17.10.2019

Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Russian air defense: prospects and challenges What does air defense consist of

In the military construction of many states of the world, there is an increasingly stable trend towards the priority development of air attack means, forms and methods of their use, which fundamentally changes the nature of modern wars. The massive use of manned aircraft and cruise missiles (CR) against the most important military, administrative and economic facilities, infrastructure elements and groupings of troops became one of the most characteristic features of military operations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. 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 towards an ever wider use of tactical and operational-tactical ballistic missiles in regional armed conflicts.

Under these conditions, the problem of ensuring air security becomes one of the most important components national security of the state, which necessitates a comprehensive improvement of the forces and means of air defense, an increase in the volume of tasks assigned to the air defense forces. The intensity of the development of air attack weapons, the constant improvement of their performance 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 of the country and troops, the weakness or absence of which in the 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 recent experience of wars and armed conflicts, one of the important areas of military construction in the leading Arab countries ah is the development of air defense forces, equipping them with more effective means of detecting and destroying air targets at various ranges and altitudes, systems for controlling and processing information about the air situation.

To date, 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 indicators of their technical equipment leave much to be desired. Much attention is paid to the development of air defense by such countries as the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, and in Lately— Yemen.

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 the personnel of air defense formations in most Arab states does not allow to effectively solve the tasks of combating modern air attack weapons and thereby reliably cover even the most important administrative, economic and military facilities. None of the Arab countries has so far succeeded in creating 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 the adoption by the Armed Forces Saudi Arabia and Egypt of the American anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) "Patriot" and in the event that Algeria, Syria and Yemen acquire Russian anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) of the S-300 or S-400 type, the armed forces of these countries will be able to solve individual missile defense tasks.

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

Algeria. The air defense troops of the ANDR are a separate branch of the armed forces and organizationally consist of three anti-aircraft missile regiments (zrp) armed with S-125 Pechora, Kvadrat and Osa air defense systems (total 100 to launchers). In addition, there are three teams anti-aircraft artillery(725 guns of 130, 100 and 85 mm caliber) and units of radio engineering troops (RTV). In general, the air defense forces of the country have handicapped, and the equipment in their arsenal for the most part is outdated.

At present, in addition to the air defense units that are part of the combined arms formations and units, the Algerian ground forces have one anti-aircraft missile (zrdn) and six anti-aircraft artillery battalions. 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 technical condition and metrological maintenance of the control and measuring equipment of the S-125 Pechora air defense system. Work on the modernization of 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 acquiring Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems.

Personnel for the air defense forces of Algeria are trained at the air defense school (training period is four years). The ground forces have a field and anti-aircraft artillery school. Part of the specialists for the air defense forces is supposed 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. There are also air defense units in the combined arms units. In total, the Bahrain Armed Forces have 15 missile launchers (“Improved Hawk” - 8, “Krotal” - 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 “Improved Hawk” and “Krotal” air defense systems available in the troops, and additionally purchase 100 MANPADS.

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

The highest organizational unit of the type of armed forces is the air defense division, which, depending on the nature of the tasks performed, may include several anti-aircraft missile brigades (4-8 missiles each), anti-aircraft artillery regiments and divisions, as well as parts of the RTV. 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 the air defense forces and means of the ARE is still made up of anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems, delivered in the 1970s from the USSR. Currently, Egypt is taking measures to gradually modernize the air defense forces and increase their combat capability.

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 batteries of the Improved Hawk missile defense system, 12 batteries of the Chaparel missile defense system, 14 batteries of the Crotal missile defense system. In total, the troops have 875 missile launchers (S-75 - 300, S-125 - 232, "Square" - 200, "Improved Hawk" - 78, "Chaparel" - 33, "Krotal" - 32). The air defense units also have 18 anti-aircraft missile and gun systems (ZRPK) "Amon" (short-range air defense system "Skygard" RIM-7F "Sparow" and 35-mm anti-aircraft guns) and 36 ZRPK national production "Sinai-23" (paired 23 -mm ZU and MANPADS "Ain Sakr"). The anti-aircraft artillery units are armed with up to 2000 guns of 100, 85, 57, 37, 35, 30 and 23 mm caliber, Strela-2 and Ain Saqr MANPADS. The radio engineering troops are equipped with radars of Russian, English, American and Chinese production: P-11, P-12, P-14, P-18, P-15, P-35, Oborona-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 groupings of troops. They are designed to destroy air targets at all altitudes. Anti-aircraft artillery units are designed mainly to deal with low-flying air targets. The radio engineering troops exercise control over the airspace, collect and process data on the air situation, control the air defense forces and means.

