This part of the review will focus on the Central Asian republics: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Before the collapse of the USSR, units of the 12th separate air defense army (12 air defense OA), 49th and 73rd air armies (49 and 73 VA) were deployed on the territory of these republics. In the 80s, the Central Asian direction was not a priority and, unlike the western regions of the USSR and the Far East, the most modern anti-aircraft missile systems, air monitoring systems and interceptors were not sent here, first of all.
Turkmenistan
The grouping of the Soviet army that remained in Turkmenistan after the collapse of the USSR was in quantitative and qualitative terms of weapons much better than the one that went to Uzbekistan, not to mention Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. On the other hand, Turkmenistan did not have and does not have its own military-industrial complex enterprises capable of producing modern weapons, and the level of combat training of personnel is traditionally very low. After the collapse of the USSR, a large Soviet military grouping came under the jurisdiction of Turkmenistan, including the 17th Air Defense Division with two anti-aircraft missile brigades, a radio engineering brigade and a radio engineering regiment, the 152nd and 179th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiments. The Armed Forces of Turkmenistan received a variety of equipment, including both modern and frankly rare ones. So the Air Force formally included the Yak-28P interceptor fighters and the MiG-21SMT light fighters, which were hopelessly outdated by that time. In the anti-aircraft missile units of the 17th Air Defense Division, there were medium-range complexes of the S-75M2 modification, which in other regions of the USSR by 1991 were mainly at storage bases. At the same time, the total number of air defense systems deployed in Turkmenistan was impressive. The placement diagram shows that the positions were located along the border with Iran.
The layout of the air defense system in Turkmenistan as of 1990
Before the revolution in Iran, this direction was considered one of the most probable for a breakthrough by American strategic bombers into the central regions of the USSR. However, after the collapse of the USSR, Turkmenistan also got quite new equipment at that time: the S-75M3, S-125M, S-200VM air defense systems (more than 50 PU in total) and the MiG-23ML / MLD, MiG-25PD, MiG-29 fighters. The radio engineering units had about a hundred radars: P-15, P-14, P-18, P-19, P-35, P-37, P-40, P-80.
MiG-29 of the Air Force of Turkmenistan
After the division of the Turkestan military district of the USSR between the independent states of Central Asia, Turkmenistan received the largest aviation group in Central Asia, deployed at 2 large bases - near Mary and Ashgabat. The number of fighters transferred to the republic capable of performing air defense missions was unprecedented; in total, Turkmenistan, excluding the outdated Yak-28P and MiG-21SMT, received more than 200 MiG-23 of various modifications, 20 MiG-25PD and about 30 MiG-29. A significant part of this equipment was in "storage" and after a few years actually turned into scrap metal.
In the 21st century, the number of operational complexes has sharply decreased, in 2007 the skies of Turkmenistan were protected by an anti-aircraft missile brigade named after Turkmenbashi and two anti-aircraft missile regiments, which formally were armed with a half dozen S-75M3, S-125M and S-200VM air defense systems. At the moment, two dozen radar posts are monitoring the air situation.
In the Air Force, 20 MiG-29s (including 2 MiG-29UB) are capable of carrying out the tasks of fighting an air enemy. The repair and modernization of the Turkmen fighters was carried out at the Lviv aircraft repair plant. In addition, the R-73 and R-27 air combat missiles were supplied from Ukraine. It is worth saying that Ukraine in the past played a major role in maintaining the anti-aircraft potential of Turkmenistan in working order, and refurbishment of part of the S-200VM and S-125M air defense systems was also carried out. To replace obsolete Soviet radars, supplies of modern 36D6 radars and Kolchuga-M radio-technical reconnaissance stations were carried out.
However, foreign military aid did not help Turkmenistan much in strengthening its own defenses. Most of the non-Turkmen servicemen left Turkmenistan because of the persecution of specialists from the “non-titular nation”. Local cadres could not become a full-fledged replacement for them. So, according to expert estimates, in 2007-2008, the Air Force had 25-30 pilots with sufficient qualifications to fly a combat aircraft, and this despite the fact that there were 10 times more aircraft. Of course, now the situation in Turkmenistan has changed somewhat, but the national armed forces still continue to experience a shortage of technically well-trained personnel. This also fully applies to anti-aircraft missile units.
Layout of air defense systems and radars on the territory of Turkmenistan as of 2012
At present, the positions of anti-aircraft complexes carrying combat duty can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Moreover, even on complexes considered to be serviceable, there are single anti-aircraft missiles on launchers, at best, this is 1/3 of the ammunition set by the state. The Russian-Belarusian company "Defense Systems" completed work on the modernization of the S-125M air defense system to the level of "Pechora-2M" under the contract dated 2009, but the upgraded "hundred twenty five" are not involved in permanent combat duty, but they regularly participate in parades.
