Air defense missile systems have always been and remain among the leaders of the most advanced intelligent, high-tech and expensive types of military equipment. Therefore, the possibility of their creation and production, as well as possession of advanced technologies at the industrial level, the availability of appropriate scientific and design schools are considered one of the most important indicators of the level of development of the country's defense industry.
The creation of medium and long-range air defense systems was engaged in countries in which previously work on this topic had never been carried out. These states include India, Iran and the DPRK.
The design and development of the Akash ("Sky") air defense system, equipped with a missile defense system with a semi-active seeker, began in India in 1983. From 1990 to 1998, SAM tests lasted, and in 2006, after a lengthy revision, representatives of the Indian Ministry of Defense announced the readiness of this complex for adoption. At present, according to Indian sources, it is in trial operation in the ground forces.
Launch of SAM "Akash"
A typical anti-aircraft missile battery of the Akash complex includes four self-propelled launchers on a tracked (BMP-1 or T-72) or wheeled chassis. One three-coordinate "Rajendra" radar with a phased array (on a tracked chassis), one command-staff vehicle with an antenna on a telescopic mast, several transport-charging vehicles on a wheeled chassis, one cable-laying vehicle; one technical support vehicle, two-coordinate radar detection and target designation data issuance.
The complex is capable of hitting targets at low and medium altitudes at ranges from 3.5 to 25 km. During this time, funds were spent on the development, which could equip Indian air defense units with modern foreign complexes. The opinion was expressed that "Akash" is a "non-optimal modernization" of the Soviet air defense system "Kub" ("Kvadrat"), which was previously supplied to India. The Russian air defense system "Buk-M2" could become a more worthy and effective replacement for the obsolete air defense system "Kub" ("Kvadrat") than the Indian long-term construction of the "Akash" air defense system.
In 2012, the leader of the DPRK, Comrade Kim Jong-un, visited the Air and Air Defense Command of the Korean People's Army. In one of the photographs, he was next to the launcher of the new North Korean KN-06 air defense system.
Later, these complexes were shown at a military parade in Pyongyang. The transport and launch containers of the KN-06 anti-aircraft missile system resemble the TPK placed on the Russian S-300P air defense missile systems.
The characteristics of the new North Korean complex are unknown. According to official representatives of the DPRK, the KN-06 air defense system is supposedly not inferior in its capabilities to the latest modifications of the Russian S-300P, which, however, seems doubtful.
It is not known whether this is a coincidence, but at about the same time Iran demonstrated at a military parade in Tehran a new and air defense system called Bavar-373, which local sources called an analogue of the Russian S-300P anti-aircraft missile system. Details about the promising Iranian system are still unknown.
SPU SAM Bavar-373
Iran announced the start of development of its own anti-aircraft missile system, comparable in its capabilities with the S-300P in February 2010. This happened shortly after Russia refused to supply Tehran with S-300P complexes in 2008. The reason for the refusal was the UN resolution banning the supply of arms and military equipment to Iran. At the beginning of 2011, Iran announced the start of serial production of its own Bavar-373 complexes, but the timing of adopting the systems has not yet been announced.
Another "independently developed" Iranian anti-aircraft system was the Raad medium-range air defense system. The anti-aircraft missile system is based on a 6X6 chassis. Which outwardly very much resembles the Belarusian-made MZKT-6922 chassis.
SPU SAM medium-range Raad
On the launcher of the Raad air defense missile system there are three anti-aircraft guided missiles, outwardly similar to the Russian 9M317E series missiles supplied to Iran for the modernization of the Kvadrat air defense system, but differing in some details. At the same time, the self-propelled launcher of the Raad air defense system, unlike the Buk-M2E, does not have a target illumination and guidance radar.
Russia remains the recognized leader in the creation of medium and long-range anti-aircraft systems. However, compared to Soviet times, the pace of design and adoption of new systems has slowed down many times.
The most modern Russian development in this area is the S-400 Triumph air defense system (Modern air defense systems, S-400). It entered service on April 28, 2007.