With the help of the United States, a unified air defense control system has been created in Egypt, which combines air defense fire weapons, fighter aircraft, automated radar surveillance and warning centers, as well as long-range radar surveillance aircraft (AWACS) E-2C Hawkeye. Particular attention is paid to improving the capabilities of air defense systems to detect and destroy air targets at low altitudes.

The main grouping of forces and means of the country's air defense forces is located in the areas of Cairo, Bilbeis, Beni Suef, Luxor, El Minya, Ras Banas, Hurghada, Inshas, Fayyad, Giancalis, Tanta and El Mansoura.

In the second half of the 1990s, with Russian assistance, repairs and modernization of part of the air defense weapons were carried out. 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. Deliveries of spare parts, new operational documentation and individual components were also made. 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 upgraded to the level of "Pechora-2" (replacement of electronics, supply of new launchers, etc.). According to experts, after modernization, the effectiveness of air defense systems will increase by 250-300%. At the same time, under pressure from the United States, the Egyptians refused to purchase S-300 air defense systems from Russia.

Air defense forces are to receive six batteries (48 launchers) of Patriot missiles and 384 RAK-2 missiles from the United States. However, the Egyptians postponed the final decision on this issue until 2006 for financial reasons. The Egyptian side is also showing interest in acquiring a ground version of the American AMRAAM missile for use in the interests of air defense. In particular, it is planned to replace the Russian Kvadrat air defense systems with AMRAAM missiles. In 1996, a contract was signed with the United States for the modernization of 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 ARE ground forces are armed with 96 short-range air defense systems (M54 Chaparel - 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 a tank division has an anti-aircraft artillery regiment or a mixed anti-aircraft rocket-artillery battalion. A separate mechanized (infantry) brigade has an anti-aircraft division.

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

Officers for the Air Defense Forces of the ARE 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. The advanced training of 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 Improved Hawk missile defense system (14 batteries, 80 launchers) and several anti-aircraft artillery batteries. They cover the most important administrative, economic and military facilities, mainly around the capital Amman. The Jordanian air defense system needs modernization. Currently her radar facilities have insufficient ability to detect low-flying targets. This is largely due to the mountainous terrain, which allows enemy aircraft to covertly approach at low altitudes the most important centers of the country. Moreover, the latter are located near the border.

Armament and equipment of the air defense forces are maintained in combat readiness. Their 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.

The combat structure of the Jordanian ground forces has three air defense brigades, subordinate respectively to the Northern Central and Eastern Commands. The armored division also has 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 "Volcano" - 100). Air defense units and subunits of the ground forces as a whole have good weapons And high level personnel training.

Yemen. At present, the military-political leadership of the country is placing the main emphasis in building up 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 2,000 people. They are armed with S-75, S-125 and Kvadrat air defense systems. The government intends to purchase 5 S-300 PMU-1 air defense divisions from Russia.

The combat composition of the ground forces includes 2 air defense brigades, 4 separate anti-aircraft artillery battalions, and an anti-aircraft missile battalion. 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 - "Volcano" - 20, 20-mm ZU M167 - 50).

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

Kuwait. The national air force includes air defense units armed with 4 Advanced Hawk air defense systems (24 launchers), 6 batteries of Amon air defense systems (each has two Aspid short-range missile launchers, a Skygard fire control system, a radar station 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 missile systems "Pantsir".

Based on the 1991 agreement, Kuwait participates 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 Forces are part of the unified 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 US air raids on Libyan targets. It has 4 air defense missile systems equipped with S-200VE Vega air defense systems (each brigade has 2 missile batteries of 6 launchers, 4 anti-aircraft artillery batteries, a radar company), 6 air defense missile systems equipped with S-75M Desna air defense systems, 3 air defense missile systems equipped with S-125M Neva-M air defense systems, and 3 air defense missile systems equipped with Kvadrat and Osa air defense systems (20-24 self-propelled launchers in each). To control the forces and means of air defense is used Russian system"Senezh". A significant part of the air defense weapons and equipment is physically and morally obsolete, which, along with the poor training of personnel, does not allow them to be effectively used to counter modern air attack weapons.

At present, the Libyan command expresses a desire to acquire 80 S-300PMU-1 (PMU-2) air defense launchers in Russia.

