Air defense land. The current state of the Russian air defense system. The reaction of Western "partners" to the development of the East Kazakhstan region of Russia

To write this article, I was largely inspired by the excessive jingoistic moods of a significant part of the visitors to the site I respect " Military Review”, as well as the cunning of the domestic media, which regularly publishes 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 "" not so long ago an article was published entitled: "Two air defense divisions began to protect the airspace of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region."

In which it is said: “The assistant to the commander of the troops of the Central Military District, Colonel Yaroslav Roshchupkin, said that two divisions counter air defense took up combat duty, starting to protect the airspace of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region.

“The duty forces of two divisions of air defense 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 air defense anti-aircraft missile 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 has happened. It all comes down to just changing the organizational structure. New equipment did not enter the troops.

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

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, in the anti-aircraft missile units of air defense, more than half of the air defense systems long range S-300P belong to this modification.

In the near future (two or three years), most of the 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 either been decommissioned or transferred "for storage" without any chance of returning to the troops.

The most "fresh" complex from the "three hundredth" S-300PM family 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 advertised S-400 anti-aircraft missile system has just begun to enter service. In total, as of 2014, 10 regimental kits were delivered to the troops. Taking into account the upcoming mass write-off of military equipment that has exhausted its resource, this amount is absolutely not enough.

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

In total, according to "open sources", in our country there are about 1500 launchers of the S-300 family of air defense systems - this, apparently, taking into account the air defense units of the ground forces that are "in storage" and in service.

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 so long ago, several anti-aircraft missile brigades converted into regiments were transferred to the Air Force and Air Defense from the air defense of the ground forces - two 2-divisional S-300V and Buk brigades and one mixed (two S-300V divisions , 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 there are ten regiments of S-300P air defense systems (two of them have two S-400 divisions each).

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

Satellite image of Google Earth. Scheme of placement of air defense systems around St. Petersburg

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

Satellite image of Google Earth. ZRS S-400 in the vicinity of Nakhodka

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

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

IN Lately there was an increase in anti-aircraft cover of the Black Sea Fleet. Before famous events associated with Ukraine, a mixed regiment with S-300PM and S-400 divisions was deployed in the Novorossiysk region.

At present, 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 their own needs, most likely they were transferred from another region of the country.

central District our country, in terms of air defense cover, resembles a “patchwork quilt”, in which there are more holes than patches. One S-300PS regiment is available in Novgorod region, near Voronezh, Samara and Saratov. Rostov region cover one S-300PM and 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, only three regiments are deployed on a gigantic territory, 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 deployed.

Satellite image of Google Earth. ZRS S-300PS near Irkutsk

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

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

The "holes" between the air defense facilities in the east of the country are several thousand kilometers long, 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's territory, nuclear and hydroelectric power plants remain unprotected, air strikes on which can lead to catastrophic consequences. Vulnerability from air attack of the deployment points of Russian strategic nuclear forces provokes “potential partners” to attempt a “disarming strike” with high-precision means of destroying non-nuclear equipment.

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

"Pantsir-S"

The situation with the lighting of the air situation is no better. This should be done by the radio engineering troops, their functional duty is to issue in 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 air defense formations, units and subunits.

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 controlling the air situation over the polar latitudes.

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

Only recently, at the end of 2014, the Minister of Defense, 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, reconstruct airfields and deploy modern radar stations in Tiksi, Naryan-Mar, Alykel, Vorkuta, Anadyr and Rogachevo. The creation of a continuous radar field over the territory of Russia should be completed by 2018. At the same time, it is planned to upgrade by 30% radar stations and means of data processing and transmission.

Separate mention deserves fighter aircraft, designed to deal with enemy air attack weapons and carry out tasks to gain air superiority. Currently, the Russian Air Force formally has (taking into account 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 noted that a significant part of the park Russian fighters is listed in the Air Force only nominally. 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 the replacement of failed avionics units, some of the upgraded fighters are in fact, as the aviators put it, "doves of peace." They can still take to the air, but they can fully perform combat mission- not anymore.

The past year 2014 was notable for the volumes of deliveries of aviation equipment to the Russian armed forces that were unprecedented since the times of the USSR.

