Impenetrable air defense: what the new anti-aircraft missile systems of the Russian Federation will be like. “They have no equal”: how Russia is creating unique air defense systems “Fire and forget”

The range of air defense systems of the Russian Ground Forces in the foreseeable future may be replenished with new combat systems. In particular, medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems should come into service, the work on which is being carried out by the Almaz-Antey concern. Recently, the head of the enterprise, Yan Novikov, announced development work on the project of a new generation of air defense systems. Moreover, according to him, earlier Almaz-Antey had already reported on the release of a “product”, the key indicators of which are one and a half times higher than those of the previous generation equipment. Medium-range air defense systems are, in fact, the basis of combat air defense systems in service connections and military units Ground forces. It is their weapons that provide cover for objects and territories from air strikes, and often just the presence of these means is enough to avoid any threats. Events in Syria, where the mere presence of our air defense systems cooled the ardor of those wishing to “test the strength” of the protection of Russian military facilities, clearly demonstrated this... The new Buk is better than the old two For Almaz-Antey, work on medium-range air defense missile systems is one of the promising areas of activity. And if Yan Novikov mentioned the creation of a complex that surpassed the previous series, then we are, without a doubt, talking about the Buk-MZ system - a mobile air defense complex of the Ground Forces, which is a further modernization of the Buk-M2 air defense system. This complex has been adopted into service only this year and, according to its characteristics, is capable of intercepting all types of maneuvering aerodynamic targets - from drones to cruise missiles flying at speeds of up to three kilometers per second. Moreover, the new “Buk” is capable of operating equally effectively in conditions of active fire and electronic countermeasures, and the range and altitude at which it can hit targets reach 70 and 35 kilometers, respectively. It is difficult to imagine another enterprise in the domestic defense industry capable of coping with the task so effectively in the field of creating such air defense systems. The Almaz-Antey concern unites more than sixty enterprises: factories, research and production associations, design bureaus, research institutes, which are precisely engaged in the development and production of small, medium and long range actions, as well as the main types of radar reconnaissance and automated systems management. Among the most famous samples of the enterprise’s products (if we talk about medium-range air defense systems) are the Buk-M1-2, Buk-M2E, C-125-2A Pechora-2A complexes, as well as the multi-channel shipborne air defense system " Calm-1". The list of targets they hit includes not only “traditional” airplanes and helicopters, but also tactical, ballistic and cruise missiles, guided bombs. These complexes are also capable of defeating surface and ground targets: the capabilities of the radar, as well as the characteristics of the missiles used, make it possible to strike such targets. By the way, the new Buk, created at Almaz-Antey, also incorporates the latest innovations in the system management. They are based on this air defense system almost entirely on digital media. Signal processing equipment and display equipment are computerized, and a modern digital element base with a modular design makes it possible to include four to six or even more self-propelled firing systems in one division. Reception and transmission of voice information and encoded data related to target designation is carried out using modern communication devices. Impenetrable "Vityaz" For obvious reasons, nothing is yet known about the system that the Almaz-Antey concern is working on and which the head of the enterprise mentioned when talking about some kind of “promising development”. It will take a considerable amount of time before the first appearance of the future product in public, but there is no doubt that such developments are underway. After all, work on a completely new product of the enterprise has already become a reality - the S-350 Vityaz air defense system. This complex has already been exhibited at prestigious salons (for example, at MAKS 2013). Schematically, the new air defense system is a self-propelled launcher operating in conjunction with an all-angle fixed radar with electronic scanning of space and command post. The ammunition of the complex includes medium-range missiles used in the S-400 air defense system, and missiles short range The undoubted advantage of the Vityaz is its mobility. According to available information, the complex will be located on the basis of a multi-wheeled chassis of a special BAZ vehicle. Broken dirt roads, fields, river fords - the system will be able to overcome all these obstacles almost unhindered and at impressive speed. The time for transferring the complex from the marching position to the combat position will not exceed five minutes, while the Vityaz will be able to simultaneously fire up to 16 aerodynamic and up to 12 ballistic targets at a range of 30–60 kilometers and at altitudes of 25–30 kilometers. Protection without compromise It must be said that our “partners” in the West are all recent years did not abandon efforts to create and commission medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems. For a quick fire battle, such air protection is one of the most effective. Today, the basis of combat weapons of this class for NATO armies is, for example, the American Hawk SAM, which was originally created to destroy aircraft, but was later “trained” to destroy missiles. Another American air defense system, also used by both the US Army and its allies, is the Patriot. According to military expert Reserve Major General Sergei Kanchukov, Russian military air defense today is “opening up new horizons.” As the general rightly notes, air defense systems of the Aerospace Forces often cannot provide a reliable “umbrella” over the Ground Forces, especially those on the move, and besides, they are forced to cover other strategically important objects. In addition, protection in low-altitude areas is a problem. “Thanks to the more advanced computing element base of the Buk-M3 and the more maneuverable anti-aircraft guided missile, the “dead zone” has decreased from 3.3 kilometers to 2.5 kilometers,” notes Sergei Kanchukov. – The most important advantage of a military air defense system is the maximum speed of the target it hits – three thousand meters per second (about 11 thousand kilometers per hour). Thanks to this, the list of targets includes almost all existing hypersonic precision weapons, including the well-known American seven-mach cruise missile X-51 Waverider, developed within the framework of the “Fast global non-nuclear strike” concept. As General Kanchukov summarizes, today from the standard army air defense-missile defense system of the middle range The Buk-M3 has turned into a worthy “stratosphere hunter”, which is capable of performing the same range of tasks as the S-300, which is in service with the Aerospace Forces. It is no coincidence that the Russian Ministry of Defense is speeding up the supply of these air defense systems to the troops: according to information presented at the single day of acceptance of military products held in October, over the past three months the army has received two divisional sets of Buk-M2 air defense systems and one set of Buk-M3. According to According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, Colonel General Oleg Salyukov, “thanks to the presence of modern and highly effective complexes and systems, the air defense forces of the Ground Forces are today able to provide reliable protection for groupings of troops and forces from attacks by any means of enemy air attack in all types of combat operations.”

