Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Day of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces Air and Missile Defense Forces

I was largely inspired to write this article by the excessive jingoistic sentiments of a significant part of the visitors to the website “Military Review”, which I respect, as well as by the slyness of the domestic media, which regularly publish materials about the strengthening of our country, unprecedented since Soviet times. military power, including the Air Force and Air Defense.

For example, in a number of media outlets, including on “VO”, in the “” section, a material was recently published entitled: “Two air defense divisions have begun protecting the airspace of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region.”

Which says: “The assistant commander of the troops of the Central Military District, Colonel Yaroslav Roshchupkin, stated that two divisions are against air defense took up combat duty, starting to protect the airspace of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region.

“The duty forces of two air defense divisions took up combat duty to cover administrative, industrial and military facilities in the Volga region, the Urals and Siberia. New formations were formed on the basis of the Novosibirsk and Samara aerospace defense brigades,” RIA Novosti quotes him as saying.

Combat crews equipped with S-300PS anti-aircraft missile systems will cover the airspace over the territory of 29 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which are included in the area of ​​responsibility of the Central Military District.”

After such news, an inexperienced reader may get the impression that our anti-aircraft missile defense units have received qualitative and quantitative reinforcement with new anti-aircraft systems.

In practice, in this case, no quantitative, much less qualitative, strengthening of our air defense happened. It all just comes down to changing the staffing and organizational structure. New equipment did not enter the troops.

The anti-aircraft missile system of the S-300PS modification mentioned in the publication, with all its advantages, cannot in any way be considered new.

The S-300PS with 5V55R missiles was put into service back in 1983. That is, more than 30 years have passed since the adoption of this system. But at present, more than half of the air defense missile systems in anti-aircraft missile units long range S-300P belong to this modification.

In the near future (two to three years), most S-300PS will either have to be written off or overhauled. However, it is not known which option is economically preferable, the modernization of old or the construction of new anti-aircraft systems.

The earlier towed version of the S-300PT has already either been written off or transferred “for storage” without any chance of returning to the troops.

The “freshest” complex from the “three hundredth” family, the S-300PM, was delivered to the Russian army in the mid-90s. Most of the anti-aircraft missiles currently in service were produced at the same time.

The new, widely publicized S-400 anti-aircraft missile system has only just begun to enter service. In total, as of 2014, 10 regimental sets were delivered to the troops. Taking into account the upcoming mass write-off of military equipment that has exhausted its service life, this amount is absolutely insufficient.

Of course, experts, of whom there are many on the site, can reasonably argue that the S-400 is significantly superior in its capabilities to the systems it is replacing. However, we should not forget that the air attack means of the main “potential partner” are constantly being qualitatively improved. In addition, as follows from “open sources”, mass production of the promising 9M96E and 9M96E2 missiles and the ultra-long-range 40N6E missile has not yet been established. Currently, the S-400 uses 48N6E, 48N6E2, 48N6E3 S-300PM air defense missiles, as well as 48N6DM missiles modified for the S-400.

In total, if you believe “open sources”, our country has about 1,500 S-300 family air defense launchers - this, apparently, takes into account those “in storage” and in service with the air defense units of the ground forces.

Today Russian troops Air defense (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 long ago several anti-aircraft missile brigades, transformed into regiments, were transferred to the Air Force and Air Defense from the air defense of the ground forces - two 2-divisional brigades of S-300V and Buk and one mixed (two divisions of S-300V , one Buk division). Thus, in the troops we have 38 regiments, including 105 divisions.

However, these forces are distributed extremely unevenly throughout the country; Moscow is best protected, around which ten regiments of S-300P air defense systems are stationed (two of them have two S-400 divisions).

The northern capital, St. Petersburg, is well covered. The sky above it is protected by two S-300PS regiments and two S-300PM regiments.

Google Earth satellite image. Layout of air defense missile systems around St. Petersburg

The Northern Fleet's bases in Murmansk, Severomorsk and Polyarny are covered by three S-300PS and S-300PM regiments. At the Pacific Fleet in the area of ​​Vladivostok and Nakhodka there are two S-300PS regiments, and the Nakhodka regiment received two S-400 divisions. Avacha Bay in Kamchatka, where the SSBNs are based, is covered by one S-300PS regiment.

Google Earth satellite image. S-400 air defense system in the vicinity of Nakhodka

The Kaliningrad region and the Baltic Fleet base in Baltiysk are protected from air attack by a mixed regiment of S-300PS/S-400.

Google Earth satellite image. S-400 air defense system in the Kaliningrad region at the former positions of the S-200 air defense system

IN Lately The anti-aircraft cover of the Black Sea Fleet was strengthened. Before famous events, associated with Ukraine, a mixed regiment with S-300PM and S-400 divisions was stationed in the Novorossiysk area.

Currently, there is a significant strengthening of the air defense of the main naval base of the Black Sea Fleet - Sevastopol. It is reported that in November the peninsula's air defense group was replenished with S-300PM air defense systems. Taking into account the fact that complexes of this type are currently not produced by industry for its own needs, they were apparently transferred from another region of the country.

In terms of air defense cover, the central region of our country resembles a “patchwork quilt” with more holes than patches. There is one S-300PS regiment in each Novgorod region, near Voronezh, Samara and Saratov. The Rostov region is covered by one S-300PM and a Buk regiment each.

In the Urals near Yekaterinburg there are positions of an anti-aircraft missile regiment armed with S-300PS. Beyond the Urals, in Siberia, on a gigantic territory, only three regiments are stationed, one S-300PS regiment each near Novosibirsk, in Irkutsk and Achinsk. In Buryatia, not far from the Dzhida station, one regiment of the Buk air defense system is stationed.

Google Earth satellite image. S-300PS air defense system near Irkutsk

Except anti-aircraft systems, protecting fleet bases in Primorye and Kamchatka, in the Far East there are two more S-300PS regiments, covering Khabarovsk (Knyaze-Volkonskoye) and Komsomolsk-on-Amur (Lian), respectively; one S-300B regiment is deployed in the vicinity of Birobidzhan.

That is, the entire huge Far Eastern federal district defended by: one mixed S-300PS/S-400 regiment, four S-300PS regiments, one S-300V regiment. This is all that remains of the once powerful 11th Air Defense Army.

The “holes” between air defense facilities in the east of the country are several thousand kilometers long, and anyone and anything can fly into them. However, not only in Siberia and the Far East, but throughout the country, a huge number of critical industrial and infrastructure facilities are not covered by any air defense systems.

In a significant part of the country, nuclear and hydroelectric power plants remain unprotected, and air strikes on them could lead to catastrophic consequences. The vulnerability of Russian strategic nuclear forces deployment sites to air attacks provokes “potential partners” to attempt a “disarming strike” with high-precision weapons to destroy non-nuclear weapons.

In addition, long-range air defense systems themselves need protection. They need to be covered from the air by short-range air defense systems. Today, regiments with the S-400 receive Pantsir-S air defense missile systems for this (2 per division), but the S-300P and B are not covered by anything, except, of course, for the effective protection of 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounts.

"Pantsir-S"

The situation with airborne lighting is no better. This should be done by the radio technical troops; their functional responsibility is to provide advance information about the beginning of an enemy air attack, provide target designation for anti-aircraft missile forces and air defense aviation, as well as information for controlling formations, units and air defense units.

During the years of “reforms,” the continuous radar field formed during the Soviet era was partially, and in some places completely lost.
At present, there is practically no possibility of monitoring the air situation over the polar latitudes.

