The mass production of three-ton FAB-3000 bombs began in Russia in February 2024
Russia has established mass production of three-ton high-explosive aircraft bombs FAB-3000. Their release in a new volume has been launched since February 2024. This was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The production of bombs is underway at enterprises of the military-industrial complex in the Nizhny Novgorod region. It was there that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived the other day. He inspected the production of bombs, as well as artillery and tank shells of various calibers.
Russian Ministry of Defense
According to Shoigu, the list of artillery shells produced has also been expanded, and the volume of production of modern artillery and aviation weapons has increased fivefold compared to 2023. The Russian Defense Ministry stressed that such results were achieved thanks to the deconservation of production facilities and the modernization of production lines with modern equipment, as well as technical re-equipment.
The plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region started working in three shifts
According to the Ministry of Defense, a lot of work has been done at the plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region to reconstruct and modernize production facilities. In total, after the implementation of the relevant measures, more than 45,000 square meters of working space were put into operation.
Most sections of the defense enterprise are now working around the clock, employees work on a three-shift schedule. In two years, there were 1,100 more workers. The ministry stressed that during this period, the plant increased tariff rates and salaries, as well as changed the bonus system. In this regard, the wages of workers increased by an average of 20 percent.
What is known about FAB-3000
FAB-3000 is a high—explosive aerial bomb, developed back in Soviet times, is one of the most destructive aviation weapons to date. The FAB-3000 is designed to destroy various types of structures, shelters (including concrete ones) and fortified industrial facilities. The bomb weighs about three tons, while the weight of the explosives is almost half — about 1400 kilograms — its throwing is carried out from a height of up to 16 kilometers, the flight speed can reach 1200 kilometers per hour.
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| FAB-3000 high-explosive bombs. |
| Source: Telegram channel of the Russian Ministry of Defense |
FAB-3000 high-explosive bombs were adopted after the Great Patriotic War along with ammunition of caliber 100, 250, 500, 1500, 5000 and 9000 kilograms. At that time, large-caliber superbombs were mainly intended for action on large naval ships, but the use of FAB-1500 was also allowed in relation to industrial facilities, dams and underground structures. There are known cases of the use of heavy high-explosive bombs during the Afghan war. Thus, the radius of lethal damage by the FAB-3000 shock wave did not exceed 39 meters. The enemy within a radius of 158 meters received contusions with bleeding from the nose and ears.
the weekly magazine of the Ministry of Defense "Zvezda"
The plans of the Russian Aerospace Forces for the use of high-explosive bombs FAB-3000 and FAB-5000M became known in September 2022. It was noted that a five-ton aerial bomb can be dropped from an altitude of 15,000 meters at a flight speed of 1,200 kilometers per hour. FAB-5000M targets are particularly durable objects, both above and below the ground. As for their smaller counterparts — the one and a half ton guided aerial bomb UPAB-1500B and its gliding counterpart — they are used in Ukraine.
Military expert, captain of the first rank of the reserve Vasily Dandykin noted that they are very effective and help the Russian Armed Forces to rescue Russian aircraft. He cited the opinion of American journalists that it was the planning bombs that prevented the successful counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). In the West, it is believed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are poorly equipped to deal with Russian planning bombs. Ukrainian commanders are confident that the only answer to them can be military aircraft.
In Russia, the end of the AFU infantry was predicted because of the FAB-3000
Meanwhile, retired military expert Anatoly Matviyuk commented on the start of mass production of the FAB-3000. He drew attention to the power of the Russian aerial bomb and the possible consequences of its use in the zone of a special military operation. In his opinion, the FAB-3000 may well be the end of the AFU infantry.
Anatoly Matviychuk
Military expert, retired Colonel
The expert noted that a high-explosive three-ton aerial bomb can bypass any obstacles. Including the FAB-3000 will be able to destroy concrete structures buried deep in the ground.