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

Officers are being trained at military air defense colleges in Tripoli and Misurata. There is also an air defense officer school. The term 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 was put 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 on stationary radars. Mobile radars are placed on three trailers each and must take up pre-prepared positions during the threatened period by special decision. All control system equipment was manufactured in the USA, and Moroccan specialists were also trained there. The air defense radio engineering units are organizationally part of the Royal Air Force.

In the combat composition of the Moroccan ground forces there is an air defense group. In total, the air defense units of the ground forces are armed with 37 M54 Chaparel 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 "Volcano" - 60).

UAE. Currently, the country does not have a unified air defense system. The main part of the available air defense forces and means is organizationally part of the Air Force and performs the tasks of covering administrative centers, oil complex facilities, airfields, and various military facilities.

The air defense forces are represented by a brigade, which consists of three divisions armed with 21 Rapira (12 launchers) and Crotal (9 launchers) short-range missile launchers, and 5 Improved Hawk missile batteries. In addition, the air defense units have 13 RBS-70 MANPADS 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 ensure the operation of air defense 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, Bluepipe - 20), 62 anti-aircraft guns (30-mm - 20, 20-mm ZSU М3VDA - 42).

Taking into account the fact that at the present stage the air defense forces and means are only able to perform the tasks assigned to them to a limited extent, the Emirati leadership provides for the implementation of a set of measures to further develop the capabilities of the air defense forces. In particular, it is planned to purchase an additional number of "Improved Hawk" air defense systems. In August 2000, a contract was signed with Russia for the supply of Pantsir-1 anti-aircraft missile systems (50 launchers) in the amount of 734 million dollars. The UAE is participating in the creation of a unified GCC air defense system.

Oman. Air defense units (two squadrons of Rapira short-range missiles, 28 launchers) are organizationally part of the Air Force. Four batteries of 35-mm anti-aircraft guns were additionally purchased from South Africa. The Rapira air defense system is being upgraded to the level of the Rapira B1 (X) model with a new Matra-2 missile with infrared guidance and a proximity fuse. Negotiations are underway to supply an additional batch of Rapira 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 undertook to assist in the training of personnel of radio engineering units.

The air defense units of the ground forces of Oman 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). In the event of further improvement in the financial situation, it is planned to purchase MANPADS, other weapons and equipment for military air defense.

Saudi Arabia. Air defense troops (16 thousand people) are an independent branch of the armed forces. They are led by a commander who has his own headquarters. The air defense forces consist of anti-aircraft missile troops, anti-aircraft artillery and RTV units. Fighter-interceptors are in the operational subordination of the air defense.

Organizationally, the air defense forces are divided into six groups. The 1st group (headquarters in Riyadh) includes three batteries of the Improved Hawk SAM and two batteries of the Oerlikon SAM; 2nd group (Jeddah) - three batteries of missiles "Us. Khok, a Krotal SAM battery, two Shakhin SAM batteries, a 30-mm ZU battery and two Oerlikon ZU batteries, as well as an air defense training center; 3rd group - (Tabuk) - two batteries of missiles "Us. Hok, Shahin SAM battery; 4th group (Khamis-Mushayt) - SAM battery "Us. Hok, Shakhin SAM battery, two 30-mm ZU batteries, Oerlikon ZU battery; 5th group (Dahran) - six batteries of missiles "Us. Hawk”, two batteries of the Shakhin missile defense system, five batteries of the Oerlikon missile defense system; 6th group (Khafr el-Batin) - two batteries of missiles "Us. Hawk, four Oerlikon memory batteries. In total, the air defense forces have 33 batteries of missiles (16 - "Us. Hawk" and 17 - "Shahin").

In total, the air defense forces are armed with 128 MIM-23V Advanced Hawk missile launchers, 141 Shahin 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 "Volcano" - 92. In addition, there are 70 40-mm L / 70 anti-aircraft guns in the warehouses.

The war in the Persian Gulf gave a strong impetus to the development of Saudi air defense, while generally maintaining the general concept of their improvement, which provides for the creation of a multi-level integrated air defense system of the kingdom. In the 1990s, 21 Patriot SAM batteries (including 2 training batteries) with 1055 missiles were purchased for the Air Defense Forces. Further improvement of the country's air defense system is one of the priority areas of national military construction. In the future, the country's air defense system, the command intends to bring its effectiveness closer to Western models.

