Russian air defense missile system. The current state of the Russian air defense system. Russian air defense systems in action

To write this article, I was largely inspired by the excessive jingoistic moods of a significant part of the visitors of the Military Review website, which I respect, as well as the cunning of the domestic media, which regularly publish materials about the strengthening of our military power, unprecedented since Soviet times, including the Air Force and Air Defense.

For example, in a number of media outlets, including on "VO", in the section "" not so long ago an article was published entitled: "Two air defense divisions began to protect the airspace of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region."

In which it is said: “The assistant commander of the troops of the Central Military District, Colonel Yaroslav Roshchupkin, said that two divisions of air defense took up combat duty, starting to protect the airspace of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region.

“The duty forces of two air defense divisions have taken up combat duty to cover administrative, industrial and military facilities in the Volga region, the Urals and Siberia. New formations were formed on the basis of the Novosibirsk and Samara aerospace defense brigades, ”RIA Novosti quotes him as saying.

Combat crews equipped with S-300PS anti-aircraft missile systems will cover the airspace over the territory of 29 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which are part of the CVO's area of ​​​​responsibility.

After such news, an inexperienced reader may get the impression that our air defense anti-aircraft missile units have received qualitative and quantitative reinforcement with new anti-aircraft systems.

In practice, in this case, no quantitative, much less qualitative strengthening of our air defense has happened. It all comes down to just changing the organizational structure. New equipment did not enter the troops.

The S-300PS anti-aircraft missile system mentioned in the publication, with all its advantages, cannot be considered new in any way.

S-300PS with 5V55R missiles was put into service back in 1983. That is, more than 30 years have passed since the adoption of this system. But at present, in the anti-aircraft missile units of air defense, more than half of the long-range S-300P air defense systems belong to this modification.

In the near future (two or three years), most of the S-300PS will either have to be written off or overhauled. However, it is not known which option is economically preferable, the modernization of old or the construction of new anti-aircraft systems.

The earlier towed version of the S-300PT has either been decommissioned or transferred "for storage" without any chance of returning to the troops.

The most "fresh" complex from the "three hundredth" S-300PM family was delivered to the Russian army in the mid-90s. Most of the anti-aircraft missiles currently in service were produced at the same time.

The new, widely advertised S-400 anti-aircraft missile system has just begun to enter service. In total, as of 2014, 10 regimental kits were delivered to the troops. Taking into account the upcoming mass write-off of military equipment that has exhausted its resource, this amount is absolutely not enough.

Of course, experts, of whom there are many on the site, can reasonably object that the S-400 is significantly superior in its capabilities to the systems it is replacing. However, we should not forget that the means of air attack of the main "potential partner" are constantly being improved qualitatively. In addition, as follows from "open sources", mass production of promising 9M96E and 9M96E2 missiles and 40N6E ultra-long-range missiles has not yet been established. Currently, the S-400 uses 48N6E, 48N6E2, 48N6E3 SAM S-300PM missiles, as well as 48N6DM missiles modified for the S-400.

In total, according to "open sources", in our country there are about 1500 launchers of the S-300 family of air defense systems - this, apparently, taking into account the air defense units of the ground forces that are "in storage" and in service.

Today, Russian air defense forces (those that are part of the Air Force and Air Defense) have 34 regiments with S-300PS, S-300PM and S-400 air defense systems. In addition, not so long ago, several anti-aircraft missile brigades, converted into regiments, were transferred to the Air Force and Air Defense from the air defense of the ground forces - two 2-divisional S-300V and Buk brigades and one mixed (two S-300V divisions , one Buk division). Thus, in the troops we have 38 regiments, including 105 divisions.

However, these forces are distributed extremely unevenly throughout the country, Moscow is best protected, around which there are ten regiments of S-300P air defense systems (two of them have two S-400 divisions each).

Satellite image of Google Earth. The layout of the positions of air defense systems around Moscow. Colored triangles and squares - positions and areas of basing of active air defense systems, blue rhombuses and circles - surveillance radars, white ones - currently liquidated air defense systems and radars

The northern capital, St. Petersburg, is well covered. The sky above it is protected by two regiments of S-300PS and two regiments of S-300PM.

Satellite image of Google Earth. Scheme of placement of air defense systems around St. Petersburg

The Northern Fleet bases in Murmansk, Severomorsk and Polyarny are covered by three S-300PS and S-300PM regiments, at the Pacific Fleet near Vladivostok and Nakhodka - two S-300PS regiments, and the Nakhodka regiment received two S-400 divisions. Avacha Bay in Kamchatka, where SSBNs are based, is covered by one S-300PS regiment.

Satellite image of Google Earth. ZRS S-400 in the vicinity of Nakhodka

The Kaliningrad region and the BF base in Baltiysk are protected from air attack by the S-300PS/S-400 mixed regiment.

Satellite image of Google Earth. S-400 air defense system in the Kaliningrad region at the former positions of the S-200 air defense system

Recently, there has been an increase in the anti-aircraft cover of the Black Sea Fleet. Prior to the well-known events related to Ukraine, a mixed regiment with S-300PM and S-400 divisions was deployed in the Novorossiysk region.

At present, there is a significant strengthening of the air defense of the main naval base of the Black Sea Fleet - Sevastopol. It is reported that in November, the peninsula's air defense group was replenished with S-300PM air defense systems. Taking into account the fact that complexes of this type are currently not produced by industry for their own needs, most likely they were transferred from another region of the country.

In terms of air defense cover, the central region of our country resembles a "patchwork quilt" in which there are more holes than patches. There is one S-300PS regiment each in the Novgorod region, near Voronezh, Samara and Saratov. The Rostov region is covered by one regiment of S-300PM and Buk.

In the Urals, near Yekaterinburg, there are positions of an anti-aircraft missile regiment armed with S-300PS. Beyond the Urals, in Siberia, only three regiments are deployed on a gigantic territory, one S-300PS regiment each near Novosibirsk, in Irkutsk and Achinsk. In Buryatia, not far from the Dzhida station, one regiment of the Buk air defense system is deployed.

Satellite image of Google Earth. ZRS S-300PS near Irkutsk

In addition to anti-aircraft systems protecting the fleet bases in Primorye and Kamchatka, in the Far East there are two more S-300PS regiments covering Khabarovsk (Knyaz-Volkonskoye) and Komsomolsk-on-Amur (Lian), respectively, one S-300PS regiment is deployed in the vicinity of Birobidzhan. 300V.

That is, the entire vast Far Eastern Federal District is protected by: one regiment of mixed S-300PS / S-400, four regiments of S-300PS, one regiment of S-300V. This is all that remains of the once powerful 11th Air Defense Army.

The "holes" between the air defense facilities in the east of the country are several thousand kilometers long, anyone and anything can fly into them. However, not only in Siberia and the Far East, but throughout the country, a huge number of critical industrial and infrastructure facilities are not covered by any air defense systems.

In a significant part of the country's territory, nuclear and hydroelectric power plants remain unprotected, air strikes on which can lead to catastrophic consequences. Vulnerability from air attack means of deployment of Russian strategic nuclear forces provokes “potential partners” to attempt a “disarming strike” with high-precision means of destroying non-nuclear equipment.

In addition, long-range anti-aircraft systems themselves need protection. They need to be covered from the air with short-range air defense systems. Today, regiments with the S-400 receive the Pantsir-S air defense missile systems for this (2 per division), but the S-300P and B are not covered by anything, except, of course, for effective protection of anti-aircraft machine gun installations of 12.7 mm caliber.

