Air defense forces and means of the armed forces of Arab countries. The evolution of "Bukovs" and "Tors": what is unique about the "military umbrella" of Russian air defense Air Defense Aviation Schools

I was largely inspired to write this article by the excessive jingoistic sentiments of a significant part of the visitors to the site I respect “ Military Review“, as well as the slyness of the domestic media, which regularly publish materials about the strengthening of our military power, unprecedented since Soviet times, 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 states: “The Assistant Commander of the Central Military District, Colonel Yaroslav Roshchupkin, stated that two air defense divisions 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 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 each in the Novgorod region, near Voronezh, Samara and Saratov. Rostov region covered by one regiment each of S-300PM and Buk.

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

In addition to anti-aircraft systems protecting fleet bases in Primorye and Kamchatka, 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 is protected 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 appeared to be 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, 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 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 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 aircraft AWACS are based on a permanent basis 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 armament 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

In 2011, three air defense brigades of the Air Force became part of a new branch of the military. Armed Forces- Aerospace Defense Troops.

In 2015, the Air Force was merged with the Aerospace Defense Forces in a new type of armed forces - the Aerospace Forces (VKS), within which a new branch of the military was organizationally allocated - (Air Defense Troops-ABM).

It is necessary to distinguish the Air Defense Forces of the VKS from the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces (Military Air Defense).

In 1978, the transportable S-300PT air defense system was adopted (it replaced the older S-25, S-75 and S-125 air defense systems). In the mid-80s, the complex underwent a number of upgrades, receiving the designation S-300PT-1. In 1982, a new version of the S-300P air defense system was adopted into service with the air defense forces - the S-300PS self-propelled complex; the new complex had a record short deployment time - 5 minutes, making it difficult to attack by enemy aircraft.

Assessing the process of accelerating the physical aging of weapons and military equipment, the Defense Committee State Duma Russian Federation came to disappointing conclusions. As a result, it was developed new concept military construction, where it was planned to reorganize the branches of the armed forces by 2000, reducing their number from five to three. As part of this reorganization, two independent branches of the armed forces were to be united in one form: the Air Force and the Air Defense Forces. Decree of the President of the Russian Federation (RF) dated July 16, 1997 No. 725 “On priority measures to reform the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and improve their structure” determined the formation of a new type of armed forces. By March 1, 1998, on the basis of the control bodies of the Air Defense Forces and the Air Force, the Directorate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force and the Main Headquarters of the Air Force were formed, and the Air Defense and Air Force Forces were united into the new kind- Air Force.

By the time of unification into a single branch of the armed forces, the Air Defense Forces included: an operational-strategic formation, 2 operational, 4 operational-tactical formations, 5 air defense corps, 10 air defense divisions, 63 units of anti-aircraft missile forces, 25 fighter air regiments, 35 units of radio engineering troops , 6 formations and reconnaissance units and 5 units electronic warfare. It was armed with: 20 aircraft of the A-50 radar surveillance and guidance complex, more than 700 air defense fighters, more than 200 anti-aircraft missile divisions and 420 radio engineering units with radar stations of various modifications.

As a result of the activities carried out, a new organizational structure Air Force. Instead of air armies front-line aviation formed air force and air defense armies, operationally subordinate to the commanders of the military districts. The Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District was created in the Western strategic direction.

In December 2011, 3 brigades (4th, 5th, 6th) of the air defense forces of the operational-strategic aerospace defense command (formerly the Air Force Special Forces Command, formerly the Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District) became part of a new type of troops - VKO Troops.

A new branch of troops has been organizationally allocated within the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation - Air and Missile Defense Troops (Air defense troops). The air defense-missile defense troops are represented by air defense divisions and a missile defense formation.

As part of the further improvement of the air defense (aerospace) defense system, the development of a new generation of S-500 air defense systems is currently underway, in which it is planned to apply the principle of separately solving the problems of destroying ballistic and aerodynamic targets. The main task of the complex is to combat the combat equipment of medium-range ballistic missiles, and, if necessary, intercontinental ballistic missiles in the final part of the trajectory and, within certain limits, in the middle part.

The Day of the Country's Air Defense Forces was celebrated in the USSR and is celebrated in the Russian Armed Forces on the second Sunday in April.

Troop leaders

• 1987-1991 - Army General I. M. Tretyak,
• 1991-1997 - Colonel General (until 1996), Army General V. A. Prudnikov.
• 2015-2018 - Lieutenant General V.V. Gumenny
• 2018 - present V. - Lieutenant General Yu. N. Grekhov

Air defense educational institutions of the USSR and Russian Armed Forces

Academy

• Military Academy of Aerospace Defense named after Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov (Tver)
• Military Engineering Radio Engineering Academy of Air Defense named after. Marshal of the Soviet Union L. A. Govorov (Kharkov)

RTV schools

• redeployed to the LVVPU air defense base and converted to - disbanded in 2011.
• Kiev Higher Engineering Radio Engineering School of Air Defense
• Krasnoyarsk Higher Command School of Air Defense Radioelectronics - disbanded in 1999.

