Air defense troops air defense troops. The current state of the Russian air defense system. Operational-strategic formations of air defense forces of the USSR and Russia

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 air 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.

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

Except anti-aircraft systems, protecting fleet bases in Primorye and Kamchatka, on 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, you yourself anti-aircraft systems long ranges need protection. They need to be covered from the air by short-range air defense systems. Today, regiments with the S-400 receive Pantsir-S air defense missile systems for this (2 per division), but the S-300P and B are not covered by anything, except, of course, for the effective protection of 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounts.

"Pantsir-S"

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

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

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

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

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

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

It should be taken into account that a significant part of the 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 fully perform combat mission- not anymore.

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 By the beginning of 2015, the number of vehicles manufactured under this contract reached 34.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DEFENSE FORCES ARMY

07.01.2016

Since 2015, the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces began using a new type of target missile in exercises that simulates high-speed targets. This was announced by the head of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov.
“To create a complex target environment during tactical live-fire exercises, the new Pincene target missile was used for the first time, simulating high-speed targets with the characteristics of modern air attack weapons,” explained Alexander Leonov.
The main advantage of this target missile, according to him, is the ability to “carry out full cycle fire control using automation tools.”
In addition, to objectively assess the combat performance of crews and the results of live firing, the Conglomerat-1P mobile control system was used. It provides digital video recording and processing of the flight trajectory of anti-aircraft guided missiles and artillery shells of short-range and short-range anti-aircraft systems.
In 2015, 65 tactical live-fire exercises of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces were planned and conducted. They were carried out at the Kapustin Yar and Ashuluk training grounds in the Southern Military District and the Telemba training ground in the Eastern Military District.
In total, more than 10 thousand military personnel, including 1.5 thousand officers, took part in the training events; up to 3.5 thousand units of weapons, military and special equipment were involved.
Department of Press Service and Information of the Ministry of Defense Russian Federation

25.12.2016


The military air defense (air defense) of the Russian Armed Forces conducted 120 exercises, during which 1043 target missiles were hit, the head of the air defense troops of the Russian Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov, said on the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
The Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces (SV) of the Russian Armed Forces celebrate the anniversary of their formation on Saturday. The formation of military air defense units began with the order of the Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army dated December 13 (26), 1915 on the formation of separate four-gun light batteries for firing at the air fleet. According to the order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation dated February 9, 2007, the date of creation of military air defense is considered to be December 26.
“In total, 129 exercises were conducted in 2016,” Leonov said. He noted that during these exercises, 1,043 target missiles were destroyed.
RIA News

25.12.2016


Russia has begun the development of a new man-portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS). Interfax reports this with reference to the head of the air defense of the Ground Forces of the Russian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov.
“The development of a new MANPADS is underway,” Leonov said on the Ekho Moskvy radio station, adding that domestic MANPADS are now significantly superior to any foreign analogues.
Man-portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS) is an anti-aircraft missile system designed to be transported and fired by one person. In Russia, the Igla and Verba MANPADS are in service. The Strela and Igla missile systems developed in the USSR were exported to dozens of countries around the world and are still actively used in armed conflicts.
https://lenta.ru

25.12.2016


Buk-M2 anti-aircraft missile systems will no longer be supplied to the Russian Ground Forces; re-equipment with Buk-M3 systems is underway.
This was announced by the head of the military air defense of the Russian Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov.
“There will be no more deliveries of Buk-M2 (to the Ground Forces). At the beginning of next year, retraining for the Buk-M3 complexes will begin,” he said on the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
TASS

Anti-aircraft missile system 9K317M "BUK-M3"