Currently, the air defense forces are entrusted with covering important administrative, economic and military facilities: the capital of the country, oil production areas, groupings of troops, air force and missile bases.

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

Saudi troops take part in the regularly held joint exercises of the Air Force and Air Defense of the GCC member countries "Falcon of the Peninsula".

The air defense systems of the ground forces are represented by the Shahin (Krotal) short-range air defense systems 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.

Officers for the air defense forces are trained in the largest and oldest military educational institution of the kingdom, the military college named after. King Abdulaziz in the Riyadh suburb of Al Ain.

Syria. The Air Force and the Air Defense Forces (100,000 men, including 40,000 in the Air Force and 60,000 in the Air Defense) constitute 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 unified branch of the armed forces.

The territory of Syria is divided into Northern and Southern zone air defense. To control the forces and means of air defense, 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 engineering 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 SAM regiment consists of two missile battalions 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) .

The Syrian air defense is mainly armed with outdated S-75, S-125 and Kvadrat air defense systems (partial modernization work has been carried out on the latter) and radio equipment, which are not able to effectively counteract modern air attack weapons. There are problems with the training of personnel. The command, given the significant role played by aviation in combat operations in the zone Persian Gulf, in the war in Yugoslavia and a number of other local conflicts, pays special attention to strengthening and improving the forces and means of air defense.

Syria expresses its desire to carry out purchases of S-300PMU air defense systems, Buk-M1 and Tor-M1 air defense systems in Russia.

Officers for the Air Defense Forces are trained at the Air Defense College.

Sudan. The air defense troops are singled out as a separate branch of the armed forces, which include five S-75 SAM batteries (18 launchers) and anti-aircraft artillery units. All equipment is morally and physically obsolete 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 tasks of the country's air defense are entrusted to the ground forces. However, the air defense systems available in their arsenal have limited capabilities for hitting air targets only at low altitudes and are able to cover only individual objects.

The Tunisian ground forces are armed with 25 M48 Chaparel air defense systems, 48 RBS-70 MANPADS, 115 anti-aircraft artillery guns (37-mm AZP Type 55/65 - 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 combat composition of the ground forces has 4 anti-aircraft batteries. Air defense systems are represented by 30 Strela-2 MANPADS, 100-mm KS-19 anti-aircraft guns (12), 57-mm AZP S-60 (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 ZSU M42 and anti-aircraft installations caliber 23 and 20 mm.

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

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

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

1. Launcher 9A83 ZRK S-300V - long-range universal anti-aircraft defense system SV with the possibility of theater missile defense

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

2. Combat vehicles SAM "Tor-M2U" provide multi-channel shelling of air targets, including elements of the WTO

In 1997, in order to improve the leadership of the air defense forces, the air defense troops 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 were merged into military air defense troops Armed Forces Russian Federation.

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

Air Defense Troops of the Ground Forces (Air Defense SV) - 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 conducting operations (combat operations) by combined arms formations and formations, regrouping (march) and deployed on the spot . It is necessary to distinguish the Air Defense Troops from the Air Defense Forces (VKO brigades) of the Air Force and VVKO, which until 1998 were part of an independent branch of the Armed Forces - the Air Defense Forces of the country (Air Defense of the USSR and Air Defense of the Russian Federation).

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

combat duty for air defense;

conducting reconnaissance of an air enemy and alerting the covered troops;

destruction of enemy air attack means in flight;

participation in the management missile defense in theaters of war.