Air defense is a special set of measures that are aimed at repelling any air threat. As a rule, this is an enemy air attack. The Russian air defense system is divided into the following types:

Military air defense. This is a special type of Russian NE. The air defense troops of the Russian Ground Forces are the largest type of air defense in Russia;
Object air defense, which since 1998 has become part of the Russian Air Force, and since 2009-2010 has been an aerospace defense brigade;
Shipborne air defense or air defense system navy. Air defense missiles, which are armed with ship-based air defense systems (for example, the Storm air defense system), are capable of not only protecting ships from enemy air attacks, but also hitting surface ships.

Air Defense Day was introduced in the USSR on February 20, 1975, as a special holiday for military personnel who were involved in the country's air defense. Then Air Defense Day was celebrated on April 11. Since 1980, Air Defense Day in the USSR began to be celebrated every second Sunday in April.

In 2006, by a special Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of May 31, Air Defense Day was officially declared a memorable day. The holiday is also celebrated every second Sunday in April.

The history of the appearance of air defense troops in Russia

The need for anti-aircraft artillery was realized at the end of the 19th century. In 1891, the first firing at aerial targets took place, using balloons and balloons. The artillery showed that it could quite successfully cope with stationary air targets, although shooting at moving targets was unsuccessful.

In 1908-1909, experimental firing at moving targets took place, as a result of which it was decided that in order to successfully combat aviation, it was necessary to create a special gun designed to fire at moving air targets.

In 1914, the Putilov plant produced four 76 mm cannons, which were intended to combat enemy aircraft. These guns were transported on special trucks. Despite this, before the outbreak of the First World War, Russia turned out to be completely unprepared for combat with an air enemy. Already in the fall of 1914, the command had to urgently to form special artillery units, the main task of which was to fight enemy aircraft.

In the USSR, the first air defense units, consisting of searchlight companies and machine gun installations, first took part in a military parade on May 1, 1929. By the 1930 parade, the air defense troops were replenished with anti-aircraft artillery, which was transported on vehicles:

76 mm anti-aircraft guns;
Machine gun installations;
Floodlight installations;
Sound detection installations.