26.12.2016


Three new anti-aircraft missile brigades have been formed in two military districts, the head of the military air defense (air defense) of the Russian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov, said on Saturday on the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
“The formation of our new connections continues. To date, three anti-aircraft missile brigades have been formed: one long-range air defense brigade in the Southern (military) district and two anti-aircraft missile brigades medium range in the Southern and Eastern military districts,” Leonov said.
He noted that, in addition, military air defense units and formations are being re-equipped with new equipment.
“We are re-equipping the existing one air defense missile system and regiment. Seven anti-aircraft missile divisions have been re-equipped with the new Tor-M2 short-range complex, and a planned re-equipment of short-range systems is underway - the Strela-10MN anti-aircraft missile system and Verba MANPADS,” Leonov said.
RIA News

12.01.2017


According to the head of the air defense troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov, the main efforts of combat training of military air defense in the past academic year were focused on organizing and conducting planned training of formations, military units and subunits in accordance with their mission.
In total, 129 tactical live-fire exercises were conducted in 2016. Of these, 98 are with anti-aircraft missile (anti-aircraft) units and units of military districts and the Northern Fleet and 31 are with units Airborne troops.
At the same time, more than 50% of formations, military units and subunits were rated “good” and “excellent” based on the results of tactical exercises. The total consumption of missiles was more than 1000, ammunition - more than 40 thousand, target missiles - more than 1000.
Over 15 thousand military personnel were involved in the exercises, more than 3.5 thousand units of weapons, military and special equipment were involved.
During the exercise, several innovative approaches were tested for the first time.
Firstly, it is the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to create a complex air situation that meets modern realities, as well as to monitor the actions of inspected formations, military units and subunits. For the first time, the Conglomerat-1P complex, which has no analogues in the world, was used to objectively assess the results of firing.
Secondly, during tactical live-fire exercises, modern Barnaul-T automated control systems were widely used, which made it possible to significantly reduce the time for assessing the situation and making decisions.

13.01.2017


By the end of 2020, formations, units and air defense units of the Ground Forces will be re-equipped with anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) S-300V4 (long-range), Buk-M3 (medium-range) and Tor-M2 (short-range), anti-aircraft artillery systems and man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS) of a new generation (short-range).
This was announced by the head of the air defense troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov.
In accordance with the decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the share of modern models of military air defense equipment included in the list of priorities and determining the appearance of promising weapons systems will be more than 70%.
Building up combat personnel and complete re-equipment will lead to an increase in the combat capabilities of the air defense forces of the ground forces by almost two times (1.8 times), which will significantly increase the effectiveness of air defense.
As a result, a reliable air defense system will be created in all strategic directions to cover not only troop groups, but also important government facilities in the areas of responsibility.
Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

14.05.2017


Military air defense (air defense) specialists of the Ground Forces are being retrained for new types of weapons, this was stated by the head of the combat training department of the Ground Forces, Colonel Roman Benyukov.
"IN winter period training trained specialists for seven types of basic equipment. Today, the number of trained military personnel corresponds to the amount of new equipment received, which ensures its high-quality operation,” emphasized Colonel Roman Benyukov.
He also said that the main efforts of the military air defense of the Air Force were aimed at training junior specialists and retraining formations, military units and subunits on newest types weapons and military equipment (anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes S-300V4, "Buk-M2", "Buk-M3", "Tor-M2U", "Tor-M2", man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems "Verba"), and for missile troops and artillery in four training centers during the winter training period, about 1.5 thousand people were trained.
The created combat training system includes three areas: training of conscripted and contract military personnel and university students, added the head of the combat training department of the Army.

06.01.2018


In the interests of the Ground Forces, a universal mechanized training complex has been developed and is completing tests, intended for training military air defense units and testing promising air defense systems.
The complex created software and remotely controlled reusable targets that simulate a cruise missile, tactical UAV, jet aircraft and hovering attack helicopter.
The complex also allows you to create a dynamically changing air situation, such as a “star” raid, for practicing electronic and combat launches by air defense missile crews.


Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

09.01.2018


Based on the results of combat training in 2017, more than ten military air defense units of the Ground Forces were awarded the honorary title “Shock”.
About 90 tactical exercises were conducted with military air defense units of the Ground Forces in 2017, in which more than 14.5 thousand military personnel and more than 3.5 thousand weapons and special equipment took part.
The military air defense training centers of the Ground Forces have trained about 2 thousand junior specialists, of which more than 250 are military personnel serving under contract.
In addition, in 2018 it is planned to equip modern weapons and equipment, including: two military air defense formations - the Tor-M2 short-range anti-aircraft missile system; air defense units operating in the Arctic and Far North - the Tor-M2DT short-range anti-aircraft missile system; air defense units of combined arms formations - the Verba portable anti-aircraft missile system.
The systematic and annual increase in the combat strength of troops, the implementation of complete rearmament with modern anti-aircraft missile systems will make it possible by 2020 to increase combat capabilities air defense troops.
Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

09.03.2018


The air defense systems and complexes of the Ground Forces of the Russian Armed Forces are capable of fighting all existing means of air attack; they have no analogues in the world, which is confirmed by their high competitiveness in the arms market, said Colonel-General Oleg Salyukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces.
“The modern weapons of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces are in many ways superior to their predecessors and have no analogues in the world, which is confirmed by their high competitiveness in the arms market. According to their characteristics, the anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes in service with the branch of the armed forces are capable of combating all existing means of air attack,” Salyukov said in an interview with the newspaper of the Russian Armed Forces “Red Star”, published on the publication’s website on Wednesday.
He noted that now the air defense forces of the Ground Forces have received a new impetus for development. “New anti-aircraft missile formations have been formed, armed with the S-300V4 anti-aircraft missile system (the most long-range in its class of weapons, capable of hitting ballistic targets in the extra-atmospheric zone) and the Buk-M2 complex. Re-equipment is being carried out with the Buk-MZ and Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile systems and the Verba man-portable anti-aircraft missile system. Currently, the Armed Forces maintain two brigades of the Buk-M3 air defense system, two regiments and seven divisions of the Tor-M2 (M2U) air defense system and eight units of the Verba MANPADS,” the commander-in-chief said.
According to him, the prospect further development type of troops is to equip them with the latest highly effective anti-aircraft missiles and artillery systems, in implementing the latest developments that will significantly increase the effectiveness of anti-aircraft weapons in the fight against modern air enemies, in increasing the level of combat training of troops, in improving the system for training highly qualified air defense specialists.
RIA News

06.01.2019


In 2019, military air defense units of the Ground Forces will receive five anti-aircraft missile systems and anti-aircraft missile systems. As part of the execution of the state defense order, manufacturing enterprises will transfer to the Russian Ministry of Defense a brigade set of S-300V4 air defense systems, divisional sets of BUK-M3 and TOR-M2 air defense systems.
The systematic and annual increase in the combat strength of the troops, the implementation of complete rearmament with modern anti-aircraft missile systems will make it possible by 2020 to increase the combat capabilities of the air defense forces by more than 1.3 times.
Russian Ministry of Defense

GROUND FORCES WILL RECEIVE S-300V4 AND BUK-M3 ANTI-AIRCY COMPLEXES IN 2019

AIR DEFENSE FORCES OF THE GROUND FORCES

Air Defense Forces (Air Defense Forces) are a branch of the Ground Forces, designed to cover troops and objects from the actions of enemy air attacks when combined arms formations and formations conduct operations (combat operations), perform regroupings (march) and are stationed on the spot. They are responsible for 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 management missile defense in theaters of war.
Organizationally, the Air Defense Forces of the Northern Forces consist of military command and control bodies, command posts Air defense, anti-aircraft missile (missile and artillery) and radio technical formations, military units and subunits. They are capable of destroying enemy air attack weapons in the entire range of altitudes (extremely low - up to 200 m, low - from 200 to 1000 m, medium - from 1000 to 4000 m, high - from 4000 to 12000 m and in the stratosphere - more than 12000 m) and flight speeds.