4. PU 9A83 ZRK S-300V

5. BM SAM "Tor-M2U"

6. SOU SAM "Buk-M1-2"

7. ZRPK "Tunguska-M1" firing from anti-aircraft guns

8. BM ZRK "Osa-AKM"

9. BM ZRK "Strela-10M3"

10. ROM ZRK "Buk-M2"

12. SOU and ROM SAM "Buk-M2"

13. ZSU-23-4 "Shilka"

14. BM ZRK "Strela-10"

15. BM ZRK "Strela-1"

16. PU SAM "Cube"

17. PU SAM "Circle"

18. ZSU-23-4 "Shilka"

18. PU SAM "Kub-M3"

19. BM ZRK "Tor-M2U"

20. SOU SAM "Buk-M2"

21. ROM ZRK "Buk-M2"

DEFENSE FORCES ARMY

07.01.2016

Since 2015, the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces have begun to use in exercises the new kind target missiles simulating high-speed targets. This was announced by the head of the Air Defense Forces (Air Defense) of the Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov.
“In order to create a complex target environment during tactical exercises with live firing, for the first time, a new target missile “Pinsnet” was used, which imitates high-speed targets with the characteristics of modern air attack weapons,” Alexander Leonov explained.
The main advantage of this target missile, according to him, is the possibility of "carrying out full cycle fire control using automation tools.
In addition, for the objective assessment of the combat work of the crews and the results of live firing, the mobile control complex "Konglomerat-1P" was used. It provides digital video recording and processing of the flight path of anti-aircraft guided missiles and artillery shells. anti-aircraft systems short range and short range.
In 2015, 65 tactical exercises of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces with live firing were planned and conducted. They were carried out at the Kapustin Yar and Ashuluk training grounds in the Southern Military District and at 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.
Press Service and Information Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

25.12.2016

Military Air Defense (Air Defense) of the Russian Armed Forces (AF) conducted 120 exercises, during which 1043 target missiles were hit, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov, head of the Air Defense Forces of the Russian Ground Forces, said on the air of 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 beginning of the formation of military air defense units was the order of the chief of staff of the Supreme Commander 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 of February 9, 2007, December 26 is considered the date of creation of military air defense.
“In total, 129 exercises were conducted in 2016,” Leonov said. He noted that 1,043 target missiles were destroyed during these exercises.
RIA News

25.12.2016

In Russia, the development of a new portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS) has begun. This was reported by Interfax 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 air of the Ekho Moskvy radio station, adding that domestic MANPADS are now significantly superior to any foreign counterparts.
Portable anti-aircraft missile system(MANPADS) - an anti-aircraft missile system designed for transportation and firing 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

Anti-aircraft missile systems "Buk-M2" will no longer be supplied to the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation, the re-equipment is underway for the "Buk-M3" systems.
This was announced by the head of the military air defense of the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation, 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 air of the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
TASS

9K317M BUK-M3 Anti-Aircraft Missile System

26.12.2016

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

12.01.2017

According to Lieutenant-General Alexander Leonov, head of the Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the main efforts of the combat training of the military air defense in the past academic year were focused on organizing and conducting planned training of formations, military units and departments according to purpose.
A total of 129 live-fire tactical exercises were conducted in 2016. Of these, 98 - with anti-aircraft missile (anti-aircraft) units and units of military districts and the Northern Fleet, and 31 - with units of the Airborne Forces.
At the same time, more than 50% of formations, military units and subunits, according to the results of tactical exercises, were rated as “good” and “excellent”. The total consumption of missiles amounted to more than 1000 pieces, ammunition - more than 40 thousand, target missiles - more than 1000.
More than 15,000 military personnel were involved in the exercises, more than 3,500 pieces of weapons, military and special equipment were involved.
The exercise tested several innovative approaches for the first time.
Firstly, this is the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to create a complex air situation that meets modern realities, as well as to control the actions of inspected formations, military units and subunits. For an objective assessment of the firing results, the Conglomerat-1P complex, which has no analogues in the world, was used for the first time.
Secondly, when conducting tactical exercises with live firing, modern means of automated control "Barnaul-T" were widely used, which made it possible to significantly reduce the time for assessing the situation and making a decision.

13.01.2017

By the end of 2020, air defense formations, units and subunits 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 complexes and man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) of a new generation (short range).
This was announced by the head of the air defense forces 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 types of military air defense equipment included in the list of priority and defining the appearance advanced systems weapons, will be more than 70%.
Building combat strength and complete rearmament will lead to an increase in the combat capabilities of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces by almost a factor of two (by 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 groupings of troops, but also important state facilities in the areas of responsibility.
Department of Information and mass communications Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

14.05.2017

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

06.01.2018

In the interests of the Ground Forces, a universal mixed-training complex has been developed and is completing tests, designed to train military air defense units and test advanced air defense systems.
The complex has software and remotely controlled reusable targets imitating a cruise missile, a tactical UAV, a jet aircraft and a hovering attack helicopter.
Also, the complex allows you to create a dynamically changing air environment, such as a "star" raid, for testing electronic and combat launches by air defense crews.