Air defense troops during World War II

Second World War demonstrated how important aviation is. The ability to launch rapid air strikes has become one of the keys to the success of military operations. The state of the air defense of the USSR before the start of the Second World War was far from perfect and was completely unsuitable for repelling massive raids by German aviation. Although before the start of the Second World War the Soviet command devoted a lot of time and money to the development of air defense systems, these troops turned out to be completely unprepared to repel modern German aircraft.

The entire first half of the Second World War was characterized by huge losses Soviet troops precisely because of enemy air raids. The USSR ground forces did not have the necessary air defense system at all. The defense of the corps from air attacks was carried out regular number air defense systems, which on 1 km of the front were represented by the following fire weapons:

2 anti-aircraft guns;
1 heavy machine gun;
3 anti-aircraft quad installations.

In addition to the fact that these guns were clearly not enough, there was a huge need for fighter aircraft at the front. The air surveillance, warning and communications system was in its infancy and was completely unable to cope with the tasks assigned to them. For a long time, the troops did not even have their own means of this type. To carry out these functions, it was planned to strengthen the armies with VNOS radio companies. These companies were completely at odds with the technical development of German aviation, since they could only detect enemy aircraft visually. Such detection was possible only at a distance of 10-12 km, and modern German planes covered a similar distance in 1-2 minutes.

Before the start of the Second World War, the domestic theory of the development of air defense troops did not place any serious emphasis on the development of this group of troops. Based on the dogmas of this theory, air defense troops, no matter how highly developed they are, are not able to provide complete protection of the front from enemy air raids. In any case, small enemy groups will still be able to reach and destroy the target. That is why the USSR command did not pay serious attention to air defense troops, and the construction of air defense was based on the fact that air defense systems would distract the enemy, allowing aviation to enter the battle.

In any case, the fighter aviation of the USSR in the first years of the war was not able to give any serious rebuff to enemy aircraft, which is why German pilots in those years organized a real entertaining “hunt” for ground targets.

Realizing their mistakes, the Soviet command concentrated its efforts on developing air defense systems, with special emphasis on improving fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft artillery.

Development of air defense after the end of the Second World War

In 1946 it began new era in the development of air defense forces - they created a new department whose task was to test anti-aircraft missiles. Throughout the 1947-1950s, this department, which was located at the Kapustin Yar test site, tested German anti-aircraft missiles, while simultaneously overseeing the development of Soviet-made anti-aircraft missiles. Until 1957, this committee was involved in testing domestically developed unguided anti-aircraft missiles.

In 1951, testing of anti-aircraft missiles became so large-scale that it was necessary to create a special testing ground for anti-aircraft missiles. This test site was established on June 6, 1951. Rocket testers from all over the country were sent to this test site as personnel.

The first launch of a guided anti-aircraft missile took place at this site in 1951. In 1955, the first anti-aircraft gun in the USSR was adopted by the Air Defense Forces. missile system S-25 "Berkut", which remained in service until the 90s.

In the period from 1957 to 1961, a new mobile anti-aircraft gun was developed and put into service. missile system S-75. This air defense system remained the main weapon of the Soviet air defense forces for 30 years. Subsequently, the S-75 air defense system received many modifications and was supplied as military assistance friendly countries. It was the S-75 anti-aircraft missile system that shot down an American U-2 plane in 1960 near Sverdlovsk. During the Vietnam War, the S-75 air defense system, which was supplied as military aid to Vietnam, shot down many American aircraft. According to the roughest estimates, this air defense system destroyed more than 1,300 American aircraft of various systems.

In 1961, a new short-range anti-aircraft missile system, the S-125, was put into service. This air defense system has proven to be so effective that it is still in service with Russian air defense systems. During the Arab-Israeli wars, the C-125 complex was able to destroy several dozen supersonic aircraft belonging to the United States and Israel.

Great Patriotic War showed that it is air defense systems that have enormous prospects. The development of air defense in the second half of the 20th century was carried out in in the right direction, which has been repeatedly proven during numerous Arab-Israeli conflicts. The tactics of using air defense systems were now based on completely different principles. The new air defense systems had the following characteristics:

Mobility of anti-aircraft missile systems;
The suddenness of their use, for which they were carefully disguised;
General survivability and maintainability of air defense systems.