RKO schools

• Pushkin Higher Command School of Air Defense Radioelectronics (also provided training for air defense systems) - disbanded.
• Zhytomyr Higher Command School of Air Defense Radioelectronics - disbanded.

ZRV schools

• St. Petersburg Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Command School of the Order of the Red Star (in 1941-1968 - “LATUZA”) - disbanded in the 1990s.
• Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-Aircraft Missile School of Air Defense
• Dnepropetrovsk Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Command School of Air Defense - disbanded in 1995.
• Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod) Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Command School of Air Defense - disbanded in 1999.
• Ordzhonikidze Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Command School of Air Defense named after Army General Issa Aleksandrovich Pliev - disbanded in 1990.
• Engels Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Command School of Air Defense - disbanded in 1994.
• Military training center at RGRTU

Air Defense Aviation Schools

• Stavropol Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots and Navigators named after Air Marshal V. A. Sudets - disbanded in 1993.
• Armavir Higher Military Aviation Red Banner School of Pilots named after Chief Marshal of Aviation Kutakhov P.S., since 2002, the training aviation center of the Krasnodar VVAUL - disbanded in 2012.
• In 1993, the Daugavpils Higher Military Aviation Engineering School named after Jan Fabricius was transferred to the base of the disbanded Stavropol School of Pilots and Navigators and transformed into the Stavropol Higher Aviation Engineering School of Air Defense - disbanded in 2010.
• Lomonosov Military Aviation technical school, in the Air Defense Forces since 1989 - disbanded in 1993.

Other

• The Leningrad Higher Military-Political School of Air Defense was disbanded in 1992, the VVKURE Air Defense was transferred to the LVVPU Air Defense base and the St. Petersburg Higher Military School of Radio Electronics was created - disbanded in 2011.
• Center for training specialists (calculations) of radio technical troops of the Air Force (Vladimir)

Operational-strategic formations of air defense forces of the USSR and Russia

The S-400 "Triumph" air defense system of the 584th Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment of the 4th Air Defense Division goes on combat duty.

• Air defense districts are associations of air defense troops designed to protect the most important administrative, industrial centers and regions of the country, and armed forces groups, from air strikes. important military and other facilities within established boundaries. In the armed forces of the USSR, air defense districts were created after the Great Patriotic War on the basis of air defense fronts. The districts were reorganized into air defense districts, and air defense districts were re-created in 2007.
• Baku Air Defense District - formed in 1945 on the basis of the Baku Air Defense Army, and transformed into a district. Since 1954 - again a district. Abolished on January 5, 1980.
• Moscow Air Defense District (since August 20, 1954):
  • Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District (since 1998);
  • Special Forces Command (since September 1, 2002);
  • Joint Strategic Aerospace Defense Command (since July 1, 2009);
  • Air and Missile Defense Command (since December 1, 2011):
    • 1st Air Force and Air Defense Command (abolished)
    • 2nd Air Force and Air Defense Command (abolished)
    • 3rd Air Force and Air Defense Command (abolished)
    • 4th Air Force and Air Defense Command (abolished)
• 1st Air Defense-Missile Defense Army (special purpose) (since 2015):
  • 4th Air Defense Division, military unit 52116 (Moscow region, Dolgoprudny)
  • 5th Air Defense Division, military unit 52096 (Moscow region, Leninsky district, Petrovskoye village)
  • 9th Missile Defense Division, military unit 75555 (Moscow region, Sofrino town)
  • 590th separate radio engineering unit for over-the-horizon detection of air targets, military unit 84680 (Mordovia, Kovylkino village)
  • 54th communications center, military unit 74129 (Moscow)
  • Construction and Cantonment Department, military unit 58122 (Moscow)
  • 1786th central base of measuring equipment, military unit 74143 (Moscow region, Shchelkovo)

Military equipment in service with the Russian Air Defense and Missile Defense Forces

Missile defense systems

Type	Image	Production	Purpose	Quantity	Notes
A-135		USSR	Anti-missile complex	n/a

Air defense systems

Type	Image	Production	Purpose	Quantity	Notes
S-400		Russia	Long-range anti-aircraft missile system	n/a
S-300		USSR Russia	Long-range anti-aircraft missile system	n/a
Pantsir-S1

Today marks the centenary of the formation of the Ground Forces Air Defense Forces.

The beginning of the formation of military air defense units was the order of General Alekseev, Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, dated December 13 (26), 1915, No. 368, which announced the formation of separate four-gun light batteries for firing at air fleet. According to Order No. 50 of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation dated February 9, 2007, December 26 is considered the date of creation of military air defense.

