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What does air defense consist of. Forces and means of air defense of the armed forces of the Arab countries. Prospects for the development of air defense systems in Russia

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 government controlled, 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 VKO "Almaz-Antey" - the lead developer and manufacturer of complexes and systems VKO, does not stop there, has begun to develop anti-aircraft missile systems fifth generation, creates 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 100 years of history 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 species defense is given 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 Russian Federation in modern conditions” it was noted that the combat potential of military air defense has increased significantly with the supply of the latest highly effective 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 destruction efficiency. various means air attack (AOS), multi-channel, increased rate of fire and increased ammunition for anti-aircraft missiles.
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 staffs, the awareness of personal responsibility by each anti-aircraft gunner for the task of protecting the peaceful sky.
Development and production of high-performance equipment in parallel with participation in the training of personnel military units Air defense 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 tasks of the state defense order (GOZ), the Ministry of Defense received five regiments of S-400 Triumph air defense systems, three divisions of Buk-M2 medium-range air defense systems, four air defense divisions short range"Tor-M2", a brigade set of the latest Buk-M3 air defense systems, as well as whole line various 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 more than 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. The defeat of all existing and promising funds aerospace attack, including tactical ballistic missiles(at a distance 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, marching and order of battle formations of the Ground Forces off the roads, 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 Russian group VKS.

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 media communications provide 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
Short-range air defense missiles "Tor-M2U" effectively destroy targets flying at extremely low, low and medium altitudes at speeds up to 700 m / s, including in 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
successes Russian air defense operating the products of the Concern VKO "Almaz-Antey", has long been disturbing 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. Development of new aviation complexes, such as the fifth-generation F-35 fighter and the promising B-21 bomber, were moving 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.
Apart from wide application"stealth technologies" Americans rely on electronic warfare and electronic warfare. For example, naval forces The United States is working on creating 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.
Enterprises of Concern VKO "Almaz-Antey" are already supplying military establishment systems and complexes that are integrated with ACS and ESU TK, information from which is sent to the National Center for Defense Control (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-staff exercises make it possible to identify " weak spots» information exchange, which are transformed into specific technical specifications 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, characterizes them, Chief Editor of our magazine Viktor Ivanovich Murakhovsky: “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. The functions that we now have are divided between air defense and complexes electronic warfare, 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 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 the 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.

Air defense is a set of steps and b / actions of troops to combat enemy air attack means in order to avert (reduce) losses among the population, damage to objects and military groups from air strikes. To repel (disrupt) attacks (strike) of an air enemy, air defense systems are formed.

The full air defense complex covers systems:

  • Reconnaissance of an air enemy, notification actions about him by troops;
  • Fighter Air Force Screening;
  • Anti-aircraft missile and artillery barrier;
  • EW organizations;
  • masking;
  • Managerial, etc.

Air defense happens:

  • Zonal - to protect individual areas within which cover objects are located;
  • Zonal-objective - for combining zonal air defense with a direct barrier of especially important objects;
  • Object - for the defense of individual especially important objects.

The world experience of wars has turned air defense into one of the most important components in combined arms combat. In August 1958, the air defense troops of the ground forces were formed, and later the military air defense of the RF Armed Forces was organized from them.

Until the end of the fifties, the air defense of the SV were equipped with anti-aircraft artillery systems of that time, as well as specially designed transportable anti-aircraft missile systems. Along with this, in order to reliably cover the troops in combat operations of a mobile form, it was necessary to have highly mobile and highly effective air defense systems, due to the increase in the b / capabilities of air attack weapons.

Along with the fight against tactical aircraft, the air defense forces of the ground forces were also struck combat helicopters, unmanned and remotely piloted aircraft, cruise missiles, as well as enemy strategic aviation.

In the mid-seventies, the organization of the first generation of anti-aircraft missile weapons of the air defense forces was completed. The troops received the latest air defense missiles and the famous Krugi, Kuba, Wasp-AK, Strela-1 and 2, Shilka, new radars and many other state-of-the-art equipment at that time. The formed anti-aircraft missile systems easily hit almost all aerodynamic targets, so they took part in local wars and armed conflicts.

By that time, the latest means of air attacks were already rapidly developing and improving. These were tactical, operational-tactical, strategic ballistic missiles and precision weapons. Unfortunately, the weapons systems of the first generation of the air defense forces did not provide solutions to the tasks of covering military groups from attacks with these weapons.

There is a need to develop and apply systems approaches to the argumentation of the classification and properties of weapons of the second generation. It was necessary to create weapons systems balanced in terms of classifications and types of objects to be struck and a list of air defense systems, combined into a single control system, equipped with radar reconnaissance, communications and technical equipment. And such weapons systems were created. In the eighties, the air defense forces were fully provided with S-Z00V, Tors, Bukami-M1, Strelami-10M2, Tunguska, Needles and the latest radars.

Changes have taken place in anti-aircraft missile and anti-aircraft missile and artillery units, units and formations. They have become integral components in combined arms formations from battalions to front-line formations and have become a unified air defense system in military districts. This increased the effectiveness of combat applications in the groupings of air defense forces of military districts and ensured the power of fire action against the enemy with a high density of fire from anti-aircraft guns, layered at altitudes and at ranges.

In the late nineties, in order to improve command, in the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, formations, military units and air defense units of the Coast Guard of the Navy, military units and air defense units of the Airborne Forces, in formations and military units of the Air Defense Reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, changes took place. They were united in the military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Military air defense missions

Formations and units of military air defense carry out the tasks entrusted to them for interaction with the forces and means of the Armed Forces and the Navy.