Until recently, our political and former military leadership, apparently, was occupied with other more pressing issues, such as the reduction of the armed forces and the sale of “excess” military equipment and real estate.

Only recently, at the end of 2014, Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu announced measures that should help correct the existing situation in this area.

As part of the expansion of our military presence in the Arctic, it is planned to build and reconstruct existing facilities on the New Siberian Islands and Franz Josef Land, it is planned to reconstruct airfields and deploy modern radars in Tiksi, Naryan-Mar, Alykel, Vorkuta, Anadyr and Rogachevo. The creation of a continuous radar field over Russian territory should be completed by 2018. At the same time, it is planned to upgrade radar stations and data processing and transmission facilities by 30%.

Fighter aircraft, designed to combat enemy air attacks and carry out missions to gain air superiority, deserve special mention. Currently, the Russian Air Force formally has (including those in “storage”) about 900 fighters, of which: Su-27 of all modifications - more than 300, Su-30 of all modifications - about 50, Su-35S - 34, MiG -29 of all modifications - about 250, MiG-31 of all modifications - about 250.

It should be taken into account that a significant part of the Russian fighter fleet is included in the Air Force in name only. Many aircraft produced in the late 80s and early 90s require major repairs and modernization. In addition, due to problems with the supply of spare parts and replacement of failed avionics units, some of the modernized fighters are essentially, as aviators put it, “doves of peace.” They can still take to the air, but they can no longer fully complete a combat mission.

The past 2014 was significant for volumes of aircraft supplied to the Russian armed forces, unprecedented since the times of the USSR.

In 2014, our Air Force received 24 multifunctional Su-35S fighters produced by the Yu.A. Aviation Plant. Gagarin in Komsomolsk-on-Amur (branch of OJSC Sukhoi Company):

Twenty of them became part of the recreated 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 303rd Guards Mixed Aviation Division of the 3rd Russian Air Force and Air Defense Command at the Dzemgi airfield (Khabarovsk Territory) shared with the plant.

All these fighters were built under a contract dated August 2009 with the Russian Ministry of Defense for the construction of 48 Su-35S fighters. Thus, total manufactured machines according to this contract by the beginning of 2015 it reached 34.

The production of Su-30SM fighters for the Russian Air Force is carried out by the Irkut Corporation under two contracts for 30 aircraft each, concluded with the Russian Ministry of Defense in March and December 2012. After the delivery of 18 vehicles in 2014, the total number of Su-30SM delivered to the Russian Air Force reached 34 units.

Eight more Su-30M2 fighters were produced by the Yu.A. Aviation Plant. Gagarin in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Three fighters of this type entered the newly formed 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 27th Mixed Aviation Division of the 4th Russian Air Force and Air Defense Command at the Belbek airfield (Crimea).

The Su-30M2 aircraft were built under a contract dated December 2012 for the supply of 16 Su-30M2 fighters, bringing the total number of aircraft built under this contract to 12, and the total number of Su-30M2s in the Russian Air Force to 16.

However, this quantity, significant by today’s standards, is absolutely insufficient to replace aircraft in fighter regiments that are being written off due to complete physical wear and tear.

Even if the current rate of supply of aircraft to the troops is maintained, according to forecasts, in five years the fighter fleet of the domestic Air Force will be reduced to approximately 600 aircraft.

Over the next five years, about 400 Russian fighters are likely to be decommissioned - up to 40% of the current roster.

This is primarily with the upcoming decommissioning of the old MiG-29 (about 200 units) in the very near future. Due to problems with the airframe, about 100 aircraft have already been rejected.

Unmodernized Su-27s, whose flight life will end in the near future, will also be written off. The number of MiG-31 interceptors will be reduced by more than half. It is planned to retain 30-40 MiG-31s ​​in the DZ and BS modifications in the Air Force, and another 60 MiG-31s ​​will be upgraded to the BM version. The remaining MiG-31s ​​(about 150 units) are planned to be written off.

The shortage of long-range interceptors should be partially resolved after the start of mass deliveries of the PAK FA. It was announced that it is planned to purchase up to 60 PAK FA units by 2020, but for now these are only plans that will most likely undergo significant adjustments.

The Russian Air Force has 15 A-50 AWACS aircraft (another 4 in “storage”), recently supplemented by 3 modernized A-50U.
The first A-50U was delivered to the Russian Air Force in 2011.

As a result of the work carried out as part of the modernization, the functionality of the aviation complex for long-range radar detection and control has significantly increased. The number of simultaneously tracked targets and simultaneously guided fighters has been increased, and the detection range of various aircraft has been increased.

The A-50 should be replaced by the A-100 AWACS aircraft based on the Il-76MD-90A with a PS-90A-76 engine. The antenna complex is built on the basis of an antenna with an active phased array.

At the end of November 2014, TANTK named after. G. M. Beriev received the first Il-76MD-90A aircraft for conversion into the A-100 AWACS aircraft. Deliveries to the Russian Air Force are scheduled to begin in 2016.

All domestic AWACS aircraft are permanently based in the European part of the country. Beyond the Urals they appear quite rarely, mostly during large-scale exercises.

Unfortunately, loud statements from high stands about the revival of our Air Force and Air Defense often have little to do with reality. In the “new” Russia, an unpleasant tradition has become an absolute irresponsibility for the promises made by high-ranking civilian and military officials.

As part of the state armaments program, it was planned to have twenty-eight 2-division S-400 regiments and up to ten divisions of the latest S-500 air defense system (the latter should perform the tasks of not only air defense and tactical missile defense, but also strategic missile defense) by 2020. There is now no doubt that these plans will be thwarted. The same fully applies to plans regarding the production of the PAK FA.

However, as usual, no one will suffer serious punishment for disrupting the state program. After all, we “don’t hand over our own,” and “we’re not in 1937,” right?

P.S. All information given in the article regarding Russian Air Force and air defense, taken from open public sources, a list of which is given. The same applies to possible inaccuracies and errors.

Information sources:
http://rbase.new-factoria.ru
http://bmpd.livejournal.com
http://geimint.blogspot.ru
Satellite imagery courtesy of Google Earth

Alexey Leonkov

The Russian Federation is the only country in the world that has a full-scale, layered, integrated aerospace defense system. The technical basis of aerospace defense are complexes and systems of air defense and missile defense, designed to solve all types of problems: from tactical to operational-strategic. The technical parameters of aerospace defense complexes and systems make it possible to organize reliable cover for troops and critical facilities government controlled, industry, energy and transport.