1. Launcher 9A83 S-300V air defense system - long-range universal anti-aircraft system SV air defense with theater missile defense capability

On August 16, 1958, by order (No. 0069) of the USSR Minister of Defense, Marshal of the Soviet Union R. Ya. Malinovsky, air defense forces were created Ground Forces- a branch of the military that has become an integral part of the Ground Forces.


2. Combat vehicles of the Tor-M2U air defense system provide multi-channel fire at air targets, including high-tech weapons elements

In 1997, in order to improve the leadership of air defense troops, the air defense forces of the Ground Forces, formations, military units and air defense units of the Coastal Forces of the Navy, military units and air defense units of the Airborne Forces, as well as formations and military units of the air defense reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief were united into military air defense forces Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.


3. ZRPK "Tunguska-M1" ensures the destruction of air and ground targets in the near zone

Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces (Air Defense Forces) - a branch of the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation, designed to cover troops and objects from the actions of enemy air attack weapons when combined-arms formations and formations conduct operations (combat operations), perform regroupings (march) and are positioned on the spot . It is necessary to distinguish the Military Air Defense from the Air Defense Forces (aerospace defense brigades) of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, which until 1998 were part of an independent branch of the Armed Forces - the country's Air Defense Forces (USSR Air Defense and Russian Air Defense).

The Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces are entrusted with the following main tasks:

• carrying out combat duty in air defense;


• conducting reconnaissance of enemy air and alerting covered troops;


• destruction of enemy air attack weapons in flight;


• participation in the conduct of missile defense in theaters of military operations.

In the military development of many countries of the world, there is an increasingly stable trend of priority development of air attack means, forms and methods of their use, which fundamentally changes the nature of modern wars. Massive use of manned aircraft and cruise missiles(KR) on the most important military, administrative and economic facilities, infrastructure elements and troop groups have become one of the most characteristic features military actions at the end of the twentieth - beginning of the twenty-first century. There is a kind of shift in the center of gravity of the armed struggle to the air sphere. Along with aviation and the Kyrgyz Republic, there has been a steady trend toward the increasingly widespread use of tactical and operational-tactical ballistic missiles in regional armed conflicts.

In these conditions, the problem of ensuring air safety becomes one of the most important components national security state, which necessitates a comprehensive improvement of air defense forces and means, and an increase in the volume of tasks assigned to the air defense forces. The intensity of development of air attack weapons, their constant improvement tactical and technical characteristics leads to an increase in the complexity of the tasks of combating them.

The wars in Iraq (1991, 2003) and Yugoslavia (1999) clearly demonstrated the need for a well-established and effectively functioning air defense system for the country and troops, the weakness or absence of which, in conditions of the massive use of various means of air attack, inevitably leads to large casualties and material losses, and ultimately to military defeat.

Taking into account the experience of recent wars and armed conflicts, one of the important areas of military development in leading Arab countries is the development of air defense forces, equipping them with more effective means of detecting and destroying air targets at various ranges and altitudes, control systems and processing information about the air situation.

Today, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have the largest and most technically well-equipped air defense forces. Syria and Libya have significant air defense forces, but the quality of their technical equipment leaves much to be desired. Countries such as the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, and, more recently, Yemen pay great attention to the development of air defense.

At the same time, despite the efforts made, the quantity, and in many cases the quality of air defense systems, the level of training of air defense personnel in most Arab states does not allow them to effectively solve the problems of combating modern air attack weapons and thereby reliably cover even the most important administrative, economic and military facilities. Not a single Arab country has so far managed to create an integrated air defense and missile defense system that would simultaneously solve both traditional air defense tasks and new tasks to combat various types of missile weapons.

It is possible that with adoption into service in the Armed Forces Saudi Arabia and Egypt American anti-aircraft missile systems(SAM) "Patriot" and in the event that Algeria, Syria and Yemen acquire Russian anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) such as S-300 or S-400, the armed forces of these countries will be able to solve individual missile defense tasks.

The weak side of the air defense of Arab countries is that almost all air defense systems (air defense systems, anti-aircraft artillery, radar, electronic warfare equipment (EW), etc.) in service with their armed forces are foreign-made (Russian, American, French, English, Swedish, Swiss, Chinese, Italian, German and South African). Only Egypt has established its own production of certain types of air defense weapons, and even then under foreign licenses or based on foreign models.

Algeria. The air defense forces of the Andr are a separate branch of the armed forces and organizationally consist of three anti-aircraft missile regiments (ZRP), armed with the S-125 Pechora, Kvadrat and Osa air defense systems (a total of 100 up to PU). In addition, there are three brigades of anti-aircraft artillery (725 guns of 130, 100 and 85 mm caliber) and units of radio technical troops (RTV). In general, the country's air defense forces have limited capabilities, and the majority of their equipment is outdated.