The following tasks are assigned to military air defense:

In peacetime:

  • Measures to maintain the air defense forces of military districts, formations, units and subunits of the Air Defense of the Coast Guard of the Navy, units and subunits of the air defense of the Airborne Forces in combat readiness for advanced deployments and reflections, together with the forces and means of air defense of the types of the RF Armed Forces attacks by means of air attacks;
  • Carrying out second-hand duty within the zone of operation of military districts and in the general air defense systems of the state;
  • The sequence of building up combat strengths in air defense formations and units that perform tasks on combat duty, when introduced higher degrees b / readiness.

In wartime:

  • Measures for comprehensive, layered in depth cover from attacks by means of air attacks by the enemy on groupings of troops, military districts (fronts) and military installations throughout their depth operational formations, while interacting with the forces and means of air defense and other types and branches of the Armed Forces;
  • Measures for direct cover, which include combined arms formations and formations, as well as formations, units and subunits of the Coast Guard of the Navy, formations and units of the Airborne Forces, rocket troops and artillery in the form of groupings, aviation airfields, command posts, the most important rear facilities in areas of concentration, when advancing, occupying the indicated zones and during operations (b / actions).

Directions for the improvement and development of military air defense

Today, the air defense troops of the SV are the main and most numerous component of the military air defense of the RF Armed Forces. They are united in a slender hierarchical structure with the inclusion of front-line, army (corps) complexes of air defense forces, as well as air defense units, motorized rifle (tank) divisions, motorized rifle brigades, motorized rifle and air defense units tank regiments, battalions.

Air defense forces in military districts have air defense formations, units and subunits, which have at their disposal anti-aircraft missile systems / complexes of various purposes and potentials.

They are connected by reconnaissance and information complexes and control complexes. This makes it possible, under certain circumstances, to form effective multifunctional air defense systems. Until now, the weapons of the Russian military air defense are among the best on the planet.

The most important areas in the improvement and development of military air defense in total include:

  • Optimization of organizational and staff structures in the governing bodies, formations and air defense units, in accordance with the assigned tasks;
  • Modernization in anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes, intelligence equipment in order to extend the terms of operation and their integration into a single aerospace defense system in the state and in the Armed Forces, endowing them with the functions of non-strategic anti-missile weapons in theaters of military operations;
  • Development and maintenance of a unified technical policy to reduce the types of weapons, military equipment, their unification and avoidance of duplication in development;
  • Provision of advanced air defense weapon systems with the latest automated control, communication, active, passive and other non-traditional types of intelligence activities, multifunctional anti-aircraft missile systems and new generation air defense systems using the criteria of "efficiency - cost - feasibility";
  • Conducting a complex of collective used training of military air defense with other troops, taking into account the upcoming combat missions and the characteristics of the areas of deployment, while concentrating the main efforts in the preparation of formations, units and subunits of high-level air defense;
  • Formation, provision and training of reserves for a flexible response to changing circumstances, strengthening of air defense force groupings, replenishment of losses of personnel, weapons and military equipment;
  • Improving the training of officers in the structure of the military training system, increasing the level of their fundamental (basic) knowledge and practical training and consistency in the transition to continuous military education.

It is planned that in the near future the aerospace defense system will occupy one of the main directions in the strategic defense of the state and in the Armed Forces, will become one of constituent parts, and in the future - it will become almost the main deterrent in unleashing wars.

Air defense systems are one of the fundamental in the aerospace defense system. To date, military air defense units are able to effectively resolve the tasks of anti-aircraft and, to some extent, non-strategic anti-missile defensive measures in groupings of troops along operational-strategic directions. As practice shows, in tactical exercises using live fire, all available means of Russian military air defense are able to hit cruise missiles.

Air defense in the air defense system of the state and in its Armed Forces tend to grow in proportion to the increase in the threat of air attacks. When resolving the tasks of the aerospace defense, it will be necessary to coordinate the general use of the various types of air defense forces and missile and space defense in operational-strategic areas as the most effective than separate. This will happen as a result of the possibility of combining force with the advantages of various types of weapons and mutual compensation for their shortcomings and weaknesses with a single plan and under one command.

Improving air defense systems is impossible without further modernization of existing weapons, re-equipment of air defense forces in military districts with the most modern air defense systems and air defense systems, with the supply of the latest automated control and communication systems.

The main direction in the development of Russian air defense systems today is:

  • Continue development work to create highly effective weapons that will have quality indicators that could not be surpassed by foreign counterparts for 10-15 years;
  • To create a promising multifunctional system of armaments of military air defense. This will give impetus to create a flexible organizational and staffing structure for the performance of specific b/tasks. Such a system must be integrated with the main weapons of the ground forces, and act in an integrated manner with other types of troops in the course of solving air defense tasks;
  • Introduce automated control systems with robotics and artificial intelligence to reflect further build-up of enemy capabilities and increase the effectiveness of non-use applications by air defense forces;
  • Provide models of air defense weapons with electron-optical devices, television systems, thermal imagers in order to ensure the combat capability of air defense systems and air defense systems in conditions of intense interference, which will make it possible to minimize the dependence of air defense systems on the weather;
  • Widely apply passive location and electronic warfare equipment;
  • Reorient the concept of the prospects for the development of weapons and military equipment for air defense, carry out a radical modernization of existing weapons and military equipment in order to give a significant increase in performance combat use at low cost.

Air Defense Day

Air Defense Day is a memorable day in the RF Armed Forces. It is celebrated every year, every second Sunday in April, in accordance with the Decree Russian President dated May 31, 2006.

For the first time this holiday was determined by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in the Decree of February 20, 1975. It was established for the outstanding merits that the air defense forces of the Soviet state showed during the Second World War, as well as for the fact that they carried out especially important tasks in peacetime. It was originally celebrated on April 11, but in October 1980 Air Defense Day was moved to be celebrated every second Sunday in April.