SPU SAM "Pechora-2M" at the parade in Ashgabat
In general, the level of combat readiness of the Turkmen air defense forces is low. So on fresh satellite images dated 2016, you can see that out of the three S-125M air defense systems deployed in the vicinity of Ashgabat, only one missiles are installed on launchers. At the same time, only two of the four launchers are equipped with two missiles. That is, instead of the prescribed 16 anti-aircraft missiles, only four can really be used.
Satellite image of Google earth: SAM C-125M in the vicinity of Ashgabat
The same picture is observed in the positions of the S-200VM air defense systems deployed near Mary and Turkmenbashi. None of the 12 launchers are loaded with missiles. Perhaps this is due to the limited number of serviceable missiles and the deterioration of the hardware of the complexes. Although there are no anti-aircraft missiles on the launchers, the entire infrastructure of the complexes has been preserved and maintained in working order. Access roads and technical positions are cleared of sand.
ZUR 5V28 painted in the colors of the national flag at the parade in Ashgabat
Turkmenistan, along with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, remained one of the last republics of the former USSR, where the long-range S-200 air defense systems with liquid anti-aircraft missiles remained in service. Despite the fact that the "duhsots" are no longer on alert, very large anti-aircraft missiles play an important ceremonial role. SAM 5V28 painted in the colors of the national flag look very impressive at military parades.
According to the reference data, the air defense of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan has: 40 Osa air defense systems, 13 Strela-10, 48 ZSU-23-4 Shilka, about 200 anti-aircraft guns of 100, 57, 37 and 23-mm caliber., as well as about 300 Igla and Mistral MANPADS. It is known that on the territory of Turkmenistan, when the Soviet military heritage was divided, two regiments of military air defense systems "Kub" and "Krug" remained, but, apparently, they are no longer combat-ready. In the past few years, the Turkmen complexes "Krug" have been participating only in military parades and do not leave the territory of the military unit near Ashgabat for firing and exercises.
Turkmenistan is a very closed country and it is difficult to judge how things are with air defense systems. But, according to a number of experts, the share of serviceable equipment in the air defense forces is less than 50%. At the same time, Turkmenistan is the only CIS country that has not signed an agreement on measures to control the proliferation of portable anti-aircraft missile systems.
Turkmenistan has unresolved disputes over Azerbaijan over the status of the Caspian Sea and disagreements over the allocation of quotas for gas transportation through the projected trans-Caspian pipeline. The country has a complicated relationship with Uzbekistan, which some experts have recently called the powder keg of Central Asia. This forces the republic, rich in natural gas, to spend significant funds on the purchase of modern weapons. Gradually, the Central Asian republics are beginning to arm themselves with Chinese high-tech weapons, including air defense systems.
At the beginning of 2016, large-scale military exercises were held in Turkmenistan, where the Chinese FD-2000 anti-aircraft missile system (export version HQ-9) was demonstrated. Simultaneously with the air defense system, long-range surveillance radars were acquired. Apparently, several dozen Turkmen servicemen have been trained and trained in the PRC. Until the last moment, the parties managed to keep the fact of the delivery of Chinese air defense systems a secret from the general public, although rumors about this were leaked to the media. The leadership of Turkmenistan chose not the Russian S-300PMU2 air defense systems, but the Chinese anti-aircraft systems, which indicates the growing Chinese influence in the region.
Uzbekistan
The armed forces of Uzbekistan are among the most powerful in Central Asia. In 2014, in the Global Firepower Index (World ranking of military power), the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan took 48th place out of 106 participating countries. Among the countries of the post-Soviet space, the Uzbek army took 3rd place, after the Russian Federation (2nd place) and Ukraine (21st place). In reality, the Uzbek army is inferior in size and level of combat training to the Kazakh.
Unlike Turkmenistan, the Uzbekistan Air Force initially received fewer combat aircraft, but thanks to cooperation with Russia and the presence of its own aircraft repair base, they are much better preserved. Before the collapse of the USSR, the 115th Guards Fighter Orsha Order of Kutuzov and the Alexander Nevsky Aviation Regiment on the MiG-29 were based at the Kakaydy airfield. In 1992, the equipment and weapons of the 115th GIAP were transferred to the Air Force of the Republic of Uzbekistan. After that the regiment was renamed the 61st IAP. At the Chirik airfield, the 9th IAP was based on the Su-27. Now all the Uzbek fighters have been brought down by the 60th mixed aviation brigade.