2016 turned out to be a “fruitful” year for news about air defense systems that are entering service within the framework of the State Armament Program (GPV-2020). Many experts and military specialists call them the best among existing air defense systems. The Russian aerospace defense concern Almaz-Antey, the lead developer and manufacturer of aerospace defense complexes and systems, does not stop there; it has begun developing anti-aircraft missile systems fifth generation, creates a scientific and technical basis for the future.
The magazine "Arsenal of the Fatherland" in 2016 devoted a number of articles to the topic of air defense, starting with the history of its creation (see "Military Academy in the 100-year history of military air defense" in No. 1 (21) 2016), spoke about the basics combat use military air defense (see “Military air defense: basics of combat use” in No. 4 (24) 2016) and military air defense systems of the armies of the world (see “Military air defense systems of the armies of the world” in No. 3 (23) 2016).
Such attention is paid to this type of defense for a reason. The fact is that, within the framework of the Military Doctrine adopted in 2008, air defense systems and complexes occupy one of the key places in the defense construction and modernization of the Russian army.
Interim results of building a modern layered air defense were discussed at the XXIV Military Scientific Conference of Military Air Defense, held in May 2016 in Smolensk. In the report of the head of the military air defense of the RF Armed Forces, Lieutenant General A. P. Leonov, “Development of the theory and practice of using military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in modern conditions“It was noted that the combat potential of military air defense has increased significantly with the supply of the latest highly effective anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes. These are, first of all, the S-300V4 air defense system, the Buk-M2/M3 air defense system and the Tor-M2/M2U air defense system. These systems differ from their predecessors in higher noise immunity and effectiveness in defeating various air attack weapons (AEA), multi-channel, increased rate of fire and increased ammunition capacity of anti-aircraft missiles.
Doctor of Military Sciences, Lieutenant General A. D. Gavrilov, in the article “Military Air Defense: Fundamentals of Combat Use” noted the following: “No matter how highly effective technical means the air defense system possesses, the achievement of the assigned tasks is achieved by the skillful combat use of formations, units and subunits in battle and operations. The entire 100-year history of the existence of military air defense testifies to high level professionalism of commanders and staffs, awareness of personal responsibility of each anti-aircraft gunner for the assigned task of protecting the peaceful sky.”
The development and production of highly effective equipment in parallel with participation in the training of personnel of military air defense units is a distinctive feature practical work Russian defense association - Concern VKO "Almaz-Antey".

Results of the work of Almaz-Antey

In November 2016, Almaz-Antey summed up the results of the year. As part of the fulfillment of state defense orders (GOZ), the Ministry of Defense received five regiments of the S-400 Triumph air defense system and three divisions of the air defense system medium range"Buk-M2", four divisions of the short-range air defense system "Tor-M2", a brigade set of the latest air defense systems "Buk-M3", as well as a number of different radars. In addition, in the past year, Almaz-Antey specialists carried out the necessary service activities for the maintenance and repair of more than two thousand weapons, military and special equipment (VVST) previously transferred to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and also supplied simulators for training combat crews of the complexes Air defense.
“Already, the annual targets for the supply of basic weapons have been completed by 70 percent, and for the purchase of missiles and ammunition - by more than 85 percent.
The troops received over 5.5 thousand units of weapons and military equipment, including more than 60 new and 130 modernized aircraft and helicopters, multi-purpose Submarine, more than 60 anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes, 55 radar stations, 310 new and 460 modernized tanks and armored vehicles,” Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin noted in his speech at a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, federal departments and defense industry enterprises, which took place on November 15, 2016 in Sochi.
At the same meeting, the Concern’s contribution to ensuring the security of the Khmeimim airbase and naval base Tartus, after the deployment of the S-400 air defense system and the S-300V4 air defense system. According to the Russian Minister of Defense, Army General Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, these systems reliably protect our bases in Syria both from sea and from land. In addition, the Concern’s specialists restored the Syrian S-200 air defense systems.
The concern continued work on supplying the troops with the modernized and latest air defense systems of the S-300V4 air defense system, the Buk-M3 air defense system and the Tor-M2U air defense system. Without going into listing the technical characteristics of these complexes, we will briefly highlight their key features.

ZRS S-300V4
This air defense system represents a deep modernization of the S-300 complex, which has been produced by the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern since 1978. The heavy 9M83VM missile of the modernized S-300V4 is capable of reaching a speed of Mach 7.5 and can hit air targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers. The “small” missile has a range of up to 150 km. Ensures the defeat of all existing and promising means aerospace attack, including tactical ballistic missiles (at a range of up to 200 km). In general, the combat effectiveness of the S-300V4 has increased by 2.3 times compared to previous generations of the S-300.
Another feature of the system is increased mobility. Elements of the S-300V4 are placed on a tracked chassis, which allows for maneuver and deployment in the operational formation of formations, marching and order of battle connections Ground Forces off-road, on rough terrain.
The anti-aircraft missile division is capable of simultaneously firing at up to 24 targets, aiming 48 missiles at them. The rate of fire of each launcher is 1.5 seconds. The entire complex is transferred from standby mode to combat mode in 40 seconds, and the deployment time from the march takes 5 minutes. The battalion's ammunition load is 96–192 anti-aircraft missiles.
According to data from open sources, one of the first S-300V4s was received by the recently formed 77th separate anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Southern Military District, based in Krasnodar region. In the fall of 2016, the S-300V4 air defense system was relocated to Syria to the Khmeimim airbase to strengthen the air defense potential of the Russian Aerospace Forces group.

Buk-M3 air defense system
The Buk-M3 target detection station (STS) now tracks up to 36 targets at a distance of up to 70 kilometers across the entire altitude range. The new 9Р31М (9М317М) missile has more high speed and maneuverability characteristics. It is placed in a transport and launch container (TPC), which provides additional protection for the missile and improves the camouflage characteristics of the launcher. The number of missiles on one launcher has increased from 4 to 6. In addition, 9A316M transport-launchers can also hit targets; they carry 12 missiles in a TPK.
The Buk-M3 equipment is built on a new element base; digital communications ensure a stable exchange of voice and combat information, as well as integration into the air defense technical control system.
The Buk-M3 air defense system intercepts almost all modern air defense systems that fly at speeds of up to 3000 m/s, thereby exceeding the capabilities of the Patriot air defense system (USA) by almost two times. In addition, the “American” is inferior to the “Buk” in terms of the lower limit of target fire (60 meters versus 10 meters) and in the duration of the target detection cycle at distant approaches. The Buk-M3 can do this in 10 seconds, and the Patriot in 90 seconds, while requiring target designation from a reconnaissance satellite.

SAM Tor-M2U
Tor-M2U short-range air defense missiles effectively destroy targets flying at extremely low, low and medium altitudes at speeds of up to 700 m/s, including in conditions of a massive air attack and active counteraction to enemy electronic warfare.
The complex's SOC can detect and track up to 48 targets at a range of up to 32 kilometers. The complex's launcher can simultaneously fire at 4 targets at an azimuth of 3600, i.e., all around. A special feature of the Tor-M2U air defense system is the fact that it can conduct combat work on the move, at speeds of up to 45 km/h. Modern Tora equipment automatically identifies the ten most dangerous targets, and the operator only has to give the command to defeat them. Moreover, our newest Tor-M2U detects aircrafts created using stealth technology.
The Tor-M2U air defense system battery consists of six launchers, which can exchange combat information with each other automatically. Thus, by receiving information from one launcher, the others can repel a massive air attack from any direction. Retargeting time takes no more than 5 seconds.

