Logistic support of the Syrian group of the Russian Aerospace Forces is under threat. Aviation of Russia Ofab of different weights
The abbreviation VKS has recently become quite common. But for many people it is incomprehensible. And many are asking a logical question: what is videoconferencing? Well, it should be answered.
Definition
Another task is to manage satellite systems (both dual and purely military). The launch of spacecraft is also included in the list of duties of the Aerospace Forces. The troops must also use all their forces and capabilities to provide the military and commanders-in-chief with the necessary information about what is happening (or not happening, this is also important) in the air and outer space. Finally, the forces undertake to maintain in working order the means by which they are launched.
As you can see, a lot of tasks should be performed by videoconferencing. This is indeed a very serious military unit. Therefore, to serve in such troops is an honor and at the same time a responsibility.
A legitimate military presence in Syria is one of Russia's advantages on the diplomatic front. The aerospace forces of the Russian Federation operate in the Arab Republic on the basis of an agreement dated August 26, 2015, which allows Moscow to keep an aviation group in the country.
The first strikes against the Islamic State* were carried out on September 30, 2015. Accumulations of military equipment, vehicles, warehouses of weapons, ammunition and fuel and lubricants (fuel and lubricants) were bombed.
In total, over the two years of the operation, the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out more than 92 thousand air strikes. As of September 2017, Russian aviation destroyed more than 53.7 thousand militants, 8.3 thousand command posts, 17.2 thousand strongholds, 970 training camps and 9.3 thousand infrastructure facilities of terrorist organizations.
Also, the strikes of the Aerospace Forces were aimed at undermining the financial well-being of the IG *, which earned on the trade in energy resources. According to the Ministry of Defense, Russian aircraft bombed 132 fuel pumping stations and tanker columns, 212 oil fields and oil and gas complexes, and 6.7 thousand fuel depots.
Aviation Wing
The main task of the Aerospace Forces is to support the ground operations of the Syrian army. At the initial stage of the Russian mission, government troops were in a very difficult situation. Various militant groups have occupied 85% of Syria.
The effective work of Russian aviation made it possible to reduce the offensive capabilities of the militants at the end of 2015. In 2016, the Syrian army was able to take several large cities, including Aleppo, and during the spring and summer campaign of 2017, it liberated the central part of the country.
It is expected that by the end of this year, government troops will knock out terrorists from the east of the SAR, and the Islamic State will cease to exist as a military structure. On September 22, the Ministry of Defense reported that over the past two years, 2,235 settlements, or 87.4% of the territory of Syria, had been liberated from ISIS.
The composition of the Russian aviation group in Syria was constantly changing. In September 2015, it was based on 12 Su-25SM attack aircraft, 12 Su-24M bombers, four Su-30SM generation 4+ multipurpose heavy fighters, Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters.
In October-November 2015, the air wing increased to about 70 units due to bombers and fighters. In February 2016, after reaching an agreement on a truce, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to reduce the air group.
Today, regular combat missions are carried out not only by operational-tactical, but also by long-range aviation - Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS, Tu-160. As a rule, strategic bombers take off from the Engels airfield in the Saratov region.
- Tu-22M3 bombers during an air strike on terrorist targets in Syria
- RIA News
Bombs and missiles
The main means of defeating terrorists are the Su-24M and Su-25SM Grach. The vehicles are capable of carrying a significant amount of ammunition, primarily adjustable and free-falling aerial bombs. It was these types of ammunition, produced back in the Soviet period, that were most often used in the Syrian operation.
There are several reasons for the massive use of aerial bombs in the SAR. Firstly, the Russian Aerospace Forces needed to unload warehouses with Soviet ammunition, which were to be disposed of. Secondly, high-explosive bombs perfectly cope with the task of destroying the engineering structures of terrorists.
Aviation bombs are not precision weapons, but most of them are equipped with homing heads, which made it possible to increase the accuracy of bombing to the highest possible level.
The accuracy of hitting even 500-kilogram bombs can reach several meters. As a result, the Russian Aerospace Forces received an effective and relatively inexpensive means of destruction.
However, the Aerospace Forces often use missiles, including the latest ones. For example, on November 17 and 19, 2015, long-range bombers fired a strategic cruise missile at IS targets using X-101 radar visibility reduction technologies.
The rocket is a development of the Raduga Design Bureau near Moscow. The Kh-101 is intended to replace the Kh-55, which has been in service since the 1980s. In the course of combat use in Syria, the ability of the Kh-101 from a long distance (up to 5500 km) to hit static and moving targets with a deviation of no more than 10 meters was proven.
The Tu-95 and Tu-160 long-range aircraft received their baptism of fire in the SAR. On November 17, 2015, 25 strategic bombers carried out a massive missile and bomb attack on terrorist positions. 34 cruise missiles destroyed 14 IS targets.
The crews of Russian aircraft demonstrated their combat readiness and ability to actually use high-precision weapons.
During the operation, the Russian Aerospace Forces lost one car (excluding the losses of several helicopters, which belong to army aviation). The tragedy occurred on November 24, 2015. An air-to-air missile fired by a Turkish F-16 fighter hit the Su-24M. The pilot, lieutenant colonel Oleg Peshkov, died, the navigator Konstantin Murakhtin was saved.