"Pantsir-S"

The situation with the lighting of the air situation is no better. This should be done by radio engineering troops, their functional duty is to issue early information about the beginning of an enemy air attack, provide target designation for anti-aircraft missile forces and air defense aviation, as well as information for controlling air defense formations, units and subunits.

During the years of “reforms”, the continuous radar field formed during the Soviet era was partially, and in some places completely lost.
At present, there is practically no possibility of controlling the air situation over the polar latitudes.

Until recently, our political and former military leadership appears to have been preoccupied with other more pressing issues, such as downsizing the military and selling off "surplus" military property and real estate.

Only recently, at the end of 2014, the Minister of Defense, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, announced measures that should help correct the existing situation in this area.

As part of the expansion of our military presence in the Arctic, it is planned to build and reconstruct existing facilities on the New Siberian Islands and Franz Josef Land, reconstruct airfields and deploy modern radar stations in Tiksi, Naryan-Mar, Alykel, Vorkuta, Anadyr and Rogachevo. The creation of a continuous radar field over the territory of Russia should be completed by 2018. At the same time, it is planned to upgrade radar stations and data processing and transmission facilities by 30%.

Separate mention deserves fighter aviation, designed to deal with enemy air attack weapons and carry out tasks to gain air superiority. Currently, the Russian Air Force formally has (taking into account those in "storage") about 900 fighters, of which: Su-27 of all modifications - more than 300, Su-30 of all modifications - about 50, Su-35S - 34, MiG -29 of all modifications - about 250, MiG-31 of all modifications - about 250.

It should be borne in mind that a significant part of the Russian fighter fleet is only nominally in the Air Force. Many aircraft produced in the late 80s and early 90s require major repairs and modernization. In addition, due to problems with the supply of spare parts and the replacement of failed avionics units, some of the upgraded fighters are in fact, as the aviators put it, "doves of peace." They can still take to the air, but they can no longer fully complete a combat mission.

The past year 2014 was notable for the volumes of deliveries of aviation equipment to the Russian armed forces that were unprecedented since the times of the USSR.

In 2014, our Air Force received 24 Su-35S multifunctional fighters manufactured by the Yu.A. Gagarin in Komsomolsk-on-Amur (branch of Sukhoi Company OJSC):

Twenty of them became part of the reconstructed 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 303rd Guards Mixed Aviation Division of the 3rd Air Force and Air Defense Command of Russia at the Dzemgi airfield (Khabarovsk Territory), which is joint with the plant.

All these fighters were built under an August 2009 contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense for the construction of 48 Su-35S fighters. Thus, the total number of vehicles manufactured under this contract by the beginning of 2015 reached 34.

The production of Su-30SM fighters for the Russian Air Force is carried out by the Irkut Corporation under two contracts for 30 aircraft each, concluded with the Russian Ministry of Defense in March and December 2012. After the delivery of 18 vehicles in 2014, the total number of Su-30SMs delivered to the Russian Air Force reached 34 units.

Eight more Su-30M2 fighters were produced by the Yu.A. Gagarin in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Three fighters of this type entered the newly formed 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 27th Mixed Aviation Division of the 4th Air Force and Air Defense Command of Russia at the Belbek airfield (Crimea).

The Su-30M2 aircraft were built under a contract dated December 2012 for the supply of 16 Su-30M2 fighters, bringing the total number of aircraft built under this contract to 12, and the total number of Su-30M2 in the Russian Air Force to 16.

However, this significant amount by today's standards is absolutely not enough to replace in the fighter regiments written off due to the complete physical deterioration of the aircraft.

Even if the current pace of deliveries of aircraft to the troops is maintained, according to forecasts, in five years the fighter fleet of the Russian Air Force will be reduced to about 600 aircraft.

During the next five years, about 400 Russian fighters will probably be written off - up to 40% of the current payroll.

This is primarily due to the upcoming decommissioning of the old-built MiG-29s (about 200 units) in the very near future. Due to problems with the airframe, about 100 aircraft have already been rejected.

The non-modernized Su-27s, whose flight life is ending in the near future, will also be decommissioned. The number of MiG-31 interceptors will be reduced by more than half. As part of the Air Force, it is planned to leave 30-40 MiG-31s ​​in DZ and BS modifications, another 60 MiG-31s ​​will be upgraded to the BM version. The remaining MiG-31s ​​(about 150 units) are planned to be written off.

Partially, the shortage of long-range interceptors should be resolved after the start of mass deliveries of the PAK FA. It was announced that it is planned to purchase up to 60 PAK FA units by 2020, but so far these are only plans that are likely to undergo significant adjustments.

The Russian Air Force has 15 AWACS A-50 aircraft (another 4 are in “storage”), recently they were supplemented by 3 modernized A-50U.
The first A-50U was delivered to the Russian Air Force in 2011.

As a result of the work carried out as part of the modernization, the functionality of the airborne early warning and control complex has significantly increased. The number of simultaneously tracked targets and simultaneously guided fighters has been increased, the detection range of various aircraft has been increased.

The A-50 should be replaced by the A-100 AWACS aircraft based on the Il-76MD-90A with the PS-90A-76 engine. The antenna complex is built on the basis of an antenna with an active phased array.

At the end of November 2014 TANTK them. G. M. Beriev received the first Il-76MD-90A aircraft for conversion into A-100 AWACS aircraft. Deliveries to the Russian Air Force are scheduled to begin in 2016.

All domestic AWACS aircraft are based on a permanent basis in the European part of the country. Beyond the Urals, they appear quite rarely, for the most part during large-scale exercises.

Unfortunately, loud statements from high tribunes about the revival of our Air Force and Air Defense often have little in common with reality. Absolute irresponsibility for the promises made by high-ranking civil and military officials has become an unpleasant tradition in the “new” Russia.

As part of the state armaments program, it was supposed to have twenty-eight 2-divisional S-400 regiments and up to ten divisions of the latest S-500 air defense system (the latter should perform the tasks of not only air defense and tactical missile defense, but also strategic missile defense) by 2020. Now there is no doubt that these plans will be thwarted. The same fully applies to plans for the production of PAK FA.

However, no one, as usual, will be seriously punished for disrupting the state program. After all, we “do not hand over our own”, and “we are not in our 37th year”, right?

P. S. All the information provided in the article regarding the Russian Air Force and Air Defense is taken from open public sources, the list of which is given. The same applies to possible inaccuracies and errors.

Information sources:
http://rbase.new-factoria.ru
http://bmpd.livejournal.com
http://geimint.blogspot.ru
Satellite imagery courtesy of Google Earth

"Ministry of Defense of Russia"

Air defense troops appeared during the First World War. On December 26, 1915, the first four separate four-gun light batteries were formed and sent to the Western Front for firing at air targets. In accordance with the order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation of February 9, 2007, this memorable date began to be celebrated in Russia as the Military Air Defense Day.

Organizationally, these formations are part of the formations, formations and units of the Ground Forces, Airborne Forces, Coastal Forces of the Navy (Navy) and perform tasks in the country's unified air defense system. They are equipped with anti-aircraft missile, anti-aircraft artillery, anti-aircraft cannon-missile systems (systems), as well as portable weapons, of various ranges and methods of guiding missiles. Depending on the range of destruction of air targets, they are divided into short-range complexes - up to 10 km, short-range - up to 30 km, medium - up to 100 km and long-range - more than 100 km.

