By the mid-70s of the XX century, our military in the course of local conflicts in the Middle East and Southeast Asia have accumulated rich combat experience in the use of anti-aircraft missile systems. First of all, this applied to the S-75 air defense system. This complex, originally created to combat high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and long-range bombers, turned out to be quite effective against tactical and carrier-based attack aircraft. The improvement of the S-75 family complexes continued until the second half of the 70s. At the same time, the firing zones were significantly expanded, the minimum height of destruction was reduced to 100 meters, the ability to combat high-speed and actively maneuvering targets increased, noise immunity was increased, and a firing mode at ground targets was introduced. The most perfect serial version of the "seventy-five" - the S-75M4 "Volkhov" air defense system, was adopted in 1978. The S-75 anti-aircraft missile systems of all modifications, being the most numerous in the anti-aircraft missile forces, were the backbone of the country's air defense forces until the mid-80s of the last century.
The experience of local wars has shown that for all their advantages, the S-75 air defense systems have a number of significant disadvantages. First of all, the military was not satisfied with the characteristics of the complex's mobility. In the conditions of modern hostilities, the survival of the air defense system directly depended on this. The use of anti-aircraft missiles with liquid toxic fuel and a caustic oxidizer also imposed a lot of restrictions and required a special technical position where the missiles were refueled and serviced. In addition, the S-75 air defense system was originally single-channel on the target, which significantly reduced the capabilities of a single complex when repelling a massive raid of enemy aircraft.
Based on all this, the military demanded a multi-channel anti-aircraft complex with high fire performance and the ability to fire at a target from any direction, regardless of the position of the launcher, with the placement of all elements on a self-propelled chassis. Work on the creation of a new complex intended to replace the C-75 began in the late 60s, while another version of the "seventy-five", the C-75M5, was developed for safety reasons.
In 1978, a mobile, multi-channel anti-aircraft missile system S-300PT with a radio command solid-propellant anti-aircraft missile system 5V55K was adopted (more details here: Anti-aircraft missile system S-300P). Thanks to the introduction of a multifunctional radar with a phased antenna array with digital control of the beam position into the new anti-aircraft system, it became possible to quickly view the airspace while simultaneously tracking several air targets. In the S-300PT air defense system, launchers with four anti-aircraft missiles in transport and launch containers (TPK) were placed on trailers towed by tractors. The affected area of the first version of the S-300PT was 5 - 47 km, which was even less than that of the S-75M3 air defense missile system with the 5Ya23 missile defense system.
PU ZRS S-300PT
To correct this situation, the 5V55KD missile was soon adopted, in which, due to the optimization of the missile trajectory, the launch range increased to 75 km. Apparently, the use of radio command missiles was a temporary forced decision, due to the unavailability of a semi-active homing missile. In most of the anti-aircraft complexes created in the USSR, a fairly simple and well-developed radio command guidance system was used. However, the use of radio command guidance in long-range anti-aircraft systems was undesirable due to the deterioration in accuracy as the missile moved away from the guidance station. Therefore, the next step was the adoption in 1981 of the 5V55R missile defense system with a semi-active seeker. The launch range of the first modifications of this rocket was within 5 - 75 km, after the appearance of the 5V55RM missile defense system in 1984, it increased to 90 km.
The new version of the complex with modified guidance equipment was designated S-300PT-1. In the second half of the 80s, the previously built S-300PTs were repaired and modernized in order to improve the combat characteristics to the level of the S-300PT-1A.
In 1983, a new version of the anti-aircraft system appeared - the S-300PS. Its main difference was the placement of launchers on the MAZ-543 self-propelled chassis. Due to this, it was possible to achieve a record short deployment time - 5 minutes.
