In total, in the 2021 academic year, missile brigades of the Western Military District conducted seven launches of ballistic missiles with improved characteristics from the Iskander-M tactical complex. This was announced by the head of the missile forces and artillery of the ZVO, Alexander Dragovalovsky.
The press service of the district clarified that the launches took place at military ranges in the Astrakhan, Nizhny Novgorod and Leningrad regions. They said that in 2022 it is planned to carry out new training firing from the Iskander-M complex, including cruise missiles.
In this complex, the designers laid down unique combat and maneuverable capabilities. Iskander-M can fire two rounds of ammunition, including a cruise missile, with an interval of one minute, and control them throughout the flight. Moreover, the Iskander's armament is equivalent to a nuclear bomb in terms of its power.
What is common is that a cruise missile flies at a distance of up to 500 (in the export version - 280) 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 radars, which is guaranteed by stealth technology, makes Iskander practically invulnerable to American Patriot complexes. Therefore, experts say: this military equipment is indispensable for the destruction of all existing anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems in the world, as well as military airfields, army control and communications centers.
The undoubted advantage of Iskander is its mobility. Secretly moving from place to place, the complex remains elusive for the enemy. In addition, mobility guarantees the suddenness of a missile strike.
According to some reports, up to 10 different warheads can be used on this complex - high-explosive, penetrating and others. Some of the head units have an individual guidance system. There was information in the media that the combat units of this complex can be equipped with a GPS/GLONASS-based guidance system. And also - its own electronic warfare system for setting up active interference with enemy air defense systems.
Speaking in general, the Iskander is six types of machines, including more than fifty pieces of equipment. In addition to the launcher, the complex includes a transport-loading vehicle with two additional missiles, a maintenance vehicle, a mobile command post, an information preparation point, a set of arsenal equipment and training facilities.
Yuri Gavrilov