At the final collegium of the Russian Defense Ministry, held on December 22, Oleg Salyukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, said that the Russian military air defense is capable of repelling any means of air attack that exist in the world. He stressed that the development of military threats in the aerospace sphere necessitates "the coordinated development of aerospace and air defense systems, taking into account qualitatively new requirements."

The modern armament of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces in many respects surpasses its predecessors, has no analogues in the world, which is confirmed by the high competitiveness in the arms market

Oleg Salyukov

Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, Colonel General

The military air defense is armed with S-300V4 air defense systems (interception range - up to 400 km) and Tor-M1 (up to 15 km), Buk-M1 air defense systems (up to 45 km), Strela-10M4 (up to 8 km ), "OSA-AKM" (up to 10 km), anti-aircraft gun-missile systems "Tunguska-M1" (up to 10 km), anti-aircraft artillery systems "Shilka-M5" (up to 6 km), all-weather tactical missile systems "Tor- M2U" and others. At present, the troops have already formed new anti-aircraft missile formations armed with S-300V4 and the Buk-M2 complex. Re-equipment is underway with the new Buk-MZ, Tor-M2 and the Verba portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS).

New weapons have absorbed the best qualities of their predecessors and are capable of hitting both aerodynamic and ballistic targets, cruise missiles, aerial reconnaissance and electronic warfare equipment, and combat airborne assault forces. Military air defense should not be confused with the Air and Missile Defense Forces (PVO-PRO), which are part of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

The progress of rearmament

S-300V4, Buk-MZ and Tor-M2 are included in the list of priority weapons and military equipment that determine the appearance of promising weapons systems for the Russian army. Lieutenant-General Alexander Leonov, head of the military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, told the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper that in 2017, the main efforts were focused on equipping formations and units of the Southern and Western military districts with this equipment.

As a result, the following were re-equipped and retrained: an anti-aircraft missile brigade - on the Buk-MZ medium-range air defense system; anti-aircraft missile regiments of combined arms formations - on the Tor-M2 short-range air defense system; air defense units of combined arms formations - on the Verba MANPADS

Alexander Leonov

The Buk-MZ air defense system was delivered to the unit of the Western Military District, whose servicemen next year will have to undergo retraining for new systems and perform docking live firing at specialized training centers for the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces.

In 2018, it is planned to equip two military air defense units with Tor-M2 complexes; air defense units operating in the conditions of the Arctic and the Far North should receive short-range air defense systems "Tor-M2DT"; air defense units of combined arms formations - MANPADS "Verba".

Thus, the systematic and annual increase in the combat strength of the troops, the implementation of a complete re-equipment with modern anti-aircraft missile systems will make it possible by 2020 to increase the combat capabilities of the air defense forces by almost 1.3 times.

Alexander Leonov

Chief of the Air Defense Forces of the RF Armed Forces, Lieutenant General

Compared to the systems of the previous generation, it has a two to three times wider area covered from air strikes and an increased range of the border of the zone of destruction of air targets. These parameters, in particular, provide a guaranteed interception of warheads of medium-range ballistic missiles. S-300V4 is a modification of the S-300VM system, which has higher performance characteristics due to the introduction of modern computing tools and the element base, the use of new components. The new system is capable of hitting ballistic and aerodynamic targets at ranges up to 400 km. The supply contract was signed in 2012. The first set was handed over to the customer in December 2014.

Continuation

The evolution of "Thor"

According to open sources, the first modification of the Tor family air defense system entered service in 1986. Since 2011, a modification of the Tor-M2U complex has been supplied to the troops. The combat vehicle provides all-round destruction of air targets, including the striking elements of high-precision weapons. The air defense system allows you to conduct reconnaissance on the move over any terrain and simultaneously fire at four air targets in a given sector.

The modern "Tor-M2" began to enter the troops in 2016. Compared with previous modifications, it has improved the characteristics of the affected area, the transportable stock of anti-aircraft guided missiles, noise immunity and others by one and a half to two times. It is capable of destroying targets flying at speeds up to 700 m/s, at ranges up to 12 km and altitudes up to 10 km. A battery of four vehicles can simultaneously attack 16 targets.

In 2016, the Almaz-Antey VKO concern began work on the Arctic version of the short-range air defense system - Tor-M2DT. The new version is installed on the chassis of a two-link tracked tractor DT-30PM-T1 (DT - two-link tractor).

In 2018-2019, a marine version of Thor may already appear. This was reported by the press service of the Almaz-Antey concern during the KADEX 2016 exhibition. At the same time, in a number of parameters, the ship version of the complex will surpass the existing representatives of the Tor family.

This issue has been worked out by the concern, and taking into account the experience of cooperation enterprises in the production and installation of complexes such as "Osa", "Dagger" and others on the ships of the Navy, as well as the possibility of using components for serially produced land-based models of the Tor air defense system, we can conclude that the creation of a "marine "Thor versions" in the shortest possible time (the first samples of air defense systems may appear in 2018-2019), and at minimal cost

press service of the concern VKO "Almaz-Antey"

In 2016, the chief designer of anti-aircraft missile systems at the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol (part of the Almaz-Antey concern), Iosif Drize (the creator of a number of modern air defense systems, died in November 2016 - TASS note) stated that in the future "Tor "will become fully robotic and will be able to shoot down targets without human intervention. As Drize said, the air defense system can still work without human intervention, but in some cases an operator is needed in conditions of strong interference. In addition, the enterprise is engaged in increasing the capabilities of "Tor" to destroy cruise missiles created using stealth technologies.

New military "Gadfly"

Buk-M2 (according to NATO codification - SA-11 Gadfly, "Gadfly") is considered one of the most effective representatives of its class. Its development was completed back in 1988, but it was only 15 years later that it was possible to deploy serial production.

In 2016, the military received the first brigade kit of the new Buk, the Buk-M3. The characteristics of the complex are unknown, but its predecessor is capable of hitting air targets with solid-propellant missiles at a distance of 3 km to 45 km and at an altitude of up to 15 m to 25 km. In addition, it can destroy ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 150–200 km. Thanks to the new missile "Buk-M3" is almost twice as superior to previous models and has no analogues in the world. In addition, due to the smaller mass of the rocket, it was possible to increase the ammunition load by one and a half times. Another feature of the complex is the placement of the rocket in the launch container.

In the transport and launch containers (complex) there are six missiles on each self-propelled firing system. Rockets have become more compact, but nevertheless they fly faster, farther and more accurately. That is, a new unique missile has been created, which will make it more likely to destroy air targets

Alexander Leonov

Chief of the Air Defense Forces of the RF Armed Forces, Lieutenant General

In 2015, it was reported that the novelty surpassed the long-range S-300 system in a number of parameters. “First of all, we are talking about the probability of hitting targets, which is 0.9999 for the Buk-M3, which is not for the S-300,” a TASS source said. In addition, the maximum engagement range of the complex has been increased by 25 km compared to its predecessor and brought up to 70 km.

"Verba" for landing

The entry into the troops of MANPADS "Verba" continues. In August of this year, it became known that all airborne and airborne assault divisions of the Airborne Forces had already been re-equipped with Verba. According to the commander of the Airborne Forces, Colonel-General Andrey Serdyukov, "Verba" is capable of hitting tactical aircraft, attack helicopters, cruise missiles and remotely piloted aircraft on head-on and overtaking courses, in day and night conditions with visual visibility of the target, including in conditions of background and artificial interference.