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

Twenty of them became part of the reconstituted 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 303rd Guards Mixed Aviation Division of the 3rd Air Force and Air Defense Command of Russia at the Dzemgi airfield (Khabarovsk Territory), which is joint 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 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-30SMs delivered to the Russian Air Force reached 34 units.

Eight more Su-30M2 fighters were produced by the Yu.A. 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 command of the Russian Air Force and Air Defense 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-30M2 in the Russian Air Force to 16.

However, this significant amount by today's standards is absolutely not enough to replace in the fighter regiments written off due to the complete physical deterioration of the aircraft.

Even if the current pace of deliveries of aircraft to the troops is maintained, according to forecasts, in five years the fighter fleet of the Russian Air Force will be reduced to about 600 aircraft.

During the next five years, about 400 Russian fighters will probably be written off - up to 40% of the current payroll.

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

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

Partially, the shortage of long-range interceptors should be 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 so far these are only plans that are likely to undergo significant adjustments.

The Russian Air Force has 15 AWACS A-50 aircraft (another 4 are in “storage”), recently they were 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 airborne early warning and control complex has significantly increased. The number of simultaneously tracked targets and simultaneously guided fighters has been increased, 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 the 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 them. G. M. Beriev received the first Il-76MD-90A aircraft for conversion into A-100 AWACS aircraft. Deliveries to the Russian Air Force are scheduled to begin in 2016.

All domestic aircraft AWACS are based on a permanent basis in the European part of the country. Beyond the Urals, they appear quite rarely, for the most part during large-scale exercises.

Unfortunately, loud statements from high tribunes about the revival of our Air Force and Air Defense often have little in common with reality. Absolute irresponsibility for the promises made by high-ranking civil and military officials has become an unpleasant tradition in the “new” Russia.

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

However, no one, as usual, will be seriously punished for disrupting the state program. After all, we “do not hand over our own”, and “we are not in our 37th year”, right?

P.S. All information provided 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

Technical specifications air defense complexes and systems allow you to organize a reliable cover for troops, the most important objects government controlled, industry, energy and transport.

2016 turned out to be a “fruitful” year for news about air defense systems that are being put into service under the State Armaments Program (GPV-2020 ). Many experts and military specialists call them the best among the existing air defense systems. Russian concern VKO Almaz-Antey - the leading developer and manufacturer of complexes and systems of aerospace defense, does not stop there, has begun to develop anti-aircraft missile fifth generation systems, creates scientific and technical touched on the future.

The Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine 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 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 to this type of defense is paid for a reason. The fact is that within the framework of the 2008 military doctrine air defense systems and complexes occupy one of the key places in defense construction and modernization of the Russian army.

The intermediate results of building a modern layered air defense were discussed at the XXIV Military Scientific Conference of the Military Air Defense, held in May 2016 in Smolensk. In the report of the head of the military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Leonov A. P. "Development of the theory and practice of using the military air defense of the Armed Forces 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 destruction efficiency. various means air attack (AOS), multi-channel, increased rate of fire and increased ammunition for anti-aircraft missiles.

Doctor of Military Sciences, Lieutenant General Gavrilov A. D. in the article “Military air defense: the basics of combat use” noted the following: “No matter how highly effective technical means the air defense system possesses, the achievement of the tasks set 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 indicates high level professionalism of commanders and staffs, awareness of the personal responsibility of each anti-aircraft gunner for the task of protecting the peaceful sky.

Development and production of high-performance equipment in parallel with participation in the training of personnel military units air defense is hallmark practical work Russian defense association - Concern VKO Almaz-Antey.

The 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 the tasks of the state defense order (GOZ), the Ministry of Defense received five regiments of S-400 Triumph air defense systems, three air defense divisions medium range"Buk-M2", four divisions of short-range air defense systems "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 outgoing year, the Almaz-Antey specialists carried out the necessary service activities for the maintenance and repair of more than two thousand units of weapons, military and special equipment (AMSE) previously transferred to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and also delivered simulators for training combat crews of complexes air defense.