The S-400 air defense system is an evolutionary variant of the further development of the C-300P family air defense system. At the same time, the improved principles of construction and the use of modern element base make it possible to provide more than two-fold superiority over its predecessor. The command post of an anti-aircraft missile system is capable of integrating it into the command structure of any air defense. Each air defense system of the system is capable of firing up to 10 air targets with guidance of up to 20 missiles at them. The system is distinguished by the automation of all processes of combat work - target detection, their tracking, target distribution between air defense systems, target acquisition, selection of the type of missiles and preparation for launch, assessment of firing results.
The S-400 air defense system provides the ability to build an echeloned defense of ground targets against a massive air attack. The system potentially provides destruction of targets flying at speeds up to 4,800 m / s at a distance of up to 400 km, with a target height of up to 30 km. At the same time, the minimum firing range of the complex is 2 km, and the minimum height of the targets hit is 5-10 m. The time for full deployment from the traveling state to combat readiness is 5-10 minutes.
ZRS S-400
All system elements are based on off-road wheeled chassis and can be transported by rail, air or water.
To date, the Russian S-400 air defense system is undoubtedly the best among the existing long-range systems, but its real potential in practice is far from fully realized.
Currently, as part of the S-400 air defense system, the SAM variants created earlier for the S-300PM air defense system are used. There are no promising 40N6E long-range missiles in the ammunition load of divisions on combat duty yet.
Layout of the S-400 air defense system in the European part of the territory of the Russian Federation
According to information from open sources, as of May 2015, 19 S-400 fire battalions were delivered to the troops, in which there are 152 SPUs. Some of them are currently in the deployment stage.
In total, it is planned to acquire 56 divisions by 2020. The Russian Armed Forces, starting in 2014, should receive two or three regimental sets of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems per year with an increase in the rate of supply.
Satellite image of Google earth: S-400 air defense system near Zvenigorod
According to Russian media, S-400 air defense systems are deployed in the following areas:
- 2 divisions in Elektrostal;
- 2 divisions in Dmitrov;
- 2 divisions in Zvenigorod;
- 2 divisions in Nakhodka;
- 2 divisions in the Kaliningrad region;
- 2 divisions in Novorossiysk;
- 2 divisions in Podolsk;
- 2 divisions on the Kola Peninsula;
- 2 divisions in Kamchatka.
However, it is possible that these data are incomplete or not entirely reliable. For example, it is known that the Kaliningrad region and the BF base in Baltiysk are protected from air attack by the S-300PS / S-400 mixed regiment, and the S-300PM / S-400 mixed regiment is deployed near Novorossiysk.
The use of especially important objects in the air defense system of long-range air defense systems of the S-300PM and S-400 types located in the depths of the country is not always justified, since such systems are expensive, redundant in a number of non-critical characteristics and, as a result, by the criterion of "cost-effectiveness" lose to defense systems based on medium-range air defense systems.
In addition, replacing rather heavy TPK S-300 air defense systems of all modifications and S-400 with SPU is a very difficult procedure that requires a certain amount of time and good training of personnel.
At the MAKS-2013 airshow, the S-350 Vityaz anti-aircraft missile system was demonstrated to the general public for the first time (The 50P6 Vityaz advanced anti-aircraft missile system of the S-350 system at the MAKS-2013 air show). According to the developers, this promising medium-range anti-aircraft missile system should replace the early series S-300P air defense systems currently in service.
The S-350 anti-aircraft missile system is designed to defend administrative, industrial and military facilities from massive attacks by modern and advanced air attack weapons. It is capable of simultaneously repelling the strikes of various EHVs around the entire range of heights. The S-350 can operate autonomously, as well as as part of air defense groups when controlled from higher command posts. The combat work of the system is carried out completely automatically - the combat crew provides only preparation for work and controls the course of combat operations.
The S-350 air defense system consists of several self-propelled launchers, a multifunctional radar and a combat control point, located on a four-wheeled BAZ chassis. The ammunition load of one SPU includes 12 missiles with ARGSN, presumably 9M96 / 9M96E and / or 9M100. According to other sources, along with the indicated missiles, a medium-range aviation missile system of the R-77 type can be used. It was suggested that a self-defense missile with a range of up to 10 km could also be created for the Vityaz.