Among the advantages of the "Verba" is the possibility of firing on a collision course at low-emitting targets in the infrared range on the far border of the affected area at extremely low altitudes. The new short-range systems, unlike their predecessors (Igla MANPADS), have expanded combat capabilities and provide high efficiency in hitting targets, despite powerful optical countermeasures.

Compared to previous MANPADS, the "Verba" has a several-fold increase in the area of ​​fire for targets with low thermal radiation and dozens of times - noise immunity from powerful pyrotechnic interference. While the order of combat use of new MANPADS is similar to the order of use of complexes of the previous generation, the Verba has reduced the consumption of missiles to hit a single target and expanded the temperature range of use to minus 50 degrees. MANPADS are capable of hitting subtle targets of a mock enemy at altitudes from 10 m to 4.5 km and at ranges from 500 m to 6.5 km.

Roman Azanov

Alexey Leonkov

The Russian Federation is the only country in the world that has a full-scale, layered, integrated aerospace defense system. The technical basis of the aerospace defense are complexes and systems of air and missile defense, designed to solve all types of tasks: from tactical to operational-strategic. The technical parameters of the complexes and systems of the aerospace defense make it possible to organize a reliable cover for the troops, the most important objects of state administration, industry, energy and transport.

2016 turned out to be a “fruitful” year for news about air defense systems that are being put into service under the State Armaments Program (SAP-2020). Many experts and military specialists call them the best among the existing air defense systems. The Russian concern Almaz-Antey, the leading developer and manufacturer of aerospace defense complexes and systems, does not stop there, has begun developing fifth-generation anti-aircraft missile systems, and is creating a scientific and technical reserve for the future.
The Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine in 2016 devoted a number of articles to the topic of air defense, starting with the history of its creation (see “Military Academy in the 100-year history of military air defense” in No. 1 (21) 2016), spoke about the basics of the combat use of military air defense (see "Military air defense: the basics of combat use" in No. 4 (24) 2016) and military air defense systems of the armies of the world (see "Military air defense systems of the armies of the world" in No. 3 (23) 2016).
Such attention to this type of defense is paid for a reason. The fact is that within the framework of the Military Doctrine adopted in 2008, air defense systems and complexes occupy one of the key places in the defense construction and modernization of the Russian army.
The intermediate results of building a modern layered air defense were discussed at the XXIV Military Scientific Conference of the Military Air Defense, held in May 2016 in Smolensk. In the report of the head of the military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Leonov A. P. "Development of the theory and practice of using the military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in modern conditions," it was noted that the combat potential of the military air defense has increased significantly with the supply of the latest high-performance anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes. These are, first of all, the S-300V4 air defense system, the Buk-M2 / M3 air defense system and the Tor-M2 / M2U air defense system. These systems differ from their predecessors in higher noise immunity and effectiveness in destroying various air attack weapons (AAS), multi-channel, increased rate of fire and increased anti-aircraft missile ammunition.
Doctor of Military Sciences, Lieutenant General Gavrilov A. D. in the article "Military air defense: the basics of combat use" noted the following: "No matter how highly effective technical means the air defense system possesses, the achievement of the tasks set is achieved by the skillful combat use of formations, units and subunits in battle and operations. The entire 100-year history of the existence of military air defense testifies to the high level of professionalism of commanders and headquarters, the awareness of personal responsibility by each anti-aircraft gunner for the task of protecting the peaceful sky.
The development and production of high-performance equipment in parallel with the participation in the training of personnel of military air defense units is a distinctive feature of the practical work of the Russian defense association - Concern VKO Almaz-Antey.

The results of the work of Almaz-Antey

In November 2016, Almaz-Antey summed up the results of the year. As part of the state defense order (GOZ), the Ministry of Defense received five regiments of the S-400 Triumph air defense system, three Buk-M2 medium-range air defense systems, four Tor-M2 short-range air defense systems, and a brigade set of the latest Buk-M2 air defense systems. M3", as well as a number of different radars. In addition, in the outgoing year, Almaz-Antey specialists carried out the necessary service activities for the maintenance and repair of more than two thousand units of weapons, military and special equipment (AMSE) previously transferred to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and also delivered simulators for training combat crews of complexes air defense.
“Already now, the annual tasks for the supply of basic weapons have been completed by 70 percent, and in terms of the purchase of missiles and ammunition - by more than 85 percent.
The troops received over 5.5 thousand units of weapons and military equipment, including more than 60 new and 130 modernized aircraft and helicopters, a multi-purpose submarine, more than 60 anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes, 55 radar stations, 310 new and 460 modernized tanks and armored vehicles,” the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin noted in his speech at a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, federal departments and enterprises of the defense industry, which was held on November 15, 2016 in Sochi.
At the same meeting, the Concern's contribution to ensuring the security of the Khmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval base was noted after the deployment of the S-400 air defense system and the S-300V4 air defense system. According to the Minister of Defense of Russia, General of the Army Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, these systems reliably protect our bases in Syria both from the sea and from land. In addition, the Concern's specialists restored the Syrian S-200 air defense systems.
The concern continued work on the supply of modernized and latest air defense systems for the S-300V4 air defense system, the Buk-M3 air defense system and the Tor-M2U air defense system to the troops. Without going into the enumeration of the technical characteristics of these complexes, we will briefly highlight their key features.

ZRS S-300V4
This air defense system is a deep modernization of the S-300 complex, which has been produced by the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Concern since 1978. The heavy 9M83VM missile of the modernized S-300V4 is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 7.5 and can hit air targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers. The "small" missile has a range of up to 150 km. It is ensured that all existing and future means of aerospace attack are destroyed, including tactical ballistic missiles (at a range of up to 200 km). In general, the combat effectiveness of the S-300V4 has increased by 2.3 times compared to previous generations of the S-300.
Another feature of the system is increased mobility. Elements of the S-300V4 are placed on a tracked chassis, which allows for maneuver and deployment in the operational formation of formations, march and combat order of the formations of the Ground Forces off-road, on rough terrain.
The anti-aircraft missile division is capable of simultaneously firing up to 24 targets, directing 48 missiles at them. The rate of fire of each launcher is 1.5 seconds. The entire complex is transferred from standby to combat mode in 40 seconds, and the deployment time from the march takes 5 minutes. Ammunition division 96-192 anti-aircraft missiles.
According to data from open sources, one of the first S-300V4s was received by the recently formed 77th separate anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Southern Military District, based in the Krasnodar Territory. In the fall of 2016, the S-300V4 air defense system was relocated to Syria at the Khmeimim airbase to strengthen the air defense potential of the Russian Aerospace Forces group.

SAM Buk-M3
The Buk-M3 target detection station (SOC) now accompanies up to 36 targets at a distance of up to 70 kilometers in the entire altitude range. The new 9R31M (9M317M) missile has higher speed and maneuverability compared to the Buk-M2 missiles. It is placed in a transport and launch container (TLC), which provides additional protection for the missile and improves the camouflage characteristics of the launcher. The number of missiles on one launcher has increased from 4 to 6. In addition, 9A316M transport and launchers can also hit targets, they accommodate 12 missiles in the TPK.
The Buk-M3 equipment is built on a new element base, digital communications ensure a stable exchange of speech and combat information, as well as integration into the ESU TK air defense.
The Buk-M3 air defense system intercepts almost all modern air defense systems that fly at speeds up to 3000 m / s, thereby exceeding the capabilities of the Patriot air defense system (USA) by almost two times. In addition, the "American" is inferior to the "Buk" in the parameter of the lower limit of shelling targets (60 meters versus 10 meters) and in the duration of the target detection cycle on distant approaches. The Buk-M3 manages this in 10 seconds, and the Patriot in 90 seconds, while it requires target designation from a reconnaissance satellite.