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

The troops received more than 5.5 thousand units of weapons and military equipment, including more than 60 new and 130 modernized aircraft and helicopters, a multi-purpose Submarine, more than 60 anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes, 55 radar stations, 310 new and 460 modernized tanks and armored vehicles," said Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin 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 air base was noted and naval base Tartus, after the placement of the S-400 air defense system and the S-300V4 air defense system. According to the Minister of Defense of Russia, General of the Army Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, these systems reliably protect our bases in Syria both from the sea and from land. In addition, the Concern's specialists restored the Syrian S-200 air defense systems.

The concern continued work on the supply of modernized and the latest complexes Air defense S-300V4 air defense systems, Buk-M3 air defense systems and Tor-M2U air defense systems. Without going into enumeration specifications of these complexes, we will briefly highlight their key features.

ZRS S-300V4

This air defense system is a deep modernization of the S-300 complex, which has been produced by the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Concern since 1978. The 9 M83VM heavy missile of the modernized S-300V4 is capable of reaching 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 defeat of all existing and promising funds aerospace attack, including tactical ballistic missiles(at a distance 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 up to 24 targets, directing 48 missiles at them. The rate of fire of each launcher is 1.5 seconds. The entire complex is transferred from standby to combat mode in 40 seconds, and the deployment time from the march takes 5 minutes. Ammunition division 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 at the Khmeimim airbase to strengthen the air defense potential of the Russian Aerospace Forces group.

SAM Buk-M3

The Buk-M3 target detection station (SOC) now accompanies up to 36 targets at a distance of up to 70 kilometers in the entire altitude range. The new 9R31M missile (9M³17M) has higher speed and maneuverability compared to the Buk-M2 missiles. It is placed in a transport and launch container (TLC), which provides additional protection rocket 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 and launchers can also hit targets, they carry 12 missiles in the TPK.

The Buk-M3 equipment is built on a new element base, digital communications ensure a stable exchange of speech and combat information, as well as integration into the ESU TK air defense.

The Buk-M3 air defense system intercepts almost all modern air defense systems that fly at speeds 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 the parameter of the lower limit of shelling targets (60 meters versus 10 meters) and in the duration of the target detection cycle on distant approaches. The Buk-M3 manages this in 10 seconds, and the Patriot in 90 seconds, while it requires target designation from a reconnaissance satellite.

SAM Tor-M2U

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

The SOC of the complex can detect and track up to 48 targets at a distance of up to 32 kilometers. The launcher of the complex can simultaneously fire at 4 targets at an azimuth equal to 3600, i.e. round. A feature of the Tor-M2U air defense system is the fact that it can carry out combat work on the go, at speeds up to 45 km / h. Modern equipment "Torah" automatically determines the ten most dangerous targets, the operator only needs to give a command to defeat them. Moreover, our newest "Tor-M2U" detects aircrafts created using stealth technology.

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

The reaction of Western "partners" to development East Kazakhstan region of Russia

The successes of the Russian air defense, which operates the products of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern, have long disturbed the minds of the military leaders of the NATO countries. In the early 2000s, they did not believe that Russia could create effective complexes Air Defense and continued to purchase from the enterprises of the defense industry of their countries "reliable and time-tested" means of air attack (AOS). Development of new aviation complexes, such as the fifth-generation F-35 fighter and the promising B-21 bomber, were moving at a leisurely pace.

The first alarming signals for NATO members sounded after 2010, when the revival of Russia's military power began. Since 2012, military exercises have become much more frequent, 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 extreme ranges and without the involvement of additional target designation tools.

Thanks to the S-400 and S-300V4 air defense systems, the long-range engagement line at the operational-tactical level has increased to 400 kilometers, which means that modern and promising AOS of NATO countries are guaranteed to fall into the zone of fire of Russian air defense systems. NATO generals sounded the alarm. At the same time, purely defensive air defense systems in Western media characterized as "aggressive". True, there were also more pragmatic assessments.
In 2015, American military expert Tyler Rogoway discussed countering Russian air defense systems on his Foxtrot Alpha blog. In particular, he paid much attention to work at a safe distance outside the reach of weapons: “The capabilities of air defense detection devices (of Russia - author's note) are only getting better, as well as the radius of destruction of ground-to-air missiles. 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 eventually destroy the air defense system. As a result, working outside the reach of the enemy's weapons, you can weaken his air defense. Then, for example, you can fly up close and use a fighter with medium-range stealth missiles, instead of launching long-range missiles. At the same time, conventional (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 go deeper into enemy territory, disabling air defenses along the way.