According to the information published by IISS The Military Balance for 2016, the Air Force's payroll includes 24 Su-27 heavy fighters and 30 MiG-29 light fighters. However, according to the latest data, only 6 Su-27 and about 10 MiG-29 are in flight condition. Despite the fact that in the past, aircraft were repaired at the Tashkent Aviation Plant, without foreign, primarily Russian military assistance, the number of Uzbekistan's fighter fleet could be greatly reduced in the near future.
In Soviet times, the 15th Air Defense Division with its headquarters in Samarkand was located on the territory of Uzbekistan. The headquarters and command post of the 12th separate air defense army were located in Tashkent. The formation of the anti-aircraft missile forces organizationally belonging to the Air Force of Uzbekistan was carried out mainly on the basis of the equipment and weapons of the 12th anti-aircraft missile brigade. From the air defense missile systems of the USSR got about the medium-range complexes S-75M2 / M3, low-altitude S-125M / M1 and long-range S-200VM.
Layout of air defense systems and radars in Uzbekistan
The operation and maintenance of the complex and expensive-to-maintain S-200V turned out to be too much for Uzbekistan. The number of operational C-75M3s dropped sharply a few years after independence, but individual complexes survived until 2006.
SAM S-125 in the suburbs of Tashkent
At the moment, only the S-125M1 air defense system remained in service with the air defense forces of Uzbekistan. Four complexes cover Tashkent and two more are deployed on the Afghan-Uzbek border in the Termez region. Several Uzbek complexes have been upgraded to the C-125 "Pechora-2M" level. In 2013, there were reports about the conclusion of a contract for the supply of the Chinese FD-2000 air defense system to Uzbekistan. Unlike Turkmenistan, the FD-2000 have not yet been demonstrated at the exercises in Uzbekistan, and it is not clear whether they are there at all.
Airspace control is carried out by one and a half dozen heavily worn out radars P-18 and P-37. Russia handed over to Uzbekistan several modern stations, which are installed on the border with Afghanistan and in the vicinity of Tashkent.
There are very few reliable data on the armament and state of the air defense of the Land Forces of Uzbekistan. The reference materials indicate that the troops have up to 400 MANPADS and a number of obsolete Strela-1 air defense systems based on the BRDM-2. Apparently, there are several dozen ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" and ZU-23, but it is difficult to say to what degree of combat readiness they are.
In general, the capabilities of the armed forces of Uzbekistan in terms of air defense are very weak, and the point is not only that the troops have extremely worn out and outdated equipment. In 1990, local officers accounted for only 0.6% of the total number of military personnel in the country. Nevertheless, Islam Karimov made a bet on national cadres; since the mid-90s, at the beginning, a policy of ousting Russian-speaking officers and replacing them with Uzbeks called up from the reserve has been pursued. It is clear that the technical knowledge and qualifications of Uzbek officers, who for the most part are farmers, were often an order of magnitude inferior to the level of training and business qualities of military personnel who graduated from military universities and served 10-15 years in technical positions. This led to the fact that the combat readiness of Uzbekistan's air defense units fell sharply. To maintain the air force and air defense at the proper level, it was necessary to recruit Russian-speaking pilots and specialists under contract in the CIS countries.
In 2001, after the start of the anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan, Islam Karimov provided the US with the Khanabad airport in the vicinity of Karshi. The Pentagon has modernized the Khanabad airbase to its own standards. The runway was repaired and the necessary modern means of communication and navigation were installed. At that time, almost all military aircraft intended for logistical support of American troops in Afghanistan were stationed in Khanabad: more than 30 military transport aircraft C-130 and C-17, as well as combat F-15E and F-16C / D. More than 1,300 American troops were stationed at the base. Until a certain moment, "Khanabad" was the largest US airbase in Central Asia. However, already in 2005, after the events in Andijan, the Americans were expelled from the territory of Uzbekistan "for supporting local radicals and international terrorism." In response, Washington imposed a series of sanctions against Tashkent. However, after a few years, the sanctions were lifted and the United States again began to show signs of attention to the Uzbek leadership.