SAM Tor-M2U
Tor-M2U short-range air defense missiles effectively destroy targets flying at extremely low, low and medium altitudes at speeds up to 700 m/s, including in the conditions of a massive airborne attack and active opposition to enemy electronic warfare.
The SOC of the complex can detect and track up to 48 targets at a distance of up to 32 kilometers. The launcher of the complex can simultaneously fire at 4 targets at an azimuth equal to 3600, i.e. round. A feature of the Tor-M2U air defense system is the fact that it can carry out combat work on the go, at speeds up to 45 km / h. Modern equipment "Torah" automatically determines the ten most dangerous targets, the operator only needs to give a command to defeat them. Moreover, our latest "Tor-M2U" detects aircraft created using stealth technology.
The battery of the Tor-M2U air defense missile system consists of six launchers that can automatically exchange combat information with each other. Thus, receiving information from one launcher, the rest can repel a massive AOS attack from any direction. Retargeting time takes no more than 5 seconds.

The reaction of Western "partners" to the development of the East Kazakhstan region of Russia
The successes of the Russian air defense, which operates the products of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern, have long disturbed the minds of the military leaders of the NATO countries. In the early 2000s, they did not believe that Russia would be able to create effective air defense systems and continued to purchase "reliable and time-tested" air attack weapons (AOS) from the defense industry enterprises of their countries. The development of new aviation systems, such as the fifth-generation F-35 fighter and the promising B-21 bomber, proceeded at a leisurely pace.
The first alarming signals for NATO members sounded after 2010, when the revival of Russia's military power began. Since 2012, military exercises have become much more frequent, and new military air defense systems were actively involved in these exercises. They regularly hit complex, high-speed and maneuvering targets with 100% results, at extreme ranges and without the involvement of additional target designation tools. Thanks to the S-400 and S-300V4 air defense systems, the long-range engagement line at the operational-tactical level has increased to 400 kilometers, which means that modern and promising AOS of NATO countries are guaranteed to fall into the zone of fire of Russian air defense systems. NATO generals sounded the alarm. At the same time, purely defensive air defense systems in the Western media were characterized as "means of aggression." True, there were also more pragmatic assessments.
In 2015, American military expert Tyler Rogoway discussed countering Russian air defense systems on his Foxtrot Alpha blog. In particular, he paid much attention to work at a safe distance outside the reach of weapons: “The capabilities of air defense detection devices (of Russia - author's note) are only getting better, as well as the radius of destruction of ground-to-air missiles is growing. Therefore, it may be necessary to use long-range stealth missiles, combined into one information network. Or long-range stealth aircraft and other techniques, including suppression (at a distance), to weaken and eventually destroy the air defense system. As a result, working outside the reach of the enemy's weapons, you can weaken his air defense. Then, for example, you can fly up close and use a fighter with medium-range stealth missiles, instead of launching long-range missiles. At the same time, conventional (non-stealth) aircraft can attack with long-range missiles, thus freeing up space for the stealth aircraft to attack. And drones - decoys with electronic warfare equipment on board, can be used together with attacking combat units to go deeper into enemy territory, disabling air defenses along the way.
In addition to the widespread use of "stealth technologies", the Americans rely on electronic warfare and electronic warfare. For example, the US Navy is working on a method to counter modern air defense systems with radars equipped with a phased array antenna (PAR), such as the S-400 or the Chinese FD-2000 air defense system. They are going to equip the EA-18G Growler aircraft (electronic warfare aircraft based on the F / A-18 Super Hornet) with Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) electronic countermeasure systems. It is assumed that such electronic warfare systems will allow American attack aircraft to destroy enemy targets without the risk of being noticed by anti-aircraft missile systems, the American magazine The National Interest reported in October 2016. The new version of NGJ is being developed by Raytheon, which has already received a contract from the US Department of Defense for one billion dollars.
American experts believe that the electronic warfare system will be able to jam signals at any frequencies in which the phased array operates, and that this will be enough to be able to attack Russian air defense systems without hindrance. According to plans, the NGJ should enter service in 2021.
The military-industrial complex of the NATO countries in the next 5-10 years intends to develop means of overcoming and suppressing our air defense systems. However, the scientific and technical groundwork implemented in air defense systems by the enterprises of the Concern VKO Almaz-Antey makes it possible to neutralize the efforts of Western specialists.

Prospects for the development of air defense systems in Russia
The fourth generation of ACS air defense
Currently, automated command and control systems for troops (ACCS), air defense forces and means (ACS) are at the fourth technological stage of development. In the context of the transience of an enemy AOS attack, modern air defense cannot be effective without automated control systems for forces and assets.
This stage of rearmament is taking place in the context of organizational and staffing changes in the structure of the control system of the Russian Armed Forces. The requirements for efficiency, continuity, stability and secrecy of command and control are being tightened, new combat and information means for air defense systems, IA, RTV and electronic warfare with higher capabilities are being developed and put into service.
The enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern are already supplying the armed forces with systems and complexes that are integrated with the ACS and ESU TZ, information from which is sent to the National Defense Control Center (NTsUO RF).
At present, the means and complexes that provide information interaction are undergoing a stage of field testing from the level of an anti-aircraft missile division to the air defense automated control system of the district. Numerous military and command and staff exercises make it possible to identify "weak points" in information exchange, which are transformed into specific technical tasks for their elimination and are sent to the Concern's enterprises. This allows you to quickly and efficiently make changes to the manufactured kits and carry out work on the modernization of existing air defense systems.
Fifth generation SAM
In addition to improving information interaction systems, in the near future, fifth-generation air defense systems will begin to enter service with the anti-aircraft missile forces. We are talking, first of all, about the continuation of the line of medium-range air defense systems "Buk", developed by NIIP them. Tikhomirov (part of the Almaz-Antey Concern).
Here is how a military expert, a member of the expert council of the collegium of the Russian military-industrial complex, the editor-in-chief of our magazine Viktor Ivanovich Murakhovsky characterizes them: “If we talk about the principles on which the next generation systems will be developed, then, in my opinion, they will combine the properties of fire systems , primarily the ability to fire targets, and means of electronic destruction. Those functions that we now have divided between air defense and electronic warfare systems will be integrated into one system.
And secondly, the fifth generation air defense systems are waiting for almost complete automation and robotization of all cycles of reconnaissance, control and fire destruction. In fact, a person will only make a decision - to open a cycle of fire damage or not.
The Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern has already reported that the fifth-generation medium-range air defense system will be able to be deeply integrated into a single layered air defense system.

Interaction with the Russian Aerospace Forces
The layered air defense system of Russia, in addition to the electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems, will actively interact with aviation strike and reconnaissance complexes of the Russian Aerospace Forces. We are talking about the interaction of the air defense ACS and the Postscript ACS.
The Postscript ACS is a unique information system that transmits all information about the air and ground enemy to the fighter aircraft. Information about all objects and targets located in the area of ​​​​the combat zone of the aircraft is received in real time. At the same time, the aircraft will receive information not only from early warning aircraft (AWACS), but also from ground-based air defense radar stations, as well as from ground-based RTR systems of the ground forces.