Currently, in the Algerian ground forces, in addition to the air defense units that are part of the combined arms formations and units, there is one anti-aircraft missile (ZRDN) and six anti-aircraft artillery divisions. The ground forces are armed with the Osa and Strela-1 air defense systems; portable air defense systems "Strela-2"; as well as 900 anti-aircraft artillery guns (130 mm - 10, 100 mm S-19 - 150, 85 mm - 20, 57 mm automatic anti-aircraft guns (AZP) S-60 - 70, 37 mm AZP - 145, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 330, ZU-23-2 - 75, 20 mm - 100).

In 1995-2000, with the participation of Russian specialists, work was carried out to assess the technical condition and metrological maintenance of the control and measuring equipment of the S-125 Pechora air defense system. Work to modernize the complex continues. The issue of modernizing existing and purchasing new Osa short-range air defense systems is being considered. Negotiations are underway with the American company Northrop on the purchase of electronic equipment for air defense systems and new radars. It is planned to create a unified integrated electronic warfare system for the Air Force and Air Defense Forces. The Algerian side is showing interest in purchasing Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems.

Personnel for the Algerian air defense forces are trained at the Air Defense School (training period is four years). The ground forces have a field and anti-aircraft artillery school. Some specialists for the air defense troops are expected to be trained in Russia.

Bahrain. Air defense units are part of the ground forces. They are represented by a mixed anti-aircraft division, consisting of two batteries of anti-aircraft guided missiles (SAM) and an anti-aircraft artillery battery. Air defense units are also included in combined arms units. In total, the Bahrain Armed Forces have 15 missile launchers (Advanced Hawk - 8, Crotal - 7), 78 MANPADS (RBS-70 - 60, Stinger - 18), 27 anti-aircraft guns(40 mm L/70 - 12, 35 mm Oerlikon - 15). In the coming years, it is planned to modernize the “Advanced Hawk” and “Crotal” air defense systems available to the troops, and to additionally purchase 100 MANPADS.

Egypt. The air defense troops (75 thousand people, including 50 thousand conscripts, reserve component - 70 thousand people) were separated into an independent branch of the armed forces in 1968. They include anti-aircraft missile forces (ZRV), anti-aircraft artillery (AA) and radio engineering units. Air defense troops carry out their tasks of defending the country from enemy air attacks in cooperation with Air Force fighter aircraft and military air defense units. The Egyptian Air Defense Forces are one of the largest and most complex military systems in the Middle East.

The highest organizational unit of a branch of the armed forces is an air defense division, which, depending on the nature of the tasks performed, may include several anti-aircraft missile brigades (4-8 missile brigades in each), anti-aircraft artillery regiments and divisions, as well as RTV units. There are five divisions in total (according to the number of air defense zones: Central, Western, Northern, Eastern and Southern). There are also separate anti-aircraft missile brigades and up to 100 ZA divisions. The basis of Egypt's air defense forces and means still consists of anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems supplied in the 1970s from the USSR. Currently, Egypt is taking measures to gradually modernize its air defense forces and increase their combat effectiveness.

The air defense missile system is armed with 40 S-75 air defense systems, 50 S-125 air defense systems, 14 Kvadrat air defense systems, 12 Advanced Hawk missile defense batteries, 12 Chaparel missile defense batteries, 14 Crotal missile defense batteries. In total, the troops have 875 missile launchers (S-75 - 300, S-125 - 232, Kvadrat - 200, Improved Hawk - 78, Chaparral - 33, Crotal - 32). The air defense units also have 18 anti-aircraft missile and gun systems (ZRPK) "Amon" (short-range air defense system "Skygard" RIM-7F "Sparou" and 35-mm anti-aircraft guns) and 36 air defense missile systems of national production "Sinai-23" (twin 23 -mm ZU and MANPADS "Ain Sakr"). The anti-aircraft artillery units are armed with up to 2,000 guns of 100, 85, 57, 37, 35, 30 and 23 mm caliber, as well as Strela-2 and Ain Sakr MANPADS. The radio technical troops are equipped with radars of Russian, English, American and Chinese production: P-11, P-12, P-14, P-18, P-15, P-35, “Obora-14”, “Tiger”, “Lion Systems” ", AN/TPS-59, AN/TPS-63, JY-9A.

Anti-aircraft missile units serve to cover important military installations, industrial zones, administrative centers and troop groups. They are designed to engage air targets at all altitudes. Anti-aircraft artillery units are designed primarily to combat low-flying air targets. The radio technical troops monitor airspace, collect and process data on the air situation, and control air defense forces and means.

With the help of the United States, Egypt has created a unified air defense control system that unites air defense firepower, fighter aircraft, automated radar surveillance and warning centers, as well as E-2C Hawkeye long-range radar surveillance aircraft (AWACS). Particular attention is paid to increasing the capabilities of air defense systems to detect and engage air targets at low altitudes.