After the incident, Russian attack aircraft and bombers, including long-range aircraft, fly out on a combat mission only under the cover of fighters. In addition, Russia has deployed the S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) to Syria.”
- Attack aircraft Su-25 VKS of Russia
- RIA News
- Olga Balashova
Skill test
The operation in Syria allowed the Russian Ministry of Defense to check the combat readiness of almost all military pilots.
As of September 2017, 86% of the flight personnel of the Aerospace Forces received combat experience.
In particular, 75% of long-range aviation crews, 79% of operational-tactical aviation, 88% of military transport aviation and 89% of army aviation (helicopters) went through the Syrian campaign.
According to the results of sorties, the positive and negative aspects of flight training were identified. They formed the basis for changing the personnel training process, which will make the work of pilots more efficient. New simulators were installed in the training centers, and air combat patterns were changed.
Virtually no large-scale operation is complete without the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Russia transferred to the SAR reconnaissance Orlans-10, Enix-3, which monitor the territory around the Khmeimim base, and heavy Forposts, which film air bombing strikes on militant positions.
The use of UAVs allows you to determine the targets of artillery strikes and carry out rescue operations. Suffice it to say that with the help of the Orlans, the navigator of the downed Su-24M was discovered.
The terms of the agreement with Damascus on the lease of Khmeimim do not limit Russia in the choice and number of aircraft and ammunition. This means that the command of the Aerospace Forces, at its discretion, can change the composition of the air wing and test new lethal and non-lethal weapons.
- Russian servicemen at Khmeimim air base, Syria
- RIA News
- Maxim Blinov
Base from scratch
The undoubted achievement of the Ministry of Defense is the deployment of an air base in Latakia within a month. The military department solved a difficult logistical problem, having managed to use the resources of transport aviation and the fleet, which supply the air group.
In 2015 alone, as part of the preparation of the Khmeimim airfield infrastructure, the crews of Il-76 and An-124 Ruslan heavy aircraft made more than 280 flights and transported 13,750 tons of cargo. Transport aviation is transferring military equipment, food and various equipment to the SAR.
However, foreign media claim that the leading role in the logistics of the Khmeimim base is played by the so-called Syrian Express - regular flights of large landing ships (LDS) of the Navy, as well as civilian ships chartered by the Ministry of Defense.
Khmeimim is located 50 km from the port of Tartus, which has been a naval support point since Soviet times. At the moment, Russia is modernizing the port.
All systems of material and engineering support of the air group were created at the base and are functioning smoothly. Dozens of facilities are deployed at the airfield - equipment refueling points, warehouses for storing fuel, missiles and other ammunition.
It is believed that the Russian command adopted the experience of the Soviet troops in the war in Afghanistan. The Syrian base was created in the likeness of the 14th military camp, where the headquarters of the 103rd Airborne Division, the 50th Parachute Regiment, the 1179th Artillery Regiment and support units were stationed in Kabul.
To create the necessary residential and administrative infrastructure in Khmeimim, the Ministry of Defense used universal containers measuring two by six meters - KIMB (engineering modular block design).
The facilities can be equipped for a residential block with beds, air conditioners, showers and noise insulation, as well as for other household (dining points, baths, laundries, mobile bakeries) and military (control and communication points) needs.
Layered defense
The number of military and civilian personnel of the Khmeimim base is classified. It is known that in addition to flight crews, engineers, support personnel and management, military police officers and soldiers of the 810th Separate Marine Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet are stationed at the base.
The Ministry of Defense paid great attention to building a layered system to protect the base from attacks from land and air. The first line of defense is made up of air defense crews, the second is the checkpoints of the marines located around the entire perimeter of the base, the third is engineering structures, the fourth is the checkpoints of the Syrian military.
The S-400 air defense system, the Pantsir-S1 short-range anti-aircraft missile and gun system, the Buk-M2 medium-range air defense system, the Osa, Pechora-2M and S-200 systems are responsible for the air defense of Khmeimim. The Krasukha-4 electronic warfare complex has also been deployed. The patrol of the outer perimeter of the base is carried out with the help of UAVs.
Such security measures are quite justified, since during the construction of the base the front line ran literally 5-10 km. Moreover, on the part of the militants, attempts were made to launch mortar shelling and bombing with light drones.
- Attacking terrorist targets in Syria
Invaluable experience
Professor of the Academy of Military Sciences Vadim Kozyulin told RT that Russia has gained the necessary experience in using transport and combat aviation. Almost all types of aviation equipment have been tested in Syria. This made it possible to identify their advantages and disadvantages.
“The Syrian air operation provided serious food for analysis and subsequent work. A huge layer of militarily useful information is hidden from the public. But there is no doubt that the necessary conclusions were made,” said Kozyulin.
In his opinion, Russia has confirmed in Syria the reliability and high efficiency of the Soviet Su-24 and Su-25 aircraft. Kozyulin also drew attention to the fact that the operation in the SAR made it possible to "unload" warehouses with Soviet bombs.
At the same time, almost all ammunition was equipped with modern homing heads. The Special Operations Forces are engaged in the correction of bombing strikes, and UAVs carry out the verification of the results of the bombing.
