Units of the Southern Military District (SE) will receive new portable air defense missile systems (MANPADS) "Willow". As sources in the Ministry of Defense told Izvestia, a fundamental decision on the complete rearmament of the Southern Military District with new air defense systems has already been made. The main deliveries will fall on the current and next years.
Anti-aircraft gunners of the Southern Military District will receive new items in full configuration - in addition to the MANPADS themselves, radar equipment, as well as automated control systems and armored vehicles for the transportation of personnel will be supplied.
The Ministry of Defense has already reported that the first 50 sets of this air defense complex in the summer of 2021 received a motorized rifle unit stationed in the Stavropol Territory.
"Willow" is a modern system that noticeably surpasses portable anti-aircraft systems of previous generations, its appearance will certainly strengthen the troops, military expert Viktor Murakhovsky told Izvestia.
"The complex implements the principle of "shot - forgot," he explained. — After capturing the target, the arrow just needs to press the "start" button, and the rocket will find the object it needs by itself."
According to sources of Izvestia, retraining of personnel is already underway in one of the training centers for an intensive program in conditions as close as possible to combat. In the classroom, future operators of "Willow" get acquainted with the tactical and technical characteristics of MANPADS. They practice the deployment of the complex, detection, tracking and destruction of targets simulating airplanes, helicopters, drones, as well as low-flying cruise missiles on oncoming and catch-up courses.
The training course is considered completed after the anti-aircraft gunners shoot at targets in the daytime and at night in different weather conditions, as well as against the background of the conditional use of false thermal interference by the enemy. As a result of the training, the troops receive MANPADS operators who have fully mastered the new equipment.
Read more in the exclusive material of Izvestia:
"Willow" overhead: troops receive new air defense systems