Reaction of Western “partners” to the development of Russian aerospace defense
Success Russian air defense, which operates the products of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern, has long been troubling the minds of military leaders of NATO countries. In the early 2000s, they did not believe that Russia would be able to create effective complexes Air defense and continued to purchase “reliable and time-tested” air attack weapons (AEA) from defense industry enterprises of their countries. Development of new aviation complexes, such as the fifth-generation fighter F-35 and the promising bomber B-21, proceeded at a leisurely pace.
The first alarming signals for NATO sounded after 2010, when the revival of Russia’s military power began. Since 2012, military exercises began to occur much more frequently, and new military air defense systems were actively involved in these exercises. They regularly hit complex, high-speed and maneuvering targets with 100% results, at maximum ranges and without the use of additional target designation equipment. Thanks to the S-400 and S-300V4 air defense systems, the long-range line of destruction at the operational-tactical level has increased to 400 kilometers, which means that modern and promising air defense systems of NATO countries are guaranteed to fall into the firing zone of Russian air defense systems. NATO generals sounded the alarm. At the same time, purely defensive air defense systems in Western media characterized as “means of aggression.” True, there were also more pragmatic assessments.
In 2015, American military expert Tyler Rogoway discussed the topic of countering Russian air defense systems on his Foxtrot Alpha blog. In particular, he paid a lot of attention to working at a safe distance beyond the reach of weapons: “The capabilities of air defense detection devices (Russia - author’s note) are only getting better, just as the range of destruction of surface-to-air missiles is growing.” Therefore, it may be necessary to use long-range stealth missiles combined into one information network. Or long-range stealth aircraft and other techniques, including suppression (at a distance), to weaken and ultimately destroy the air defense system. As a result, working outside the range of enemy weapons, you can weaken his air defense. Then, for example, you can fly closer and use a fighter with medium-range stealth missiles, instead of launching long-range missiles. At the same time, regular (non-stealth) aircraft can attack with long-range missiles, thus freeing up space for the stealth aircraft to attack. And drones, decoys with electronic warfare equipment on board, can be used together with attacking combat units to delve deeper into enemy territory, disabling air defense systems along the way.”
In addition to the widespread use of “stealth technologies,” the Americans are relying on electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems. For example, the US Navy is working on developing a method to counter modern systems Air defense with radars equipped with a phased antenna array (PAA), such as the S-400 or the Chinese FD-2000 air defense system. They are going to equip EA-18G Growler aircraft (a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft based on the F/A-18 Super Hornet) with Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) electronic countermeasures systems. It is assumed that such electronic warfare systems will allow American strike aircraft to destroy enemy targets without the risk of being noticed by anti-aircraft missile systems, the American magazine The National Interest reported in October 2016. Development new version NGJ is being carried out by Raytheon, which has already received a contract from the US Department of Defense for one billion dollars.
American experts believe that the electronic warfare system will be able to jam signals at any frequency in which the phased array operates, and that this will be enough to be able to attack without hindrance Russian systems Air defense. According to plans, the NGJ should enter service in 2021.
In the next 5–10 years, the military-industrial complex of NATO countries intends to develop means of overcoming and suppressing our air defense systems. However, the scientific and technical groundwork implemented in air defense systems by the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern makes it possible to neutralize the efforts of Western specialists.

Prospects for the development of Russian air defense systems
Fourth generation air defense automated control system
Currently, automated control systems for troops (ACCS), air defense forces and means (ACS) are at the fourth technological stage of development. In conditions of the rapidity of enemy air defense attacks, modern air defense cannot be effective without automated systems for controlling forces and means.
This stage of rearmament is taking place in the context of organizational and staffing changes in the structure of the command and control system of the Russian Armed Forces. Requirements for efficiency, continuity, stability and secrecy of command and control of troops are being tightened, new combat and information means for air defense, air defense, radio and electronic warfare with higher capabilities are being developed and put into service.
Enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern are already supplying the armed forces with systems and complexes that are integrated with automated control systems and ESU TK, information from which is sent to the National Defense Control Center (NDCUO RF).
Currently, the means and complexes that ensure information interaction are undergoing field testing from the level of the anti-aircraft missile division to the district air defense automated control system. Numerous military and command post exercises make it possible to identify “ weak spots» information exchange, which are transformed into specific technical assignments to eliminate them and are sent to the Concern’s enterprises. This allows you to quickly and efficiently make changes to manufactured kits and carry out work to modernize existing air defense systems.
Fifth generation air defense system
In addition to improving information interaction systems, fifth-generation air defense systems will begin to enter service with the anti-aircraft missile forces in the near future. It's about, first of all, about the continuation of the line of medium-range air defense systems "Buk", developed by NIIP named after. Tikhomirov (part of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern).
This is how they are characterized by a military expert, member expert council collegium of the Russian military-industrial complex, Chief Editor our magazine Viktor Ivanovich Murakhovsky: “If we talk about the principles on which the next generation systems will be developed, then, in my opinion, they will combine the properties of fire systems, primarily the ability to fire targets, and means of electronic destruction. Those functions that we currently have are divided between air defense and complexes electronic warfare, will be integrated into one system.
And secondly, the fifth generation air defense system will feature almost complete automation and robotization of all reconnaissance, control and fire cycles. In fact, a person will only make a decision whether to open the fire cycle or not.”
The Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern has already reported that the fifth-generation medium-range air defense system will have the ability to be deeply integrated into a single layered air defense system.

Interaction with the Russian Aerospace Forces
Russia's layered air defense system, in addition to electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems, will actively interact with air strike and reconnaissance complexes Russian Aerospace Forces. We are talking about the interaction of the air defense automated control system and the Postscriptum automated control system.
ACS "Postscriptum" is a unique Information system, which transmits to the fighter aircraft all information about the air and ground enemy. Information about all objects and targets located in the area of ​​the aircraft’s combat zone is received in real time. At the same time, the aircraft will receive information not only from long-range radar detection aircraft (AWACS), but also from ground-based air defense radar stations, as well as from ground-based RTR complexes of the ground forces.

Brief conclusions
The results of the work of the Almaz-Antey Concern in 2016 are generally assessed as successful. The plans for the supply of equipment and the requirements of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are being met, which does not exclude “working on mistakes” that are inevitably revealed during intensive testing and military operation of air defense systems, including in combat conditions. Next year, taking into account the prospects for the development of air defense systems of NATO countries, the intense tasks of implementing the state defense order and creating a scientific and technical reserve, the management and team of the Concern will have to go through a difficult path. There is no doubt that the assigned tasks will be completed successfully, which is guaranteed by the glorious traditions of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern.

"Russian Ministry of Defense"

Air defense troops appeared during the First World War. On December 26, 1915, the first four separate four-gun light batteries were formed and sent to the Western Front for firing at air targets. In accordance with the order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation dated February 9, 2007, this memorable date began to be celebrated in Russia as Military Air Defense Day.

Organizationally, these formations are part of the formations, formations and units of the Ground Forces, Airborne troops, coastal troops Navy(Navy) and perform tasks in the country’s unified air defense system. They are equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, anti-aircraft gun and missile systems (systems) of different ranges and methods of missile guidance, as well as portable weapons. Depending on the range of destruction of air targets, they are divided into short-range systems - up to 10 km, short-range - up to 30 km, medium-range - up to 100 km and long-range - more than 100 km.

At the final board meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense held on December 22, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces Oleg Salyukov said that Russian military air defense is capable of repelling any means of air attack existing in the world. He emphasized that the development of military threats in the aerospace sphere necessitates “coordinated development of missile, space and air defense systems, taking into account qualitatively new requirements.”

The modern weapons of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces are in many ways superior to their predecessors and have no analogues in the world, which is confirmed by their high competitiveness in the arms market

Oleg Salyukov

Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, Colonel General

The military air defense systems are armed with S-300V4 air defense systems (interception range - up to 400 km) and Tor-M1 (up to 15 km), Buk-M1 air defense systems (up to 45 km), Strela-10M4 (up to 8 km ), "OSA-AKM" (up to 10 km), anti-aircraft gun-missile systems "Tunguska-M1" (up to 10 km), anti-aircraft artillery systems"Shilka-M5" (up to 6 km), all-weather tactical missile systems "Tor-M2U" and others. Currently, the troops have already formed new anti-aircraft missile formations armed with the S-300V4 and the Buk-M2 complex. Re-equipment is being carried out with new Buk-MZ, Tor-M2 and Verba man-portable air defense systems.