“I would like to note that Syria suggested to Russia the urgent need to introduce new unmanned systems and complexes for the destruction of enemy UAVs. Even in a war with a technologically weak enemy, it is impossible to do without drones,” Kozyulin noted.
The interlocutor of RT believes that the Ministry of Defense is not disingenuous, arguing that the hostilities in Syria fit into the military budget. The operation in the Arab Republic does not require billions of dollars, and the invested funds pay off by gaining invaluable experience in combat use.
“War loves counting. But Russia rarely used expensive weapons, except for long-range flights, although they are absolutely justified. The Ministry of Defense is getting rid of old ammunition, and the Aerospace Forces as a whole make the number of flights that they should. We are fulfilling the most important tasks of strengthening security without large-scale costs,” Kozyulin stressed.
* "Islamic State" (IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia.
On September 30, 2015, the operation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria began. On this day, the Federation Council unanimously approved the use of the Russian Armed Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the very next day, on October 1, the aerospace forces launched the first strikes on militant positions.
An advanced group of Russian specialists arrived in Syria in June 2015. It consisted of several high-ranking military and security personnel. Their task was to determine the location of the future military base. The group studied several sites, and after careful analysis, the choice fell on Basil Al-Assad Airport in the province of Latakia.
In the 1980s, there was a Soviet object here, from where electronic intelligence was conducted. The airport was well known to our specialists. Also nearby, in Tartus, was a logistics center for the Russian Navy. This guaranteed fast delivery of goods and military equipment.
But the Al-Assad airport had one serious drawback. At that time, he was close enough to the front line. In the summer of 2015, clashes between militants and government forces took place in the mountainous regions of Latakia - it was just over 30 km from the airport from there. And yet, the advance group recommended deploying an air base at the airport. In the end, this proposal was approved.
Since August 8, the so-called "Syrian Express" has been launched. Six Russian large landing ships have started transporting equipment and cargo. Until September, they completed the transition between the bases of the Black Sea Fleet and the Syrian port of Tartus more than ten times. Later, a cargo ferry was also involved in transportation.
On September 7, the Khmeimim air base received the first aircraft. On this day, a heavy military transport An-124 Ruslan, as well as a passenger Il-62M, landed in Latakia. The next day, another Ruslan arrived at the base.
By the time the "air bridge" was opened, parking lots for equipment, aircraft and helicopters had already been built at the airbase. At the airfield, additional taxiways were laid and all the radio-electronic systems necessary to ensure flights were deployed.
On September 18, its own air defense system began to operate at the Khmeimim airbase. On this day, four Su-30SM fighters arrived in Syria. They took over the function of air defense. The cars were parked at the end of the runway. From that moment on, the pace of the transfer of aviation equipment has increased many times over.
Already on September 21, in addition to four Su-30SMs, 12 Su-24 front-line bombers, the same number of Su-25 attack aircraft, as well as four of the latest Su-34 multifunctional bombers were deployed in Latakia. By this time, a squadron of Forpost unmanned aerial vehicles was already operating at the air base. For their storage and maintenance, special tent hangars were built.
In total, initially the Aerospace Forces aviation group included 49 aircraft and helicopters:
- 12 front-line bombers Su-24M,
- four front-line bombers Su-34,
- four Su-30SM fighters,
- 12 attack aircraft Su-25SM/UB,
- 12 combat helicopters Mi-24P,
- five Mi-8AMTSh transport and combat helicopters.
The group was formed from the crews of the VKS combat units.
To coordinate the actions of aviation, conduct reconnaissance and issue target designations, A-50 and Tu-214R long-range radar detection and control aircraft, as well as an Il-20M1 electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft, were involved. Mi-24P helicopters were used to directly support the Syrian ground forces.
The build-up of the group was continued in December 2015, when four Su-34s, four new Mi-35M combat helicopters and several Mi-8 transport helicopters arrived in Latakia. In January 2016, the group was replenished with four newest Su-35S multirole fighters to Syria.
The main striking force of the Russian air group was the modernized Su-24M front-line bomber. It was equipped with a special computing subsystem SVP-24 "Hephaestus", which expanded the capabilities of the aircraft to search for and destroy targets. In addition to the Su-24M, Su-25SM and Su-34, the Su-35S and Su-30SM multipurpose fighters were involved in strike missions, although initially their main task was air cover for attack aircraft.
The Syrian campaign was the first combat use of Tu-160 supersonic strategic missile-carrying bombers and Tu-95MS turboprop missile-carrying bombers. Also, long-range bombers Tu-22M3 flew from the territory of Russia. Su-30SM and Su-35S, as well as modernized Su-27SM3 fighters, which had two additional suspension points under the wing consoles, were involved in escort.
Then the power of the "strategists" amazed the West, because for a long time it was believed that Russian aviation was not capable of fighting far from its borders. It was thanks to the Syrian successes of the Aerospace Forces that it was decided to resume the production of Tu-160 bombers in a modernized version of the Tu-160M2. So, during the first sortie, November 17, 2015, two "White Swans" fired a total of 16 Kh-101 cruise missiles. All of them successfully hit the indicated targets, and the planes returned safely to the Russian air base Engels.