In addition to the widespread use of "stealth technologies", the Americans rely on electronic warfare and electronic warfare. For example, naval forces The US is working on creating a countermeasures method modern systems Air defense with radars equipped with a phased antenna array (PAR), such as the S-400 or the Chinese air defense system FD-2000. They are going to equip the EA-18G Growler aircraft (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 seen. anti-aircraft missile systems, the American magazine The National Interest reported in October 2016.

Development new version NGJ is being handled by Raytheon, which has already received a one billion dollar contract from the US Department of Defense.

American experts believe that the electronic warfare system will be able to jam signals at any frequencies 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.

The military-industrial complex of the NATO countries in the next 5-10 years 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 Concern VKO Almaz-Antey makes it possible to neutralize the efforts of Western specialists.

Prospects for the development of air defense systems in Russia

The fourth generation of ACS air defense

At present, automated command and control systems for troops (ACCS), air defense forces and means (ACS) are on the fourth technological stage development. In the context of the transience of an enemy AOS attack, modern air defense cannot be effective without automated control systems for forces and assets.

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

Enterprises of Concern VKO "Almaz-Antey" are already supplying armed forces systems and complexes that are integrated with ACS and ESU TK, information from which is sent to the National Center for Defense Control (NTsUO RF).

At present, the means and complexes that provide information interaction are undergoing a stage of field testing from the level of an anti-aircraft missile division to the air defense automated control system of the district. Numerous military and command-staff exercises make it possible to identify " weak spots» information exchange, which are transformed into specific technical specifications for their elimination and are sent to the Concern's enterprises. This allows you to quickly and efficiently make changes to the manufactured kits and carry out work on the modernization of existing air defense systems.

Fifth generation SAM

In addition to improving information interaction systems, in the near future, fifth-generation air defense systems will begin to enter service with the anti-aircraft missile forces. It's about, first of all, about the continuation of the line of medium-range air defense systems "Buk", developed by NIIP them. Tikhomirov (part of the Almaz-Antey Concern).

Here is how they are characterized by a military expert, member expert council collegium of the military-industrial complex of Russia, Chief Editor 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 now have are divided between air defense and complexes electronic warfare, will be integrated into one system.

And secondly, the fifth generation air defense systems are waiting for almost complete automation and robotization of all cycles of reconnaissance, control and fire destruction. In fact, a person will only make a decision - to open a cycle of fire damage or not.

The Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern has already reported that the fifth-generation medium-range air defense system will be able 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 the electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems, will actively interact with aviation strike and reconnaissance complexes of the Russian Aerospace Forces. We are talking about the interaction of the air defense ACS and the Postscript ACS.

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 combat zone of the aircraft is received in real time. At the same time, the aircraft will receive information not only from early warning aircraft (AWACS), but also from ground-based air defense radar stations, as well as from ground-based RTR systems 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 fulfilled, which does not exclude "work on the bugs" 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 the NATO countries' air defense forces, the intense tasks of fulfilling the state defense order and creating a scientific and technical reserve, the management and staff of the Concern will have to go through a difficult path. There is no doubt that the tasks set will be completed successfully, which is guaranteed by the glorious traditions of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern.
Alexey Leonkov

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 the aerospace defense are complexes and systems of anti-aircraft and missile defense designed to solve all types of tasks: from tactical to operational-strategic. The technical parameters of the complexes and systems of the aerospace defense make it possible to organize a reliable cover for the troops, the most important objects of state administration, industry, energy and transport.