Brief conclusions
The results of the work of the Almaz-Antey Concern in 2016 are generally assessed as successful. The plans for the supply of equipment and the requirements of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are being fulfilled, which does not exclude "work on the bugs" that are inevitably revealed during intensive testing and military operation of air defense systems, including in combat conditions. Next year, taking into account the prospects for the development of NATO countries' air defense forces, the intense tasks of fulfilling the state defense order and creating a scientific and technical reserve, the management and staff of the Concern will have to go through a difficult path. There is no doubt that the tasks set will be completed successfully, which is guaranteed by the glorious traditions of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern.

The possible deployment of elements of anti-missile defense (ABM) in Europe by the United States is one of the reasons for the frequently asked question today, what can Russia oppose to these plans and what domestic means can be used to combat an air enemy? And if the first part of this issue has already been widely covered in print media, on the air and on television, then its second half should be considered in more detail.

ABM and air defense systems (AD) are designed to combat various types of aerospace attack weapons (AAS) by destroying: the first - intercontinental ballistic missiles (BR) ground and sea-based, the second - aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, including .h. BR and cruise missiles for tactical and operational-tactical purposes.

The Second World War showed that a reliable air defense system is one of the main indicators of the combat capability of any state. Underestimation of this in 1939-1940. led to the dominance of German aviation in the air and heavy losses of the Red Army at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. In a letter to President T. Roosevelt, written in the days of the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942, I. Stalin noted: "The practice of war has shown that the bravest troops become helpless if they are not protected from air strikes." As a result of the measures taken, the air defense systems of the Red Army troops by the end of the war destroyed 20 thousand aircraft, over 1000 tanks, self-propelled guns and armored personnel carriers, tens of thousands of enemy soldiers and officers.

As one of the results of the war, the outstanding commander G.K. Zhukov noted that "Grievous grief awaits the country that will be unable to repel an enemy air strike." This is also confirmed by E. Lampe (Chairman of the Federal Office of the Local Air Defense System of the FRG until 1956) in the book "Civil Defense Strategy" with the words "Of course, you cannot win a war with the help of air defense, but without air defense you will surely lose it."

These statements confirmed the post-war local wars and armed conflicts, in which the results of the confrontation between the SVKN and air defense systems determined, as a rule, the final outcome of military operations.

Thus, significant losses of American aviation in Vietnam (at least 1,294 aircraft during the period from August 1964 to February 1973) led to the inglorious end of this war for the United States and the emergence of a long-term "Vietnamese syndrome". And vice versa, the inability of the air defense systems of Iraq and Yugoslavia to withstand modern air defense systems was one of the main reasons for their defeat in the local wars of 1991, 1993. and 1999 respectively.

To maximize the use of the capabilities of Russian air defense systems in the new conditions, the concept of aerospace defense (aerospace defense) of Russia (signed by the President of the Russian Federation in 2006) was developed, which is based on air defense (air defense) and rocket and space (RKO) defense systems, as well as electronic warfare (EW).

The air defense system, which is the basis of the Russian aerospace defense, in peacetime, part of the forces and assets is on combat duty in order to repel sudden attacks by the enemy's airborne defense systems against important objects of military state importance. With the beginning and during the course of hostilities, all air defense forces and means are transferred to full combat readiness and, together with other services and branches of the armed forces, fight the air enemy in full. Today, anti-aircraft missile troops (ZRV) of the Russian Air Force, military air defense troops and naval air defense systems of the fleet can be involved in the fight against it.

Today, the Russian Air Force is armed with anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) and systems (SAM) of various ranges (S-75, S-125, S-200 and S-300 types), which have repeatedly proven their combat effectiveness.

SAM S-75 "Volga"medium-range - the first air defense system of the former USSR. Among his first victories were the defeat of the Taiwanese reconnaissance aircraft RB-57D in the Beijing area (October 7, 1959), the American U-2 Lockheed reconnaissance aircraft near Sverdlovsk (05/01/1961), in China (September 1962). .) and over Cuba (27.10.1962). Many of the approximately 500 air defense systems delivered to the armies of 27 foreign countries were actively used in combat operations in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf, as well as in the Balkans. In addition to impressive results in Vietnam, this air defense system shot down several aircraft in the Indo-Pakistani conflicts, a US reconnaissance RB-57F over the Black Sea (December 1965) and more than 25 aircraft during the Arab-Israeli wars. It was used in combat operations in Libya (1986), Angola against South Africa, in Iraq, to ​​fight SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft over North Korea and Cuba.

ZRK S-125 "Pechora"short range was created to deal with low-flying air targets. About 530 air defense systems delivered to 35 foreign countries and used in a number of armed conflicts and local wars demonstrated high operational reliability and efficiency. The combat "baptism" of the S-125 air defense system took place in 1970 on the Sinai Peninsula, where eight Israeli aircraft were shot down and three Israeli aircraft were damaged by this complex in anti-aircraft battles. S-125 anti-aircraft missile systems were used by Iraq in the war with Iran (1980-1988) and in 1991 to repel air strikes of the multinational forces, by Syria - in battles with the Israelis during the Lebanese crisis of 1982, by Libya - to fire at aircraft The United States in the Gulf of Sidra (1986), Yugoslavia - against NATO aircraft in 1999 (according to Yugoslav data, it was they who shot down the F-117A stealth aircraft, and the second one was damaged).

Long-range designed to destroy aircraft at ranges and altitudes of more than 100 km and up to 40 km, respectively. It was delivered to the countries of Eastern Europe, North Korea, Libya, Syria, Iran. After the destruction of the Israeli aircraft E-2C "Hawkeye" at a distance of 180 km (Syria, 1982), the American aircraft carrier fleet withdrew from the coast of Lebanon. In April 1986, Libyan S-200 systems shot down three A-6 and A-7 carrier-based attack aircraft from the US 6th Fleet. Despite the US denial, the fact of their defeat is confirmed by the data of objective control and the calculations of Soviet specialists.

ZRS S-300medium-range and long-range, depending on the modification, is designed to combat various types of manned and unmanned airborne weapons, incl. and cruise missiles. For a long time, the S-300 is on combat duty and covers Moscow, the Moscow industrial and other important regions of Russia. Its latest modification, the S-300PMU2 "Favorit", which has been repeatedly demonstrated at many exhibitions of modern weapons, is highly appreciated abroad and purchased by China, Vietnam and other countries.

Long-range - further development of the S-300 air defense system. It is capable of hitting all types of manned and unmanned aerial targets at ranges up to 400 km, as well as ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 3,500 km, hypersonic and other modern and advanced air attack weapons. The S-400 system, according to the test results of the end of 2006, was determined as the basic air defense system for all types of the RF Armed Forces and will go into service with the Russian army. In cooperation with the space forces, this air defense system, as well as the S-300PMU2, is planned to be used to combat ballistic targets and conduct non-strategic missile defense in the interests of the country and its armed forces.