For the first time, high-precision weapons were used in significant quantities, including air bombs with satellite correction KAB-500S, Su-25SM attack aircraft used free-fall high-explosive fragmentation bombs (OFAB). They were used to destroy weakly protected military installations, armored and unarmored vehicles, and manpower.
To destroy ground targets, the Su-24M and Su-34 used missiles with a laser homing Kh-29L. An aviation guided multi-purpose air-to-surface missile equipped with a semi-active homing head, Kh-25ML, was also used.
Su-34 bombers flew with the latest Kh-35U guided anti-ship missiles, one aircraft of this type with Kh-35U was demonstrated in February 2016 on a wall screen at a press briefing of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
During combat sorties, the Tu-160 and Tu-95MS used the latest air-launched cruise missiles Kh-101 and Kh-555, which were carried in the fuselage compartments. Tu-22M3 used free-falling bombs.
In the spring of 2016, the attack helicopters of the army aviation, the Mi-28N "Night Hunter" and the Ka-52 "Alligator", were baptized in the Syrian sky. It was reported that they were equipped with the same set of weapons - a 30-mm 2A42 automatic cannon, S-8OFP 80-mm unguided rockets and two types of Ataka guided missiles. Helicopters were used during the liberation of Palmyra and Aleppo.
In November 2016 - January 2017, the air group of the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser of the Northern Fleet "Admiral Kuznetsov" took part in the hostilities. He made a long trip to the Mediterranean Sea, during which carrier-based aviation pilots on Su-33 and MiG-29KR / KUBR fighters completed 420 sorties, including 117 night ones, hit 1252 terrorist targets. Also in the air wing of the ship were helicopters Ka-27PL, Ka-27PS and Ka-29.
During this campaign, the Ka-52K "Katran" naval helicopters were also tested, and for the first time the new Ka-31SV radar patrol helicopter, another designation - Ka-35, was used.
The appearance in the sky of Syria of the fifth generation Su-57 aircraft became a sensation. According to the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, two such fighters successfully completed a two-day program of tests in combat conditions.
“In order to assess the declared capabilities of the military equipment being developed in a combat situation, in February 2018, practical launches of promising operational-tactical cruise missiles from the fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft were carried out,” Sergei Shoigu later explained.
Since September 2017, the MiG-29SMT fighter has been successfully used in the Arab Republic. “The experience gained in Syria will be taken into account in the operation of these aircraft, and also introduced as part of the development of new MiG aircraft systems, including the MiG-35,” said Sergey Korotkov, General Designer of the United Aircraft Corporation.
The group was supplied by heavy military transport aircraft Il-76 and An-124. In total, 2,785 flights were performed by air transport during the entire operation.
During the operation, the Russian Aerospace Forces completed 39,000 sorties. The intensity of the use of military aviation exceeded 100 or more sorties per day, on November 20, 2015, the maximum number was recorded - 139 sorties. There were also 66 air-launched cruise missile strikes.
Source:
https://rusi.org/publication/rusi-defence-systems/detailing-russian-forces-syria
Note: The unit of the 120th Guards Abr was confirmed by our Defense Ministry.
So, Sutyagin says:
Ground troops:
1. Battalion tactical group of the 810th Marine Brigade (Sevastopol) - 542nd separate airborne assault battalion, headquarters and control units - approximately 580 people.
No comments
2. 162nd separate reconnaissance battalion of the 7th air assault division (Novorossiysk) - approximately 320 people.
3. Reconnaissance battalion of the 74th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (Yurga) - approximately 440 people.
4. Battalion tactical group of the 27th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (Moscow) - two motorized rifle and tank companies - approximately 300 people.
5. Special Forces Battalion, probably the 3rd Special Forces Brigade (Tolyatti); it is also possible that this battalion belongs to the 22nd Guards Brigade of the Special Forces (Rostov-on-Don) - 230 people.
6. Sniper team TsSN "Senezh" (Solnechnogorsk) - the number is unknown.
No comments
7. Howitzer division of the 120th Guards Artillery Brigade (Kemerovo, more precisely Yurga) - eighteen 2A65 Msta-B, 270 people.
Note. The MoD confirmed the 5th howitzer battery of the brigade in the area of the settlement. Hamrat (Homs)
8. Two batteries of MLRS 9A52 "Smerch", the 439th Guards Rocket and Artillery Brigade is supposed (Znamensk, Astrakhan Region) - 4 installations, 50-60 people.
No comments
9. Howitzer battery of the 8th artillery regiment (Simferopol) - six towed howitzers 2A65 Msta-B, seventy people.
Note. No comments
10. Flamethrower battery from the 20th regiment of the RKhBZ (Nizhny Novgorod) - six TOS-1A "Solntsepyok", thirty people.
11. Electronic warfare company - six R-330B launchers, three R-378B radio jamming stations and six SPR-2 "Mercury-B" radio fuse jamming stations, the 64th motorized rifle brigade (Khabarovsk) is expected, about sixty people.
No comments
12. EW company - the Rubella-4 complex (on two vehicles), the 17th EW brigade (Nizhneudinsk) is supposed to be - about twenty people.
No comments
The total strength of the land component of the Russian group is estimated at about 2,400 people.