S-300PS
The S-300PS air defense systems became the most massive in the S-300P family, their production in the 80s was carried out at an accelerated pace. The S-300PS and even more advanced S-300PMs with high noise immunity and improved combat characteristics were supposed to replace the first-generation S-75 complexes in a 1: 1 ratio. This would allow the USSR's air defense system, already the most powerful in the world, to reach a qualitatively new level. Unfortunately, these plans were not destined to come true. The tests of the S-300PM were completed in 1989, and the collapse of the USSR had the most negative impact on the production of this anti-aircraft system. Thanks to the introduction of a new 48N6 missile and an increase in the power of the multifunctional radar, the target destruction range has increased to 150 km. Officially, the S-300PM was put into service in 1993; deliveries of this complex to the Russian armed forces continued until the mid-90s. After 1996, the S-300P family air defense systems were built only for export.
According to American data, as of 1991, the USSR Air Defense Forces had about 1700 S-300P launchers of all modifications. The largest number of "three hundred" remained in Russia and Ukraine. The S-300P also went to Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Unlike the first generation air defense systems: S-75, S-125, S-200, most of which in Russia were removed from combat duty by the mid-90s, more modern S-300Ps continued to serve. This is due not only to the greater efficiency of the S-300P air defense missile system, but also to the fact that solid-propellant missiles are much safer in operation and do not require frequent expensive maintenance and refueling.
Shortly before the liquidation of the Eastern bloc, the S-300P “lost its innocence” in terms of export deliveries. In the late 1980s, a plan to strengthen the air defense of the Warsaw Pact countries was adopted. Bulgaria and the Czech Republic managed to get the export version of the S-300PS - S-300PMU. The planned delivery of the S-300PMU to the GDR was canceled at the last moment.
S-300P of various modifications are still the main anti-aircraft systems in the Russian Aerospace Forces. Prior to that, in the course of the incessant: "reforming", "optimization" and "giving a new look", the anti-aircraft missile systems of the S-300P family were in service with the anti-aircraft missile forces in the United Air Force and Air Defense and the Aerospace Defense Forces. In fact, the main tasks of the VKO were to protect Moscow from air attack weapons and to intercept single warheads of ballistic missiles. Moreover, the VKO, as a rule, received the most modern modifications of anti-aircraft systems - this primarily applies to the S-300PM / PM2 and S-400.
Despite loud statements about "getting off his knees" and "rebirth", our air defense forces for more than 10 years until 2007 did not receive a single new long-range anti-aircraft system. Moreover, due to extreme wear and the lack of conditioned missiles, they were written off or transferred to the storage bases of the S-300PT and S-300PS, built in the early to mid-80s.
Operation of the S-300PT air defense system continued in the European north of our country until 2014. In 2015, they were replaced at the S-300PM2 positions, which had previously been on alert in the Moscow region. As new S-400 air defense systems arrived, the upgraded S-300PM2, which had previously covered the sky of the capital, were redeployed to the north.
Satellite image of Google earth: S-300PT air defense system in the vicinity of Severodvinsk in 2011
The situation with the anti-aircraft cover of the territory of our country stopped worsening around 2012. Prior to this, the "natural decline" of anti-aircraft systems written off due to old age exceeded the supply of new ones to the troops. According to data published in open sources, in 2010, there were 32 S-300P and S-400 air defense regiments as part of the combined Air Force and Air Defense. Most of the regiments of 2-3 divisional composition. At the moment, according to information in the public domain, we have 38 anti-aircraft missile regiments, including 105 divisions. The increase in the number of anti-aircraft units in the Aerospace Forces was due to the transfer from the Air Defense of the Ground Forces of several brigades armed with the S-300V air defense system and the Buk-M1 air defense system and the association with the Aerospace Defense. Part of the anti-aircraft missile units of the Russian Aerospace Forces are currently in the process of rearmament and reorganization.
About half of the air defense systems available in the troops are S-300PS, whose age is approaching critical. Many of them can only be considered combat-ready. It is common practice to carry out combat duty with a reduced composition of military equipment. Immediate action is required to remedy this situation. But the pace of entry into the S-400 troops does not yet allow replacing all the old equipment to be written off. It is predicted that deliveries of the new S-350 air defense system, which was created to replace the S-300PS, will begin in 2016.