Compared to the S-300PS air defense systems, which currently account for more than 50% of all available long-range air defense systems in the air defense and air force, the C-350 has several times greater capabilities. This is due to the large number of missiles on one Vityaz launcher (on the S-300P SPU - 4 missiles) and target channels capable of simultaneously firing at air targets. The time for bringing the air defense systems into combat readiness from the march is no more than 5 minutes.
In 2012, the Russian army officially adopted the Pantsir-C1 short-range anti-aircraft missile-gun system (Pantsir-C1 short-range anti-aircraft gun and missile system).
ZPRK "Patsir-S1" is a development of the project ZPRK "Tunguska-M". Externally, anti-aircraft systems have a certain similarity, but are designed to perform different tasks.
"Pantsir-C1" is placed on the chassis of a truck, trailer or stationary. Management is carried out by two or three operators. The destruction of targets is carried out by automatic cannons and guided missiles with radio command guidance with IR and radio direction finding. The complex is designed to protect civil and military facilities or to cover long-range air defense systems such as the S-300P / S-400.
The complex is capable of hitting targets with a minimum reflective surface at speeds up to 1000 m / s and a maximum range of 20,000 meters and an altitude of up to 15,000 meters, including helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and precision bombs. In addition, the Patsir-S1 air defense missile system is capable of fighting lightly armored ground targets, as well as enemy manpower.
ZPRK "Pantsir-C1"
Finishing of "Pantsir" and launching into serial production in 2008 were carried out thanks to funding from a foreign customer. To speed up the execution of the export order, this Russian complex used a significant number of imported components.
As of 2014, there were 36 Patsir-C1 air defense systems in service in the Russian Federation; by 2020, their number should increase to 100.
Currently, anti-aircraft missile systems and medium and long-range complexes are in service with the Aerospace Defense Forces (VVKO), Air Defense and Air Force and air defense units of the Ground Forces. The S-400, S-300P and S-300V air defense systems of various modifications in the armed forces of the Russian Federation have more than 1,500 launchers.
The aerospace defense forces have 12 anti-aircraft missile regiments (ZRP) armed with air defense systems: S-400, S-300PM and S-300PS. The main task of which is to protect the city of Moscow from air attack weapons. For the most part, these air defense missile systems are equipped with the latest modifications of the S-300PM and S-400 air defense systems. The regiments belonging to the VVKO in service with the S-300PS are on alert in the periphery (Valdai and Voronezh).
Russian air defense forces (those that are part of the Air Force and Air Defense) have 34 regiments with S-300PS, S-300PM and S-400 air defense systems. In addition, not so long ago, several anti-aircraft missile brigades, converted into regiments, were transferred to the Air Force and Air Defense from the air defense of the ground forces - two 2-divisional brigades S-300V and "Buk" and one mixed (two divisions S-300V, one Buk division). Thus, in the troops we have 38 regiments, including 105 divisions.
This formidable force, it would seem, is quite capable of providing reliable protection of our sky from air attack weapons. However, with a very impressive number of our air defense forces, things in them are not always brilliant. A significant part of the S-300PS divisions are not on alert at full strength. This is due to a malfunction of equipment and overdue storage times for missiles.
The transfer of anti-aircraft missile brigades to the air defense-air force from the air defense of the ground forces is associated with insufficient staffing and the impending inevitable mass write-off due to wear and tear of equipment and weapons in the anti-aircraft missile units of the air defense and air force.
The supplies that have begun to the troops of the S-400 air defense systems are not yet able to make up for the losses incurred in the 90s and 2000s. For almost 20 years, air defense missile systems carrying combat duty to protect our skies did not receive new complexes. This led to the fact that many critical facilities and entire areas were completely uncovered. Nuclear and hydroelectric power plants remain unprotected in a significant part of the country's territory, and air strikes on which can lead to catastrophic consequences. Vulnerability from air attack weapons at the Russian strategic nuclear forces' deployment points provokes "potential partners" to attempt a "disarming strike" with high-precision weapons to destroy non-nuclear weapons.
