The Tor-M2KM short-range air defense system began to be installed on the MRK and patrol ships
The Tor-M2KM anti-aircraft missile system began to be installed on small missile and patrol ships. This is a new modification of the SAM, made according to the modular principle, can be installed on any platform. "Tor" is considered one of the most effective short-range systems and has proven itself well in its field. Experts note that installing "Torus" on ships will significantly increase their protection from air strikes.
Its proven
Small missile and patrol ships of the Russian Navy are already receiving the Tor-M2KM anti-aircraft missile system. In particular, they have already been installed on the small rocket ship Sovetsk of project 22800 Karakurt and the patrol vessel Vasily Bykov of project 22160. In the future, other combat units of these and other types of ships will be equipped with air defense systems, sources told Izvestia in the Russian Navy.
In 2022, the media already reported that the patrol ships of the 22160 project are going to be armed with the Tor-M2KM anti-aircraft missile system (SAM).
Patrol ship of project 22160 "Vasily Bykov"
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Danichev
It is also known that in 2016, successful tests were conducted on the integration and application of this anti-aircraft missile system on surface ships of the Russian Navy. During them, the Tor was installed on the helipad of the Admiral Grigorovich frigate and successfully launched missile simulators.
"The Tor anti—aircraft systems have proven themselves in a special military operation at the highest level, hitting all aircraft," former deputy head of the Air Force for the CIS Joint Air Defense System, Lieutenant General Aytech Bizhev, told Izvestia. — Therefore, the safety of the ship will increase. This is a very effective anti-aircraft missile system against low-altitude maneuverable high-speed targets. It is capable of conducting combat operations against aircraft at low and medium altitudes.
A special military operation has shown that it is necessary to strengthen the air defense of such valuable combat units as small missile ships," military expert Dmitry Boltenkov believes.
"That's what we're doing," he told Izvestia. — Of course, the defense capability of the ships will increase dramatically. Especially if they were able to make an option integrated with the ship. The enemy is actively using all kinds of missiles and aircraft against our fleet, so they began to install such modules as a means of protection. They were tested in the Black Sea Fleet even before the special military operation. This process has now been activated.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Timkiv
Image source: iz.ru
The system will seriously strengthen the ships, military expert Vladislav Shurygin is sure.
"The Tor machine itself is very efficient, modern, high—speed, capable of operating in automatic mode, and it was necessary to start installing it on ships a long time ago," he told Izvestia.
It will even intercept HIMARS
The Tor-M2 is considered one of the most effective short-range air defense systems. It is designed to cover the first echelons of the ground forces from cruise missiles, gliding bombs, airplanes, helicopters and various types of drones. Thanks to the vertical launch of missiles, it can reflect a raid from any direction. The modern modification of the complex is equipped with a 9M338K anti-aircraft missile with improved capabilities. The ammunition capacity of one installation is up to 16 rounds.
The range of the Tora missiles exceeds 16 km, they can shoot down targets at altitudes from 10 m to 12 km, and detect them at a distance of up to 32 km.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
"Tor" is regularly updated taking into account the experience of a special military operation. In February last year, Ilya Rykov, Deputy chief designer for repair and modernization of the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol, reported that thanks to the refinement of the SAM, it can more effectively intercept projectiles of the American HIMARS MLRS.
"Tor-M2KM" is one of the newest modifications of the complex. The combat vehicle from its composition is made in the form of an autonomous combat module, which can be placed on any chassis or platform and used in a stationary form. This allows you to quickly strengthen the air defense of warships, military groups, important industrial and infrastructure facilities.
The small rocket ships of the Karakurt project 22800 are relatively small, with a displacement of 870 tons. However, despite their modest size, they carry a rather impressive arsenal. It includes a 3C14 firing range for eight Kalibr cruise missiles or supersonic anti-ship Onyx missiles, as well as a 76.2mm AK-176MA artillery installation.
The contours of the ship and the use of radio-absorbing materials in the design make the Karakurts less noticeable to enemy radars than previous generations of MRCS. At the same time, they are equipped with modern radar stations and navigation equipment, as well as combat control, detection, targeting and communication complexes.
The small rocket ship of the project 22800 Karakurt Sovetsk
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
Patrol ships of the 22160 project were developed in the post-Soviet period. They are designed for the defense of the coast and coastal bases, for escorting ship groups and vessels, as well as conducting search and rescue operations. They can reach speeds of up to 25 knots, and the crew includes about 80 people. The ship is armed with a 76mm artillery mount, grenade launchers and Kord machine guns. The Ka-27PS helicopter can be based on it.
The ships of the 22160 project are made according to a modular scheme. This allows you to quickly mount weapons and equipment on them for a specific task. Sonar stations and other equipment in 40-foot containers are connected to the ship's power supply and integrated into a single control system.
Vladimir Matveev
Roman Kretsul
Bogdan Stepovoy