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

09.01.2018

According to the results of combat training in 2017, more than ten military units of the air defense of the Ground Forces were awarded the honorary title of "Shock".
About 90 tactical exercises were conducted with units of the military air defense 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 training centers of the military air defense of the Ground Forces have trained about 2 thousand junior specialists, of which more than 250 are military personnel undergoing military service by contract.
In addition, in 2018 it is planned to equip modern weapons and equipment, including: two military air defense formations - short-range anti-aircraft missile system "Tor-M2"; air defense units operating in the Arctic and the Far North - short-range anti-aircraft missile system "Tor-M2DT"; air defense units of combined arms formations - the Verba portable anti-aircraft missile system.
The systematic and annual increase in the combat strength of the troops, the implementation of a complete re-equipment with modern anti-aircraft missile systems will make it possible by 2020 to increase the combat capabilities of the air defense forces.
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 combating all existing air attack weapons, they have no analogues in the world, as evidenced by their high competitiveness in the arms market, said Colonel-General Oleg Salyukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces.
“The modern armament of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces is in many ways superior to its predecessors and has no analogues in the world, which is confirmed by its high competitiveness in the arms market. The anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes in service with the armed forces are capable of fighting all existing means of air attack," Salyukov said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, 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 atmospheric zone) and the Buk-M2 complex. Re-equipment is underway with the Buk-MZ and Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile systems, the Verba portable anti-aircraft missile system. Currently, the Armed Forces contain 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 of the armed forces lies in equipping them with the latest highly effective anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems, in implementing the latest developments that will significantly increase the effectiveness of anti-aircraft weapons in the fight against a modern air enemy, in raising 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, the 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, manufacturers will transfer to the Russian Ministry of Defense a brigade set of S-300V4 air defense systems, divisional sets of air defense systems BUK-M3 and TOR-M2.
The systematic and annual increase in the combat strength of the troops, the implementation of a complete re-equipment 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.
Ministry of Defense of Russia

GROUND FORCES IN 2019 WILL RECEIVE S-300V4 AND BUK-M3 ANTI-Aircraft Systems

AIR DEFENSE TROOPS OF THE GROUND FORCES

Air Defense Troops (Air Defense Forces) - a branch of the Ground Forces, designed to cover troops and objects from the actions of enemy air attack weapons when conducting operations (combat actions) by combined arms formations and formations, regrouping (march) and deployed on the spot. They are responsible for the following main tasks:
combat duty for air defense;
conducting reconnaissance of an air enemy and alerting the covered troops;
destruction of enemy air attack means in flight;
participation in the conduct of missile defense in theaters of military operations.
Organizationally, the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces consist of military command and control bodies, air defense command posts, anti-aircraft missile (rocket-artillery) and radio engineering formations, military units and subunits. They are capable of destroying enemy air attack weapons over the entire range of altitudes (extremely low - up to 200 m, low - from 200 to 1000 m, medium - from 1000 to 4000 m, large - from 4000 to 12000 m and in the stratosphere - more than 12000 m) and flight speeds.

Formations, military units and air defense subunits of the Ground Forces are equipped with anti-aircraft missile systems, anti-aircraft artillery, anti-aircraft gun-missile systems (systems) and portable anti-aircraft missile systems of various reach, channels and methods of missile guidance. 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 the mobility, survivability, secrecy of work, the degree of automation, fire performance, expanding the parameters of the affected area, reducing the reaction time and weight and size characteristics of anti-aircraft missile (rocket and artillery) systems.