Anti-aircraft missile and gun complex (ZRPK) "Pantsir-S1" short-range is designed for the defense of small-sized objects of military-state importance in any weather, climate and radio-electronic conditions day and night. Its combat capabilities provide effective combat against any type of aircraft, helicopters, including missiles and airborne high-precision weapons. Currently, the air defense missile system has passed state tests and contracts have been signed with the UAE and Syria for its supply.

The main characteristics of air defense systems and air defense systems ZRV Air Force

Main characteristics	S-300PMU-2 "Favorite"	S-200 "Vega"	S-125 "Pechora"	S-75 "Volga"	"Pantsir-S1"
D hit, km H hit., km V targets, m/s R defeat. myself. R defeat. BR R defeat. KR	3-200 0,01-27 up to 2800 0,8-0,95 0,8-0,97 up to 0.95	17-300 0,3-40 over 1200 0,7-0,99	2,5-22 0,02-14 up to 560 0,4-0,7 up to 0.3	7-43 3-30 up to 450 0,6-0,8	1-20 0,005-15 up to 1000 0,6-0,9 up to 0.9

Troops of the military air defense solve a set of tasks to repel sudden air strikes, carry out combat duty and timely build up efforts in peacetime, and in wartime, together with the Air Force and other means, cover groupings of troops and their facilities from enemy air strikes when located on the spot , when moving, with the beginning and during hostilities. This branch of service, which is based on the air defense forces of the Ground Forces, includes the air defense forces and means of the coastal troops of the Navy and the Airborne Forces.

Today, the military air defense forces are armed mainly with self-propelled air defense systems "Osa-AKM", "Strela-10" and "Buk", air defense systems S-300V and "Tor", air defense missile systems "Tunguska", as well as portable air defense systems of the "Igla" type and their modifications. A number of these weapons have been put into service with many foreign countries and have proven their effectiveness in combat operations.

The main characteristics of air defense systems and air defense systems of military air defense troops

Main characteristics	SAM "Osa-AKM"	SAM "Arrow-10"	SAM "Buk-M1"	ZRS S-300V	ZRS "Thor"	ZPRK "Tunguska"	MANPADS "Needle"
D hit, km H hit., km V targets, m/s R defeat. myself. R defeat. BR R defeat. KR	1,5-10 0,025-6 up to 500 0,5-0,85 0,2-0,5	0,8-5 0,01-3,5 up to 415 0,3-06 0,1-0,4	3-35 0,015-22 up to 830 0,8-0,95 0,4-0,6	up to 100 0,025-30 up to 3000 0,7-0,9 0,4-0,65 0,5-0,7	1-12 0,01-6 up to 700 0,45-0,8 0,5-0,99	2,5-8 0,015-4 up to 500 0,45-0,7 0,24-0,5	0,5-5,2 0,01-3,5 up to 400 0,4-0,6 0,2-0,3

At international exhibitions of modern weapons, domestic air defense systems and air defense systems of military air defense have repeatedly demonstrated their high performance and confidently compete with foreign weapons, and such as the Tor-M1 air defense system and the Buk-M1 air defense system have no analogues in the world. A further increase in the combat potential of the military air defense is planned to be carried out by equipping it with new anti-aircraft systems.

Medium-range is an air defense system of the army (corps) level. Modernization and transfer to a modern element base increased the range (from 32 to 45 km), height (from 22 to 25 km) and speed (from 830 to 1100 m / s) of the targets hit. At the same time, the number of target channels in the anti-aircraft division increased from 6 to 24.

SAM "Buk-M3"- further development of the complex and can be put into service in 2009 as a single complex of military air defense of the army level. New technologies and developments are used to effectively counter possible threats from the air in the next 12-15 years. The Buk-M3 is expected to be capable of hitting air targets operating at speeds up to 3,000 m/s at ranges of 2.5-70 km and altitudes of 0.015-35 km. The anti-aircraft division will have 36 target channels.

A short-range divisional level, with the size of the kill zone, fire performance and ammunition load 2 times higher than those of the Tor and Tor-M1 air defense systems, may enter service in 2008. The characteristics of the new air defense system, presumably, will ensure the defeat of targets, incl. and aviation WTO operating at speeds up to 900 m/s at a distance of 1-20 km and altitudes of 0.01-10 km. One combat vehicle can simultaneously fire up to 4 targets.

In 2008, it is planned to adopt a self-propelled ("Ledum rosemary") and a portable ("Verba") short-range air defense system of the regimental level.

SAM "Ledum"will go to replace the Strela-10 air defense system. Its missile with a laser guidance system will be capable, presumably, of hitting targets operating at speeds up to 700 m/s in the range of ranges and altitudes of 1-10 km and 0.01-5 km, respectively.

MANPADS "Verba", whose missile is equipped with a 3-band optical homing head on the target, should replace its predecessors such as Strela-2 and Igla MANPADS of all modifications. In contrast, the indicators of the new complex in terms of range (0.5-6.4 km), altitude (0.01-4.5 km) and speed (up to 500 m / s) are increased by 20%, 30% and 20% respectively. The reaction time of MANPADS does not exceed 8 s, and the mass of the warhead is increased by 20% and amounts to 1.5 kg.

In order to increase combat capabilities and extend the service life, the existing military air defense systems, as well as the air defense systems of the Air Force, are being modernized.

So, as a result of a complex of works for 12-15 years, the service life of more than 450 BM can be extended. "Osa-AKM" 1976-1986 release, one of the most massive military complex. At the same time, its noise immunity will be increased and the process of combat work will be automated. It is planned that about 100 modernized BM "Osa-AKM" can enter the troops in 2009.

It should be noted that a large modernization potential is a characteristic feature of all domestic air defense systems and air defense systems and is of considerable interest from foreign owners and potential buyers of our air defense systems.

Shipborne air defense systems, as a rule, unified with ground-based air defense systems and missile air defense systems, can also be involved in combating an air enemy in coastal areas."Osa-M"

"Hurricane"

"Fort"

"Dagger"

"Dirk"

D hit, km

H hit., km

V targets, m/s

R defeat. myself.

Ground equivalent

1,2-10

0,025-5

up to 600

0,35-0,85

"Wasp"

3,5-25

0,01-15

up to 830

up to 0.8

"Beech"

5-90

0,025-25

up to 1300

0,7-0,9

S-300P

1,5-12

0,01-6

up to 700

0,7-0,8

"Thor"

0,005-3,5

up to 500

0,7-0,8

"Tunguska"

The reform of the RF Armed Forces to a certain extent had a negative impact on the state of the air defense system as a whole.

Thus, the number of assets capable of covering objects of special importance with the required efficiency has noticeably decreased in the composition of the Air Force ZRV. This shortcoming is supposed to be eliminated by accelerated re-equipment with new equipment, modernization of the S-300PM with the aim of using it to combat non-strategic ballistic missiles, transferring military air defense formations equipped with S-300V air defense systems to the ZRV.

To maintain the combat potential of military air defense, the existing army (corps), divisional and regimental sets of air defense systems should be preserved with active re-equipment with new equipment and improvement of the organizational structure. The presence in their composition of means of various ranges will ensure the creation of a layered air defense system of troops capable of combating modern types of air targets, incl. OTP, TR and aviation precision weapons.

Thus, in the context of a continuous increase in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the air defense systems, a similar approach should be taken to the means of combating them, considering the presence of an air defense system as one of the main factors in the combat capability of the state, ensuring its national independence.

The Igla-super portable air defense system is a further development of the line of portable air defense systems launched by the Igla complex, which was put into service in 1983.