The main grouping of forces and assets of the country's air defense forces is located in the areas of Cairo, Bilbeis, Beni Sueif, Luxor, El Minya, Ras Banas, Hurghada, Inshas, ​​Fayyad, Giankalis, Tanta and El Mansura.

In the second half of the 1990s, with Russian help, some air defense weapons were repaired and modernized. Deliveries of the Volga-3 air defense system, equipment for technical divisions, 5YA23 missiles for the Kvadrat air defense system, Oborona-14 and P-18 radars were carried out. Spare parts, new operational documentation and individual components were also supplied. Personnel were trained on the maintenance and use of the supplied equipment. In the period from 2001 to 2003, 50 S-125 Pechora air defense systems should be modernized to the Pechora-2 level (replacement of electronics, supply of new launchers, etc.). According to experts, after modernization the effectiveness of the air defense system will increase by 250-300%. At the same time, under US pressure, the Egyptians refused to purchase S-300 air defense systems from Russia.

The air defense forces should receive from the United States six batteries (48 launchers) of the Patriot missile defense system and 384 RAK-2 missiles. However, the Egyptians postponed the final resolution of this issue until 2006 for financial reasons. The Egyptian side is also showing interest in acquiring a ground-based version American rocket AMRAAM for its use in the interests of air defense. In particular, it is planned to replace Russian Kvadrat air defense systems with AMRAAM missiles. In 1996, a contract was signed with the United States to modernize the Advanced Hawk air defense system. An agreement was concluded with the United States on the modernization of the AN/TPS-59/M39 early warning radar, which were delivered in 1991.

The ground forces of Egypt are armed with 96 short-range air defense systems (M54 Chaparral - 26, Strela-1 - 20, Avenger - 50), Sinai-23 air defense systems - 36, MANPADS - over 600 (Strela- 2", "Ain Sakr", "Stinger"), anti-aircraft artillery guns (ZSU-57-2 - 40, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 118, 57-mm AZP S-60, 37-mm AZP - 200 , 23 mm ZU-23-2 - 280).

Each mechanized division has an anti-aircraft artillery regiment and an anti-aircraft artillery battalion, and in tank division- anti-aircraft artillery regiment or mixed anti-aircraft missile and artillery division. A separate mechanized (infantry) brigade has an anti-aircraft division.

The country's enterprises produce and repair Sinai-23 and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft systems, Ain Sakr MANPADS (a version of the Soviet Strela-2 MANPADS), and radar.

Officers for the Egyptian Air Defense Forces are trained at the Air Defense College (Alexandria), founded in 1974. The training period for command personnel is 4 years, for engineering personnel - 5 years. Advanced training for officers is carried out at the Air Defense Institute (established in 1967).

Jordan. The air defense forces are subordinate to a separate command (organizationally part of the Air Force headquarters) and are represented by two brigades of the Advanced Hawk missile defense system (14 batteries, 80 launchers) and several anti-aircraft artillery batteries. They cover the most important administrative, economic and military installations, mainly around the capital Amman. The Jordanian air defense system requires modernization. Currently her radar equipment have insufficient capabilities to detect low-flying targets. This is largely due to the mountainous terrain, which allows enemy aircraft to covertly approach the most important centers of the country at low altitudes. Moreover, the latter are located close to the border.

The armament and equipment of the air defense forces are maintained in combat-ready condition. Their technical maintenance is at an appropriate level. In the coming years, it is planned to modernize the Advanced Hawk air defense system and purchase three new radars.

IN combat strength The Jordanian ground forces have three air defense brigades, subordinate to the Northern Central and Eastern Commands, respectively. The armored division also includes an anti-aircraft missile brigade. The ground forces are armed with 144 air defense systems (Osa-AK - 52, Strela-10 - 92), MANPADS (Strela-2, Igla - 300, Redai - 260) and 416 anti-aircraft artillery guns (40-mm ZSU M42 - 264, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 52, 20-mm ZSU M161 "Vulcan" - 100). Air defense units and subunits of the ground forces generally have good weapons and a high level of personnel training.

Yemen. Currently, the military-political leadership of the country is placing the main emphasis in increasing the combat power of the national armed forces, increasing their combat capability and combat readiness on strengthening and developing the air force and air defense. Air defense units are part of the Air Force and number 2 thousand people. They are armed with S-75, S-125 and Kvadrat air defense systems. The government intends to purchase 5 divisions of the S-300 PMU-1 air defense system from Russia.

The ground forces have 2 air defense brigades, 4 separate anti-aircraft artillery divisions, and an anti-aircraft missile division. Each mechanized brigade has an anti-aircraft battery. The ground forces are armed with the Strela-10 air defense system, 800 Strela-2 and Strela-3 MANPADS, 530 anti-aircraft guns and installations (85-mm KS-12 - 40, 57-mm AZP S-60 - 120 , 37-mm AZP - 150, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 50, ZU-23-2 - 100, 20-mm ZSU M163 - "Vulcan" - 20, 20-mm ZU M167 - 50).

