What will be equipped with anti-aircraft systems that will replace the "Torus" and "Strelam-10"
Air defense troops will receive blinding and overwhelming protection. The Russian Defense Ministry has approved the technical requirements for a new generation of air defense systems, sources in the military department told Izvestia. Now, in addition to the missiles themselves, they will be equipped with lasers to suppress the optics of drones and electronic warfare systems. It is expected that the new anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) will replace the proven and well-proven Tor and Strelam-10. Experts note that the presence of laser systems will allow you not to spend expensive missiles on destroying cheap drones.
For protection and active attack
Russian next-generation air defense systems, in addition to missile weapons, will receive lasers to suppress UAV optics and electronic warfare elements. Such requirements are contained in the new tactical and technical requirements for ground forces air defense systems - Izvestia was informed by sources in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation about the completion of their development and confirmed by an interlocutor in the military—industrial complex. Electronic warfare systems will not only be able to cover air defense systems from high—precision weapons, but also be a means of active attack - to suppress radars, navigation systems and communication systems of aircraft and UAVs.
According to the interlocutors of the publication, it is expected that the first prototype models of the new SAMs will appear in the late 2020s - early 2030s. They should replace the Tor, Strela-10 and a number of other air defense systems that are currently in service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Strela Anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) -10
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti
With the development of drones and their mass appearance on the battlefield, the air defense forces faced a certain problem: in order to shoot down a cheap drone worth a couple of hundred dollars, an anti-aircraft missile is spent, the price of which is several orders of magnitude higher. Which makes its use, if not meaningless, then ineffective. That is why promising anti-aircraft systems will have laser systems to defeat such targets, former Deputy Commander-in-chief of the Air Force Aytech Bizhev told Izvestia.
— We have been talking about updating the requirements for air defense systems for a long time. This is part of the strategy for the development of the air defense forces and the air force," he explained. — Electronic warfare means will knock enemy aircraft off course, mislead them so that they do not achieve their goals.
Ultimately, the ability of air defense systems not only to destroy aircraft, but also to knock them off course as effectively as possible will protect troops and protected objects, experts believe.
— Electronic warfare, missiles and an optical signal suppressor, that is, a laser emitter, will be combined in one product. This is certainly a positive moment," military expert Viktor Murakhovsky told Izvestia. — But a lot depends on who exactly will be involved in the development. "Tori" and "Strela-10" are created by different manufacturers. Who will be responsible for the implementation of the approved terms of reference will be of great importance.
Anti-aircraft missile system "Tor"
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Sergey Pivovarov
Proven tools
The Tor and Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile systems, while no replacement has been developed for them, still remain quite modern means that cover troops in combat formations and on the march, experts say.
The Tor air defense system and its modifications are considered to be one of the most effective short-range air defense systems in the world. The complex was developed for the conditions of war with a high-tech enemy, which has cruise missiles, attack drones and adjustable bombs. It automatically detects a target in any weather, day or night, takes it on escort and destroys it. The operator only needs to press the control button.
With an external source of information, the SAM can be on duty even with the radar turned off, activating it only to deliver a sudden strike. This allows the "Thors" to organize ambushes on aircraft and remain invulnerable to missiles guided by radar radiation.
Photo: RIA Novosti/The press service of the Kalashnikov Concern
Image source: iz.ru
The Strela-10 tracked air defense system is a short—range air defense system that is used to cover ground forces from airplanes, helicopters and UAVs on the march and directly in positions. It is characterized by high mobility and ease of preparation for shooting. The transfer of the installation from the marching position to the combat position takes no more than 20 seconds. Rockets are ready for launch in 5-10 seconds. But its range is limited to 5 km, and its height is 3.5 km.
The SAM is guided by an optoelectronic system. It can work both independently and as part of a battery, receiving all information about the target from the commander's vehicle or other air defense units via radio communication. In this case, the car becomes invisible to the enemy.
Time requirements
In recent months, the production and development of air defense systems have been especially relevant, given that they not only cover troops in the area of their own defense, but also protect southern Russian cities from a missile attack from Ukraine. The VFU regularly launches guided missiles at Russian regions and fires at border areas from MLRS.
Russian Armed Forces servicemen at the control point of the Tor M2U anti-aircraft missile system
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti
Belgorod suffered most often from massive shelling. So, on December 30, the city center was subjected to a large-scale attack from the VFU. Alder rockets in prohibited cluster munitions and Czech-made MLRS "Vampire" rockets were used for the strike. Most of them were intercepted by Russian air defense systems.
Attacks by Ukrainian formations continued all week. On January 1, the opponents fired more than 50 shells at five districts of the Belgorod region, including nine explosive devices dropped from drones. On January 2, the VFU fired two Tochka-U missiles and 24 Alder missiles, all of which were shot down by Russian air defense systems. The most massive shelling of the Belgorod region occurred on January 6 — Ukrainian militants fired 129 shells. And on January 8, Russian air defense systems shot down 10 RM-70 "Vampire" MLRS shells over the region.
Alexey Mikhailov
Julia Leonova
Roman Kretsul