THE ARMED FORCES OF RUSSIA 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 (PVO). Exactly a century ago, in accordance with the order of the Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander of 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 day of the 100th anniversary of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, a special information section "100 years of military air defense" has been opened.
The section opens with congratulations to the personnel on the anniversary of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu.
The section is based on numerous historical documents, memoirs of veterans of the troops about the stages of formation and development of the oldest special branch of the armed forces in the Armed Forces.
At present, the basis of military air defense is made up of formations, military units and air defense units of the Ground, Airborne Forces and Coastal Forces of the Navy. They are designed to conduct reconnaissance and repel enemy air attacks, protect groupings of troops and facilities from air strikes in all types of combat operations.
In the conditions of the rapid development of the means of aerospace attack of the armies of foreign states, formations, military units and air defense units have become an integral part of combined arms formations from the tactical to the operational-strategic level.
In 2015, 65 tactical exercises were planned and conducted with formations and units of military air defense with live fire. 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 people were involved in the maneuvers, including 1.5 thousand officers and up to 3.5 thousand pieces of weapons, military and special equipment.
Currently, there is a planned re-equipment of formations, military units and units of military air defense with new anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes "S-300V4", "Buk-M2", "Tor-M2U", portable anti-aircraft missile systems"Verba". New complexes and systems have incorporated best qualities their predecessors and are capable of hitting both aerodynamic and ballistic targets, cruise missiles, aerial reconnaissance and electronic warfare.
In 2016, it is planned to supply the first brigade set of the Buk-M3 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system to the Ground Forces.
For the period up to 2020, the main directions for the development of military air defense are:
improvement of 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 a new generation of weapons and military air defense equipment capable of effectively combating all types of air attack weapons, including those created on the basis of hypersonic technologies.
improving the system of training highly qualified personnel for military air defense, including junior specialists studying in specialized training centers for air defense troops of the Ground Forces.
The most important task for the High Command of the Ground Forces is the training of the main backbone of personnel for the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces - specialist officers.
Personnel training for military air defense is carried out at the Military Academy of Military Air Defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation named after Marshal of the Soviet Union A.M. Vasilevsky. Today, the Air Defense Military Academy of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is a single educational and scientific center that provides multi-level training for air defense officers with the highest operational and tactical training and full military special training for the air defense troops of the Ground Forces, the Airborne Forces, the coastal troops 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. 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 at two military training centers at civilian universities.
Training of junior specialists is carried out in two training centers for the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces and two training centers for training air defense specialists from the CTC for 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 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 general educational institutions of higher vocational education in 20 military registration specialties. Currently, over 1300 people are being trained, from August 2016 the number of trainees will grow to 2000 thousand.
As part of the International Army Games - 2015, Russian specialists from the Air Defense Forces took part in the competition "Masters of Air Defense", showed good results and took first place.
The competition "Masters of anti-aircraft combat" was held in the city of Yeisk, Krasnodar Territory on the basis of the 726 training center of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces. The competition was attended by 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.
At present, the methods developed during the training of the team for the training of specialists of the air defense forces are being actively introduced and used in the organization and implementation of combat training events.
In 2016, the name of the competition itself and its program changed. Now the competition will be called "Clear Sky - 2016". This is due to a change in the composition of the team and weapons. In addition to a unit armed with 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. The teams will compete in the sprint (with MANPADS and memory firing), the pursuit (with MANPADS and memory firing) and the combined relay.
All changes to the program were made taking into account the wishes of foreign colleagues - participants of the last competition.

As part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the military air defense in all military districts, at the Military Academy, training centers of the air defense forces in December, festive and military-patriotic events were held and are being held with the participation of servicemen, veterans of the 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 the military air defense, are:
laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (December 26, Moscow);
solemn meeting in the cultural and leisure center of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation "Preobrazhensky", with the participation of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (December 26, Moscow);
opening of the bust to the first chief of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, Hero of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Artillery V.I. Krasnodar region);
laying of a capsule with a message to posterity at the memorial complex named after the Hero of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Artillery V.I.

"Ministry of Defense of Russia"

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

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

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

The modern armament of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces in many respects surpasses its predecessors, has no analogues in the world, which is confirmed by the high competitiveness in the arms market

Oleg Salyukov

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

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

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

The progress of rearmament

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

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

Alexander Leonov

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

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

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

Alexander Leonov

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

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

Continuation

The evolution of "Thor"

According to open sources, the first modification of the Tor family air defense system entered service in 1986. Since 2011, a modification of the Tor-M2U complex has been supplied to the troops. Combat vehicle provides all-aspect destruction of air targets, including striking elements precision weapons. The air defense system allows you to conduct reconnaissance on the move over any terrain and simultaneously fire at four air targets in a given sector.

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

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

In 2018-2019, a marine version of Thor may already appear. This was reported by the press service of the Almaz-Antey concern during the KADEX 2016 exhibition. At the same time, in a number of parameters, the ship version of the complex will surpass the existing representatives of the Tor family.

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

press service of the concern VKO "Almaz-Antey"

In 2016 chief designer anti-aircraft missile systems of the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant "Kupol" (part of the Almaz-Antey concern) Iosif Drize (the creator of a number of modern air defense systems, died in November 2016 - TASS note) stated that in the future "Tor" will become fully robotic and can shoot down targets without human intervention. As Drize said, the air defense system can still work without human intervention, but in some cases an operator is needed in conditions of strong interference. In addition, the enterprise is engaged in increasing the capabilities of "Tor" to destroy cruise missiles created using stealth technologies.