This is clearly illustrated by the example of the Kozelsk missile division, which is currently being re-equipped with RS-24 Yars complexes. In the past, this area was well covered by various types of air defense systems (pictured). Currently, all the positions of the air defense systems indicated in the picture have been eliminated. In addition to the ICBM of the Kozelsk missile division, to the north is the Shaikovka airfield, on which the Tu-22M3 missile carriers are based.
Satellite image of Google earth: the area of combat deployment of ICBMs of the Kozelsk missile division
If the old S-75 and S-200 air defense systems covering this area, which is vital for the country's security, were eliminated in the early - mid-90s, then the curtailment of the positions of the S-300P air defense systems took place relatively recently, already under the new leadership of the country, in the well-fed years of recovery and revival”. However, we can observe the same thing practically throughout the country, except for Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Satellite image of Google earth: the replacement scheme of the air defense missile system beyond the Urals (color - active, white - liquidated positions, blue - radar lighting the air situation)
On the vast territory from the Urals to the Far East, there is practically no anti-aircraft cover. Behind the Urals, in Siberia, on a gigantic territory, there are only four regiments, one S-300PS regiment each - near Novosibirsk, in Irkutsk, Achinsk and Ulan-Ude. In addition, there is one regiment of the Buk air defense missile system: in Buryatia, not far from the Dzhida station and in the Trans-Baikal Territory in the village of Domna.
Satellite image of Google earth: layout of medium and long-range air defense systems in the Russian Far East
Among some of the inhabitants there is a widespread opinion, supported by the media, that there are a huge number of anti-aircraft systems in the "bins of the motherland", which, in "case of something", can effectively protect the vastness of our vast country. To put it mildly - this is "not quite true." Of course, the armed forces have several "cropped" S-300PS regiments, and the bases "keep" S-300PT and S-125. However, it should be understood that all this equipment, released more than 30 years ago, is usually very worn out and does not correspond to modern realities. One can only guess what coefficient of technical reliability the missiles produced in the early 80s have.
You can also hear about "sleeping", "hidden" or even "underground" fire divisions, hidden in the remote Siberian taiga, hundreds of kilometers from the nearest settlements. In these taiga garrisons, heroic people have been serving for decades, living on "grazing", without basic amenities and even without wives and children.
Naturally, such statements by "specialists" do not stand up to criticism, since they are devoid of the slightest sense. All medium and long-range anti-aircraft systems in peacetime are tied to the infrastructure: military camps, garrisons, workshops, supply bases, etc., and most importantly to protected objects.
Satellite image of Google earth: C-300PS positions in the Saratov region
Anti-aircraft systems located in positions or in "storage" are rather quickly revealed by modern means of space and radio-technical reconnaissance. Even the Russian reconnaissance satellite constellation, which is inferior in its capabilities to the technology of "probable partners", allows to quickly monitor the movements of the air defense missile system. Naturally, the situation with the basing of anti-aircraft systems changes dramatically with the onset of the "special period". In this case, the air defense systems immediately leave the permanent deployment and deployment locations well known to the enemy.
Anti-aircraft missile troops are and will be one of the cornerstones in the foundation of air defense. The territorial integrity and independence of our country directly depends on their combat effectiveness. With the arrival of a new military leadership, one can observe positive shifts in this matter.
At the end of 2014, Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu announced measures that should help correct the current situation. As part of expanding our military presence in the Arctic, it is planned to build and reconstruct existing facilities on the New Siberian Islands and Franz Josef Land, reconstruct airfields and deploy modern radars in Tiksi, Naryan-Mar, Alykel, Vorkuta, Anadyr and Rogachevo. The creation of a continuous radar field over the territory of Russia should be completed by 2018. At the same time, it is planned to deploy new divisions of the S-400 air defense systems in the European north of the Russian Federation and in Siberia.
