The Russian army has received combat systems superior to their counterparts from NATO countries
The special operation in Ukraine has made significant adjustments to the process of creating new models of weapons and military equipment — they have been developing literally for several months, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. At the same time, he noted that the domestic equipment, which comes from the area of the SVO, has shown superiority over analogues developed in NATO countries. Izvestia found out which equipment appeared in the troops in 2023 and how it showed itself on the line of contact.
New samples
A sharp reduction in the time required to modernize existing and develop new weapons systems and military equipment is one of the main consequences of the special military operation in Ukraine. Samples that were normally developed and tested for five to eight years are now being brought to mass production within four to seven months.
Orion UAV
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Anton Vergun
— Now we are seeing more and more new, modernized equipment in the area of their defense, — military expert Alexey Leonkov told Izvestia. — In the category of UAVs, we can mention "Orions", "Lancets" and "Cubes", which have proven themselves admirably. If we are talking about aviation, then for the first time the fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft were used. Strategic and long-range aviation is actively involved in combat operations: Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS, Tu-160 and Tu-160M aircraft. They hit targets in the deep rear — Lviv and other regions.
The expert recalled that during the SDF, the Dagger hypersonic complex began to be used to destroy particularly important objects, such as bunkers. He also accounts for the destruction of the Patriot air defense system, which the United States supplied to Ukraine.
The artillery units have a self—propelled Mallow launcher, which uses "nomadic" tactics – it has ammunition, which it can fire at a rate of eight to nine rounds per minute and quickly change position.
T-90M tank
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Alexey Ramm
The T-90M tank showed itself in the best way, it is worth noting the work on the modernization of T-72B3M and T-80BV tanks, Alexey Leonkov believes.
— In addition, we have started using planning ammunition, which we make from conventional free-falling bombs. The experience made it possible to throw bombs several tens of kilometers from the target. And the Ukrainian air defense systems can't do anything about it, they call it the most terrible weapon," the expert said.
The invisible plane
Reports on the actions of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter in the special operation zone appeared back in 2022. The details became known this summer. At a closed screening within the framework of the Army-2023 forum, the latest missiles for the Su-57 were demonstrated, and one of the pilots spoke about the features of the fighter's combat use.
— In its own way, the aircraft solves problems with high quality, hits targets, its distinctive feature is low visibility, — said the pilot.
Su-57 fighter jet
Image source: Photo: TASS/EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV
It also became known that mini-drones were created for the Su-57: attack drones, reconnaissance vehicles and electronic warfare UAVs — fighters drop them to break through enemy air defenses or strike important targets.
The Western media, which stubbornly refused to call the Su-57 a fifth-generation aircraft, changed their tone. Among the main advantages of the Russian fighter over its Western counterparts, they began to name the R-37M missile, which has already shown high efficiency during its operation. Thanks to it, Sukhoi is able to hit air targets at a distance twice as long as analogues from the United States or China.
With surgical precision
At the beginning of the year, the Lancet kamikaze drones became an unpleasant surprise for the enemy. With their help, dozens of tanks, self-propelled guns, artillery pieces and other important targets were destroyed. The Lancets were able to reach even the enemy airfields, where they destroyed the planes.
In the spring, tests of the FPV drone "Ghoul" were completed in the SVO zone. With its help, heavy armored vehicles, support points and communications, pickups bringing ammunition and soldiers to the front line are destroyed. Artillery pieces and mortars fell under their blows.
Kamikaze drone "Lancet"
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Mikhail Voskresensky
High-precision cast iron
The situation in the airspace of the special operation zone was largely changed by the universal Planning and Correction Module (UMPC). During the year, it was massively implemented in combat aviation units.
UMPC are folding wings and a guidance unit that are mounted on a conventional bomb, turning it into a precision weapon. Bombs with UMPC are planned, guided by the terrain using GPS/ GLONASS, and are capable of hitting a target at a distance of up to 80 km from the drop point.
FAB-500 aerial bombs
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti
Thus, aviation was able to strike at the front line and in the depth of the enemy's defense, without entering the air defense zone. Most often, in conjunction with the UMPC, half-ton FAB-500 aerial bombs are used, which have much greater destructive power than any of the artillery shells used.
A Strong "Coalition"
At the end of 2023, the 152-millimeter self-propelled gun "Coalition-SV" was delivered to the zone. This machine surpasses the German Panzerhaubitze 2000 in rate of fire and hits targets at a distance of up to 80 km. Its appearance will seriously enhance the counter-battery capabilities of our artillery.
In addition, the newest self-propelled artillery gun (CAO) 2C43 "Malva" began to be used in the area of the SVO. It was created on the chassis of bases with a wheel formula of 8x8, can travel up to 1.1 thousand km without refueling. The maximum firing range of a conventional projectile is about 24 km, active—jet or guided missiles fly further. "Malva" is designed to destroy structures, artillery batteries, air defense systems, armored vehicles and enemy manpower.
Self-propelled artillery gun "Malva"
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/The press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
New self-propelled artillery and mortar installations "Vienna" received baptism of fire this year. The artillery system combines the functions of a cannon, howitzer and mortar. The minimum firing range for a mine is only 400 m, and for a projectile — 1700 m. This is important with the direct support of troops on the battlefield.
82 mm self-propelled mortars "Drok" and 120 mm self-propelled artillery guns "Phlox" are also undergoing pilot operation.
Tank "Breakthrough"
The main tank T-90M "Breakthrough" has been actively entering the army all year. The updated version is equipped with a set of dynamic protection units (DZ) in a hard case on top of the on-board screens. The placement of DZ blocks on the tower has also been redesigned.
The tank is equipped with anti-drone visors and a camouflage cape made of high-tech material, making it invisible in thermal imagers. Most likely, there are other changes, but they are not disclosed.
Updated versions of the T-80 and T-72 of the 2022 model have appeared, as well as T-62 tanks, which are used for firing from closed positions in the SVO zone.
CBT-2 "Tosochka"
Image source: iz.ru
Incendiary "Tosochka"
Tosochka delivered powerful strikes on enemy positions this year, the Russian Defense Ministry reported in October. This is the name of the heavy flamethrower system of the second generation. Shelters such as dugouts and pillboxes will not save from its thermobaric rocket.
Tosochka differs from the TOS-1 Pinocchio and TOS-1A Solntsepek currently in service with improved tactical and technical characteristics.
The complex is mounted on the wheeled chassis of the Ural car with increased cross-country capability, which makes it more mobile compared to its tracked predecessors. He is good at conducting maneuverable combat operations.
Remote mining system "Agriculture"
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation/Vadim Savitsky
Advanced "Farming"
The troops also received a new engineering system for remote mining "Agriculture", which has managed to prove itself well in combat conditions.
The combat vehicle of the Agriculture system resembles an ordinary Grad: two packages of 25 rockets loaded with mines are mounted on the four-axle KAMAZ chassis. Their flight range ranges from five to 15 km. With these munitions, minefields of any complexity and configuration can be set up in a matter of minutes. They also have special smart mines in their arsenal that independently find and destroy targets.
Julia Leonova
Bogdan Stepovoy