Qatar. The Qatari Air Force has air defense units armed with short-range air defense systems Roland-2 (9 launchers) and Mistral (24 launchers), 42 MANPADS (Stinger - 12, Strela-2 - 20, "Blowpipe" - 10). It is planned to purchase a batch of MANPADS for the ground forces in the near future.

Kuwait. The national air force includes air defense units armed with 4 Advanced Hawk air defense systems (24 launchers), 6 Amon air defense missile systems batteries (each with two Aspid short-range missile launchers, a Skygard fire control system, a radar and two twin 35-mm Oerlikon guns), 48 Starburst MANPADS.

The Kuwaiti side is showing interest in acquiring Russian short-range air defense systems "Tor-1M" and air defense systems "Pantsir".

Based on the 1991 agreement, Kuwait is participating in the creation of a joint early warning radar network as a component of the joint command and control system in the structure of the GCC defense forces.

Libya. The air defense troops are part of the combined branch of the armed forces - the air force and air defense. At the same time, a special air defense command was organized after the events of 1986 associated with American air raids on Libyan targets. It has under its command 4 air defense brigades equipped with the S-200VE "Vega" air defense system (each brigade has 2 missile batteries of 6 launchers, 4 anti-aircraft artillery batteries, a radar company), 6 air defense brigades equipped with the S-75M "Desna" air defense system, 3 air defense brigades , equipped with the S-125M Neva-M air defense system, and 3 air defense missile systems equipped with the Kvadrat and Osa air defense systems (20-24 self-propelled launchers in each). The Russian Senezh system is used to control air defense forces and means. A significant part of the air defense weapons and equipment is physically and morally outdated, which, along with poor training of personnel, does not allow them to be used effectively to counter modern means of air attack.

Currently, the Libyan command expresses a desire to purchase 80 S-300PMU-1 (PMU-2) air defense missile launchers from Russia.

The air defense units of the Libyan ground forces are armed with the Strela-1, Strela-10 air defense systems, 24 Krotal missile launchers, and MANPADS. various types, 600 anti-aircraft artillery guns and ZSU (57-mm AZP S-60, 30-mm ZP, ZU-23-2, 40-mm ZSU M53, ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”).

Officers are trained at air defense military colleges in Tripoli and Misrata. There is also an air defense officer school. The duration of study in colleges and schools is from three to five years (for engineers).

Morocco. The territory of Morocco is divided into five air defense zones. Back in 1982, an automated control system for air defense forces and means came into operation. It includes an underground control and warning center and up to 10 stationary and mobile radar posts (RLP). 63 AN/TPS-43 radars, communications equipment and computers are deployed at the stationary radar stations. Mobile radars are placed on three trailers each and must, during a period of threat, by special decision, occupy pre-prepared positions. All control system equipment was manufactured in the USA, and Moroccan specialists were also trained there. Air defense radio units are organizationally part of the Royal Air Force.

The Moroccan ground forces have an air defense group. In total, the air defense units of the ground forces are armed with 37 M54 Chaparral missile launchers, 70 Strela-2 MANPADS, 205 anti-aircraft artillery guns (100-mm KS-19 - 15, ZU-23-2 - 90, 20-mm - 100 (M167 - 40, ZSU M163 "Vulcan" - 60).

UAE. Currently, the country does not have a unified air defense system. The bulk of the available air defense forces and means are organizationally part of the Air Force and perform tasks to cover administrative centers, oil complex facilities, airfields, and various military installations.

The air defense forces are represented by a brigade, which consists of three divisions armed with 21 short-range missile launchers "Rapier" (12 launchers) and "Crotal" (9 launchers), and 5 batteries of the "Advanced Hawk" missile defense system. In addition, air defense units have 13 RBS-70 and 100 Mistral MANPADS, as well as Igla and Javelin MANPADS.

All air defense systems are deployed in positions and are on combat duty. To support the activities of air defense fire weapons, a network of stationary radar posts equipped with radars manufactured in the USA, Great Britain and Germany has been deployed in the country.

The air defense units of the UAE ground forces are armed with 40 MANPADS (Mistral - 20, Blowpipe - 20), 62 anti-aircraft guns (30-mm - 20, 20-mm ZSU M3VDA - 42).

Considering the fact that at the present stage air defense forces and means are only able to carry out the tasks assigned to them to a limited extent, the Emirati leadership provides for the implementation of a set of measures to further development capabilities of air defense forces. In particular, it is planned to purchase additional quantities of the Advanced Hawk air defense system. In August 2000, a contract was signed with Russia for the supply of Pantsir-1 air defense systems (50 launchers) in the amount of $734 million. The UAE is participating in the creation of a unified GCC air defense system.