The most recent S-300PS and almost all S-300PMs were refurbished and modernized by 2014. At the same time, the main part of the S-300PM was brought to the level of the S-300PM2. As a result, the anti-missile capabilities have expanded, and the range of destruction of the S-300PM2 air defense system has increased to 200-250 km. In terms of its combat characteristics, the modernized S-300PM2 air defense system is close to the current S-400. Unfortunately, in the ammunition of the S-400 air defense systems that have already entered service, 25 air defense missiles are still using 48N6M and 48N6DM missiles, originally created for the S-300PM. Mass deliveries of medium-range missiles 9M96 and long-range 40N6E, which allow the S-400 to fully reveal their potential in the troops, are not yet underway.
We are surprised by the statements of some of our high-ranking officials and the military that the S-400 anti-aircraft system is three times more effective than the S-300PM, so it needs three times less. However, at the same time they forget that the means of air attack of the probable "partners" also do not stand still. In addition, it is physically impossible to destroy more than one air target with a single anti-aircraft missile with a conventional warhead. Shooting at ranges in a difficult jamming environment has repeatedly demonstrated that the real probability of hitting one missile from the S-300P air defense system is 0.7-0.8. To ensure the destruction of a "difficult" target, it is necessary to launch 2-3 missiles at it. Of course, the S-400 with a new missile surpasses any modification of the S-300P in range, height of destruction and in noise immunity, but it is guaranteed to shoot down one modern combat aircraft with one anti-aircraft missile, even it is not capable of it. In addition, no amount of quality cancels out quantity, it is impossible to hit more aerial targets than there are anti-aircraft missiles ready for launch. In other words, if the ammunition ready for use is used up, then any, even the most modern and effective anti-aircraft system becomes nothing more than a pile of expensive metal, and it does not matter at all how many times it is more effective.
Among the Russian inhabitants, there is an opinion, fueled by the media, that our S-300 and S-400 are superweapons capable of fighting both aircraft and cruise missiles and ballistic targets equally effectively. And the available number of anti-aircraft systems is more than enough to "in case of something" knock down all enemy airplanes and missiles. We also had to hear, which cause nothing but a laugh, assertions that in the “bins of the homeland” there are a huge number of “sleeping” or “hidden” anti-aircraft complexes hidden under the ground or in the wilds of the Siberian taiga. And this despite the fact that in order to issue target designation to any anti-aircraft complexes, surveillance radars and communication centers are needed, as well as residential towns with the appropriate infrastructure for the residence of military personnel and their families. Well, by themselves, anti-aircraft systems among the deep taiga are not needed by anyone, only in the Soviet Union could they afford to build positions of air defense systems on the path of the alleged flight of enemy aircraft, although even then most of the anti-aircraft systems defended specific objects.
For many, the S-300P and S-400 air defense systems are associated only with launchers, from which a spectacular missile launch is carried out at the range. In fact, the anti-aircraft battalions include about two dozen multi-ton vehicles for various purposes: combat control points, radar detection and guidance, launchers, antenna posts, transport-charging vehicles and mobile diesel generators.
Like any weapon, our anti-aircraft missile systems have both advantages and limitations. So the main launcher 5P85S S-300PS air defense system on the MAZ-543M chassis with four missile launchers, separate cockpits for preparing and controlling missile launch and autonomous or external power supply systems weighs more than 42 tons with a length of 13 and a width of 3.8 meters. It is clear that with such weight and dimensions, despite the four-axle base, the vehicle's passability on soft soils and various irregularities will be far from ideal. Currently, a significant part of the S-300PM air defense missile systems and most of the S-400 are being built in a trailed version, which, of course, is a step back in terms of mobility.
With high fire performance, the S-300P and S-400 air defense systems have an extremely low launcher reload rate. In a real combat situation, a situation may arise when the entire ammunition load on the launchers will be used up. Even if there are spare missiles and transport-loading vehicles at the starting position, it will take a lot of time to replenish the ammunition load. Therefore, it is very important that anti-aircraft systems mutually cover and complement each other.