The history of establishing the date of the holiday is connected with the fact that, in fact, in April, the most important government decrees on the organization of the air defense of the state were adopted, which became the basis for the construction of air defense systems, determined the organizational structure of the troops included in it, their formation and further development.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that as the threat of air attacks increases, the role and importance of military air defense will only increase, which has already been confirmed by time.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

On December 26, the Air Defense Forces (Air Defense) of the Ground Forces (SV) celebrate the anniversary of their formation. The beginning of the formation of military air defense units was the order of the Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander of December 13 (26), 1915 No. 368, which announced the formation of separate four-gun light batteries for firing at the air fleet. According to the order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation of February 9, 2007 No. 50, December 26 is considered the date of creation of military air defense.

The military formations of the military air defense are designed to cover the groupings of troops and objects of the military rear, important infrastructure facilities of the state, located in the zone of responsibility of the combined arms commander. In conditions rapid development air and space attack weapons of the armies of foreign states formations, military units and air defense units have become an integral part of combined arms formations from the tactical to the operational-strategic level.

In the modern Armed Forces, there are more than 90 formations, military units and air defense units of the SV. As shown practical actions troops at the training grounds, the level of training of soldiers and officers has grown significantly, especially in practical terms.

The basis of the armament system of military air defense is anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes (air defense systems and air defense systems) "S-300V3", "Buk-M2", "Tor-M1", "Osa-AKM", "Tunguska-M1", MANPADS "Igla" . The main means of automated control are the complex of automation equipment (KSA) "Polyana-D4M1", designed to equip command posts of military districts, armies, anti-aircraft missile brigades in mobile and stationary versions, as well as a single KSA "Barnaul-T" - to equip units Air defense of individual motorized rifle (tank) brigades.

Reconnaissance equipment includes mobile radar stations (RLS) of the Nebo-SV, Sky-SVU standby mode and the Ginger, Obzor, Dome combat modes, as well as the Garmon portable radars. Currently, research and development work is being carried out to create a new generation of air defense weapons. The basic directions of the technological basis of such works are microelectronics, informatics and robotics.

The modernization of the S-300V air defense system made it possible to increase the range of destruction of aerodynamic air targets up to 400 km, the areas covered from strikes by operational-tactical and tactical missiles (OTR and TR) by 3-4 times, and the defeat of OTR and medium-range ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 3500 km.

The Air Defense Forces of the SV will soon receive a modified Buk-M2 complex, which, while maintaining the same number of combat vehicles, increases the number of simultaneously fired air targets for the division from 6 to 24, the area of ​​​​covered objects and troops - 2.5 times, the possibility of hitting TR from launch range up to 150-200 km. Work is nearing completion on the creation of a new medium-range air defense system, which will surpass its predecessor by several times in terms of the range of destruction, the number of simultaneously hit targets and the speed of destruction.

In 2011, the Air Defense Forces of the SV received a new modification of the Tor-M2U air defense system, which today, according to the characteristics of the simultaneous firing of four air targets by one combat vehicle, is the only one in the world. Compared to the previous modification, it has a 1.5-fold increase in the parameters of the affected area in terms of height, speed and heading parameter.

In the interests of developing the command and control system, work is underway to create new unified command and control systems at various levels of command and control of troops and weapons. At the tactical level, the planned equipping of brigade sets of control means from the composition of the Barnaul-T KSA is underway, which in terms of basic characteristics corresponds to, and in terms of maneuverability, security, interchangeability of control means, and the time of setting the task of combat means, exceeds foreign counterparts. The time for passing commands (information) from the head of the air defense brigade to the air defense missile system (ADMC) is no more than 1 second.

In the military construction of many states of the world, there is an increasingly stable trend towards the priority development of air attack means, forms and methods of their use, which fundamentally changes the nature of modern wars. The massive use of manned aircraft and cruise missiles (CR) against the most important military, administrative and economic facilities, infrastructure elements and groupings of troops became one of the most characteristic features of military operations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. There is a kind of shift in the center of gravity of the armed struggle to the air sphere. Along with aviation and the Kyrgyz Republic, there has been a steady trend towards an ever wider use of tactical and operational-tactical ballistic missiles in regional armed conflicts.

Under these conditions, the problem of ensuring air security becomes one of the most important components of the national security of the state, which necessitates a comprehensive improvement of the forces and means of air defense, an increase in the volume of tasks assigned to the air defense forces. The intensity of the development of air attack weapons, the constant improvement of their performance characteristics leads to an increase in the complexity of the tasks of combating them.

The wars in Iraq (1991, 2003) and Yugoslavia (1999) clearly demonstrated the need for a well-established and effectively functioning air defense system of the country and troops, the weakness or absence of which in the conditions of the massive use of various means of air attack inevitably leads to large casualties and material losses, and ultimately to military defeat.

Taking into account the recent experience of wars and armed conflicts, one of the important areas of military construction in the leading Arab countries is the development of air defense forces, equipping them with more effective means of detecting and destroying air targets at various ranges and heights, control systems and processing information about the air situation.

To date, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have the largest and most technically well-equipped air defense forces. Syria and Libya have significant air defense forces, but the quality indicators of their technical equipment leave much to be desired. Much attention is paid to the development of air defense by such countries as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, and recently Yemen.

At the same time, despite the efforts made, the quantity, and in many cases the quality of air defense systems, the level of training of personnel of air defense formations in most Arab states does not allow to effectively solve the tasks of combating modern means of air attack and thereby reliably cover even the most important administrative, economic and military facilities. None of the Arab countries has so far been able to create integrated system Air defense and missile defense, which provides the simultaneous solution of both traditional air defense tasks and new tasks to combat various types of missile weapons.