Oman. Air defense units (two squadrons of short-range missiles "Rapier", 28 launchers) are organizationally part of the Air Force. Four additional batteries of 35-mm anti-aircraft guns were purchased from South Africa. The Rapier air defense system is being modernized to the level of the Rapier B1 (X) model with new rocket"Matra-2" with infrared guidance and proximity fuse. Negotiations are underway on the supply of an additional batch of Rapier missiles. In 2001, deliveries of Italian S793D radars were completed. It is planned to create a network of early warning radars and modernize the air defense communications system. The Italian side pledged to provide assistance in training personnel of radio engineering units.

The air defense units of the Omani ground forces are armed with MANPADS "Blowpipe", "Javelin" (14), "Strela-2" (34), 26 anti-aircraft guns (40-mm L/60 "Bofors" - 12, 35-mm GDF- 005 - 10, ZU-23-2 - 4). If the financial situation further improves, it is planned to purchase MANPADS, other weapons and equipment for military air defense.

Saudi Arabia. The air defense troops (16 thousand people) are an independent branch of the armed forces. They are headed by a commander who has his own headquarters. Air defense forces consist of anti-aircraft missile forces, anti-aircraft artillery and RTV units. Interceptor fighters are operationally subordinate to air defense.

Organizationally, the air defense forces are divided into six groups. The 1st group (headquarters in Riyadh) includes three batteries of the Advanced Hawk missile defense system and two batteries of the Oerlikon missile system; 2nd group (Jeddah) - three batteries of Us. Hawk", a battery of Krotal missile defense systems, two batteries of Shahin missile defense systems, a battery of 30-mm charger and two batteries of Oerlikon charger, as well as The educational center air defense troops; 3rd group - (Tabuk) - two batteries of Us. Hawk”, battery of “Shakhin” missile defense systems; 4th group (Khamis-Mushayt) - battery of Us. Hawk", a battery of "Shakhin" missile defense systems, two batteries of a 30-mm charger, a battery of "Oerlikon" charger; 5th group (Dhahran) - six batteries of Us. Hawk", two batteries of the "Shakhin" missile defense system, five batteries of the "Oerlikon" missile launcher; 6th group (Hafr el-Batin) - two batteries of Us. Hawk", four Oerlikon batteries. In total, the air defense forces have 33 missile defense batteries (16 - "Us. Hawk" and 17 - "Shakhin").

In total, the air defense forces are armed with 128 MIM-23B "Advanced Hawk" missile launchers, 141 "Shakhin" self-propelled launchers (SPU) and 40 "Krotal" SPU, as well as 270 anti-aircraft guns and installations: 35-mm "Oerlikon" - 128, 30-mm ZSU AMX-30SA - 50, 20-mm ZSU M163 "Vulcan" - 92. In addition, there are 70 40-mm L/70 anti-aircraft guns in warehouses.

The Gulf War gave a strong impetus to the development of Saudi air defenses, generally maintaining the general concept of their improvement, which included the creation of a multi-level integrated air defense system for the kingdom. In the 1990s, 21 batteries of Patriot missile defense systems (including 2 training ones) with 1055 missiles were purchased for the air defense forces. Further improvement of the country's air defense system is a priority area of ​​national military development. In the future, the command intends to bring the country's air defense system closer in efficiency to Western models.

Currently, air defense troops are entrusted with covering important administrative, economic and military facilities: the country's capital, oil production areas, troop groups, air force and missile bases.

Saudi Arabia's air defense forms the basis of the GCC's Peace Shield air defense system. Its construction was largely completed in 1995. The Peace Shield includes 17 AN/FPS-117(V)3 long-range radars, three D radar systems coupled with AN-PPS-43 and AN-TPS-72 short- and medium-range radars. The system's control center is located in Riyadh. It controls five sectors, with command posts located in Dhahran (East), Al Kharj (Centre), Khamis Mushait (South), Taif (West) and Tabuk (Northwest). Air Force Bases have operational centers that are integrated with AWACS aircraft (5 units) E-3A AWACS, fighter aircraft, missile defense and anti-aircraft artillery batteries.

Saudi troops are taking part in the regularly held joint air force and air defense exercises of the GCC countries "Peninsula Falcon".

Air defense systems of the ground forces are represented by the short-range air defense system "Shakhin" ("Krotal") and 1000 MANPADS ("Stinger" - 500, "Redai" - 500). The modernization of the Shahin air defense system continues. Each mechanized and armored brigade has an anti-aircraft division.

Officer cadres for the air defense forces are trained at the largest and oldest military educational institution in the kingdom, the Military College named after. King Abdulaziz in the Riyadh suburb of Al Ain.