Today, the basis of the Ground Forces' air defense systems is Russian Federation are the following complexes and systems:

S-300V. This system capable of effectively protecting troops not only from enemy aircraft, but also from ballistic missiles. This system could fire two types of missiles, one of which was surface-to-surface;
"Buk-M1". This complex was developed in the 90s, and was put into service in 1998;
"Tor-M1". This system is able to independently control the designated airspace;
"OSA-AKM". This SAM system is very mobile;
"Tunguska-M1", which was put into service in 2003.

All these systems are developments of famous Russian designers and not only incorporate all best qualities their predecessors, but also equipped with modern electronics. These complexes effectively protect troops from all types of air attacks, thereby providing reliable cover for the army.

At various military exhibitions, domestic anti-aircraft missile systems are not only not inferior foreign analogues, but also surpass them in a number of parameters, ranging from range to power.

Main prospects for the modern development of air defense troops of the Ground Forces

The main directions towards which the development of modern air defense forces is directed are:

Change and reorganization of all structures related in one way or another to air defense. The main objective of the reorganization is the maximum use of all resources and combat power missile weapons, which is now entering service. Another task of paramount importance is to establish maximum interaction between air defense troops and other groups of troops of the Russian Army;
Weapons development and military equipment a new generation that will be able to fight not only with existing air attack weapons, but also with the latest developments in the field of hypersonic technologies;
Change and improvement of the personnel training system. Special attention attention should be paid to changing the training program, because it has not changed for many years, although new air defense systems have long been adopted for service.

Priority remains to carry out planned developments the latest models Air defense, modernization of older models and complete replacement of outdated air defense systems. In general, the modern air defense system is developing in accordance with the words of the famous Marshal Zhukov, who said that only a powerful military air defense system is capable of repelling sudden enemy attacks, thereby making it possible Armed forces engage in full-scale combat.

Modern air defense systems and air defense systems in the Russian air defense forces

One of the main air defense systems in service with air defense forces is the S-300V system. This system is capable of hitting air targets at a distance of up to 100 km. Already in 2014, the S-300V air defense system began to be gradually replaced by a new system, which was called the S-300V4. The new system is improved in all respects; it is an improved modification of the S-300B, differing from it in its increased range, more reliable design, which has improved protection against radio interference. The new system is capable of more effectively combating all types of air targets that appear within its range.

The next most popular system is the Buk air defense system. Since 2008, a modification of the complex called “Buk-M2” has entered service with the air defense forces. This air defense system can simultaneously hit up to 24 targets, and the range of destruction of targets reaches 200 km. Since 2016, the Buk-M3 complex has been put into service, which is a model made on the basis of the Buk-M2 and seriously modified.

Another popular air defense system is the TOR complex. In 2011, a new modification of the air defense system began to enter service, called “TOR-M2U”. This modification has the following differences from the base model:

She can conduct reconnaissance on the move;
Fire at 4 air targets at once, thereby ensuring an all-angle defeat.

The newest modification is called “Thor-2”. Unlike previous models of the TOR family, this modification has a 2-fold increase in ammunition and is capable of firing on the move, ensuring complete safety of troops on the march.

In addition, Russian air defense systems also have man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems. The ease of training and use of this type of weapon makes it a serious problem for enemy air forces. Since 2014, new Verba MANPADS began to arrive in the air defense units of the Ground Forces. Their use is justified when it is necessary to operate in conditions of powerful optical interference, which complicate the operation of powerful automatic air defense systems.

Currently, the share of modern air defense systems in the air defense forces is about 40 percent. The latest Russian air defense systems have no analogues in the world, and are capable of providing complete protection against sudden air attacks.

System S-300 "Favorit".
Photo courtesy of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern

Well-known in expert circles think tank Air Power Australia in early February presented an in-depth study on the combat capabilities of modern military aviation and current air defense systems. The American “air sword” and the Russian “shield” are taken as the basis.

ETERNAL COMPETITION

The choice of hypothetical opponents does not appear to be random. The USA has the highest potential air force and, in addition, they hold the lead in the supply of aviation military equipment abroad. Russia is the leader in the production and export of air defense equipment. It is enough to note that only one of its air defense concerns, Almaz-Antey, supplies products manufactured at its enterprises to more than fifty countries around the world (see map).