It is possible that with the adoption by the Armed Forces Saudi Arabia and Egypt of the American anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) "Patriot" and in the event that Algeria, Syria and Yemen acquire Russian anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) of the S-300 or S-400 type, the armed forces of these countries will be able to solve individual missile defense tasks.

The weak side of the air defense of the Arab countries is that almost all air defense systems (air defense systems, anti-aircraft artillery, radar, electronic warfare equipment (EW), etc.), which are in service with their aircraft, are foreign-made (Russian, American, French, English, Swedish, Swiss, Chinese, Italian, German and South African). Only in Egypt it is established own production certain types of air defense weapons, and even then under foreign licenses or based on foreign models.

Algeria. The air defense troops of the ANDR are separate view armed forces and organizationally consist of three anti-aircraft missile regiments (ZRP) armed with S-125 Pechora, Kvadrat and Osa air defense systems (total 100 to launchers). In addition, there are three anti-aircraft artillery brigades (725 guns of 130, 100 and 85 mm caliber) and units of radio engineering troops (RTV). In general, the country's air defense forces have limited capabilities, and the equipment in their arsenal is mostly outdated.

At present, in addition to the air defense units that are part of the combined arms formations and units, the Algerian ground forces have one anti-aircraft missile (zrdn) and six anti-aircraft artillery battalions. The ground forces are armed with the Osa and Strela-1 air defense systems; portable air defense systems"Strela-2"; as well as 900 anti-aircraft artillery guns (130-mm - 10, 100-mm S-19 - 150, 85-mm - 20, 57-mm automatic anti-aircraft guns (AZP) S-60 - 70, 37-mm AZP - 145, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 330, ZU-23-2 - 75, 20-mm - 100).

In 1995-2000, with the participation of Russian specialists, work was carried out to assess technical condition and metrological maintenance of the control and measuring equipment of the S-125 Pechora air defense system. Work on the modernization of the complex continues. The issue of modernizing existing and purchasing new Osa short-range air defense systems is being considered. Negotiations are underway with the American company Northrop on the purchase of electronic equipment for air defense systems and new radars. It is planned to create a unified integrated electronic warfare system for the Air Force and Air Defense Forces. The Algerian side is showing interest in acquiring Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems.

Personnel for the air defense forces of Algeria are trained at the air defense school (training period is four years). The ground forces have a field and anti-aircraft artillery school. Part of the specialists for the air defense forces is supposed to be trained in Russia.

Bahrain. Air defense units are part of the ground forces. They are represented by a mixed anti-aircraft division, consisting of two anti-aircraft batteries. guided missiles(SAM) and anti-aircraft artillery battery. There are also air defense units in the combined arms units. In total, the Bahrain Armed Forces are armed with 15 missile launchers (Improved Hawk - 8, Crotal - 7), 78 MANPADS (RBS-70 - 60, Stinger - 18), 27 anti-aircraft guns (40-mm L / 70 - 12, 35-mm "Oerlikon" - 15). In the coming years, it is planned to modernize the “Improved Hawk” and “Krotal” air defense systems available in the troops, and additionally purchase 100 MANPADS.

Egypt. Air defense troops (75 thousand people, including 50 thousand military personnel military service, reserve component - 70 thousand people) were separated into an independent branch of the armed forces in 1968. They include anti-aircraft missile troops (ZRV), anti-aircraft artillery (ZA) and radio engineering units. The air defense forces carry out their tasks of defending the country from an attack by an air enemy in cooperation with the fighter aircraft of the Air Force and parts of the military air defense. The Egyptian Air Defense Forces is one of the largest and most complex military systems in the Middle East.

The highest organizational unit of the type of armed forces is the air defense division, which, depending on the nature of the tasks performed, may include several anti-aircraft missile brigades (4-8 missiles each), anti-aircraft artillery regiments and divisions, as well as parts of the RTV. There are five divisions in total (according to the number of air defense zones: Central, Western, Northern, Eastern and Southern). There are also separate anti-aircraft missile brigades and up to 100 ZA divisions. The basis of the air defense forces and means of the ARE is still made up of anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems, delivered in the 1970s from the USSR. Currently, Egypt is taking measures to gradually modernize the air defense forces and increase their combat capability.

The air defense missile system is armed with 40 S-75 air defense systems, 50 S-125 air defense systems, 14 Kvadrat air defense systems, 12 batteries of the Improved Hawk missile defense system, 12 batteries of the Chaparel missile defense system, 14 batteries of the Crotal missile defense system. In total, the troops have 875 missile launchers (S-75 - 300, S-125 - 232, "Square" - 200, "Improved Hawk" - 78, "Chaparel" - 33, "Krotal" - 32). The air defense units also have 18 anti-aircraft missile and gun systems (ZRPK) "Amon" (short-range air defense system "Skygard" RIM-7F "Sparow" and 35-mm anti-aircraft guns) and 36 ZRPK national production "Sinai-23" (paired 23 -mm ZU and MANPADS "Ain Sakr"). The anti-aircraft artillery units are armed with up to 2000 guns of 100, 85, 57, 37, 35, 30 and 23 mm caliber, Strela-2 and Ain Saqr MANPADS. The radio engineering troops are equipped with radars of Russian, English, American and Chinese production: P-11, P-12, P-14, P-18, P-15, P-35, Oborona-14, Tiger, Lion Systems ", AN / TPS-59, AN / TPS-63, JY-9A.

Anti-aircraft missile units serve to cover important military installations, industrial zones, administrative centers and groupings of troops. They are designed to destroy air targets at all altitudes. Anti-aircraft artillery units are designed mainly to deal with low-flying air targets. The radio engineering troops exercise control over the airspace, collect and process data on the air situation, control the air defense forces and means.