The most common and combat air defense system: S-75 air defense system

Country: USSR
Adopted: 1957
Rocket type: 13D
Maximum target engagement range: 29–34 km
Target speed: 1500 km/h

John McCain, who lost the last US presidential election to Barack Obama, is known as an active critic of Russian foreign and domestic policy. It is likely that one of the explanations for such an irreconcilable position of the senator lies in the achievements of Soviet designers half a century ago. On October 23, 1967, during the bombing of Hanoi, the plane of a young pilot, a descendant of the family of hereditary admirals John McCain, was shot down. His "Phantom" got an anti-aircraft guided missile of the S-75 complex.

By that time, the Soviet anti-aircraft sword had already caused a lot of trouble for the Americans and their allies. The first “test of the pen” took place in China in 1959, when local air defense, with the help of “Soviet comrades”, interrupted the flight of a Taiwanese high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft created on the basis of the British Canberra bomber. The hopes that the more advanced air reconnaissance aircraft, the Lockheed U-2, would be too tough for the red air defense system were also not destined to come true. One of them was shot down by S-75 over the Urals in 1961, and the other a year later over Cuba.

On account of the legendary anti-aircraft missile, created at the Fakel Design Bureau, many other targets were hit in various conflicts from the Far and Middle East to the Caribbean Sea, and the S-75 complex itself was destined for a long life in various modifications. We can safely say that this air defense system has gained fame as the most widespread of all air defense systems of this type in the world.

The most high-tech missile defense system: the Aegis system ("Aegis")

SM-3 missile
Country: USA
first launch: 2001
Length: 6.55 m
Steps: 3
Range: 500 km
Height of the affected area: 250 km

The main element of this shipborne multifunctional combat information and control system is the AN / SPY radar with four flat headlamps with a power of 4 MW. The Aegis is armed with SM-2 and SM-3 missiles (the latter with the ability to intercept ballistic missiles) with a kinetic or fragmentation warhead.

The SM-3 is constantly being modified, and the Block IIA model has already been announced, which will be capable of intercepting ICBMs. On February 21, 2008, an SM-3 missile was fired from the cruiser Lake Erie in the Pacific Ocean and hit the emergency reconnaissance satellite USA-193, located at an altitude of 247 kilometers, moving at a speed of 27,300 km / h.

The newest Russian ZRPK: ZRPK "Shell S-1"

Country Russia
adopted: 2008
Radar: 1RS1-1E and 1RS2 based on HEADLIGHTS
Range: 18 km
Ammunition: 12 missiles 57E6-E
Artillery armament: 30-mm twin anti-aircraft gun

The "" complex is intended for close cover of civilian and military facilities (including long-range air defense systems) from all modern and promising air attack weapons. It can also protect the defended object from ground and surface threats.

Airborne targets include all targets with a minimum reflective surface at speeds up to 1,000 m/s, a maximum range of 20,000 m and an altitude of up to 15,000 m, including helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and precision bombs.

The most nuclear anti-missile: 51T6 Azov transatmospheric interceptor

Country: USSR-Russia
First launch: 1979
Length: 19.8 m
Steps: 2
Starting weight: 45 t
Firing range: 350–500 km
Warhead power: 0.55 Mt

The second-generation (A-135) anti-missile 51T6 (“Azov”), which was part of the missile defense system around Moscow, was developed at the Fakel Design Bureau in 1971-1990. Its tasks included the transatmospheric interception of enemy warheads with the help of a counter nuclear explosion. Serial production and deployment of "Azov" was carried out already in the 1990s, after the collapse of the USSR. The missile has now been decommissioned.

The most effective portable air defense system: Igla-S MANPADS

Country Russia
designed: 2002
Destruction range: 6000 m
Defeat altitude: 3500 m
Target speed: 400 m/s
Weight in combat position: 19 kg

According to many experts, the Russian anti-aircraft system, designed to destroy low-flying air targets of various types in conditions of natural (background) and artificial thermal interference, surpasses all analogues existing in the world.

Closest to our borders: SAM Patriot PAC-3

Country: USA
first launch: 1994
Rocket length: 4.826 m
Rocket weight: 316 kg
Warhead weight: 24 kg
Target engagement height: up to 20 km

Created in the 1990s, a modification of the Patriot PAC-3 air defense system is designed to deal with missiles with a range of up to 1000 km. During the test on March 15, 1999, a target missile was destroyed by a direct hit, which was the 2nd and 3rd stages of the Minuteman-2 ICBM. After the rejection of the idea of ​​the Third position area of ​​the American strategic missile defense system in Europe, Patriot PAC-3 batteries are deployed in Eastern Europe.

The most common anti-aircraft gun: 20-mm anti-aircraft gun Oerlicon ("Oerlikon")

Country: Germany - Switzerland
Designed: 1914
Caliber: 20mm
Rate of fire: 300-450 rds / min
Range: 3–4 km

The history of the Oerlikon automatic 20 mm anti-aircraft gun, also known as the Becker gun, is the story of one extremely successful design that has spread throughout the world and is still used to this day, despite the fact that the first sample of this weapon was created by a German designer Reinhold Becker during the First World War.

The high rate of fire was achieved due to the original mechanism, in which the impact ignition of the primer was carried out even before the end of the chambering of the cartridge. Due to the fact that the rights to the German invention were transferred to the company SEMAG from neutral Switzerland, both the Axis countries and the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition produced their versions of the Oerlikons during World War II.

The best anti-aircraft gun of World War II: 88-mm anti-aircraft gun Flugabwehrkanone

Country: Germany
Year: 1918/1936/1937
Caliber: 88 mm
Rate of fire: 15-20 rds / min
Barrel length: 4.98 m
Maximum effective ceiling: 8000 m
Projectile weight: 9.24 kg

One of the best anti-aircraft guns in history, better known as the "eight-eight", was in service from 1933 to 1945. It turned out to be so successful that it became the basis for a whole family of artillery systems, including anti-tank and field ones. In addition, the anti-aircraft gun served as a prototype for the guns of the Tiger tank.

The most promising air defense-missile defense system: the S-400 Triumph air defense system

Country Russia
Designed: 1999
Target detection range: 600 km
Damage range:
- aerodynamic targets - 5–60 km
- ballistic targets - 3-240 km
Height of defeat: 10 m - 27 km

The air defense system is designed to destroy jamming aircraft, radar detection and control aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, strategic and tactical aircraft, tactical, operational-tactical ballistic missiles, medium-range ballistic missiles, hypersonic targets and other modern and advanced air attack weapons. Each air defense system provides simultaneous shelling of up to 36 targets with up to 72 missiles aimed at them.

The most versatile anti-missile defense system: S-300VM "Antey-2500"

Country: USSR
Designed: 1988
Damage range:
Aerodynamic targets - 200 km
Ballistic targets - up to 40 km
Height of defeat: 25m - 30 km

Mobile universal anti-missile and anti-aircraft "Antey-2500" belongs to a new generation of anti-missile and anti-aircraft defense systems (PRO-PSO). Antey-2500 is the world's only universal missile defense and air defense system capable of effectively fighting both ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 2,500 km and all types of aerodynamic and aeroballistic targets.

The Antey-2500 system is capable of simultaneously firing at 24 aerodynamic targets, including subtle objects, or 16 ballistic missiles flying at speeds up to 4500 m/s.

/Based on materials popmech.ru and topwar.ru /