In response to the treacherous attack by the Turkish Air Force on the Russian Su-24 bomber, it was decided to implement a number of measures aimed at improving the safety of our pilots while performing combat missions in Syrian airspace. It is planned to use various methods to strengthen the air defense of the corresponding areas, which will allow Russian pilots to calmly engage in the destruction of these targets, without risking falling under fire from a potential enemy.
Soon after clarifying the main circumstances of the crash of the Su-24 bomber, the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the main list of measures to be taken in the very near future. In order to protect the Khmeimim base and aircraft during combat missions, the command ordered to strengthen the fighter cover of strike aircraft, as well as to transfer anti-aircraft missile systems to the Syrian base. In addition, the crew of the guards missile cruiser "Moscow" was ordered to make the transition to the shores of Syria and also take part in the air defense of these areas.
It is assumed that such a strengthening of air defense in the area of the Khmeimim airbase and other areas where Russian pilots work will help cool hot heads from third countries and prevent possible new attacks on our aircraft. It has been officially announced that all air targets posing a threat to Russian aviation will be destroyed. Consider what a potential adversary will have to face if he decides on new provocations and new aggressive actions against our aircraft.
Su-30SM at the Khmeimim airbase. Photo of the Russian Ministry of Defense
Back in mid-September, when the first reports about the transfer of Russian aircraft to Syria appeared, it became known that the formed aviation group included four Su-30SM multipurpose fighters. The main task of these aircraft is to escort strike aircraft in combat missions and counter enemy attempts to interfere with the performance of assigned missions. In addition, there is information about the participation of the Su-30SM in attacks on terrorist targets as strike aircraft.
Due to their high flight characteristics, they can with equal efficiency accompany bombers and attack aircraft of all types involved in the Syrian operation. Providing cover for strike aircraft, Su-30SM fighters are able to timely detect, identify and attack a dangerous air target. The combat effectiveness of these aircraft is additionally increased due to the possibility of interaction with ground services and receiving target designation from radar stations.
The Su-30SM fighter has a fairly powerful armament system. It is equipped with a built-in 30 mm GSh-30-1 automatic cannon and 12 pylons for the suspension of weapons. When performing missions to intercept air targets, the ammunition load of a fighter can consist of several missiles of different types with different characteristics. So, to hit targets at short ranges, guided missiles R-73 or newer RVV-MD can be used. It is proposed to intercept targets at medium ranges using R-27, R-77 missiles or, in the short term, RVV-SD. Depending on the type of missile, a target can be attacked from distances up to 70-80 km.
With proper interaction with other elements of air defense, Su-30SM fighters are able to detect a potentially dangerous object in a timely manner, and then attack it with the use of the most appropriate weapon in the given situation. Thus, the mere presence of such aircraft in the airspace can interfere with the implementation of the enemy's plans, since any aggressive actions can be quickly and harshly suppressed.
A few days ago, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the strengthening of the aviation group at the Khmeimim airbase. The group's fighter aircraft was supplemented by four Su-27SM fighters, which reportedly have already taken part in the fight against terrorists and delivered several strikes against their targets. The Su-27SM is one of the newest modifications of the base aircraft and differs from it in a number of new equipment, including the so-called. glass cockpit.
When solving missions to cover strike aircraft, the Su-27SM can carry up to 8 tons of various air-to-air weapons. Due to the use of modern on-board equipment, this fighter can carry and use the entire range of modern domestic missiles of this class. Depending on the specifics of the tactical situation, the Su-27SM can take on board up to eight R-27 or R-77 missiles, as well as about 4-6 R-73 missiles. Thus, each aircraft of this type receives sufficient ammunition to combat air targets at short and medium distances.
For several years, rumors regularly appeared about the possible appearance of MiG-31 interceptors in the skies over Syria. Earlier, without any evidence, it was said about the plans of official Damascus to acquire such aircraft. After the start of the Russian operation, such rumors began to mention the possible transfer of a number of interceptors to the Khmeimim base to reinforce the existing group. Despite the rather active discussion of such information in different circles, the MiG-31 has not yet appeared in the skies of Syria.
It should be noted that with the correct tactics of using the MiG-31, they could independently fully solve all the issues of protecting Syria from air attacks. These aircraft are distinguished by their high flight data and combat qualities. Thus, onboard radar stations of the Zaslon family allow detecting air targets at distances of up to 400 km. The maximum range of destruction of detected targets when using R-33 missiles reaches 300 km. Other types of ammunition can be used to carry out attacks at shorter distances.
Despite their high performance, the MiG-31 interceptors are not yet operational in Syria. Moreover, there is every reason to believe that the Russian aviation group at the Khmeimim base will not need such aircraft in the future. This version is supported by the current composition of the group, as well as the characteristic features of the current conflict, in which the characteristics of the MiG-31 may be excessive.
Anti-aircraft complex "Pantsir-C1". Photo by the author
During the deployment of the Russian air base, all the necessary measures were taken to organize the air defense of the airfield and surrounding areas. To this end, the Russian military, together with their Syrian colleagues, have built an echeloned air defense system based on complexes of various classes and types. Apparently, the initial purpose of these works was to ensure the protection of the Khmeimim base and its facilities. In connection with recent events, the area of responsibility of Russian anti-aircraft systems may increase significantly. Moreover, the characteristics of some systems make it possible to ensure the destruction of targets in almost the entire airspace of Syria.