New weapons have incorporated best qualities their predecessors and are capable of hitting both aerodynamic and ballistic targets, cruise missiles, facilities aerial reconnaissance and electronic warfare, to combat airborne assaults. Military air defense should not be confused with the Air Defense and Missile Defense Forces (PVO-ABM), which are part of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Progress of rearmament

S-300V4, Buk-MZ and Tor-M2 are included in the list of priority weapons and military equipment that determine the appearance of promising weapons systems Russian army. As the head of the military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov, told the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, in 2017 the main efforts were focused on equipping formations and units of the Southern and Western military districts with this equipment.

As a result of this, the following were rearmed and retrained: the anti-aircraft missile brigade - with the Buk-MZ medium-range air defense system; anti-aircraft missile regiments of combined arms formations - on the short-range air defense system "Tor-M2"; air defense units of combined arms formations - on the Verba MANPADS

Alexander Leonov

The Buk-MZ air defense system was delivered to connect the Western Military District, whose military personnel next year will have to undergo retraining for new systems and perform joint live firing in specialized training centers Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces.

In 2018, it is planned to equip two military air defense formations with Tor-M2 complexes; air defense units operating in the Arctic and Far North should receive the Tor-M2DT short-range air defense system; air defense units of combined arms formations - MANPADS "Verba".

Thus, the systematic and annual increase in the combat strength of troops, the implementation of complete rearmament with modern anti-aircraft missile systems will make it possible by 2020 to increase combat capabilities air defense troops almost 1.3 times

Alexander Leonov

Chief of Military Air Defense of the RF Armed Forces, Lieutenant General

Compared to previous generation systems, it has a two to three times expanded area covered from air strikes and an increased range of the border of the zone of destruction of air targets. These parameters, in particular, ensure guaranteed interception of the warheads of medium-range ballistic missiles. S-300V4 is a modification of the S-300VM system, which has higher tactical and technical characteristics due to the introduction of modern computing tools and element base, and the use of new components. The new system is capable of hitting ballistic and aerodynamic targets at ranges of up to 400 km. The supply contract was concluded in 2012. The first set was delivered to the customer in December 2014.

Continuation

Evolution of "Thor"

According to open sources, the first modification of the Tor family of air defense systems entered service in 1986. Since 2011, the troops have been receiving a modification of the Tor-M2U complex. Fighting machine provides all-aspect destruction of air targets, including the striking elements of high-precision weapons. The air defense system allows reconnaissance on the move over any terrain and simultaneous firing of four air targets in a given sector.

The modern Tor-M2 began to enter service with the troops in 2016. Compared to previous modifications, it has improved the characteristics of the affected area, the transportable stock of anti-aircraft guided missiles, noise immunity, and others by one and a half to two times. It is capable of destroying targets flying at speeds of up to 700 m/s, at a range of up to 12 km and an altitude of up to 10 km. A battery consisting of four vehicles can simultaneously attack 16 targets.

In 2016, the Almaz-Antey concern began work on the Arctic version of the short-range air defense system - Tor-M2DT. The new version is installed on the chassis of a two-link tracked tractor DT-30PM-T1 (DT - two-link tractor).

A naval version of the Thor may already appear in 2018–2019. This was reported by the press service of the Almaz-Antey concern during the KADEX 2016 exhibition. At the same time, in a number of parameters, the ship version of the complex will be superior to existing representatives of the Thor family.

This issue has been studied by the concern, and taking into account the experience of cooperation enterprises in the production and installation of complexes such as "Osa", "Dagger" and others on Navy ships, as well as the possibility of using components of mass-produced land-based air defense systems "Tor", we can conclude that the creation of a "marine" "Tor version in the shortest possible time (the first samples of air defense systems may appear in 2018-2019), and at minimal cost

press service of the concern VKO "Almaz-Antey"

In 2016, the chief designer of anti-aircraft missile systems at the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant "Kupol" (part of the Almaz-Antey concern) Joseph Drize (creator of a number modern means Air defense, died in November 2016 - approx. TASS) stated that in the future "Thor" will become completely robotic and will be able to shoot down targets without human intervention. As Drize said, the air defense system can still operate without human intervention, but in some cases an operator is needed in conditions of strong interference. In addition, the company is working on increasing the Thor's capabilities to destroy cruise missiles created using stealth technologies.

New military "Gadfly"

"Buk-M2" (according to NATO codification - SA-11 Gadfly, "Gadfly") is considered one of the most effective representatives of its class. Its development was completed back in 1988, but serial production was launched only 15 years later.

In 2016, the military received the first brigade kit of the new Buk - Buk-M3. The characteristics of the complex are unknown, but its predecessor is capable of hitting air targets with solid fuel missiles at a range of 3 km to 45 km and at an altitude of up to 15 m to 25 km. In addition, it can destroy ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 150–200 km. Thanks to the new Buk-M3 missile, it is almost twice as powerful as previous models and has no analogues in the world. In addition, due to the smaller mass of the rocket, it was possible to increase the ammunition load by one and a half times. Another feature of the complex is the placement of the missile in a launch container.

The transport and launch containers (complex) contain six missiles on each self-propelled firing unit. Rockets have become more compact, but nevertheless they fly faster, further and more accurately. That is, a new unique missile has been created that will make it more likely to destroy air targets

Alexander Leonov

Chief of Military Air Defense of the RF Armed Forces, Lieutenant General

In 2015, it was reported that in a number of parameters the new product surpassed the S-300 long-range system. “First of all, we are talking about the probability of hitting targets, which for the Buk-M3 is 0.9999, which the S-300 does not have,” the TASS source said. In addition, the maximum engagement range of the complex has been increased by 25 km compared to its predecessor and increased to 70 km.

"Verba" for landing

The supply of Verba MANPADS to the troops continues. In August of this year, it became known that all airborne and airborne assault divisions of the Airborne Forces had already been re-equipped with Verba. According to the commander of the Airborne Forces, Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov, "Verba" is capable of hitting tactical aircraft, attack helicopters, cruise missiles and remotely piloted aircraft on oncoming and catch-up courses, in day and night conditions with visual visibility of the target, including conditions of background and artificial interference.

Among the advantages of the Verba is the ability to fire on a collision course at targets with low infrared radiation on the far border of the affected area at extremely low altitudes. The new short-range systems, unlike their predecessors (Igla MANPADS), have expanded combat capabilities and provide high efficiency in hitting targets, despite powerful optical countermeasures.

Compared to previous MANPADS, the Verba has a several-fold increased firing zone for targets with low thermal radiation and tens of times increased immunity from powerful pyrotechnic interference. While the procedure for the combat use of new MANPADS is similar to the procedure for using the previous generation systems, Verba has reduced the consumption of missiles to hit one target and expanded the temperature range of use to minus 50 degrees. MANPADS are capable of hitting stealth targets of a mock enemy at altitudes from 10 m to 4.5 km and at ranges from 500 m to 6.5 km.

Roman Azanov

The technical parameters of aerospace defense complexes and systems make it possible to organize reliable cover for troops, the most important public administration facilities, industry, energy and transport.

2016 turned out to be a “fruitful” year for news about air defense systems that are entering service within the framework of the State Armaments Program (GPV-2020 ). Many experts and military specialists call them the best among existing air defense systems. Russian concern VKO"Almaz-Antey" - the lead developer and manufacturer of aerospace defense complexes and systems, does not stop there, has begun development anti-aircraft missiles fifth generation systems, creates scientific and technical reserve for the future.

The magazine "Arsenal of the Fatherland" in 2016 devoted a number of articles to the topic of air defense, starting with the history of its creation (see "Military Academy in the 100-year history of military air defense" in No. 1 (21) 2016), spoke about the basics of combat use military air defense (see “Military air defense: basics of combat use” in No. 4 (24) 2016) and military air defense systems of the armies of the world (see “Military air defense systems of the armies of the world” in No. 3 (23) 2016).

