These combat vehicles have proven their effectiveness during a special military operation.
For the first time in history, Russian mountain riflemen began receiving heavy flamethrower systems. They are already being mastered by the 34th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle (mountain) brigade. These systems are unusual for such compounds.: It was believed that they primarily needed high mobility in difficult terrain, and heavy machinery would reduce it. During a military special operation, mountain riflemen operate on the plain, where they have to storm enemy fortified areas. Experts point out that when conducting such combat operations, powerful fire systems are needed, and TOSAS are the best suited for this role.
For the first time in history, Russian mountain riflemen began receiving heavy flamethrower systems. They are already being mastered by the 34th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle (mountain) brigade. These systems are unusual for such compounds.: It was believed that they primarily needed high mobility in difficult terrain, and heavy machinery would reduce it. During a military special operation, mountain riflemen operate on the plain, where they have to storm enemy fortified areas. Experts point out that when conducting such combat operations, powerful fire systems are needed, and TOSAS are the best suited for this role.
Heavy systems for "light" infantry
In the same 34th mining brigade, according to the staffing table, there were no heavy flamethrower systems before. The decision on such a reinforcement was made based on the results of studying the experience of conducting a special military operation in Ukraine, sources in the Russian Defense Ministry told Izvestia.
Izvestia's interlocutors recalled that the Airborne Troops had previously received such combat vehicles, also for the first time in their history. They have received upgraded TOS-1A "Solntsepek" combat vehicles.
Heavy flamethrower systems were originally in service with the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Forces The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
"During a special military operation, these combat systems have proven their effectiveness," Oleg Zheltonozhko, a military expert in the field of radiation, chemical and biological protection, told Izvestia. — In particular, the fighting has confirmed the high destructive power of TOSS. Specialized units — mountain riflemen, paratroopers, Marines — have lacked firepower since their inception. Now this gap is being filled. These units are used as reinforced infantry during their combat operations, which initially had better skills and combat experience compared to conventional linear bridge-shooting units. It is clear that they need serious fire support to increase their effectiveness. Heavy flamethrower systems will ensure this. As a result, their actions will become more effective.
Mountain riflemen are currently operating in the SVR zone, where there are no mountains, and the main battles are taking place in steppe and forest-steppe areas, said military expert Yuri Lyamin.
"All our light infantry, and these are Marines, paratroopers and mountain riflemen, have to break through well—fortified enemy positions, high mobility is not needed here," he noted. — During such assaults, heavy reinforcement equipment plays an important role, and TOSs is probably one of the most effective. They allow you to destroy the enemy in dugouts, ruins, industrial and any other buildings that the Ukrainian Armed Forces use for defense.
Experts recalled that after a volumetric detonating explosion of CBT ammunition, a fire tornado arises, which, spreading through the area, penetrates into any shelters. The main damaging factors of such ammunition are high temperature, shock wave and sudden pressure drop. No shelters can save you from its damaging effects.
Modernization of heavy flamethrowers
The army as a whole will gain some experience and develop new requirements for the use of this technology, Oleg Zheltonozhko also noted.
— As a result, we can get light or compact tosas for specialized parts, — he specified. — This is a continuous process of improving technology. In Afghanistan, for example, at the request of the paratroopers, infantry fighting vehicles were modified, resulting in the BMP-2D vehicle. It is possible that the requests of our specialized units will lead to the creation of new versions of heavy flamethrowers. Moreover, their effectiveness in mountainous conditions has long been proven during the Afghan conflict.
TOSA needs high-precision ammunition with increased range, in turn, said Yuri Lyamin.
— The biggest problem is the small firing range of the missiles, only a few kilometers, — said the expert. — When the enemy uses a large number of tactical drones, this makes it difficult for these systems to operate. But they are constantly working on upgrading ammunition. In a good way, TOSS need a long-range and guided munition that would allow them to hit the right point with a single shot. So far, the problem of accuracy is being solved with massive strikes.
The fire-breathing "Dragon"
Currently, the Russian army uses three types of heavy flamethrowers: Pinocchio, Solntsepek and Tosochka. The last of them is a vehicle made not on a tank, but on a wheeled chassis.
Earlier, Izvestia wrote about the beginning of deliveries to the troops of the new heavy flamethrower system TOS-3 "Dragon".
It is made on the basis of a tank chassis and received 15 guides for rocket projectiles — less than that of heavy flamethrower systems of previous generations.
The characteristics of the new car were not officially disclosed. But after the video appeared on the Internet, it became clear that the Dragon received dynamic armor protection for at least the sides and a protective screen made of mesh above the launcher — such products are now called mangalas.
In addition, experts noted that the TOS-3 has become more maneuverable and long-range when compared with its predecessors.
TOSy in battle
Earlier, Izvestia wrote how the newest TOSS-2 Tosochka of the Center group are operating in the SVO zone. These vehicles are manufactured on the basis of armored and mine-protected Tornado Urals.
The combat vehicle is sheathed with additional protection against enemy drones: it is covered with screens and nets around the perimeter, and metal chains where possible.
Infographics
Image Source: iz.ru
As a rule, "Tosochki" strike at fortified areas, concentrations of enemy manpower, regardless of whether they are sheltered or located in open areas. After its work, as the soldiers note, our infantry enters the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as a rule, without encountering resistance.
Bogdan Stepovoy
