future.
The modernization of the missile defense system A-135 "Amur" is underway, providing for the production and introduction of various new types of products. The replacement of individual components of the Don-2N radar and control systems has already started. It is important that these processes are carried out without removing the station from duty and stopping its work. At the same time, a new modification of the serial anti-missile, which has improved characteristics, is being fine-tuned.
Aircraft of the aerobatic teams "Swifts" and "Russian Knights" based in Kubinka
The modernization of air defense units is still associated with the decommissioning of the aging S-300PM anti-aircraft missile systems and the introduction of modern S-400 into service. In the distant future, a new stage of updating the material part is expected. This time, the regiments of the 1st Air Defense-Missile Defense Division will have to master the latest S-500 complexes. While this air defense system is at the stage of development work, but in the future it will be tested and put into series.
Serial production of modern fighters of a number of types continues, and this material part is supplied to various formations, including the central region. So far, only the Su-30SM and the modernized MiG-31 can be considered the newest at the bases of the Moscow region and the nearest districts. Over time, the share of new equipment at the bases of the region will be increased, but so far the priority is to modernize parts in other directions.
It is easy to see that in the construction of the defense of Moscow and the central industrial region, the greatest attention is paid to the means of anti-missile and air defense, while aviation is being updated more slowly. The reasons for this are simple and understandable. As an administrative and military center, Moscow and nearby facilities are a priority target for a potential adversary. Therefore, it is this region that runs the risk of being hit by a potential enemy with the use of ballistic and cruise missiles, long-range aviation, etc.
Modern domestic air defense systems are capable of intercepting both aircraft and cruise missiles and warheads of medium-range ballistic missiles. In the fight against enemy aircraft, they are assisted by modern fighter aircraft. The missile defense complex undergoing modernization is responsible for intercepting more complex ballistic targets. Thus, strategically important areas of the country have a modern and effective echeloned defense.
This means that the results of the first enemy attack will be far from desired, and the Russian armed forces and civilian structures will remain operational for a retaliatory strike and subsequent actions. This factor in itself can be an effective means of deterring a potential adversary from rash actions and aggression.