Such attention is paid to this type of defense for a reason. The fact is that, within the framework of the Military Doctrine adopted in 2008, air defense systems and complexes occupy one of the key places in the defense construction and modernization of the Russian army.

Interim results of building a modern layered air defense were discussed at the XXIV Military Scientific Conference of Military Air Defense, held in May 2016 in Smolensk. The report of the head of the military air defense of the RF Armed Forces, Lieutenant General A. P. Leonov, “Development of the theory and practice of using military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in modern conditions,” noted that the combat potential of the military air defense has increased significantly with the supply of the latest highly effective anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes. These are, first of all, the S-300V4 air defense system, the Buk-M2 / M3 air defense system and the Tor-M2 / M2U air defense system. These systems differ from their predecessors in higher noise immunity and effectiveness in defeating various air attack weapons (AEA), multi-channel, increased rate of fire and increased ammunition capacity of anti-aircraft missiles.

Doctor of Military Sciences, Lieutenant General A. D. Gavrilov, in the article “Military Air Defense: Fundamentals of Combat Use” noted the following: “No matter how highly effective technical means the air defense system possesses, the achievement of the assigned tasks is achieved by the skillful combat use of formations, units and subunits in battle and operations. The entire 100-year history of the existence of military air defense testifies to the high level of professionalism of commanders and staffs, the awareness of personal responsibility of each anti-aircraft gunner for the assigned task of protecting the peaceful sky.”

The development and production of highly efficient equipment in parallel with participation in the training of personnel of military air defense units is a distinctive feature of the practical work of the Russian defense association - Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern.

Results of the work of Almaz-Antey

In November 2016, Almaz-Antey summed up the results of the year. As part of the fulfillment of state defense orders (GOZ), the Ministry of Defense received five regiments of the S-400 Triumph air defense system, three divisions of the Buk-M2 medium-range air defense system, four divisions of the Tor-M2 short-range air defense system, a brigade set of the latest Buk-M2 air defense systems M3”, as well as a number of different radars. In addition, in the past year, Almaz-Antey specialists carried out the necessary service activities for the maintenance and repair of more than two thousand weapons, military and special equipment (VVST) previously transferred to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and also supplied simulators for training combat crews of the complexes Air defense.

“Already, the annual targets for the supply of basic weapons have been completed by 70 percent, and for the purchase of missiles and ammunition - by more than 85 percent.

The troops received over 5.5 thousand units of weapons and military equipment, including more than 60 new and 130 modernized airplanes and helicopters, a multipurpose submarine, more than 60 anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes, 55 radar stations, 310 new and 460 modernized tanks and armored vehicles,” Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin noted in his speech at a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, federal departments and defense industry enterprises, which took place on November 15, 2016 in Sochi.

At the same meeting, the Concern’s contribution to ensuring the security of the Khmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval base was noted, after the deployment of the S-400 air defense system and the S-300V4 air defense system. According to the Russian Minister of Defense, Army General Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, these systems reliably protect our bases in Syria both from sea and from land. In addition, the Concern’s specialists restored the Syrian S-200 air defense systems.

The concern continued work on supplying the troops with the modernized and latest air defense systems of the S-300V4 air defense system, the Buk-M3 air defense system and the Tor-M2U air defense system. Without going into listing the technical characteristics of these complexes, we will briefly highlight their key features.

ZRS S-300V4

This air defense system represents a deep modernization of the S-300 complex, which has been produced by the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern since 1978. The heavy missile 9 M83VM of the modernized S-300V4 is capable of reaching a speed of Mach 7.5 and can hit air targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers. The “small” missile has a range of up to 150 km. The destruction of all existing and future aerospace attack weapons is ensured, including tactical ballistic missiles (at a range of up to 200 km). In general, the combat effectiveness of the S-300V4 has increased by 2.3 times compared to previous generations of the S-300.

Another feature of the system is increased mobility. Elements of the S-300V4 are placed on a tracked chassis, which allows for maneuver and deployment in the operational formation of formations, marching and combat formation of Ground Forces formations off roads, on rough terrain.

The anti-aircraft missile division is capable of simultaneously firing at up to 24 targets, aiming 48 missiles at them. The rate of fire of each launcher is 1.5 seconds. The entire complex is transferred from standby mode to combat mode in 40 seconds, and the deployment time from the march takes 5 minutes. The battalion's ammunition load is 96–192 anti-aircraft missiles.

According to data from open sources, one of the first S-300V4s was received by the recently formed 77th separate anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Southern Military District, based in the Krasnodar Territory. In the fall of 2016, the S-300V4 air defense system was relocated to Syria to the Khmeimim airbase to strengthen the air defense potential of the Russian Aerospace Forces group.

Buk-M3 air defense system

The Buk-M3 target detection station (STS) now tracks up to 36 targets at a distance of up to 70 kilometers across the entire altitude range. The new 9R31 M (9 M³17 M) missile has higher speed and maneuverability characteristics compared to the Buk-M2 missiles. It is placed in a transport and launch container (TPC), which provides additional protection for the missile and improves the camouflage characteristics of the launcher. The number of missiles on one launcher has increased from 4 to 6. In addition, 9A316 M transport-launchers can also hit targets; they carry 12 missiles in a TPK.

The Buk-M3 equipment is built on a new element base; digital communications ensure a stable exchange of voice and combat information, as well as integration into the air defense technical control system.

The Buk-M3 air defense system intercepts almost all modern air defense systems that fly at speeds of up to 3000 m/s, thereby exceeding the capabilities of the Patriot air defense system (USA) by almost two times. In addition, the “American” is inferior to the “Buk” in terms of the lower limit of target fire (60 meters versus 10 meters) and in the duration of the target detection cycle at distant approaches. The Buk-M3 can do this in 10 seconds, and the Patriot in 90 seconds, while requiring target designation from a reconnaissance satellite.

SAM Tor-M2U

Tor-M2U short-range air defense missiles effectively destroy targets flying at extremely low, low and medium altitudes at speeds of up to 700 m/s, including in conditions of a massive air attack and active counteraction to enemy electronic warfare.

The complex's SOC can detect and track up to 48 targets at a range of up to 32 kilometers. The complex's launcher can simultaneously fire at 4 targets at an azimuth of 3600, i.e., all around. A special feature of the Tor-M2U air defense system is the fact that it can conduct combat work on the move, at speeds of up to 45 km/h. Modern Tora equipment automatically identifies the ten most dangerous targets, and the operator only has to give the command to defeat them. Moreover, our newest Tor-M2U detects aircraft created using stealth technology.

The Tor-M2U air defense system battery consists of six launchers that can exchange combat information with each other automatically. Thus, by receiving information from one launcher, the others can repel a massive air attack from any direction. Retargeting time takes no more than 5 seconds.

Reaction of Western “partners” to the development of Russian aerospace defense

The successes of the Russian air defense, which operates the products of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern, have long been troubling the minds of military leaders of NATO countries. In the early 2000s, they did not believe that Russia would be able to create effective air defense systems and continued to purchase “reliable and time-tested” air attack weapons (AEA) from their countries’ defense industry enterprises. The development of new aviation systems, such as the fifth-generation fighter F-35 and the promising B-21 bomber, proceeded at a leisurely pace.

The first alarming signals for NATO sounded after 2010, when the revival of Russia’s military power began. Since 2012, military exercises began to occur much more frequently, and new military air defense systems were actively involved in these exercises. They regularly hit complex, high-speed and maneuvering targets with 100% results, at maximum ranges and without the use of additional target designation equipment.