It is known from official and other sources that the air defense of the Khmeimim base is provided with anti-aircraft systems of several types, belonging to both the Russian armed forces and the Syrian army. The latter, for example, provided the S-125 and medium-range S-200 short-range complexes. Other equipment was delivered from Russia and is operated by Russian military personnel.
It is known that the protection of the Russian airbase at short distances is carried out by several Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and cannon systems. Several combat vehicles of this type are located along the perimeter of the base and are responsible for intercepting targets that have managed to break through other echelons of defense. It is noteworthy that not only Russian Pantsiri-C1 are present in Syria. Several dozen such complexes were supplied to Syria under a 2006 contract.
The Osa anti-aircraft missile systems became an addition to the Pantsirey-S1. Both of these systems are designed to attack targets at short ranges and can hit dangerous targets at ranges of up to 20 or up to 10 km, respectively. In the case of the Pantsir-S1 complex, anti-aircraft automatic cannons with a firing range of up to 4 km are an additional means of destroying targets.
According to domestic media reports, Buk-M2E medium-range air defense systems were delivered to Syria. With the help of the new 9M317 missiles, this complex can attack air targets at ranges up to 50 km and altitudes up to 25 km. According to available data, the maximum target overload reaches 24 units, which allows the Buk-M2E complex to effectively destroy all existing and future combat aircraft.
After the destruction of the Russian Su-24 bomber, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered to strengthen the air defense of the Khmeimim airbase with the help of a number of new means. The ground air defense grouping should be reinforced with the latest S-400 long-range air defense systems. This decision was made on November 24, and on the 26th, the first messages appeared about the completion of the transfer and deployment of all the assets of the complex.
The Department of Defense reports that such a high rate of deployment was achieved with the help of military transport aircraft. The funds of the S-400 complex were transported by military transport aircraft from one of the airfields near Moscow to the Syrian base within 24 hours. Subsequently, the calculations of the complexes performed all the necessary procedures and prepared them for work.
Such statements by the Ministry of Defense are of great interest, since earlier in unofficial sources information appeared about the already carried out transfer of the S-400 to Syria. Now the situation has cleared up. As it turned out, just a few days ago, one of the air defense systems of the new model served in the Moscow region, and after receiving the order, as soon as possible, it was transported to the Khmeimim base, where it will now work until the corresponding order.
SAM S-400 launchers. Photo Wikimedia Commons
The S-400 anti-aircraft complex includes a number of different means of detection and data processing, as well as launchers with several types of guided missiles. The possibility of destroying various aerodynamic and ballistic targets is declared. Among other things, the S-400 can hit stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 3000-3500 km.
It is known about the existence of several types of anti-aircraft missiles used by the S-400 complex. They are designed to attack certain targets at different ranges, and also have some differences. Of particular interest is the 40N6E long-range missile, the launch range of which is declared at 400 km. With the help of such missiles, the S-400 complex is able to "close" almost the entire territory of Syria and some of the neighboring regions.
Already on November 24, the guards missile cruiser Moskva, together with other ships in the Mediterranean Sea, received an order to approach the shores of Syria and take part in organizing air defense. This ship has several anti-aircraft systems, but at the moment the most interesting is the S-300F "Fort" complex, which allows attacking targets at long ranges.
SAM "Fort" is a naval version of the S-300 family systems, built using a number of standardized components. The cruiser Moskva carries eight launchers with a total ammunition load of 64 guided missiles. The Fort complex can use several types of missiles with different characteristics. Various missiles offered for the Fort air defense system can hit targets at ranges of up to 150-200 km. In addition, there are shorter-range missiles.
SAM launchers "Fort". Photo Wikimedia Commons
When located off the coast of Syria, the guards missile cruiser Moskva is capable of air defense of the Khmeimim airbase and the surrounding region, as well as some remote areas. In addition, being in the northern regions of the territorial waters of Syria, the ship is able to "cover" the area of destruction of the Russian bomber and prevent new incidents of this kind.
The treacherous and treacherous attack by the Turkish aircraft has serious consequences. The Russian Defense Ministry is no longer inclined to see Turkey as an ally and is taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. For this, the grouping of air defense systems is being strengthened, and adjustments are made to the tactics of using fighter aircraft.
Just a few hours after the Turkish attack, it was decided to strengthen the fighter escort of attack aircraft, as well as deploy new anti-aircraft systems in Syria and supplement them with the systems of the Moskva cruiser. Thus, in the shortest possible time, a reinforced air defense system was created, capable of protecting the Khmeimim airbase, as well as, under certain conditions, other areas of Syria.
Not the most far-sighted and intelligent actions of the Turkish leadership and the air force lead to serious consequences. In response to the aggression, Russia is building up its air defense systems and thereby warns potential aggressors against ill-considered actions. The available information about the reinforced Russian air defense grouping suggests that it will be able not only to prevent new attacks on Russian aircraft, but also to disrupt the implementation of some plans of third countries related to strikes on various targets in Syria. The Russian armed forces clearly demonstrate that they should never quarrel with them.