Aerospace Forces:
1. Four Su-30SM fighters from the 120th mixed aviation regiment (Domna; all four aircraft are identified by tail numbers "26, 27, 28, 29 red").
2. Four Su-34 bombers of the 47th mixed aviation regiment (Buturlinovka; all four aircraft are identified with tail numbers "21, 22, 25, 27 red").
3. From twenty-four to thirty Su-24M and Su-24m2 bombers of the 2nd Guards Bomber Regiment (Shagol; seven aircraft with tail numbers "04, 05, 08, 16, 25, 26, 27 white") and 277- th bomber regiment (Khurba; five boards with numbers "71, 72, 74, 75, 76 white" are tied).
4. Ten Su-25SM attack aircraft, two Su-25UBs of the 960th assault aviation regiment (Primorsko-Akhtarsk; all twelve aircraft are tied - Su-25SM tail numbers "21, 22, 24, 29 red" in brown-green-blue tricolor camouflage , and "25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32 red" in gray color, Su-25UB with tail numbers "44, 53 red").
5. Twelve Mi-24PN and two Mi-8AMTSh helicopters of the 113th helicopter regiment (Novosibirsk; all fourteen helicopters are tied - Mi-24PN tail numbers "03, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 34 , 36, 37, 40 yellow", Mi-8AMTSh "212, 252 yellow")
6. Up to eight Mi-28N helicopters - the 2nd squadron of the 487th helicopter regiment (Budennovsk) is supposed.
7. Flying command post Il-22M - from the 144th AWACS aviation regiment (Ivanovo; registration number RA 75917)
8. One or two reconnaissance Il-20Ms with unknown numbers from the 257th mixed aviation regiment (Khabarovsk).
9. Air defense battery of six Pantsir-S1 (SA-22) installations, presumably from the 1537th anti-aircraft missile regiment (Novorossiysk) - approximately ninety-five people.
10. Battalion of airfield services (jet aviation) - 360-380 people.
11. Airfield service company (helicopters) - 90-110 people.
12. Communications and air traffic control battalion - 240-270 people.
In general, the strength of the Russian Aerospace Forces grouping in Syria is estimated at 1200-1350 people, including 150-180 pilots, 280 aviation technicians, 690-760 people in support and up to 100 people in air defense.
It is assumed that there will be additional air bases near Khmeim, in particular, with the Mi-28 stationed there.
P.S. Sutyagin has enough inaccuracies and mistakes.
The Russian Aerospace Forces grouping in Syria includes more than 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Su-34 and Su-24M front-line bombers, Su-25SM attack aircraft, Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters, Mi-24P attack helicopters, as well as transport - attack helicopters Mi-8AMTSh.
During the preparation and setting of tasks, aerial reconnaissance data and clarifications received from the headquarters of the Syrian army and with the help of space reconnaissance and drones are used. All actions of Russia are coordinated with the Syrian side
In addition to the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Russian Navy was also involved in the operation. On the night of October 6-7, 2015, ships of the Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy from the Caspian Sea launched a massive strike with cruise missiles ZM-14 of the Kalibr NK sea-based complex against Daesh* facilities in Syria. 26 rockets were fired from the Dagestan, Grad Sviyazhsk, Veliky Ustyug and Uglich ships.
On December 17, 2015, Tu-160, Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS Long-Range Aviation aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces attacked Daesh * positions in Syria, 34 cruise missiles were launched at militant targets in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. The air strike group was covered by 4 Su-27SM fighters.
On November 20, 2015, ships of the Caspian Flotilla launched 18 cruise missiles at seven targets in the provinces of Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo, hitting all targets.
On February 1, 2016, Su-35S fighters were deployed to the Khmeimim airbase, which began to carry out combat missions.
Su-24M "Fencer"
The main striking force of the Russian air group in Syria is the modernized Su-24M front-line bomber.
Su-24M
The Su-24 (according to NATO classification - Fencer-D) is a front-line bomber with a variable sweep wing, for its elongated nose was nicknamed "Fencer". Designed for delivering missile and bomb strikes in simple and difficult weather conditions, day and night, including at low altitudes. Chief designer - Evgeny Felsner.
The aircraft made its first flight in 1976. The bomber is equipped with a special computing subsystem SVP-24 "Gefest", which was put into service in 2008, which expands the aircraft's ability to search for and destroy targets. The Su-24M is capable of flying at low altitude and following the terrain. The bomber can strike both ground and surface targets using a wide range of ammunition, including high-precision weapons, including guided aerial bombs (KAB). The maximum flight speed near the ground is 1250 km / h, the ferry flight range is 2,775 km (with two external fuel tanks PTB-3000). The aircraft is equipped with two AL-21F-3A turbojet engines with a thrust of 11,200 kgf each.
Armament - a 23 mm cannon, on 8 suspension points can carry air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, adjustable and free-falling aerial bombs, as well as unguided aircraft missiles, removable cannon mounts, tactical nuclear weapons.
Su-34 "Duckling"
Multifunctional fighter-bomber of the "4+" generation Su-34 (according to NATO classification - Fullback) is designed to deliver high-precision missile and bomb strikes, including using nuclear weapons, against land and surface targets at any time of the day. The main strike aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Su-34 Among the Russian military, the Su-34 was nicknamed "Duck" because of the nose of the aircraft, reminiscent of a duck's beak.