PU S-300PM
When conducting simulations based on the results of real range firing, experts came to the conclusion that our long-range anti-aircraft systems, when protecting covered objects, are capable of intercepting 70-80% of air attack weapons. It should be borne in mind that beyond the Urals we have significant gaps in the air defense system, especially from the northern direction.
Currently, of the former Soviet republics of the USSR, the largest number of S-300Ps is formally available in Ukraine. In 2010, the sky of the "Nezalezhnaya" was guarded by 27 S-300PT and S-300PS missiles. Due to critical wear, all S-300PTs are currently inoperative. Part of the S-300PS air defense system underwent refurbishment and "minor modernization" at the Ukroboronservice enterprise. According to expert estimates, 6-8 S-300PS anti-aircraft battalions are now relatively combat-ready as part of the Ukrainian air defense. But their decommissioning is a matter of the next few years. The fact is that all 5V55R missiles available in Ukraine have long overdue storage periods. Several years ago, due to the provision of anti-aircraft systems to Georgia on the eve of the events of 2008, Ukrainian representatives were denied access to the Russian S-300PMU-2 air defense systems. Considering recent events, it seems absolutely incredible to supply new missiles from Russia.
In 2015, there were reports of gratuitous deliveries of used S-300PS to Belarus. Obviously, Russia is trying in this way to push the air defense lines as far as possible to the West.
Satellite image of Google earth: S-300PS air defense system in the Brest region
Most likely, the anti-aircraft systems and missiles transferred to the Belarusian military will undergo repair and maintenance in order to extend the resource. At the moment, the air borders of Belarus are guarded by 11 S-300PS divisions, but most of them are serving in a truncated composition. Due to the lack of serviceable equipment and conditioned missiles, the number of launchers in most Belarusian missiles is significantly less than the state.
The Kazakh military is experiencing similar problems in maintaining combat duty anti-aircraft systems. This state has a huge territory uncovered by anti-aircraft weapons.
Satellite image of Google earth: C-300PS air defense missile system at the position to the west of Astana
As of 2015, in the air defense forces of Kazakhstan, four S-300PS anti-aircraft battalions were on combat duty in a truncated composition. Obviously, the lack of modern anti-aircraft weapons explains the continued operation of the S-75 and S-200 air defense systems in Kazakhstan. At the end of December 2015, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the completion of the delivery of five S-300PS to Kazakhstan. An agreement on the gratuitous provision of anti-aircraft systems to Kazakhstan was reached in 2013, within the framework of an agreement on the creation of a joint Russian-Kazakh unified regional air defense zone. One can also note the important role of Kazakhstan in the conduct of joint exercises of the CSTO air defense forces at the Sary-Shagan training ground.
Armenia is an important Russian ally in the Transcaucasus. In this republic, the sky is protected by four S-125 air defense systems and four towed S-300PTs. Most of the anti-aircraft systems are located around Yerevan.
Satellite image of Google earth: the position of the C-300PT air defense missile system in the vicinity of Yerevan
In 2015, information appeared about the planned free transfer of five more S-300PT divisions to the Armenian armed forces. It is envisaged that the data of the S-300PT, previously operated in Russia, will undergo restoration and modernization.
PU SAM S-300PT during military exercises in Armenia in October 2013
The delivery of anti-aircraft systems should take place within the framework of an agreement on the creation of a unified regional air defense system in the Caucasian region of the CSTO. In this case, the Armenian air defense system will become the most powerful in the region.
In 2011, three divisions of C-300PMU-2 air defense missile systems were delivered to Azerbaijan, 12 launchers in each air defense missile launcher and 200 48N6E2 missiles. Before that, Azerbaijani calculations were trained in Russia. After the S-300PMU-2 began to be on permanent alert in 2013, the decommissioning of the first generation S-75 and S-200 anti-aircraft systems began in Azerbaijan.
Outside the CIS, the largest number of S-300Ps of various modifications is in the PRC. The first batch of four S-300PMU and 120 missiles was delivered to China in 1993. Several dozen Chinese military and civilian specialists were trained in Russia prior to the start of deliveries. In 1994, another 200 missiles were sent to the PRC.