Syria. The Air Force and Air Defense Forces (100 thousand people, including 40 thousand in the Air Force and 60 thousand in the Air Defense) represent a single branch of the armed forces. At the same time, the air defense forces have a separate command, subordinate to the commander of the combined branch of the armed forces.

The territory of Syria is divided into Northern and Southern zone Air defense. To control air defense forces and assets, there are three fully computerized command posts.

Air defense formations and units are represented by two air defense divisions, 25 anti-aircraft missile brigades (individual and as part of air defense divisions, up to 150 batteries in total) and units of radio technical troops. They are armed with 908 SAM launchers (600 S-75 and S-125, 200 Kvadrat, 48 S-200 long-range SAM launchers, 60 Osa SAM launchers), as well as up to 4,000 anti-aircraft artillery guns.

The S-200 missile defense regiment consists of two missile divisions with two batteries each.

The air defense units of the Syrian ground forces are armed with 55 short-range air defense systems (Strela-10 - 35, Strela-1 - 20); 4000 MANPADS "Strela-2" and "Igla"; 2050 anti-aircraft artillery guns (100-mm KS-19 - 25, 57-mm AZP S-60 - 675, 37-mm AZP - 300, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 400, ZU-23-2 - 650) .

In service Syrian air defense consists mainly of outdated S-75, S-125 and “Kvadrat” air defense systems (the latter have undergone partial modernization work) and radio equipment that are not able to effectively counteract modern air attack weapons. There are problems with personnel training. The command, given the significant role that aviation played in the fighting in the zone Persian Gulf, in the war in Yugoslavia and a number of other local conflicts, pays special attention to strengthening and improving air defense forces and means.

Syria expresses a desire to purchase S-300PMU air defense systems, Buk-M1 and Tor-M1 air defense systems from Russia.

Officers for the air defense forces are trained at the Air Defense College.

Sudan. The air defense troops are separated into a separate type of armed forces, which include five S-75 missile defense batteries (18 launchers) and anti-aircraft artillery units. All equipment is morally and physically outdated and is not able to effectively counteract modern means of air attack.

The Sudanese ground forces are armed with 54 Strela-2 MANPADS and anti-aircraft guns (85-mm, 57-mm AZP S-60 and Type-59, 37-mm AZP, ZU-23-2).

Tunisia. The country's air defense tasks are assigned to the ground forces. However, the air defense systems they have in their arsenal have limited capabilities to hit air targets only at low altitudes and are able to cover only individual objects.

The Tunisian ground forces are armed with 25 M48 Chaparral air defense systems, 48 ​​RBS-70 MANPADS, 115 anti-aircraft artillery guns (37-mm Type 55/65 AZP - 15, 20-mm M55 - 100). Each mechanized brigade has an anti-aircraft division. In the near future, it is planned to increase the number of MANPADS.

Mauritania. The ground forces have 4 anti-aircraft batteries. Air defense systems are represented by 30 Strela-2 MANPADS, 100-mm KS-19 anti-aircraft guns (12), 57-mm S-60 AZP (2), 37-mm AZP (10), 23-mm ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns -2 (20). The troops also have ZPU-2 and ZPU-4 anti-aircraft machine gun mounts.

Lebanon. The ground forces are armed with 10 40-mm M42 self-propelled guns and 23 and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns.

Djibouti. The ground forces are armed with 15 anti-aircraft guns (40 mm L/70 - 5, ZU-23-2 - 5, 20 mm - 5).

Military air defense formations are designed to cover troop groups and military logistics facilities, important state infrastructure facilities located in the area of ​​responsibility of the combined arms commander. In the context of the rapid development of aerospace attack means of the armies of foreign states, formations, military units and air defense units have become an integral part of 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. As shown practical actions troops at the training grounds, the level of training of soldiers and officers has increased significantly, especially in practical terms.

The basis of the military air defense weapon system 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 Polyana-D4M1 automation equipment complex (CAS), 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.

Reconnaissance means include mobile radar stations (radars) of the standby mode “Sky-SV”, “Sky-SVU” and combat mode “Ginger”, “Obzor”, “Dome”, as well as portable radars “Garmon”. Currently, research and development work is being carried out to create a new generation of air defense weapons. The basic areas of the technological basis of such work are microelectronics, computer science and robotics.

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

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

In 2011, the Air Defense Forces received a new modification of the Tor-M2U air defense system, which today is the only one in the world in terms of simultaneous firing of four air targets by one combat vehicle. Compared to the previous modification, it has 1.5 times increased parameters of the affected area in 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 brigade is being planned to equip it with sets of control equipment from the Barnaul-T KSA, which in terms of its main characteristics corresponds to, and in terms of maneuverability, security, interchangeability of control equipment, and the time it takes to set a mission, it exceeds its foreign counterparts. The time it takes for commands (information) to pass from the air defense chief of a brigade to an air defense missile system (SAM) combat vehicle is no more than 1 second.