The all-weather front-line bomber is a modernization of the Su-27 fighter. Chief designer - Rollan Martirosov.
The first flight was made on April 13, 1990. Adopted by the Russian Air Force on March 20, 2014. Serially produced since 2006 at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after V.P. Chkalov. Maximum speed - 1900 km / h, flight range - more than 4,000 km without refueling (7,000 km - with refueling), service ceiling - 14,650 meters. Armament - a 30 mm caliber cannon, on 12 hardpoints can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles of various types, unguided rockets and bombs.
The aircraft is equipped with an in-flight refueling system. The Su-34 is equipped with two AL-31F M1 turbojet engines with a thrust of 13,300 kgf in afterburner mode each. The crew of the aircraft - 2 people.
According to information from open sources, in December 2014, the Russian Air Force was armed with 55 Su-34 units. In total, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation intends to adopt 120 Su-34s.
Su-25SM "Rook"
Armored subsonic attack aircraft Su-25SM (according to NATO classification - Frogfoot-A), nicknamed "Rook", is designed for direct support of ground forces over the battlefield day and night with direct line of sight of the target, as well as the destruction of objects with specified coordinates around the clock in any weather conditions .
The aircraft differs from the basic Su-25 model by the presence of the PrNK-25SM Bars airborne sighting and navigation system and equipment for working with the GLONASS satellite navigation system. The cockpit equipment was also seriously updated - multifunctional displays (MFD) and a new indicator on the windshield (HUD) were added instead of the old sights.
The Su-25SM is capable of using a wide range of ammunition, including high-precision weapons. The aircraft is equipped with a 30-mm double-barreled aircraft gun GSH-30-2. The maximum flight speed near the ground is 975 km / h, the range is 500 km. The aircraft is equipped with two RD-195 turbojet engines with a thrust of 4,500 kgf at maximum power each.
Su-25 has become the most belligerent aircraft of the Russian army. He participated in many military operations (Afghanistan, Angola, South Ossetia). It is the "Rooks" that leave plumes of colored smoke in the form of the flag of the Russian Federation at each Victory parade over Red Square.
Su-27SM
Su-27SM and MiG-29 at MAKS 2013 Su-27SM multirole fighter (according to NATO classification - Flanker-B mod.1). Designed to gain air supremacy. The efficiency of the aircraft compared to the baseline Su-27 has doubled when working on air targets.
The Su-27SM is equipped with new avionics systems. The aircraft cockpit is equipped with multifunctional displays (MFD). The range of used aviation weapons (ASP) has been expanded.
Su-27SM3 aircraft have two additional suspension points under the wing panels.
Su-30SM
The task of the Su-30SM fighters (according to NATO classification - Flanker-H) is to cover bombers and attack aircraft attacking the positions of DAESH militants.
Double multi-role heavy fighter of the "4+" generation was created on the basis of the Su-27UB through its deep modernization.
Su-30SM at MAKS 2015 It is designed both to gain air supremacy and to strike at ground and surface targets. The design of the aircraft used front horizontal tail (PGO) and engines with thrust vector control (UVT). Due to the use of these solutions, the aircraft has super-maneuverability.
The Su-30SM is equipped with a multifunctional radar control station (RLCS) with a passive phased antenna array (PFAR) "Bars". The fighter's ammunition portfolio includes a wide range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface precision guided weapons. The Su-30SM can be used as an aircraft for training pilots for advanced single-seat fighters. Since 2012, these aircraft have been under construction for the Russian Air Force.
The Su-30SM is capable of performing combat operations associated with a long range and duration of flight and effective control of a group of fighters.
The Su-30SM is equipped with an in-flight refueling system, new navigation systems, an expanded range of group action control equipment, and an improved life support system. Due to the installation of new missiles and a weapon control system, the combat effectiveness of the aircraft has been significantly increased.
Su-35S
The Su-35S multipurpose supersonic supermaneuverable fighter belongs to the 4++ generation. It was developed in the 2000s by the experimental design bureau. ON. Sukhoi based on the front-line fighter Su-27. The Su-35 made its first flight in 2008.
Su-35S fighters fly from the Privolzhsky airfield to the Syrian Khmeimim airbase The aerodynamic scheme of the aircraft is made in the form of a twin-engine high-wing aircraft with a tricycle retractable landing gear with a front strut. The Su-35 is equipped with AL-41F1S turbojet engines with an afterburner and thrust vector control in one plane, which was developed on the basis of the AL-31F installed on Su-27 aircraft. Differs from its predecessor in increased thrust of 14.5 tons (against 12.5), b about longer life and lower fuel consumption.
The Su-35 has 12 external hardpoints for attaching high-precision missiles and bombs. Two more - to accommodate EW containers.
The Su-35 armament includes a whole range of air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, as well as unguided missiles and bombs of various calibers.
In terms of the range of bomber and unguided rocket weapons, the Su-35 as a whole does not differ from today's Su-30MK, but in the future it will be able to use improved and new models of air bombs, including those with laser correction. The maximum payload weight is 8000 kg.
The fighter is also equipped with a GSh-30-1 30 mm cannon (ammunition - 150 rounds).