The S-300PMU air defense system was an export version of the S-300PS, in which the combat elements are placed on trailers towed by KrAZ three-axle truck tractors with all terrain.
The multichannel anti-aircraft systems with solid-propellant missiles developed in the USSR were superior in all respects to the Chinese HQ-2 air defense systems, created on the basis of the C-75. In 2001, a new contract was signed for the supply of 8 more S-300PMU-1 divisions and 198 48N6E missiles. Soon after the fulfillment of this contract, China wanted to get more advanced S-300PMU-2 air defense systems, which had anti-missile capabilities. The order included 12 S-300PMU-2 divisions and 256 48N6E2 missiles - these most modern anti-aircraft systems at that time could hit targets at a distance of up to 200 km. Deliveries of the first S-300PMU-2 to the PRC began in 2007.
In total, China received 4 S-300PMU divisions, 8 S-300PMU-1 divisions and 12 S-300PMU-2 divisions. Moreover, each delivered anti-aircraft battalion has 6 launchers. In total, the 24 S-300P divisions of all modifications delivered to the PRC have 144 launchers of anti-aircraft missiles.
Satellite image of Google earth: the position of the C-300PMU-2 air defense system on the coast of the Taiwan Strait
The bulk of the S-300Ps available in the PRC are deployed around important industrial and administrative centers along the east coast. When analyzing satellite images, attention is drawn to the fact that the Chinese S-300P air defense systems, as a rule, do not stay in one place for a long time, actively moving through pre-prepared positions. Including for this, the launch pads of the decommissioned HQ-2 air defense systems are used.
Active military-technical cooperation between Russia and China has led to China's unlicensed copying of modern Russian weapons. The S-300P anti-aircraft system was no exception; the HQ-9 was created on its basis in the PRC. The export version of the Chinese air defense system, known as the FD-2000, is currently a competitor to Russian long-range air defense systems in the global arms market. At the moment, a modernized version of the HQ-9A is being serially built in China. Thanks to the improvement of electronic equipment and software, the HQ-9A is distinguished by increased combat effectiveness, especially in the area of anti-missile capabilities.
Due to these circumstances, it seems strange to have a contract for the supply of four S-400 air defense systems to the PRC. This deal was concluded, despite the statements made in the past from the highest stands that the S-400 should under no circumstances be sold abroad until all the old complexes are replaced in the Russian Air Defense Forces. … It is quite obvious that China's purchase of such a small number of anti-aircraft systems is carried out primarily for the purpose of familiarization, development of countermeasures and possible copying. In the future, the possible damage to our country from such a "partnership" can many times overlap the immediate benefit.
Greece became another owner of the S-300PMU-1 in 1999 after the PRC. Initially, it was stated that Cyprus was the buyer of the Russian air defense systems. Subsequently, the S-300PMU-1 were relocated to the Greek island of Crete, where training firing was carried out in 2013 during the Lefkos Aetos 2013 exercise. In 2015, Russian and Greek representatives discussed the conditions for the allocation of a long-term loan by the Russian side for the purchase of new missiles and spare parts for anti-aircraft systems.
SAM S-300PMU-1 on the island of Crete during the exercise Lefkos Aetos 2013
Currently, two divisions of the Greek S-300PMU-1 are deployed in the vicinity of the Kazantzakis airfield on the island of Crete. In April 2015, joint exercises with the Israeli Air Force were held here, during which Israeli combat aircraft learned how to deal with the S-300P.
At the MAKS held in August 2003, representatives of the Russian air defense concern Almaz-Antey announced the signing of a contract for the supply of S-300PMU-1 air defense systems to Vietnam. In 2005, two divisional kits were sent to the customer through the state intermediary Rosoboronexport. According to Russian experts, Vietnam is strengthening its air defense system in connection with the aggravated territorial disputes with the PRC. S-300PMU-1 should replace the outdated S-75M3 air defense systems in the vicinity of Hanoi and Haiphong.