With the help of the United States, a unified air defense control system has been created in Egypt, which combines air defense weapons, fighter aircraft, automated radar surveillance and warning centers, as well as long-range radar surveillance aircraft (AWACS) E-2C Hawkeye. Particular attention is paid to improving the capabilities of air defense systems to detect and destroy air targets at low altitudes.

The main grouping of forces and means of the country's air defense forces is located in the areas of Cairo, Bilbeis, Beni Suef, Luxor, El Minya, Ras Banas, Hurghada, Inshas, ​​Fayyad, Giancalis, Tanta and El Mansoura.

In the second half of the 1990s, with Russian assistance, repairs and modernization of part of the air defense weapons were carried out. Deliveries of the Volga-3 air defense system, equipment for technical divisions, 5Ya23 missiles for the Kvadrat air defense system, Oborona-14 and P-18 radars were carried out. Deliveries of spare parts, new operational documentation and individual components were also made. Personnel were trained on the maintenance and use of the supplied equipment. In the period from 2001 to 2003, 50 S-125 "Pechora" air defense systems should be upgraded to the level of "Pechora-2" (replacement of electronics, supply of new launchers, etc.). According to experts, after modernization, the effectiveness of air defense systems will increase by 250-300%. At the same time, under pressure from the United States, the Egyptians refused to purchase S-300 air defense systems from Russia.

Air defense forces are to receive six batteries (48 launchers) of Patriot missiles and 384 RAK-2 missiles from the United States. However, the Egyptians postponed the final decision on this issue until 2006 for financial reasons. The Egyptian side is also showing interest in acquiring a ground version of the American AMRAAM missile for use in the interests of air defense. In particular, it is planned to replace the Russian Kvadrat air defense systems with AMRAAM missiles. In 1996, a contract was signed with the United States for the modernization of the Advanced Hawk air defense system. An agreement was concluded with the United States on the modernization of the AN / TPS-59 / M39 early warning radar, which were delivered in 1991.

The ARE ground forces are armed with 96 short-range air defense systems (M54 Chaparel - 26, Strela-1 - 20, Avenger - 50), Sinai-23 air defense systems - 36, MANPADS - over 600 (Strela- 2", "Ain Sakr", "Stinger"), anti-aircraft artillery guns (ZSU-57-2 - 40, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 118, 57-mm AZP S-60, 37-mm AZP - 200 , 23 mm ZU-23-2 - 280).

Each mechanized division has an anti-aircraft artillery regiment and an anti-aircraft artillery battalion, and tank division- an anti-aircraft artillery regiment or a mixed anti-aircraft missile and artillery battalion. A separate mechanized (infantry) brigade has an anti-aircraft division.

The country's enterprises produce and repair the Sinai-23 and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, the Ain Sakr MANPADS (a variant of the Soviet Strela-2 MANPADS), and radars.

Officers for the Air Defense Forces of the ARE are trained at the Air Defense College (Alexandria), founded in 1974. The training period for command personnel is 4 years, for engineering personnel - 5 years. The advanced training of officers is carried out at the Air Defense Institute (established in 1967).

Jordan. The air defense forces are subordinate to a separate command (organizationally part of the Air Force headquarters) and are represented by two brigades of the Improved Hawk missile defense system (14 batteries, 80 launchers) and several anti-aircraft artillery batteries. They cover the most important administrative, economic and military facilities, mainly around the capital Amman. The Jordanian air defense system needs modernization. Currently, its radar facilities have insufficient capabilities to detect low-flying targets. To a large extent this is due mountainous terrain terrain, which allows enemy aircraft to covertly approach at low altitudes the most important centers of the country. Moreover, the latter are located near the border.

Armament and equipment of the air defense forces are maintained in combat readiness. They are at the right level Maintenance. In the coming years, it is planned to modernize the Advanced Hawk air defense system and purchase three new radars.

The combat structure of the Jordanian ground forces has three air defense brigades, subordinate respectively to the Northern Central and Eastern Commands. The armored division also has an anti-aircraft missile brigade. The ground forces are armed with 144 air defense systems (Osa-AK - 52, Strela-10 - 92), MANPADS (Strela-2, Igla - 300, Redai - 260) and 416 anti-aircraft artillery guns (40-mm ZSU M42 - 264, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 52, 20-mm ZSU M161 "Volcano" - 100). Air defense units and subunits of the ground forces as a whole have good weapons and a high level of personnel training.

Yemen. At present, the military-political leadership of the country is placing the main emphasis in building up the combat power of the national armed forces, increasing their combat capability and combat readiness on strengthening and developing the Air Force and Air Defense. Air defense units are part of the Air Force and number 2,000 people. They are armed with S-75, S-125 and Kvadrat air defense systems. The government intends to purchase 5 S-300 PMU-1 air defense divisions from Russia.

The combat composition of the ground forces includes 2 air defense brigades, 4 separate anti-aircraft artillery battalions, and an anti-aircraft missile battalion. Each mechanized brigade has an anti-aircraft battery. The ground forces are armed with the Strela-10 air defense system, 800 Strela-2 and Strela-3 MANPADS, 530 anti-aircraft guns and installations (85-mm KS-12 - 40, 57-mm AZP S-60 - 120 , 37-mm AZP - 150, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 50, ZU-23-2 - 100, 20-mm ZSU M163 - "Volcano" - 20, 20-mm ZU M167 - 50).

Qatar. The Qatari Air Force has air defense units, which are armed with short-range air defense systems "Roland-2" (9 launchers) and "Mistral" (24 launchers), 42 MANPADS ("Stinger" - 12, "Strela-2" - 20, Blowpipe - 10). For the ground forces, it is planned to purchase a batch of MANPADS in the near future.