Long-range aircraft based in Russia
Long-range supersonic bomber with variable wing geometry.
Designed to destroy land and sea targets with supersonic guided missiles at any time of the day and in any weather conditions.
Chief designer - Dmitry Markov. The first flight was made on June 22, 1977, it was put into mass production in 1978, and was adopted by the USSR Air Force in March 1989.
The aircraft is equipped with two NK-25 turbojet engines, developing power with an afterburner up to 25 tons. The combat equipment of the aircraft may include: three supersonic air-to-ground missiles, ten aeroballistic missiles to destroy enemy ground targets, as well as up to 12 tons of conventional or nuclear bombs located in the fuselage and on the external sling. The aircraft is also equipped with defensive armament - a GSh-23 cannon with a rate of fire of up to 4,000 rounds per minute.
In total, about 500 Tu-22Ms of various modifications were built. The maximum speed of the aircraft is 2,300 km/h, the practical range is 5,500 km, the practical ceiling is 13,500 m. The crew is 4 people. It can carry various types of cruise missiles with conventional or nuclear warheads.
Currently, the repair and modernization of aircraft of this model, which are in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces, is underway.
Tu-95MS
Turboprop strategic bomber-missile carrier - product "B", according to NATO codification "Bear".
Tu-95MS Designed to destroy important targets with nuclear and conventional weapons in remote military-geographical regions and in the deep rear of continental theaters of military operations.
Chief designer - Nikolai Bazenkov. The aircraft was created on the basis of the Tu-142MK and Tu-95K-22. The first flight was made in September 1979. Adopted by the USSR Air Force in 1981.
The maximum speed is 830 km / h, the practical range is up to 10,500 km, the practical ceiling is 12,000 meters. Crew - 7 people. Armament - long-range cruise missiles, 2 guns of 23 mm caliber.
Currently, the Russian Air Force is armed with about 30 units. Modernization to the Tu-95MSM version is underway, which will extend the life of the aircraft until 2025.
Supersonic strategic bomber-missile carrier with variable wing geometry.
Designed to destroy the most important targets with nuclear and conventional weapons in remote military-geographical regions and in the deep rear of continental theaters of military operations.
Chief designer - Valentin Bliznyuk. The machine made its first flight on December 18, 1981, adopted by the USSR Air Force in 1987.
Maximum speed - 2,230 km / h, practical range - 14,600 km, practical ceiling - 16,000 m. Crew - 4 people. Armament: up to 12 cruise missiles or up to 40 tons of air bombs. Flight duration - up to 15 hours (without refueling).
At least 15 vehicles of this type are in service with the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Until 2020, ten modernized Tu-160M vehicles are expected to arrive.
Helicopters
Mi-8AMTSh "Terminator"
Mi-8AMTSh "Terminator" transport and attack helicopters are deployed at the Khmeimim airbase. This is the latest modification of the well-known and proven Mi-8 military transport helicopter.
"Terminator" is designed to destroy equipment, including armored, shelters and firing points, enemy manpower.
The range of ammunition used from the Mi-8AMTSh, in addition to unguided weapons, includes high-precision weapons, in particular anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) 9M120 "Ataka" or 9M114 "Shturm". The helicopter can carry up to 37 paratroopers, up to 12 wounded on stretchers or transport up to 4 tons of cargo, perform search and rescue and evacuation operations.
The helicopter is equipped with two VK-2500 engines of increased power. Mi-8AMTSh are equipped with a complex of means of protection against damage. The cockpit of the new helicopter is equipped with multifunctional indicators that display a digital map of the area, and the latest flight and navigation equipment that works with GPS and GLONASS navigation systems. Mi-8AMTSH helicopters are also distinguished by improved resource indicators, which allow saving significant funds on helicopter maintenance during the life cycle.
Crew - 3 people. Maximum speed - 250 km / h, flight range - up to 800 km, practical ceiling - 6,000 meters.
Versatility and high flight performance have made Mi-8 helicopters one of the most popular Russian helicopters in the world.
The Mi-24P attack helicopter (according to NATO classification - Hind-F) is designed for visual observation and organization of a security zone in the Khmeimim airfield area, as well as search and rescue operations. It is a modernized version of the Mi-24.
Each Mi-24P used in Syria carries four blocks of 20 rockets. The helicopter is also equipped with guided missiles and a 30-mm double-barreled automatic aircraft gun GSH-30K (ammunition load - 250 rounds), capable of speeds up to 300 km / h and climb to a height of up to 4,500 meters. It can fly at extremely low altitudes up to 5 meters.
The helicopter made its first flight in 1974, serial production began in 1981.
The Mi-24P is designed to strike at concentrations of manpower, combat equipment, including armored vehicles, and destroy low-flying low-speed air targets.
The crews of the Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-24P helicopters are equipped with night vision goggles, which allows them to fly at night.