2016 turned out to be a “fruitful” year for news about air defense systems that are being put into service under the State Armaments Program (SAP-2020). Many experts and military specialists call them the best among the existing air defense systems. The Russian concern VKO Almaz-Antey, the leading developer and manufacturer of VKO complexes and systems, does not stop there, has begun to develop fifth-generation anti-aircraft missile systems, and creates a scientific and technical reserve for the future.
The Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine 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 the combat use of military air defense (see "Military air defense: the 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 to this type of defense is paid 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.
The intermediate results of building a modern layered air defense were discussed at the XXIV Military Scientific Conference of the Military Air Defense, held in May 2016 in Smolensk. In the report of the head of the military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Leonov A. P. "Development of the theory and practice of using the military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in modern conditions," it was noted that the combat potential of the military air defense has increased significantly with the supply of the latest high-performance 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 destroying various air attack weapons (AOS), multi-channel, increased rate of fire and increased anti-aircraft missile ammunition.
Doctor of Military Sciences, Lieutenant-General Gavrilov A. D. in the article "Military air defense: the basics of combat use" noted the following: "No matter how highly effective technical means the air defense system possesses, the achievement of the tasks set 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 by each anti-aircraft gunner for the task of protecting the peaceful sky.
The development and production of highly efficient equipment in parallel with the participation in the training of personnel of military air defense units is a distinctive feature of the practical work of the Russian defense association - Concern VKO Almaz-Antey.

The results of the work of Almaz-Antey

In November 2016, Almaz-Antey summed up the results of the year. As part of the state defense order (GOZ), the Ministry of Defense received five regiments of the S-400 Triumph air defense system, three Buk-M2 medium-range air defense systems, four Tor-M2 short-range air defense systems, and a brigade set of the latest Buk-M2 air defense systems. M3", as well as a number of different radars. In addition, in the outgoing year, the Almaz-Antey specialists carried out the necessary service activities for the maintenance and repair of more than two thousand units of weapons, military and special equipment (AMSE) previously transferred to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and also delivered simulators for training combat crews of complexes air defense.
“Already now, the annual tasks for the supply of basic weapons have been completed by 70 percent, and in terms of 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, a multi-purpose submarine, more than 60 anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes, 55 radar stations, 310 new and 460 modernized tanks and armored vehicles," said the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in his speech at the Meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, federal departments and enterprises of the defense industry, which was held 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 Minister of Defense of Russia, General of the Army Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, these systems reliably protect our bases in Syria both from the sea and from land. In addition, the Concern's specialists restored the Syrian S-200 air defense systems.
The concern continued work on the supply of modernized and latest air defense systems for the S-300V4 air defense system, the Buk-M3 air defense system and the Tor-M2U air defense system to the troops. Without going into the enumeration of the technical characteristics of these complexes, we will briefly highlight their key features.

ZRS S-300V4
This air defense system is a deep modernization of the S-300 complex, which has been produced by the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Concern since 1978. The heavy 9M83VM missile of the modernized S-300V4 is capable of reaching speeds 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. It is ensured that all existing and future means of aerospace attack are destroyed, 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, march and combat order of the formations of the Ground Forces off-road, on rough terrain.
The anti-aircraft missile division is capable of simultaneously firing up to 24 targets, directing 48 missiles at them. The rate of fire of each launcher is 1.5 seconds. The entire complex is transferred from standby to combat mode in 40 seconds, and the deployment time from the march takes 5 minutes. Ammunition division 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 at the Khmeimim airbase to strengthen the air defense potential of the Russian Aerospace Forces group.

SAM Buk-M3
The Buk-M3 target detection station (SOC) now accompanies up to 36 targets at a distance of up to 70 kilometers in the entire altitude range. The new 9R31M (9M317M) missile has higher speed and maneuverability compared to the Buk-M2 missiles. It is placed in a transport and launch container (TLC), 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 and launchers can also hit targets, they accommodate 12 missiles in the TPK.
The Buk-M3 equipment is built on a new element base, digital communications ensure a stable exchange of speech and combat information, as well as integration into the ESU TK air defense.
The Buk-M3 air defense system intercepts almost all modern air defense systems that fly at speeds 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 the parameter of the lower limit of shelling targets (60 meters versus 10 meters) and in the duration of the target detection cycle on distant approaches. The Buk-M3 manages this in 10 seconds, and the Patriot in 90 seconds, while it requires target designation from a reconnaissance satellite.