Kuwait. The national air force includes air defense units armed with 4 Advanced Hawk air defense systems (24 launchers), 6 batteries of Amon air defense systems (each has two Aspid short-range missile launchers, a Skygard fire control system, a radar station and two twin 35 mm Oerlikon guns), 48 Starburst MANPADS.

The Kuwaiti side is showing interest in acquiring Russian short-range air defense systems "Tor-1M" and air defense missile systems "Pantsir".

Based on the 1991 agreement, Kuwait is participating in the creation of a joint early warning radar network as a component of the joint command and control system in the structure of the GCC defense forces.

Libya. The Air Defense Forces are part of the unified branch of the armed forces - the Air Force and Air Defense. At the same time, a special air defense command was organized after the events of 1986 associated with raids American aviation on Libyan facilities. It has 4 air defense missile systems equipped with S-200VE Vega air defense systems (each brigade has 2 missile batteries of 6 launchers, 4 anti-aircraft artillery batteries, a radar company), 6 air defense missile systems equipped with S-75M Desna air defense systems, 3 air defense missile systems equipped with S-125M Neva-M air defense systems, and 3 air defense missile systems equipped with Kvadrat and Osa air defense systems (20-24 self-propelled launchers in each). The Russian system "Senezh" is used to control the forces and means of air defense. A significant part of the weapons and air defense equipment is physically and morally obsolete, which, along with poor training of personnel, does not allow them to be effectively used to counter modern means air attack.

At present, the Libyan command expresses a desire to acquire 80 S-300PMU-1 (PMU-2) air defense launchers in Russia.

The air defense units of the Libyan ground forces are armed with the Strela-1, Strela-10 air defense systems, 24 Crotal missile launchers, MANPADS various types, 600 anti-aircraft guns and SPAAGs (57-mm AZP S-60, 30-mm ZP, ZU-23-2, 40-mm ZSU M53, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka").

Officers are being trained at military air defense colleges in Tripoli and Misurata. There is also an air defense officer school. The term of study in colleges and schools is from three to five years (for engineers).

Morocco. The territory of Morocco is divided into five air defense zones. Back in 1982, an automated control system for air defense forces and means was put into operation. It includes an underground control and warning center and up to 10 stationary and mobile radar posts (RLP). 63 AN / TPS-43 radars, communications equipment and computers are deployed on stationary radar stations. Mobile radars are placed on three trailers each and must take up pre-prepared positions during the threatened period by special decision. All control system equipment was manufactured in the USA, and Moroccan specialists were also trained there. The air defense radio engineering units are organizationally part of the Royal Air Force.

In the combat composition of the Moroccan ground forces there is an air defense group. In total, the air defense units of the ground forces are armed with 37 M54 Chaparel missile launchers, 70 Strela-2 MANPADS, 205 anti-aircraft artillery guns (100-mm KS-19 - 15, ZU-23-2 - 90, 20-mm - 100 (M167 - 40, ZSU M163 "Volcano" - 60).

UAE. Currently, the country does not have a unified air defense system. The main part of the available air defense forces and means is organizationally part of the Air Force and performs the tasks of covering administrative centers, oil complex facilities, airfields, and various military facilities.

The air defense forces are represented by a brigade, which consists of three divisions, armed with 21 Rapira (12 launchers) and Crotal (9 launchers) short-range missile launchers, and 5 Improved Hawk missile batteries. In addition, the air defense units have 13 RBS-70 MANPADS and 100 Mistral MANPADS, as well as Igla and Javelin MANPADS.

All air defense systems are deployed in positions and are on combat duty. To ensure the operation of air defense weapons, a network of stationary radar posts equipped with radars manufactured in the USA, Great Britain and Germany has been deployed in the country.

The air defense units of the UAE ground forces are armed with 40 MANPADS (Mistral - 20, Bluepipe - 20), 62 anti-aircraft guns (30-mm - 20, 20-mm ZSU М3VDA - 42).

Considering the fact that on present stage forces and means of air defense are only able to perform the tasks assigned to them to a limited extent, the Emirati leadership provides for the implementation of a set of measures to further development capabilities of the air defense forces. In particular, it is planned to purchase an additional number of "Improved Hawk" air defense systems. In August 2000, a contract was signed with Russia for the supply of Pantsir-1 anti-aircraft missile systems (50 launchers) in the amount of 734 million dollars. The UAE is involved in the creation unified system Air defense of the GSS.

Oman. Air defense units (two squadrons of Rapira short-range missiles, 28 launchers) are organizationally part of the Air Force. Four batteries of 35-mm anti-aircraft guns were additionally purchased from South Africa. The Rapira air defense system is being upgraded to the level of the Rapira B1 (X) model with a new Matra-2 missile with infrared guidance and a proximity fuse. Negotiations are underway to supply an additional batch of Rapira missiles. In 2001, deliveries of Italian S793D radars were completed. It is planned to create a network of early warning radars and modernize the air defense communications system. The Italian side undertook to assist in the training of personnel of radio engineering units.

The air defense units of the ground forces of Oman are armed with MANPADS "Blowpipe", "Javelin" (14), "Strela-2" (34), 26 anti-aircraft guns (40-mm L / 60 "Bofors" - 12, 35-mm GDF- 005 - 10, ZU-23-2 - 4). In the event of further improvement in the financial situation, it is planned to purchase MANPADS, other weapons and equipment for military air defense.

Saudi Arabia. Air defense troops (16 thousand people) are an independent branch of the armed forces. They are led by a commander who has his own headquarters. The air defense forces consist of anti-aircraft missile troops, anti-aircraft artillery and RTV units. Fighter-interceptors are in the operational subordination of the air defense.