In Bulgaria in May 2013, during the Collector's Item joint exercise, Israeli and American combat aircraft based at the Graf Ignatievo airbase practiced methods of dealing with the S-300PMU available in Bulgaria.
Satellite image of Google earth: the position of the C-300PMU air defense system in the vicinity of Sofia
The armed forces of Bulgaria and Slovakia have one S-300PMU anti-aircraft battalion each. Despite the fact that these countries are switching to NATO armament standards, they are in no hurry to abandon Soviet-made anti-aircraft systems. In June 2015, during a visit to Moscow, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico, the parties discussed the details of the contract for the repair and modernization of the Slovak S-300PMU.
PU of the Slovak S-300PMU
Without a doubt, American specialists had the opportunity to get acquainted in detail with the Greek, Bulgarian and Slovak anti-aircraft systems. All these countries, armed with the S-300P, are members of the NATO bloc. But the most egregious fact was the delivery in 1995 through Belarus to the United States of elements of the Russian S-300PS air defense system. Later, the missing parts of the system were purchased by the Americans in Ukraine. When buying elements of the S-300, the Americans were primarily interested in the command post 5N63S with a multifunctional illumination and guidance radar (RPN) 30N6 and a mobile 3-coordinate radar 36D6. Of course, they did not set themselves the goal of copying the Soviet anti-aircraft system, it was hardly possible, and, probably, it did not make sense. The purpose of the special operation was to study the performance in terms of the capabilities of detecting, capturing and tracking targets with different EPR values, as well as developing countermeasures in the fight against air defense based on the S-300P. Available in the US RPN and radar 36D6 are currently at the test site in the Nevada desert. They regularly take part in the US Air Force exercises in the area.
In 2007, a contract was signed for the supply to Iran of five divisional sets of S-300PMU-1 air defense systems. However, in 2010, the then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in connection with the imposition of international sanctions against Iran at the initiative of the United States, canceled the agreement and gave instructions to return the advance. This seriously damaged Russian-Iranian relations and Russia's reputation as a reliable arms supplier. The dispute over this issue between Tehran and Moscow lasted for about 5 years. Finally, in April 2015, President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on the supply of S-300s to Iran. The first batch of anti-aircraft missile systems is expected to be shipped in the first half of 2016. However, it is not entirely clear what modification the S-300 will be and where they will come from. As you know, the construction of the S-300P of all modifications in our country was discontinued several years ago. At the production facilities where the construction of the S-300P was carried out, the next generation air defense system, the S-400, is currently being assembled. Perhaps, to fulfill the Iranian contract, the overhauled and modernized S-300PM from those that are in our armed forces will be used.
Based on the S-300P family of air defense systems, Iran is creating its own long-range anti-aircraft system Bavar -373. Certain elements of the Iranian anti-aircraft system were demonstrated on April 18, 2015 during a military parade in Tehran.
According to the statements of high-ranking Iranian military, the development of the Bavar -373 began after Russia refused to supply the S-300PMU-1. Allegedly, over several years, Iranian specialists managed to create an anti-aircraft system, superior in its characteristics to the S-300P. It is expected that the Bavar -373 air defense system will enter service in 2017 after testing.
An anti-aircraft system, in many ways similar to the S-300P, was also created in the DPRK. It was first shown at the 2012 Pyongyang military parade. To the west, the new North Korean anti-aircraft system is known as KN-06.
The ability of Iranian and North Korean science and industry to create modern long-range anti-aircraft systems with missiles that have semi-active or active homing raises serious doubts. But even if the Iranians or North Koreans managed to create a vertically launched missile from the TPK with radio command guidance, according to their data, comparable to the first S-300PT missiles, this is certainly a great achievement for them.
At the moment, the S-300P long-range anti-aircraft missile systems and the S-400 created on their basis form the basis of the Russian anti-aircraft missile forces. As one of the most effective means of fighting an air threat, they will protect the skies of our homeland for decades to come. The unique technical solutions implemented in them serve as a role model for the creation of a number of foreign analogues.