SAM Tor-M2U
Short-range air defense missiles "Tor-M2U" effectively destroy targets flying at extremely low, low and medium altitudes at speeds up to 700 m / s, including in conditions of a massive airborne attack and active opposition to enemy electronic warfare.
The SOC of the complex can detect and track up to 48 targets at a distance of up to 32 kilometers. The launcher of the complex can simultaneously fire at 4 targets at an azimuth equal to 3600, i.e. round. A feature of the Tor-M2U air defense system is the fact that it can carry out combat work on the go, at speeds up to 45 km / h. Modern equipment "Torah" automatically determines the ten most dangerous targets, the operator only needs to give a command to defeat them. Moreover, our latest "Tor-M2U" detects aircraft created using stealth technology.
The battery of the Tor-M2U air defense missile system consists of six launchers that can automatically exchange combat information with each other. Thus, receiving information from one launcher, the rest can repel a massive AOS attack from any direction. Retargeting time takes no more than 5 seconds.

The reaction of Western "partners" to the development of the East Kazakhstan region of Russia
The successes of the Russian air defense, which operates the products of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern, have long disturbed the minds of the military leaders of the 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 (AOS) from the defense industry enterprises of their countries. The development of new aviation systems, such as the fifth-generation F-35 fighter and the promising B-21 bomber, proceeded at a leisurely pace.
The first alarming signals for NATO members sounded after 2010, when the revival of Russia's military power began. Since 2012, military exercises have become much more frequent, 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 extreme ranges and without the involvement of additional target designation tools. Thanks to the S-400 and S-300V4 air defense systems, the long-range engagement line at the operational-tactical level has increased to 400 kilometers, which means that modern and promising AOS of NATO countries are guaranteed to fall into the zone of fire of Russian air defense systems. NATO generals sounded the alarm. At the same time, purely defensive air defense systems in the Western media were characterized as "means of aggression." True, there were also more pragmatic assessments.
In 2015, American military expert Tyler Rogoway discussed countering Russian air defense systems on his Foxtrot Alpha blog. In particular, he paid much attention to work at a safe distance outside the reach of weapons: “The capabilities of air defense detection devices (of Russia - author's note) are only getting better, as well as the radius of destruction of ground-to-air missiles. 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 eventually destroy the air defense system. As a result, working outside the reach of the enemy's weapons, you can weaken his air defense. Then, for example, you can fly up close and use a fighter with medium-range stealth missiles, instead of launching long-range missiles. At the same time, conventional (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 go deeper into enemy territory, disabling air defenses along the way.
In addition to the widespread use of "stealth technologies", the Americans rely on electronic warfare and electronic warfare. For example, the US Navy is working on a method to counter modern air defense systems with radars equipped with a phased array antenna (PAR), such as the S-400 or the Chinese FD-2000 air defense system. They are going to equip the EA-18G Growler aircraft (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 attack 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 new version of NGJ is being developed 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 frequencies in which the phased array operates, and that this will be enough to be able to attack Russian air defense systems without hindrance. According to plans, the NGJ should enter service in 2021.
The military-industrial complex of the NATO countries in the next 5-10 years 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 Concern VKO Almaz-Antey makes it possible to neutralize the efforts of Western specialists.

Prospects for the development of air defense systems in Russia
The fourth generation of ACS air defense
Currently, automated command and control systems for troops (ACCS), air defense forces and means (ACS) are at the fourth technological stage of development. In the context of the transience of an enemy AOS attack, modern air defense cannot be effective without automated control systems for forces and assets.
This stage of rearmament is taking place in the context of organizational and staffing changes in the structure of the control system of the Russian Armed Forces. The requirements for efficiency, continuity, stability and secrecy of command and control are being tightened, new combat and information means for air defense systems, IA, RTV and electronic warfare with higher capabilities are being developed and put into service.
The enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern are already supplying the armed forces with systems and complexes that are integrated with the ACS and ESU TZ, information from which is sent to the National Defense Control Center (NTsUO RF).
At present, the means and complexes that provide information interaction are undergoing a stage of field testing from the level of an anti-aircraft missile division to the air defense automated control system of the district. Numerous military and command and staff exercises make it possible to identify "weak points" in information exchange, which are transformed into specific technical tasks for their elimination and are sent to the Concern's enterprises. This allows you to quickly and efficiently make changes to the manufactured kits and carry out work on the modernization of existing air defense systems.
Fifth generation SAM
In addition to improving information interaction systems, in the near future, fifth-generation air defense systems will begin to enter service with the anti-aircraft missile forces. We are talking, first of all, about the continuation of the line of medium-range air defense systems "Buk", developed by NIIP them. Tikhomirov (part of the Almaz-Antey Concern).
Here is how they are characterized by a military expert, member of the expert council of the board 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 now have divided between air defense and electronic warfare systems will be integrated into one system.
And secondly, the fifth generation air defense systems are waiting for almost complete automation and robotization of all cycles of reconnaissance, control and fire destruction. In fact, a person will only make a decision - to open a cycle of fire damage or not.
The Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern has already reported that the fifth-generation medium-range air defense system will be able 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 the electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems, will actively interact with aviation strike and reconnaissance complexes of the Russian Aerospace Forces. We are talking about the interaction of the air defense ACS and the Postscript ACS.
The Postscript ACS 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 combat zone of the aircraft is received in real time. At the same time, the aircraft will receive information not only from early warning aircraft (AWACS), but also from ground-based air defense radar stations, as well as from ground-based RTR systems 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 fulfilled, which does not exclude "work on the bugs" 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 the NATO countries' air defense forces, the intense tasks of fulfilling the state defense order and creating a scientific and technical reserve, the management and staff of the Concern will have to go through a difficult path. There is no doubt that the tasks set will be completed successfully, which is guaranteed by the glorious traditions of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern.