Thanks to the S-400 and S-300V4 air defense systems, the long-range line of destruction at the operational-tactical level has increased to 400 kilometers, which means that modern and promising air defense systems of NATO countries are guaranteed to fall into the firing zone of Russian air defense systems. NATO generals sounded the alarm. At the same time, purely defensive air defense systems were characterized in the Western media as “means of aggression.” True, there were also more pragmatic assessments.
In 2015, American military expert Tyler Rogoway discussed the topic of countering Russian air defense systems on his Foxtrot Alpha blog. In particular, he paid a lot of attention to working at a safe distance beyond the reach of weapons: “The capabilities of air defense detection devices (Russian - author's note) are only getting better, just as the range of destruction of surface-to-air missiles is growing. Therefore, it may be necessary to use long-range stealth missiles combined into one information network.

Or long-range stealth aircraft and other techniques, including suppression (at a distance), to weaken and ultimately destroy the air defense system. As a result, working outside the range of enemy weapons, you can weaken his air defense. Then, for example, you can fly closer and use a fighter with medium-range stealth missiles, instead of launching long-range missiles. At the same time, regular (non-stealth) aircraft can attack with long-range missiles, thus freeing up space for the stealth aircraft to attack. And drones, decoys with electronic warfare equipment on board, can be used together with attacking combat units to delve deeper into enemy territory, disabling air defense systems along the way.”

In addition to the widespread use of “stealth technologies,” the Americans are relying on electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems. For example, the US Navy is working to develop a method to counter modern air defense systems with phased array radars (PAD), such as the S-400 or the Chinese FD-2000 air defense system. They are going to equip EA-18G Growler aircraft (a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft based on the F/ A-18 Super Hornet) with Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) electronic countermeasure systems. It is assumed that such electronic warfare systems will allow American strike aircraft to destroy enemy targets without the risk of being noticed by anti-aircraft missile systems, the American magazine The National Interest reported in October 2016.

The development of a new version of NGJ is being carried out by Raytheon, which has already received a contract from the US Department of Defense for one billion dollars.

American experts believe that the electronic warfare system will be able to jam signals at any frequency in which the phased array operates, and that this will be enough to be able to freely attack Russian air defense systems. According to plans, the NGJ should enter service in 2021.

In the next 5–10 years, the military-industrial complex of NATO countries intends to develop means of overcoming and suppressing our air defense systems. However, the scientific and technical groundwork implemented in air defense systems by the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern makes it possible to neutralize the efforts of Western specialists.

Prospects for the development of Russian air defense systems

Fourth generation air defense automated control system

Currently, automated control systems for troops (ACCS), air defense forces and means (ACS) are at the fourth technological stage of development. In conditions of the rapidity of enemy air defense attacks, modern air defense cannot be effective without automated systems for controlling forces and means.

This stage of rearmament is taking place in the context of organizational and staffing changes in the structure of the command and control system of the Russian Armed Forces. Requirements for efficiency, continuity, stability and secrecy of command and control of troops are being tightened, new combat and information means for air defense, air defense, radio and electronic warfare with higher capabilities are being developed and put into service.

Enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern are already supplying the armed forces with systems and complexes that are integrated with automated control systems and ESU TK, information from which is sent to the National Defense Control Center (NDCUO RF).

Currently, the means and complexes that ensure information interaction are undergoing field testing from the level of the anti-aircraft missile division to the district air defense automated control system. Numerous military and command post exercises make it possible to identify “weak points” in information exchange, which are transformed into specific technical assignments to eliminate them and are sent to the Concern’s enterprises. This allows you to quickly and efficiently make changes to manufactured kits and carry out work to modernize existing air defense systems.

Fifth generation air defense system

In addition to improving information interaction systems, fifth-generation air defense systems will begin to enter service with the anti-aircraft missile forces in the near future. We are talking, first of all, about the continuation of the Buk line of medium-range air defense systems, developed by NIIP named after. Tikhomirov (part of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern).

This is how they are characterized by a military expert, member of the expert council of the Russian military-industrial complex, editor-in-chief of our magazine Viktor Ivanovich Murakhovsky: “If we talk about the principles on which the next generation systems will be developed, then, in my opinion, they will combine the properties of fire systems , primarily the ability to fire targets, and means of electronic destruction. Those functions that we currently have divided between air defense and electronic warfare systems will be integrated into one system.

And secondly, the fifth generation air defense system will feature almost complete automation and robotization of all reconnaissance, control and fire cycles. In fact, a person will only make a decision whether to open the fire cycle or not.”

The Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern has already reported that the fifth-generation medium-range air defense system will have the ability to be deeply integrated into a single layered air defense system.

Interaction with the Russian Aerospace Forces

The layered air defense system of Russia, in addition to electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems, will actively interact with the air strike and reconnaissance complexes of the Russian Aerospace Forces. We are talking about the interaction of the air defense automated control system and the Postscriptum automated control system.

ACS "Postscript" is a unique information system that transmits all information about the air and ground enemy to the fighter aircraft. Information about all objects and targets located in the area of ​​the aircraft’s combat zone is received in real time. At the same time, the aircraft will receive information not only from long-range radar detection aircraft (AWACS), but also from ground-based air defense radar stations, as well as from ground-based RTR complexes of the ground forces.

Brief conclusions

The results of the work of the Almaz-Antey Concern in 2016 are generally assessed as successful. The plans for the supply of equipment and the requirements of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are being met, which does not exclude “working on mistakes” that are inevitably revealed during intensive testing and military operation of air defense systems, including in combat conditions. Next year, taking into account the prospects for the development of air defense systems of NATO countries, the intense tasks of implementing the state defense order and creating a scientific and technical reserve, the management and team of the Concern will have to go through a difficult path. There is no doubt that the assigned tasks will be completed successfully, which is guaranteed by the glorious traditions of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern.
Alexey Leonkov

Air defense is a set of steps and actions of troops to combat enemy air attack weapons in order to avert (reduce) losses among the population, damage to objects and military groups from air strikes. To repel (disrupt) enemy air attacks (strikes), air defense systems are formed.

The full air defense complex covers the following systems:

• Reconnaissance of the air enemy, warning troops about him;
• Fighter aircraft screening;
• Anti-aircraft missile and artillery barrier;
• Electronic warfare organizations;
• Masking;
• Managerial, etc.

Air defense happens:

• Zonal - to protect individual areas within which cover objects are located;
• Zonal-objective - for combining zonal air defense with direct screening of particularly important objects;
• Object - for the defense of individual particularly important objects.

The world experience of wars has turned air defense into one of the most important components in combined arms combat. In August 1958, the air defense forces of the ground forces were formed, and later the military air defense of the Russian Armed Forces was organized from them.

Until the end of the fifties, the SV air defenses were equipped with anti-aircraft artillery systems of that time, as well as specially designed transportable anti-aircraft missile systems. Along with this, in order to reliably cover troops in mobile combat operations, the presence of highly mobile and highly effective air defense systems was required, due to the increasing use of air attack capabilities.

Along with the fight against tactical aviation, the air defense forces of the ground forces also hit combat helicopters, unmanned and remotely piloted aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, as well as enemy strategic aircraft.

In the mid-seventies, the organization of the first generation of anti-aircraft missile weapons of the air defense forces ended. The troops received the latest air defense missiles and the famous ones: “Krugi”, “Cubes”, “Osy-AK”, “Strela-1 and 2”, “Shilki”, new radars and many other new equipment at that time. The formed anti-aircraft missile systems easily hit almost all aerodynamic targets, so they took part in local wars and armed conflicts.