Organizationally, the air defense forces are divided into six groups. The 1st group (headquarters in Riyadh) includes three batteries of the Improved Hawk SAM and two batteries of the Oerlikon SAM; 2nd group (Jeddah) - three batteries of missiles "Us. Khok, a Krotal SAM battery, two Shakhin SAM batteries, a 30-mm ZU battery and two Oerlikon ZU batteries, as well as an air defense training center; 3rd group - (Tabuk) - two batteries of missiles "Us. Hok, Shahin SAM battery; 4th group (Khamis-Mushayt) - SAM battery "Us. Hok, Shakhin SAM battery, two 30-mm ZU batteries, Oerlikon ZU battery; 5th group (Dahran) - six batteries of missiles "Us. Hawk”, two batteries of the Shakhin missile defense system, five batteries of the Oerlikon missile defense system; 6th group (Khafr el-Batin) - two batteries of missiles "Us. Hawk, four Oerlikon memory batteries. In total, the air defense forces have 33 missile batteries (16 - "Us. Hawk" and 17 - "Shahin").

In total, the air defense forces are armed with 128 MIM-23V Advanced Hawk missile launchers, 141 Shahin self-propelled launchers (SPU) and 40 Krotal SPU, as well as 270 anti-aircraft guns and installations: 35-mm Oerlikon - 128, 30-mm ZSU AMX-30SA - 50, 20-mm ZSU M163 "Volcano" - 92. In addition, there are 70 40-mm L / 70 anti-aircraft guns in the warehouses.

The Gulf War gave a strong impetus to the development of Saudi air defense, while generally maintaining general concept their improvement, providing for the creation of a multi-level integrated air defense system of the kingdom. In the 1990s, 21 Patriot SAM batteries (including 2 training batteries) with 1055 missiles were purchased for the Air Defense Forces. Further improvement of the country's air defense system is one of the priority areas of national military construction. In the future, the country's air defense system, the command intends to bring its effectiveness closer to Western models.

At present, the air defense forces are entrusted with covering important administrative, economic and military facilities: the capital of the country, oil production areas, groupings of troops, air force and missile bases.

The air defense of Saudi Arabia forms the basis of the GCC air defense system "Peace Shield". Its creation was basically completed in 1995. The Peace Shield includes 17 AN/FPS-117(V)3 early warning radars, three D radar systems coupled to AN-PPS-43 and AN-TPS-72 short and medium-range radars. The system's control center is located in Riyadh. It governs five sectors with command posts in Dhahran (East), Al-Kharj (Center), Khamis Mushait (South), Taif (West) and Tabuk (North-West). Air bases have operational centers that are integrated with AWACS aircraft (5 units) E-3A AWACS, fighter aircraft, batteries of missiles and anti-aircraft artillery.

Saudi troops take part in the regularly held joint exercises of the Air Force and Air Defense of the GCC member countries "Falcon of the Peninsula".

The air defense systems of the ground forces are represented by the Shahin (Krotal) short-range air defense systems and 1000 MANPADS (Stinger - 500, Redai - 500). The modernization of the Shahin air defense system continues. Each mechanized and armored brigade has an anti-aircraft division.

Officers for the air defense forces are trained in the largest and oldest military educational institution of the kingdom, the military college named after. King Abdulaziz in the Riyadh suburb of Al Ain.

Syria. Air Force and the Air Defense Forces (100,000 men, including 40,000 in the Air Force and 60,000 in the Air Defense) constitute a single branch of the armed forces. At the same time, the air defense forces have a separate command subordinate to the commander of the unified branch of the armed forces.

The territory of Syria is divided into Northern and Southern zone air defense. To control the forces and means of air defense, there are three fully computerized command posts.

Air defense formations and units are represented by two air defense divisions, 25 anti-aircraft missile brigades (individual and as part of air defense divisions, up to 150 batteries in total) and units of radio engineering troops. They are armed with 908 SAM launchers (600 S-75 and S-125, 200 Kvadrat, 48 S-200 long-range SAM launchers, 60 Osa SAM launchers, as well as up to 4,000 anti-aircraft artillery guns.

The S-200 SAM regiment consists of two missile battalions with two batteries each.

The air defense units of the Syrian ground forces are armed with 55 short-range air defense systems ("Strela-10" - 35, "Strela-1" - 20); 4000 MANPADS "Strela-2" and "Igla"; 2050 anti-aircraft artillery guns (100-mm KS-19 - 25, 57-mm AZP S-60 - 675, 37-mm AZP - 300, ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - 400, ZU-23-2 - 650) .

The Syrian air defense is mainly armed with outdated S-75, S-125 and Kvadrat air defense systems (partial modernization work has been carried out on the latter) and radio equipment, which are not able to effectively counteract modern air attack weapons. There are problems with the training of personnel. The command, taking into account the significant role that aviation played in combat operations in the Persian Gulf zone, in the war in Yugoslavia and a number of other local conflicts, pays special attention to strengthening and improving air defense forces and means.

Syria expresses its desire to carry out purchases of S-300PMU air defense systems, Buk-M1 and Tor-M1 air defense systems in Russia.

Officers for the Air Defense Forces are trained at the Air Defense College.

Sudan. The air defense troops are singled out as a separate branch of the armed forces, which include five batteries of S-75 missiles (18 launchers) and anti-aircraft artillery units. All equipment is morally and physically obsolete and is not able to effectively counteract modern means of air attack.

The Sudanese ground forces are armed with 54 Strela-2 MANPADS and anti-aircraft guns (85-mm, 57-mm AZP S-60 and Type-59, 37-mm AZP, ZU-23-2).

Tunisia. The tasks of the country's air defense are entrusted to the ground forces. However, the air defense systems available in their arsenal have limited capabilities for hitting air targets only at low altitudes and are able to cover only individual objects.