The arms market itself tells you who is the leader in which area. There is no need for experts who are inclined to various reasons to subjective assessments. Because they vote in the market using funds from budgetary allocations. Thousands and thousands of specialists, officials, and high-ranking military personnel are involved in operations to determine the best and most advantageous “cost-effectiveness” ratio of a particular type of weapon. Subjectivism is kept to a minimum.

In fact, Russian air defense systems are classified as premium. This assessment of researchers from Air Power Australia is supported by their high combat reliability, destruction efficiency and relatively low price by the standards of the arms market. For example, the Americans have systems of this class that are much more expensive, despite the same reliability, efficiency and combat capabilities their products are significantly lower than Russian ones.

The conclusion of foreign experts is interesting: modern Russian anti-aircraft missile systems and radar systems have reached a level that virtually excludes the possibility of survival of US combat aircraft in the event of a military clash.

According to an Australian study, resist Russian air defense not only incapable american planes F-15, F-16 and F/A-18, but even the promising fifth-generation multi-role fighter Joint Strike Fighter, also known as the F-35 Lightning II. And in order to achieve superiority, which military aviation United States had at the end of cold war, The Pentagon needs to field at least 400 more F-22 Raptors. Otherwise, American aviation will finally lose its strategic superiority over Russian air defense.

As analysts note, this circumstance may also affect the US position in the world. Countries such as China, Iran and Venezuela will be well aware that the Americans will not agree to open military confrontation, realizing that as a result of this, the US Air Force and Navy will lose hundreds of combat aircraft and pilots. That is, the United States armed forces risk unacceptable damage. Of course, unacceptable from the point of view of American politicians, whose careers in such a development of events will end in national disgrace.

Air Power Australia recalls that its expert Dr Carlo Coll, who defended his thesis in the field of radar technology, compared the capabilities of modern Russian anti-aircraft missile systems and American F-35 fighters and concluded that these aircraft would be easy targets. The manufacturer of the latest winged aircraft, the American corporation Lockheed Martin, has never tried to publicly challenge the expert’s statement.

The researchers also concluded that since the end of the Cold War, Russian designers have achieved significant results in modernizing air defense systems. Moreover, Russian engineers and scientists gained the opportunity to comprehensively and objectively assess the potential of a potential enemy thanks to the military conflicts in Iran in 1991 and Serbia in 1999. This process, as noted in the report, is in many ways reminiscent of a chess game. As a result, the Russians were able to figure out how to checkmate American combat aircraft.

Comparing possibilities modern systems Air defense and aircraft, analysts also note that the Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system, produced by the Almaz-Antey air defense concern and already adopted by the Russian army, today actually has no analogues in the world. The technical capabilities of the Triumph are significantly higher than those of the American Patriot, and are twice as superior in combat performance to the well-known predecessor of the S-400 - the S-300 Favorite system, supplied to China, Slovakia, Vietnam and Cyprus. In the future, "Triumph" may become a core project in the military-technical cooperation of the Russian Federation with Arab countries, in particular with the United Arab Emirates.

And what is typical, the study emphasizes, is that Russia is building a deeply layered air defense system. If the S-300 and S-400 complexes are long-range, then they tenaciously interact with short- and medium-range complexes. They complement each other and at the same time insure, creating an insurmountable and continuous wall for the air aggressor. Short- and medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems of the Tor, Buk, and Tunguska types were supplied, in particular, to China, Iran, India, Greece, Syria, Egypt, Finland, and Morocco.

In addition to traditional customers of Russian military products, countries such as Singapore and Brazil, which have purchased man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems, are also interested in domestic air defense systems.

Russia's position in the market for sea-based anti-aircraft missile systems is also very strong. For example, the Shtil, Reef, and Klinok air defense systems are successfully operated on warships.

FROM AIR DEFENSE TO ABM

Anti-aircraft missile systems of the S-300 family are considered one of the most powerful air defense systems in the world. The development of this system began in the 1960s, when the USSR Armed Forces demanded the creation of a mobile multi-channel medium-range air defense system capable of protecting the country's skies from massive raids modern aviation using guided weapons.