By that time, the latest means of air attack were already rapidly developing and improving. These were tactical, operational-tactical, strategic ballistic missiles and precision weapons. Unfortunately, the weapon systems of the first generation of air defense troops did not provide solutions to the tasks of covering military groups from attacks with these weapons.

There is a need to develop and use systems approaches to the argumentation of the classification and properties of weapons of the second generation. It was necessary to create weapons systems balanced by classifications and types of targets and a list of air defense systems, combined into a single control system, equipped with radar reconnaissance, communications and technical equipment. And such weapons systems were created. In the eighties, the air defense forces were fully equipped with S-Z00V, Tors, Buks-M1, Strela-10M2, Tunguskas, Iglas and the latest radars.

Changes have occurred in anti-aircraft missile and anti-aircraft missile and artillery units, units and formations. They became integral components in combined arms formations from battalions to front-line formations and became a unified air defense system in military districts. This increased the effectiveness of combat applications in groupings of air defense forces of military districts and ensured the power of fire echeloned at heights and ranges against the enemy with a high density of fire from anti-aircraft guns.

At the end of the nineties, to improve command, in the Air Defense Forces, formations, military units and air defense units of the Navy Coast Guard, military units and air defense units of the Airborne Forces, in formations and military units of the air defense reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, changes have occurred. They were united into the military air defense of the Russian Armed Forces.

Military air defense missions

Military air defense formations and units carry out the tasks assigned to them to interact with the forces and means of the Armed Forces and Navy.

Military air defense is assigned the following tasks:

In peacetime:

• Measures to maintain air defense forces in military districts, formations, units and air defense units of the Coast Guard of the Navy, air defense units and units of the Airborne Forces in combat readiness for advanced deployments and repulses, together with air defense forces and means of the types of the Russian Armed Forces, attacks by means of air attacks;
• Carrying out duty within the operational zone of military districts and in the general air defense systems of the state;
• The sequence of increasing combat strength in air defense formations and units that perform missions on combat duty when the highest levels of readiness have been introduced.

In wartime:

• Measures for comprehensive, echeloned in depth cover from attacks by enemy air attacks on troop groups, military districts (fronts) and military installations throughout the depth of their operational formations, while interacting with air defense forces and means and other types and branches of the Armed Forces;
• Direct cover activities, which include combined arms formations and formations, as well as formations, units and units of the Coast Guard of the Navy, formations and units of the Airborne Forces, rocket troops and artillery in the form of groups, aviation airfields, command posts, the most important rear facilities in areas of concentration, during advances, occupation of these zones and during operations (actions).

Directions for improving and developing military air defense

The Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces today are the main and largest component of the military air defense of the Russian Armed Forces. They are united by a harmonious hierarchical structure with the inclusion of front-line, army (corps) complexes of air defense troops, as well as air defense units, motorized rifle (tank) divisions, motorized rifle brigades, air defense units of motorized rifle and tank regiments, and battalions.

Air defense troops in military districts have formations, units and air defense units that have at their disposal anti-aircraft missile systems/complexes of different purposes and potentials.

They are connected by reconnaissance and information complexes and control complexes. This gives in certain circumstances to form effective multifunctional air defense systems. Until now, the weapons of Russian military air defense are among the best on the planet.

The most important areas in the improvement and development of military air defense include:

• Optimization of organizational structures in command and control bodies, formations and air defense units, in accordance with the assigned tasks;
• Modernization of anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes, reconnaissance assets in order to extend the service life and their integration into a unified aerospace defense system in the state and in the armed forces, endowing them with the functions of non-strategic anti-missile weapons in theaters of military operations;
• Development and maintenance of a unified technical policy to reduce the types of weapons, military equipment, their unification and avoidance of duplication in development;
• Providing advanced air defense weapons systems using the latest means automation of control, communications, active, passive and other non-traditional types of intelligence activities, multifunctional anti-aircraft missile systems and new generation air defense systems using the criteria of “efficiency - cost - feasibility”;
• Conducting a complex of collective used training of military air defense with other troops, taking into account upcoming combat missions and the characteristics of deployment areas, while concentrating the main efforts in training with high-readiness air defense formations, units and subunits;
• Formation, provision and training of reserves for a flexible response to changes in circumstances, strengthening air defense force groups, replenishing losses of personnel, weapons and military equipment;
• Improving the training of officers in the structure of the military training system, increasing the level of their fundamental (basic) knowledge and practical training and consistency in the transition to continuous military education.

It is planned that the aerospace defense system will soon occupy one of the leading areas in strategic defense state and in the Armed Forces, will become one of components, and in the future it will become almost the main deterrent in starting wars.

Air defense systems are one of the fundamental ones in the aerospace defense system. Today, military air defense units are able to effectively resolve missions of anti-aircraft and, to some extent, non-strategic missile defense measures in groupings of troops in operational-strategic directions. As practice shows, during tactical exercises using live fire, all available Russian military air defense systems are capable of hitting cruise missiles.

Air defense in the aerospace defense system of a state and in its Armed Forces tends to grow in proportion to the increase in the threat of air attacks. When resolving aerospace defense tasks, a coordinated general use of multi-service air defense forces and missile and space defense forces in operational-strategic areas will be required as the most effective than separate ones. This will happen due to the possibility, with a single plan and under unity of command, to combine strength with the advantages of different types of weapons and mutual compensation for their shortcomings and weaknesses.

Improving air defense systems is impossible without further modernization of existing weapons, rearmament of air defense troops in military districts with the most modern air defense systems and air defense systems, and the supply of the latest automated control and communication systems.

The main direction in development Russian funds Air defense today is:

• Continue development work in order to create highly effective weapons that will have quality indicators that cannot be surpassed by foreign analogues for 10-15 years;
• Create a promising multifunctional military air defense weapons system. This will give impetus to create a flexible organizational structure for the execution of specific tasks. Such a system needs to be integrated with the main weapons of the ground forces, and act in an integrated manner with other types of troops in the course of solving air defense problems;
• Introduce automated control systems with robotics and artificial intelligence in order to reflect further increases in enemy capabilities and increase the effectiveness of used air defense troops;
• Provide samples of air defense weapons with electro-optical devices, television systems, thermal imagers to ensure the combat effectiveness of air defense systems and air defense systems in conditions of intense interference, which will minimize the dependence of air defense systems on the weather;
• Widely use passive location and electronic warfare equipment;
• Reorient the concept of the future development of weapons and military equipment for air defense, carry out a radical modernization of existing weapons and military equipment in order to provide a significant increase in the effectiveness of combat use at low cost.

Air Defense Day

Air Defense Day is a memorable day in the Russian Armed Forces. It is celebrated every year, every second Sunday in April, in accordance with the Decree of the Russian President of May 31, 2006.

For the first time, this holiday was defined by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in a Decree dated February 20, 1975. It was established for the outstanding services shown by the air defense forces of the Soviet state during the Second World War, as well as for the fact that they carried out particularly important tasks in times of peace. It was originally celebrated on April 11, but in October 1980 Air Defense Day was moved to be celebrated every second Sunday in April.

The history of establishing the date of the holiday is connected with the fact that, in fact, in April days the most important Government resolutions on the organization of air defense of the state were adopted, which became the basis for the construction of air defense systems, determined organizational structure the troops included in it, their formation and further development.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that as the threat of air attacks increases, the role and importance of military air defense will only increase, which has already been confirmed by time.

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