New military "Gadfly"

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

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

In the transport and launch containers (complex) there are six missiles on each self-propelled firing system. Rockets have become more compact, but nevertheless they fly faster, farther and more accurately. That is, a new unique missile has been created, which will make it more likely to destroy air targets

Alexander Leonov

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

In 2015, it was reported that the novelty surpassed the long-range S-300 system in a number of parameters. "First of all we are talking about the probability of hitting targets, which is 0.9999 for the Buk-M3, which is not for the S-300," the TASS source said. km.

"Verba" for landing

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

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

Compared to previous MANPADS, the "Verba" has a several-fold increase in the area of fire for targets with low thermal radiation and dozens of times - noise immunity from powerful pyrotechnic interference. While the order combat use new MANPADS is similar to the procedure for using the complexes of the previous generation, in the "Verba" the consumption of missiles for hitting a single target has been reduced and the temperature range of use has been expanded to minus 50 degrees. MANPADS are capable of hitting subtle targets of a mock enemy at altitudes from 10 m to 4.5 km and at ranges from 500 m to 6.5 km.

Roman Azanov

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

In 2015, the Air Force was merged with the Aerospace Defense Forces in a new type of armed forces - the Aerospace Forces (VKS), which included a new type of troops organizationally - (Air Defense-ABM Forces).

The Air Defense Forces of the Aerospace Forces should be distinguished from the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces (Military Air Defense Forces).

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 went through a series of upgrades, receiving the designation S-300PT-1. In 1982, a new version of the S-300P air defense system, the S-300PS self-propelled system, was adopted by the air defense forces, the new complex had a record short deployment time of 5 minutes, making it difficult for 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, a new concept of military construction was developed, where it was supposed to reorganize the types of 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: Air force and 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 Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force and the Main Headquarters of the Air Force were formed, and the Air Defense Forces and the Air Force were merged into a new type - the Air Force.

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

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

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

As part of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation, a new type of troops has been organizationally allocated - Air and Missile Defense Troops (Air Defense Forces). Air defense-missile defense troops are represented by air defense divisions and an anti-missile defense formation.

As part of the further improvement of the air defense (aerospace) defense system, a new generation of S-500 air defense systems is currently being developed, in which it is supposed to apply the principle of separate solution of the tasks 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, with intercontinental ballistic missiles in the final section of the trajectory and, within certain limits, in the middle section.

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

Troop leaders

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

Educational institutions of air defense of the Armed Forces of the USSR and Russia

academies

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

RTV schools

relocated 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 Radio Electronics - disbanded in 1999.

RKO schools

Pushkin Higher Command School of Air Defense Radio Electronics (also trained for the ZRV) - disbanded.
Zhytomyr Higher Command School of Air Defense Radio Electronics - 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 Air Defense School
Dnepropetrovsk Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Air Defense Command School - disbanded in 1995.
Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod) Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Air Defense Command School - disbanded in 1999.
Ordzhonikidze Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Air Defense Command School named after General of the Army Issa Aleksandrovich Pliev - disbanded in 1990.
Engels Higher Air Defense Missile Command School - disbanded in 1994.
Military Training Center at RGRTU

Air Defense Aviation School

Stavropol Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots and Navigators named after Marshal of Aviation Sudts V.A. - disbanded in 1993.
Armavir Higher Military Aviation School of the Red Banner Pilots named after Chief Marshal of Aviation P. Kutakhov, since 2002, the training aviation center of the Krasnodar VVAUL - disbanded in 2012.
The Daugavpils Higher Military Aviation Engineering School named after Jan Fabricius in 1993 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;
Center for training specialists (crews) of the radio engineering troops of the Air Force (Vladimir)

Operational-strategic associations 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 entered combat duty.

Air defense districts - associations of air defense forces designed to protect the most important administrative, industrial centers and regions of the country, groupings of the armed forces from air strikes. important military and other facilities within the 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 areas, and air defense districts were re-created in the year.
Baku Air Defense District - formed in 1945 on the basis of the Baku Air Defense Army, it was transformed into a district. Since 1954 - again the district. Abolished 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 Army Air Defense-PRO (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, village of Petrovskoye)
- 9th missile defense division, military unit 75555 (Moscow region, town of Sofrino)
- 590th separate radio engineering unit for over-the-horizon detection of air targets, military unit 84680 (Mordovia, Kovylkino settlement)
- 54th communication center, military unit 74129 (Moscow)
- Construction and quartering department, military unit 58122 (Moscow)
- 1786th central base of measuring equipment, military unit 74143 (Moscow region, Shchelkovo)