American representatives of not the highest rank voiced their interest in the return of American armed forces to Uzbekistan and their deployment at the Khanabad airbase or at the Navoi airport. A few years ago, the United States gained the ability to deliver non-military cargo through the civilian airport "Navoi". Apparently, the Americans also have a desire to deploy their own infrastructure on the Uzbek-Afghan border at the airbase in Termez, where the Bundeswehr military was stationed. The military airfield in Termez is the first German base outside Germany after the end of World War II. The Uzbek city of Termez is located on the northern border of Afghanistan and has everything you need to transport goods - an airport and a railroad. Germany has used an air base in this strategically important city since 2002 to support foreign military contingent in Afghanistan. Since the closure of the US Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan in 2014, the German airbase in Termez remains the only NATO military base in Central Asia. It was assumed that after the end of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Germany would withdraw its troops. The bulk of the German military left Afghanistan three years ago, but despite this, the airbase continued to exist. Earlier this year, Der Spiegel reported that Germany was negotiating an extension of the lease for its airbase in Uzbekistan, and that Tashkent wanted to raise its 2016 rent to 72.5 million euros, nearly doubling the current amount.
Kyrgyzstan
In Soviet times, there were relatively few units of the Soviet Army on the territory of the Kyrgyz USSR. The armed forces of the Kyrgyz Republic were formed on May 29, 1992, when by decree of the President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev, formations and units of the Soviet Army stationed in the republic were taken under its jurisdiction. Kyrgyzstan got the equipment and weapons of the 8th Guards Motorized Rifle Division, the 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment, the 145th Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, which was part of the 33rd Air Defense Division. The Frunze Military Aviation School (322nd Training Aviation Regiment) had about 70 MiG-21 fighters. In Soviet times, in addition to the personnel of the USSR Air Force, pilots and specialists for developing countries were trained here. After Kyrgyzstan gained independence, part of the aircraft was sold abroad. Currently, all Kyrgyz MiGs are incapable of combat, without any chance of returning to service.
Layout of air defense missile systems and radar stations on the territory of Kyrgyzstan
In 2006, a new type of armed forces was created in Kyrgyzstan, which included the Air Force and Air Defense - the Air Defense Forces (SVO). By that time, the republic no longer had its own fighters in flight condition, and of the capable air defense systems, there were 2 C-75M3 and five C-125M. Now, one C-75M3 and two C-125M missiles have been deployed near Bishkek.
Russian radar at Kant airbase
Airspace survey is carried out by six radar posts equipped with P-18 and P-37 stations. The most modern radar station 36D6 is at the disposal of the Russian military at the Kant airbase.
Satellite image of Google earth: the position of the C-75 air defense system in the vicinity of Bishkek
It may seem strange, but the Kyrgyz anti-aircraft crews, unlike their Uzbek and Turkmen counterparts, are indeed on alert. On the launchers of the deployed air defense missile systems there is the prescribed number of missiles. This is explained by the fact that Kyrgyzstan is a member of the CSTO and Russia spends a lot of money on maintaining the Kyrgyz air defense systems in working order.
Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and is part of the Joint Air Defense System of the CIS Member States (CIS Air Defense OS). Thanks to Russian assistance, the very old Kyrgyz air defense systems are still capable of performing combat missions. This assistance consists in the supply of spare parts and conditioned rocket fuel for liquid-propellant missiles, as well as in the preparation of calculations. Approximately every two years, the Kyrgyz military with their anti-aircraft systems participate in joint exercises of the armed forces of the CSTO and the CIS air defense system, and travel to Russian or Kazakhstani ranges for control and training firing.
SNR-125 air defense of Kyrgyzstan
A year ago, plans were announced to modernize the air defense system of Kyrgyzstan. First of all, it is planned to replace and, if possible, modernize the surveillance radars available in the republic. In the future, it is possible to supply short and medium-range anti-aircraft systems. However, specific types of weapons were not named. Most experts are inclined to believe that we are talking about the modernized S-125 "Pechora-2M" air defense systems, which are already available in a number of Central Asian republics.
The air defense units of the Land Forces of Kyrgyzstan have two dozen ZSU ZSU-23-4 "Shilka", four batteries of 57-mm automatic anti-aircraft guns S-60, and a number of ZU-23 and MANPADS "Strela-2M" and "Strela-3" … In August 2000, some of these forces were involved in hostilities with the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) militants invading the country. It is clear that the anti-aircraft gunners did not fire at the militant aviation, which, fortunately, they did not have, but supported the offensive of their ground units with fire. 57-mm anti-aircraft guns installed on tracked tractors proved to be especially effective in mountainous terrain. A large elevation angle and a decent firing range made it possible to conduct effective fire at targets located on mountain slopes at a distance of several thousand meters. And the high combat rate of fire, combined with a sufficiently powerful fragmentation shell, literally did not allow the IMU militants to "raise their heads" and leave the shelters behind the stones for organized resistance or retreat.
