Many have probably noticed that references to various weapons systems appear in "wave mode". For example, last autumn there was another wave of talk about the heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1 "Buratino" and TOS-1A "Solntsepek". As always happens, some people admired the fighting qualities of these machines - a multiple launch rocket system with a thermobaric missile warhead, even in its concept, looks very formidable. Others questioned the capabilities of TOS-1 and TOS-1A due to the short missile launch range and poor armoring of the guide block. In the fall, the reason for the next discussion of flamethrower systems was their use in exercises. Now we should expect another round with less optimistic prerequisites.
Employees of the Omsk design bureau of transport engineering, where domestic self-propelled flamethrowers were developed, are at a loss for the current situation. The fact is that not so long ago, representatives of the command of the Russian Ground Forces argued that a certain number of new TOS-1A Solntsepek complexes will be ordered this year. The news made the Omsk designers and managers happy, but then the situation began to develop along some not entirely clear path. Izvestia, with reference to KBTM representatives, writes that there will be supplies of Solntsepeks this year. However, the Ministry of Defense ordered not complete complexes (combat vehicle, transport-loading and ammunition), but only transport-loading vehicles. In addition, an unnamed Izvestia source claims that the military is willing to pay less for the received vehicles than their production costs. It is reported that proceedings are currently underway on this issue, but the order will still be completed by the end of the year.
Unfortunately, Izvestia, as is often the case in the news sphere, refers to some anonymous sources in the Omsk KB. As a result, it is not worth waiting for the details of the case. Nevertheless, given the current situation, some conclusions can be drawn. Take, for example, information about ordering only transport-charging vehicles (TZM). It is known from open sources that the TPM of the TOS-1 complex was carried out on the basis of the KrAZ-255 trucks. In turn, the base of the TZM complex TOS-1A is the chassis of the T-72 tank. Thus, all machines of "Solntsepek", in contrast to "Buratino", have approximately equal cross-country ability. It is also known that in practice the launcher of the TOS-1 combat vehicle (30 guides) was almost never fully charged. Thanks to this, the number of guides on the TOS-1A was reduced to 24 - the top row was removed from the package. It can be said that the TZM TOS-1A is compatible with the TOS-1 combat vehicle. As for the ammunition, they are the same in both modifications of the flamethrower system.
Based on this information, we can conclude that the Ministry of Defense, for some reason, does not consider it necessary to increase the number of heavy flamethrower systems in service right now, but wants to improve the "quality" by replacing the old TPM with new ones. At present, the maximum launch range of both flamethrower systems is 3.5-3.6 kilometers. Because of this, "Buratino" and "Solntsepek" are forced to operate at a dangerously close distance from enemy positions. As a result, the launcher also has to be loaded literally at the distance of a cannon shot. An armored transport-loading vehicle looks much better and more useful in this regard. In addition, as already mentioned, combat and transport vehicles based on the same chassis are more convenient tactically and technically - they have the same cross-country ability, and maintenance becomes cheaper due to unification.
But the question still remains: what about the combat vehicles of the TOS-1A systems? If the information published by Izvestia is correct, then the fate of Solntsepek may be very different. However, the most likely development of events seems to be such an option in which the military will not yet buy combat vehicles and will stop at TPM. Transport-loading vehicles on a tracked chassis can be put into operation instead of the old ones on a wheeled chassis, and later start purchasing "full-fledged" kits. This slowness of the Ministry of Defense can be explained by the fact that the tactical niche of heavy flamethrower systems is very specific. Due to their short firing range, they cannot be considered full-fledged MLRS, and a special thermobaric ammunition poses a certain danger to the vehicle itself. The package of guides has only bulletproof booking, which can contribute to the ignition of warheads when hit by an enemy shell. In addition, the thermobaric warhead of unguided missiles is effective only against enemy personnel and buildings. Together, these factors significantly reduce the possible uses of TOC-1 and TOC-1A. Our military has long understood this, as a result of which at the moment the troops have no more than two dozen "Buratino" systems, and the increase in their number is a matter of controversy.