The Tunisian ground forces are armed with 25 M48 Chaparel air defense systems, 48 ​​RBS-70 MANPADS, 115 anti-aircraft artillery guns (37-mm AZP Type 55/65 - 15, 20-mm M55 - 100). Each mechanized brigade has an anti-aircraft division. In the near future, it is planned to increase the number of MANPADS.

Mauritania. The combat composition of the ground forces has 4 anti-aircraft batteries. Air defense systems are represented by 30 Strela-2 MANPADS, 100-mm KS-19 anti-aircraft guns (12), 57-mm AZP S-60 (2), 37-mm AZP (10), 23-mm ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns -2 (20). The troops also have ZPU-2 and ZPU-4 anti-aircraft machine gun mounts.

Lebanon. The ground forces are armed with 10 40-mm ZSU M42 and anti-aircraft installations caliber 23 and 20 mm.

Djibouti. The ground forces are armed with 15 anti-aircraft guns (40-mm L / 70 - 5, ZU-23-2 - 5, 20-mm - 5).

It has more than a century of history, which began in the suburbs of St. Petersburg in 1890. The first attempts to adapt the existing artillery for firing at flying targets were made at the training grounds near Ust-Izhora and in Krasnoye Selo. However, these attempts revealed the complete inability of conventional artillery to hit air targets, and the untrained military to control guns.

Start of air defense

The decoding of the well-known abbreviation means, that is, a system of measures to protect the territory and objects from air attack. The first shooting near Petersburg was made from four-inch guns using ordinary bullet shrapnel.

It was this combination of technical characteristics that revealed the inability of the available means to defeat air targets, the role of which was then performed by balloons and Balloons. However, according to the test results, Russian engineers received a technical assignment for the development of a special gun, which was completed in 1914. Technically imperfect were at that time not only artillery pieces, but also the airplanes themselves, unable to rise to a height exceeding three kilometers.

World War I

Until 1914, the use of air defense systems in combat conditions was not very relevant, since aviation was practically not used. However, in Germany and Russia, the history of air defense begins as early as 1910. The countries obviously foresaw the imminent conflict and tried to prepare for it, given the sad experience of previous wars.

Thus, the history of air defense in Russia has one hundred and seven years, during which they have significantly developed and evolved from cannons that fired at balloons to high-tech early warning systems capable of hitting targets even in space.

The birthday of the air defense system is considered December 8, 1914, when a system of defensive structures and means directed against air targets began to function on the outskirts of Petrograd. In order to secure the imperial capital, an extensive network of observation posts was created on the remote approaches to it, consisting of towers and telephone points, from which information about the approaching enemy was reported to the headquarters.

Fighter aircraft in World War I

An integral part of the air defense system of any country and at any time is fighter aircraft capable of neutralizing attacking aircraft at distant approaches.

In turn, for effective functioning, a significant number of highly qualified pilots are required. It was for these purposes that the first in Russia Officer Aeronautical School was formed on the Volkovo Field near St. Petersburg in 1910, which set as its task the training of first-class aeronauts, as pilots were called at that time.

In parallel with the network of observation posts, a system was created, which received the official name "Radio-telegraph defense of Petrograd." This system was intended to intercept the communications of hostile pilots attacking the Russian army.

After the revolution

Deciphering air defense as air defense creates the illusion that the system is extremely simple and designed only to shoot down enemy aircraft. However, already on the fields of the First World War it became clear that numerous and challenging tasks not only to control the sky, but also to reconnaissance, camouflage and the formation of the front line of front-line aviation.

After the victory of the October Revolution, all the air defense forces available on the territory of Petrograd came under the control of the Red Army, which took up their reform and reorganization.

Actually, the abbreviation of air defense and decoding appeared in 1925, when in official documents For the first time, the terms "air defense of the country" and "air defense of the front line" were used. It was at this time that priority areas for the development of air defense were identified. However, more than ten years have passed before their comprehensive implementation.

Air defense of the largest cities

Since the defense against air attacks required significant resources, both human and technical means, the Soviet leadership decided to organize air defense defense of several key cities of the USSR. These included Moscow, Leningrad, Baku and Kyiv.

In 1938, air defense corps were formed to protect Leningrad from air attacks. An air defense brigade was organized for the defense of Kyiv. A transcript with a mention of the means used to repel enemy air attacks is as follows:

  • flak;
  • aerial reconnaissance;
  • communication and notification;
  • antiaircraft projectors.

Of course, such a list has little to do with the current state of affairs, since over the past eighty years the structure has become much more complicated, and the technique has become more universal. Besides, great importance air defense is now played by radio intelligence and information warfare.

By the beginning of the Second World War, it becomes especially important early detection Enemy air forces and their destruction. To solve this problem, developed special means electronic intelligence. The first country to deploy a wide network of radar stations was Great Britain.

The first devices designed to control anti-aircraft fire were also developed there, which significantly increased its accuracy and increased density.

The current state of air defense

The decoding of the well-known abbreviation does not fully correspond to modern realities, since non-contact methods of warfare based on missile weapons and special aircraft with low visibility are becoming increasingly important in the world today.

In addition, the abbreviation PRO, which refers to anti-missile defense, is increasingly being used next to the abbreviation for air defense. It is impossible today to imagine effective air defense without the use of missile weapons, which means that systems that are of fundamental importance for the integration of various systems from anti-aircraft guns to radar weapons are becoming increasingly important.

In the age of the Internet, competent search and the ability to distinguish reliable information from incorrect information are of great importance. Increasingly, users are looking for a decoding of the air defense department of internal affairs, which means the passport and visa department of the Department of Internal Affairs - the police department involved in the passportization of the population.

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