Testing of the future S-300 took place in the 1970s. In order to misinform a potential enemy, according to the documents, the new air defense system was designated as the S-75M6 - another modernization of the “veteran” complex, widely known throughout the world at that time, which entered combat duty back in the late 1950s. The terms of reference provided for the development of three versions of the air defense system - S-300P for air defense, S-300V for ground forces and S-300F - a ship-based complex for the Navy.

Systems for air defense troops and the navy were mainly focused on defeating aircraft and cruise missiles; the military complex had to have greater capabilities to intercept ballistic targets in order to ensure missile defense. Nowadays, the S-300 systems form the basis of the air defense of our country and the Russian Ground Forces, and are also successfully sold on the world market.

Developed on the basis of the S-300 air defense system latest system S-400, capable of firing both new missiles and using the ammunition of its predecessor. The S-400 air defense system has the combat capabilities, mobility and noise immunity of the latest versions of the S-300 complex, combined with a longer firing range.

The S-400 system is designed to defeat all types of aircraft– airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. An important difference between the S-400 and the S-300 is new anti-aircraft missiles with active homing heads and an increased firing range. "Triumph" is capable of destroying a target at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of 30 km. These indicators allow us to consider the complex not only as an air defense weapon, but also partially as an anti-missile weapon.

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Colonel General Alexander Zelin, reveals the secrets of the S-400 Triumph complex: it can hit “a super-maneuverable small-sized target with an effective reflective surface, which a five-ruble coin has.” He is able to cope with air targets that are made using stealth technology, that is, invisible aircraft with a low effective reflective surface.

The Air Force Commander is extremely proud that the new generation S-400 anti-aircraft missile system is expected to be used to ensure the safety of participants and guests of the 2014 Winter Olympics. “Builders will build facilities in Sochi for the Olympics, and we will prepare an air defense system that will ensure reliable holding Olympic Games", the general said in a recent interview.

Of course, reliable protection of both the people who arrived at the Olympics and the Sochi residents themselves is the most important thing, no one is going to argue about the need for this. And a margin of safety will not hurt here. Moreover, in the immediate vicinity is Georgia, against which Russian troops not so long ago fought fighting. And the fervor of anti-Russian sentiment there has not yet subsided.

However, life does not stand still. Two years ago, the Military-Industrial Commission under the Government of the Russian Federation set the task, in particular, for the Almaz-Antey air defense concern to develop advanced fifth-generation air defense and missile defense weapons. Its distinctive feature will be that fire, information and command systems and complexes will merge together.

This is the next stage in the fight for a clean and peaceful sky. The Russian reserve is high, but the closest competitor, the United States, also does not want to see itself as an outsider. The competition between technical schools and simply military potential is intensifying.

I was largely inspired to write this article by the excessive jingoistic sentiments of a significant part of the visitors to the website “Military Review”, which I respect, as well as 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 technology 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, in air defense anti-aircraft missile units, more than half of the S-300P long-range air defense systems belong to this modification.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today, Russian air defense forces (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).

Google Earth satellite image. Layout of air defense missile systems around Moscow. Colored triangles and squares - positions and basing areas of existing air defense systems, blue diamonds and circles - surveillance radars, white - currently eliminated air defense systems and radars

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 Kaliningrad region at the former positions of the S-200 air defense system

Recently, anti-aircraft cover of the Black Sea Fleet has been strengthened. Before the well-known events related to 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 region In terms of air defense cover, our country resembles a “patchwork quilt” with more holes than patches. There is one S-300PS regiment each in the Novgorod region, near Voronezh, Samara and Saratov. Rostov region covered by one regiment each of S-300PM and Buk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Pantsir-S"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All these fighters were built under a contract dated August 2009 with the Russian Ministry of Defense for the construction of 48 Su-35S fighters. Thus, total quantity 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 armament program, it was planned to have twenty-eight 2-division S-400 regiments and up to ten divisions of the latest S-500 air defense system (the latter should perform the tasks of not only air defense and tactical missile defense, but also strategic missile defense) by 2020. There is now no doubt that these plans will be thwarted. The same fully applies to plans regarding the production of the PAK FA.

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

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

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

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