Formations, military units and air defense units of the Air Force are equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, anti-aircraft guns and missile systems(systems) and man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems. Depending on the range of destruction of air targets, they are divided into short-range systems - up to 10 km, short-range - up to 30 km, medium-range - up to 100 km and long-range - more than 100 km.

Further development of the air defense forces of the ground forces is carried out by increasing mobility, survivability, secrecy of operation, degree of automation, fire performance, expanding the parameters of the affected area, reducing reaction time and weight-dimensional characteristics of anti-aircraft missile (missile and artillery) systems.

THE RUSSIAN ARMED FORCES CELEBRATE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MILITARY AIR DEFENSE

On December 26, 2015, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation celebrate the 100th anniversary of the formation of military air defense (air defense). Exactly a century ago, in accordance with the order of the Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief dated December 13 (26), 1915 No. 368, the formation of separate four-gun light batteries for firing at air targets began.
On the official website of the Russian Ministry of Defense, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, a special information section “100 years of military air defense” was opened.
The section opens with congratulations to the personnel on the anniversary of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergei Shoigu.
The section is based on numerous historical documents and memories of military veterans about the stages of formation and development of the oldest special branch of the armed forces in the Armed Forces.
Currently, the basis of military air defense consists of formations, military units and air defense units of the Ground Forces, Airborne Forces and Coastal Forces Navy. They are designed to conduct reconnaissance and repel enemy air attacks, protect troop groups and facilities from air strikes in all types of combat operations.
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 integral part combined arms formations from the tactical to the operational-strategic level.
In 2015, 65 tactical exercises with military air defense formations and units with live fire were planned and conducted. They were carried out at the Kapustin Yar and Ashuluk training grounds on the territory of the Southern Military District and the Telemba training ground on the territory of the Eastern Military District.
In total, more than 10 thousand people were involved in the maneuvers, including 1.5 thousand officers and up to 3.5 thousand weapons, military and special equipment.
Currently, the planned re-equipment of formations, military units and military air defense units with new anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes “S-300V4”, “Buk-M2”, “Tor-M2U”, man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems “Verba” is underway. New complexes and systems have incorporated best qualities their predecessors and are capable of hitting both aerodynamic and ballistic targets, cruise missiles, air reconnaissance and electronic warfare equipment.
In 2016, the first brigade set of the Buk-M3 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system is planned to be delivered to the Ground Forces.
For the period until 2020, the main directions for the development of military air defense are:
improving the organizational and staffing structures of military command and control bodies, formations, military units and air defense units of the Ground Forces in order to maximize the use of the combat capabilities of the incoming and developed anti-aircraft missile weapons;
development of new generation air defense weapons and military equipment capable of effectively combating all types of air attack weapons, including those created on the basis of hypersonic technologies.
improving the system for training highly qualified personnel for military air defense, including junior specialists studying in specialized training centers of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces.
The most important task for the High Command of the Ground Forces is to train the main core of personnel for the Air Defense Forces - specialist officers.
Training of personnel for military air defense is carried out at the Military Academy of Military Air Defense of the RF Armed Forces named after Marshal Soviet Union A. M. Vasilevsky. Today, the Military Academy of Military Air Defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is a single educational and scientific center that provides multi-level training of air defense officers with the highest operational-tactical training and full military-special training for the air defense forces of the Ground Forces, Airborne Forces, coastal forces of the fleets, as well as other ministries and departments of the Russian Federation, as well as the leading Scientific research, training of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel. The Academy has 17 departments, five faculties and a research center. The training of military specialists at the academy is carried out in 38 specialties.
In addition, the training of officers for military air defense is carried out at five military departments and in two military training centers at civilian universities.
Training of junior specialists is carried out in two training centers for air defense troops of the Ground Forces and two training centers for training air defense specialists from the training center according to 4-month training programs (including 1 month of combined arms training and 3 months of specialty training).
More than 4.5 thousand specialists are trained annually in 25 military accounting specialties.
Since 2014, for the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, the training of reserve soldiers and sergeants has been carried out at military departments and military training centers in 5 higher educational institutions vocational education in 20 military registration specialties. Currently, over 1,300 people are undergoing training; from August 2016, the number of trainees will increase to 2,000 thousand.
As part of the International Army Games 2015, Russian air defense specialists took part in the “Masters of Anti-Aircraft Combat” competition, showed good results and took first place.
The “Masters of Anti-Aircraft Combat” competition was held in Yeisk Krasnodar region on the basis of the 726th training center of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces. 6 teams from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, these are the Republic of Belarus, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the team of the Russian Federation.
Currently, the methods developed during the training of the team for the training of air defense troops specialists are actively being implemented and used in organizing and carrying out combat training activities.
In 2016, the name of the competition itself and its program changed. The competition will now be called “ Clear sky- 2016.” This is due to changes in team composition and weapons. In addition to a unit armed with man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems, a unit armed with anti-aircraft guns with a caliber of up to 25 mm will also take part. Also, the number of competitive disciplines has been increased. Teams will compete in the sprint (with shooting from MANPADS and ZU), the pursuit (with shooting from MANPADS and ZU) and the combined relay.
All changes to the program were made taking into account the wishes of foreign colleagues - participants in the last competition.

