The Russian defense Ministry plans to dramatically increase the order for strategic cruise missiles. "At the beginning of next year, we will conclude long-term contracts for the additional purchase of high-precision long-range missiles, which will double their number," defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to the President last Monday.
We are talking about very expensive weapons, and the military uses them to solve particularly important tasks. But even in peacetime, they can not do without training launches. Therefore, the Russian Defense Ministry increases such orders. And it has been doing this for the past few years. According to the ministry, due to such contracts since 2012, the number of carriers of high-precision weapons has increased in the Russian Army and Navy by 13 times. And the number of land-based, air-based and sea-based cruise missiles has increased there by 37 times.
Let's explain what these weapons are and why it is so important for generals to have them in military arsenals. For example, the Kalibr naval strike systems, the Kh-101 cruise missiles of the Russian Long-range aviation, and the Iskander land-based operational-tactical complexes are classified as strategic non-nuclear forces. In practice, this means that, even without using nuclear equipment, such systems help generals and admirals solve strategic tasks. Their use has a significant impact on the course of a major battle, and even allows you to turn the situation around in the theater of operations. Although we are talking about the latest shock systems, they have already proved their exceptional effectiveness in a real combat situation. It is enough to recall the devastating impact on terrorists in Syria caused by the massive strikes of Russian strategic missile carriers Tu-160, Tu-95MS and supersonic bombers Tu-22M3 on control points, positions and warehouses of militants. Then the pilots also used X-101 missiles.
The sudden attack with high-precision cruise missiles "Kalibr", which in November 2015 our ships carried out on terrorists from the Caspian Sea, is generally worthy of studying in military universities.
Or take the operational-tactical "Iskander". At one time, their appearance in the Russian army made a lot of noise in the West. Now this unique equipment is available in all military districts of Russia, and in some of them several missile formations are based. With an interval of one minute, this complex can fire two ammunition, including a cruise missile, and control them throughout the flight.
In terms of its power, the Iskander's armament is equivalent to a nuclear bomb. Moreover, its missiles themselves can carry a nuclear warhead. The undoubted advantage of the complex is its mobility. Stealthily moving from place to place, it remains elusive for the enemy. In addition, the mobility of the Iskander guarantees the suddenness of a missile strike.
What is common is that a cruise missile flies at a distance of about 500 kilometers and carries a combat load not exceeding half a ton. Despite the fact that the ammunition is gaining altitude from 20 to 50 kilometers, its deviation from the target does not exceed seven meters. The unpredictable trajectory and invisibility for radar, which is guaranteed by stealth technology, makes Iskander virtually invulnerable to American Patriots and their European counterparts. Therefore, experts say that the unique military equipment is indispensable for the destruction of all existing air and missile systems in the world, as well as military airfields, army control and communication centers.
Yuri Gavrilov