Weapons: bombs and missiles
BETAB-500 concrete bomb
The BetAB-500 concrete-piercing bomb was developed at the Basalt National Research and Production Enterprise. Designed for the destruction of concrete structures, bridges, naval bases. The main task of the bomb is to break through the roof of a fortified object, it can be underground fuel and lubricant depots or weapons, various concrete fortifications. BetAB-500 is capable of penetrating 1 meter of concrete buried 5 meters deep into the ground. In medium-density soil, this ammunition forms a funnel with a diameter of 4-5 meters. Such parameters are achieved, firstly, due to the trajectory of the fall of the bomb - vertically down. After being dropped from the aircraft, a special braking parachute opens near the ammunition, which directs the BetAB to the ground. In addition, when the parachute fires back, a rocket booster is turned on in the tail section of the bomb, which creates an additional speed of meeting the ammunition with the target. The mass of the warhead of the bomb is 350 kg.
The BetAB has a reinforced shell compared to a conventional high explosive bomb, which helps break through concrete and other fortifications.
Kh-29L and Kh-25ML missiles
The X-29 family missiles were developed in the USSR and put into service in 1980. Now the modernization and production of ammunition is carried out by the Tactical Missiles Corporation.
Missiles of this type are designed to destroy such ground targets as strong aircraft shelters, fixed railway and highway bridges, industrial buildings, warehouses, and concrete runways.
In the X-29L version, the missile is equipped with a laser homing head. In Syria, these missiles are used by Su-24M front-line bombers and Su-34 fighter-bombers.
The missile is equipped with a high-explosive penetrating warhead. Before launching a rocket, the pilot can set the option of firing the rocket - instantaneous, from the contact of the rocket with the target, or triggering with a delay.
The firing range of the X-29L missile is from 2 to 10 km.
The missile has a powerful warhead weighing 317 kg with an explosive mass of 116 kg.
Kh-25 is an air-to-surface guided multi-purpose missile equipped with a semi-active homing head (GOS). A laser seeker is installed on the Kh-25ML missile.
Designed to destroy small targets both on the battlefield and behind enemy lines. Able to punch up to 1 meter of concrete.
The maximum launch range is 10 km. Flight speed - 870 m / s. The mass of the warhead (warhead) - 86 kg.
KAB-500S
This adjustable bomb is designed for high-precision destruction of stationary ground targets - railway bridges, fortifications, communications nodes. The bomb has a high hit accuracy due to the inertial satellite guidance system. Ammunition can be effectively used both day and night in any weather.
The bomb can be dropped at distances from 2 to 9 km from the target and at altitudes from 500 meters to 5 km at a carrier aircraft speed of 550 to 1100 km/h. The mass of the bomb in different versions is 560 kg, the mass of the high-explosive concrete-piercing warhead is 360-380 kg.
The circular probable deviation of the bomb from the target, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, is 4-5 meters, according to the manufacturer - from 7 to 12 meters.
KAB-500S has a fuse with three types of deceleration.
A direct hit by two such bombs in Syria destroyed the headquarters of the Liwa al-Haq formation and immediately eliminated more than 200 militants.
OFAB of different weights
High-explosive free-fall aerial bomb. It is used to destroy weakly protected military facilities, armored and unarmored vehicles, and manpower. It is used from heights from 500 meters to 16 km.
In Syria, these munitions are used by Su-25SM attack aircraft.
Cruise missile Kh-555
Air-launched subsonic strategic cruise missile, Kh-55 modification, equipped with a conventional warhead (warhead).
The missile is equipped with an inertial Doppler guidance system that combines terrain correction with satellite navigation. X-555 can be equipped with different types of warheads: high-explosive fragmentation, penetrating or cassette with different types of elements. Compared to the X-55, the mass of the warhead was increased, which led to a decrease in the flight range to 2000 km. However, the Kh-555 can be equipped with conformal fuel tanks to increase the range of the cruise missile to 2,500 km. According to open sources, the circular probable deviation (CEP) of the rocket is from 5 to 10 m.
According to data obtained from a video recording of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Kh-555 missiles were used from Tu-160 and Tu-95MS aircraft, which carried them in the fuselage compartments.
Strategic missile carriers of these types are equipped with an MKU-6-5 drum-type launcher, which can carry 6 air-launched cruise missiles.
Cruise missile ZM-14
On October 7, 2015, three small missile ships of project 21631 of the Caspian flotilla (Uglich, Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug) and a patrol ship of project 11661K Dagestan launched 26 missiles at 11 ground targets located at a distance of about 1500 km . This was the first combat use of the missile system.
Projects 11661K and 21631 missile ships, which are part of the flotilla, are equipped with launchers for Caliber tactical cruise missiles (according to NATO classification - SS-N-27 Sizzler).
The Kalibr missile system was developed and manufactured by the Novator Design Bureau in Yekaterinburg on the basis of the S-10 Granat complex, and was first introduced in 1993.
On the basis of "Caliber" complexes of ground, air, surface and underwater basing, export versions were created. Currently, different types of Caliber complexes are in service with Russia, India and China.
Data on the maximum range of only the export version of the missile was officially disclosed, it is 275-300 km. In 2012, at a meeting with the President of Dagestan, Magomedsalam Magomedov, Vice Admiral Sergei Alekminsky, who at that time held the post of commander of the Caspian Flotilla, said that the tactical version of the Caliber (3M-14) cruise missile could hit coastal targets at a distance of up to 2,600 km.
The performance characteristics of the 3M-14 rocket are classified information and are not publicly available.
* Daesh is a terrorist organization banned in Russia*