As part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of military air defense in all military districts, at the Military Academy, training centers of air defense forces, festive and military-patriotic events were and are being held in December with the participation of military personnel, veterans of military air defense, public figures and youth.
Significant events for the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, held as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of military air defense, are:
laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (December 26, Moscow);
a ceremonial meeting at the cultural and leisure center of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation “Preobrazhensky”, with the participation of the senior staff of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (December 26, Moscow);
opening of a bust of the first chief of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, Hero of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Artillery V.I. Kazakov (December 19, 726 training center of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces (Yeysk, Krasnodar Territory);
laying a capsule with a message to descendants at the memorial complex named after Hero of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Artillery V.I. Kazakov (December 25, 106th Air Defense Training Center of the Ground Forces (Orenburg).

Alexey Leonkov

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

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

Results of the work of Almaz-Antey

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

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

Buk-M3 air defense system
The Buk-M3 target detection station (STS) now tracks up to 36 targets at a distance of up to 70 kilometers across the entire altitude range. New rocket 9Р31М (9М317М) has higher speed and maneuverability characteristics compared to the Buk-M2 air defense missiles. It is placed in a transport and launch container (TPC), which provides additional protection for the missile and improves the camouflage characteristics of the launcher. The number of missiles on one launcher has increased from 4 to 6. In addition, 9A316M transport-launchers can also hit targets; they carry 12 missiles in a TPK.
The Buk-M3 equipment is built on a new element base; digital communications ensure a stable exchange of voice and combat information, as well as integration into the air defense technical control system.
The Buk-M3 air defense system intercepts almost all modern air defense systems that fly at speeds of up to 3000 m/s, thereby exceeding the capabilities of the Patriot air defense system (USA) by almost two times. In addition, the “American” is inferior to the “Buk” in terms of the lower limit of target fire (60 meters versus 10 meters) and in the duration of the target detection cycle at distant approaches. The Buk-M3 can do this in 10 seconds, and the Patriot in 90 seconds, while requiring target designation from a reconnaissance satellite.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Results of the work of Almaz-Antey

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

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

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

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

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

ZRS S-300V4

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

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

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

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

Buk-M3 air defense system

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

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

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

SAM Tor-M2U

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prospects for the development of Russian air defense systems

Fourth generation air defense automated control system

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

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

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

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

Fifth generation air defense system

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

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

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

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

Interaction with the Russian Aerospace Forces

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

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

Brief conclusions

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

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 the 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, the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces were created - a branch of the military that became an integral part of the Ground Forces.


2. War vehicles The Tor-M2U air defense system provides 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 VVKO, which until 1998 were part of independent species Armed Forces- Air defense forces of the country (air defense of the USSR and air defense of the Russian Federation).

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.