In 2001, in connection with the invasion of US troops into Afghanistan, an anti-terrorist coalition air base began to operate on the territory of the Manas international airport in Kyrgyzstan. On June 22, 2009, Kyrgyzstan and the United States signed an agreement, according to which the Manas airbase was converted into a Transit Center. For the functioning of the Transit Center, the budget of the Kyrgyz Republic received $ 60 million annually. In 2014, the US military left the Manas air base. During this time, hundreds of thousands of tons of cargo and a large number of foreign military personnel passed through "Manas". Now an air base in Romania is used as an intermediate point for the delivery of goods to Afghanistan. In Kyrgyzstan, only the Russian military remains on a permanent basis.
In September 2003, Russia signed an agreement with Kyrgyzstan for 15 years on the deployment of an aviation unit in Kant within the framework of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the CSTO. According to the agreement, no fees were charged from Russia. The main task of the airbase is to support the actions of military units of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the CSTO from the air. In 2009, the contract was extended for 49 years, with a possible extension for another 25 years. In the near future, the airbase is undergoing reconstruction of the runway and airfield infrastructure. It is expected that upon completion of the work, the upgraded Su-27SM and Su-30SM fighters will be sent here, which will significantly enhance the capabilities of the collective air defense system.
Tajikistan
The armed forces of Tajikistan formally appeared on February 23, 1993. Unlike the rest of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, Tajikistan received the minimum amount of weapons from the former Soviet army. Subsequently, Russia took an active part in arming the Tajik army and training personnel for it.
Layout of air defense systems and radars in Tajikistan
Tajikistan is a member of the CSTO and the CIS air defense system, which makes it possible to gain access to air defense systems and conduct regular practical training and test fires of air defense systems. In 2009, upgraded S-125 Pechora-2M complexes were supplied from Russia. Prior to that, in the second half of the 90s, the S-75M3 and S-125M air defense systems, P-19, P-37, 5N84A radars were transferred to the republic.
Satellite image of Google earth: the position of the C-125 "Pechora-2M" air defense missile system in the vicinity of Dushanbe
At the moment, the S-75M3 air defense system in Tajikistan has been decommissioned. In combat positions, east and west of Dushanbe, there are two S-125 "Pechora-2M" air defense systems (536th anti-aircraft missile regiment). The two modernized complexes are the pride of the Tajik military. Perhaps these are the most high-tech weapons available in Tajikistan. The maintenance of a small number of low-altitude complexes on alert duty in the vicinity of Dushanbe, of course, does not make a big contribution to the combat capabilities of the joint air defense system. Information received from surveillance radars is of much greater value. But the experience gained during the operation of the modernized anti-aircraft systems allows the national personnel to create a reserve for further development. In addition to the modernized "hundred and twenty-five" anti-aircraft weapons, the Tajik army has ZU-23 and MANPADS. There are discrepancies in the part of portable anti-aircraft complexes. Some sources say that the American FIM-92 Stinger is in service with the Tajik military, which seems unlikely.
In 2004, on the basis of the 201st motorized rifle Gatchina twice Red Banner division, the 201st Russian military base was formed (the official name is the 201st Gatchina Order of Zhukov twice Red Banner military base). The base is located in the cities: Dushanbe and Kurgan-Tyube. The stay of the Russian military in the republic is provided until 2042. It is the largest Russian land military base outside the Russian Federation. The purpose of the Russian military presence in the republic is to maintain peace and order in Tajikistan and to assist the Border Troops and the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan. The air defense of the Russian base is provided by 18 air defense systems (12 "Osa-AKM", 6 "Strela-10") and 6 air defense systems ZSU-23-4 "Shilka". Also at the disposal of the Russian military are towed anti-aircraft guns ZU-23 and MANPADS "Igla". In 2015, information was announced about the intention of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation to replace the outdated "Wasps" and "Arrows" in the air defense units of the 201st base with modern air defense systems "Tor-M2".
In addition to Russia, India provides significant military assistance to Tajikistan. The Indian Air Force maintains a forward operational air force base at Parkhar, 130 kilometers southeast of the capital, Dushanbe. India has invested about $ 70 million in an almost completely destroyed airfield. Currently, all activities on the territory of the airbase are classified. According to some reports, a squadron of Mi-17 helicopters, Kiran training aircraft and MiG-29 fighters are stationed here. Parhar Airbase provides the Indian military with broad strategic capabilities in Central Asia. In this regard, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf expressed concern, highlighting the possible increase in India's influence in Afghanistan. In his opinion, in the event of another conflict, the base will allow the Indian Air Force to completely surround Pakistan from the air.