Military formations of military air defense are designed to cover groupings of troops and objects of the military rear, important infrastructure facilities of the state, located in the zone of responsibility of the combined arms commander. In the context of the rapid development of the means of aerospace attack of the armies of foreign states, formations, military units and air defense units have become an integral integral part combined arms formations from the tactical to the operational-strategic level.

In the modern Armed Forces, there are more than 90 formations, military units and air defense units of the SV. As shown practical actions troops at the training grounds, the level of training of soldiers and officers has grown significantly, especially in practical terms.

The basis of the armament system of military air defense is anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes (air defense systems and air defense systems) "S-300V3", "Buk-M2", "Tor-M1", "Osa-AKM", "Tunguska-M1", MANPADS "Igla" . The main means of automated control are the complex of automation equipment (KSA) "Polyana-D4M1", designed to equip command posts military districts, armies, anti-aircraft missile brigades in mobile and stationary versions, as well as a single KSA "Barnaul-T" - to equip air defense units of individual motorized rifle (tank) brigades.

The reconnaissance equipment includes mobile radar stations (radar) of the Nebo-SV, Nebo-SVU standby mode and the Ginger, Obzor, Dome combat modes, as well as the Garmon portable radars. Currently, research and development work is being carried out to create a new generation of air defense weapons. The basic directions of the technological basis of such works are microelectronics, informatics and robotics.

The modernization of the S-300V air defense system made it possible to increase the range of destruction of aerodynamic air targets up to 400 km, the areas covered from strikes by operational-tactical and tactical missiles (OTR and TR) by 3-4 times, and the defeat of OTR and medium-range ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 3500 km.

The Air Defense Forces of the SV will soon receive a modified Buk-M2 complex, which, while maintaining the same number of combat vehicles, increases the number of simultaneously fired air targets for the division from 6 to 24, the area of ​​​​covered objects and troops - 2.5 times, the possibility of hitting TR from launch range up to 150-200 km. Work is nearing completion on the creation of a new medium-range air defense system, which will surpass its predecessor by several times in terms of the range of destruction, the number of simultaneously hit targets and the speed of destruction.

In 2011, the Air Defense Forces of the SV received a new modification of the Tor-M2U air defense system, which today, according to the characteristics of the simultaneous firing of four air targets by one combat vehicle, is the only one in the world. Compared to the previous modification, it has a 1.5-fold increase in the parameters of the affected area in terms of height, speed and heading parameter.

In the interests of developing the command and control system, work is underway to create new unified command and control systems at various levels of command and control of troops and weapons. At the tactical level, the planned equipping of brigade sets of control means from the composition of the KSA "Barnaul-T" is underway, which according to the main characteristics corresponds to, and in terms of maneuverability, security, interchangeability of control means, the time of setting the task of combat means exceeds foreign counterparts. The time for passing commands (information) from the head of the air defense brigade to the air defense missile system (ADMC) is no more than 1 second.