Day of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces. Russian air defense - prospects and challenges Air defense of the largest cities
In the military development of many countries of the world, there is an increasingly stable trend towards the priority development of air attack weapons, 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 troop groups has become one of the most characteristic features military actions at the end of the twentieth - beginning of the twenty-first century. 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 toward the increasingly widespread use of tactical and operational-tactical ballistic missiles in regional armed conflicts.
In these conditions, the problem of ensuring air safety becomes one of the most important components national security state, which necessitates the comprehensive improvement of forces and means air defense, an increase in the volume of tasks assigned to air defense forces. The intensity of development of air attack weapons, their constant improvement tactical and technical 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 massive application a variety of means of air attack inevitably leads to large casualties and material losses, and ultimately to military defeat.
Taking into account the experience of wars and armed conflicts of recent times, one of the important areas of military development in the leading Arab countries The key is to develop air defense forces, equipping them with more effective means of detecting and destroying air targets at various ranges and altitudes, control systems and processing information about the air situation.
Today, 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 of their technical equipment leaves much to be desired. Countries such as the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait pay great attention to the development of air defense, and in Lately- 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 personnel air defense formations in most Arab states do not allow them to effectively solve problems of combating modern means of air attack and thereby reliably cover even the most important administrative, economic and military facilities. Not a single Arab country has so far managed to create an integrated air defense and missile defense system that would simultaneously solve both traditional air defense tasks and new tasks to combat various types of missile weapons.
It is possible that with the adoption of American Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) in the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia and Egypt and in the event of the acquisition by Algeria, Syria and Yemen of Russian S-300 or S-400 type anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM), the armed forces of these countries will be able to solve individual missile defense problems.
The weak side of the air defense of Arab countries is that almost all air defense systems (air defense systems, anti-aircraft artillery, radar, electronic warfare equipment (EW), etc.) in service with their armed forces are foreign-made (Russian, American, French, English, Swedish, Swiss, Chinese, Italian, German and South African). Only Egypt has established its own production of 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 species armed forces and organizationally consist of three anti-aircraft missile regiments (SAM), armed with S-125 “Pechora”, “Kvadrat” and “Osa” air defense systems (a total of 100 to PU). In addition, there are three brigades anti-aircraft artillery(725 guns of 130, 100 and 85 mm caliber) and units radio technical troops(RTV). In general, the country's air defense forces have disabilities, and the majority of the equipment in their arsenal is outdated.
Currently, in the Algerian ground forces, in addition to the air defense units that are part of the combined arms formations and units, there is one anti-aircraft missile (ZRDN) and six anti-aircraft artillery divisions. 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 the technical condition and metrological maintenance of the control and measuring equipment of the S-125 Pechora air defense system. Work to modernize 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 purchasing Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems.
Personnel for the Algerian air defense forces are trained at the Air Defense School (training period is four years). The ground forces have a field and anti-aircraft artillery school. Some specialists for the air defense troops are expected 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 batteries of anti-aircraft guided missiles (SAM) and an anti-aircraft artillery battery. Air defense units are also included in combined arms units. In total, the Bahrain Armed Forces have 15 missile launchers (Advanced 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 “Advanced Hawk” and “Crotal” air defense systems available to the troops, and to additionally purchase 100 MANPADS.
Egypt. Air defense troops (75 thousand people, including 50 thousand military personnel conscript service, reserve component - 70 thousand people) were separated into an independent branch of the armed forces in 1968. They include anti-aircraft missile forces (ZRV), anti-aircraft artillery (AA) and radio engineering units. Air defense troops carry out their tasks of defending the country from enemy air attacks in cooperation with Air Force fighter aircraft and military air defense units. The Egyptian Air Defense Forces are one of the largest and most complex military systems in the Middle East.
The highest organizational unit of a branch of the armed forces is an air defense division, which, depending on the nature of the tasks performed, may include several anti-aircraft missile brigades (4-8 missile brigades in each), anti-aircraft artillery regiments and divisions, as well as RTV units. 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 Egypt's air defense forces and means still consists of anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems supplied in the 1970s from the USSR. Currently, Egypt is taking measures to gradually modernize its air defense forces and increase their combat effectiveness.
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 Advanced Hawk missile defense batteries, 12 Chaparel missile defense batteries, 14 Crotal missile defense batteries. In total, the troops have 875 missile launchers (S-75 - 300, S-125 - 232, Kvadrat - 200, Improved Hawk - 78, Chaparral - 33, Crotal - 32). The air defense units also have 18 anti-aircraft missile and gun systems (ZRPK) "Amon" (short-range air defense system "Skygard" RIM-7F "Sparou" and 35-mm anti-aircraft guns) and 36 air defense missile systems of national production "Sinai-23" (twin 23 -mm ZU and MANPADS "Ain Sakr"). The anti-aircraft artillery units are armed with up to 2,000 guns of 100, 85, 57, 37, 35, 30 and 23 mm caliber, as well as Strela-2 and Ain Sakr MANPADS. The radio technical troops are equipped with radars of Russian, English, American and Chinese production: P-11, P-12, P-14, P-18, P-15, P-35, “Obora-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 troop groups. They are designed to engage air targets at all altitudes. Anti-aircraft artillery units are designed primarily to combat low-flying air targets. The radio technical troops monitor airspace, collect and process data on the air situation, and control air defense forces and means.
With the help of the United States, Egypt has created a unified air defense control system that unites air defense firepower, fighter aircraft, automated radar surveillance and warning centers, as well as E-2C Hawkeye long-range radar surveillance aircraft (AWACS). Particular attention is paid to increasing the capabilities of air defense systems to detect and engage air targets at low altitudes.
The main grouping of forces and assets of the country's air defense forces is located in the areas of Cairo, Bilbeis, Beni Sueif, Luxor, El Minya, Ras Banas, Hurghada, Inshas, Fayyad, Giankalis, Tanta and El Mansura.
In the second half of the 1990s, with Russian help repairs and modernization of some 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. Spare parts, new operational documentation and individual components were also supplied. 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 modernized to the Pechora-2 level (replacement of electronics, supply of new launchers, etc.). According to experts, after modernization the effectiveness of the air defense system will increase by 250-300%. At the same time, under US pressure, the Egyptians refused to purchase S-300 air defense systems from Russia.
The air defense forces should receive from the United States six batteries (48 launchers) of the Patriot missile defense system and 384 RAK-2 missiles. However, the Egyptians postponed the final resolution of this issue until 2006 for financial reasons. The Egyptian side is also showing interest in acquiring a ground-based version American rocket AMRAAM for its use in the interests of air defense. In particular, it is planned to replace Russian Kvadrat air defense systems with AMRAAM missiles. In 1996, a contract was signed with the United States to modernize 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 ground forces of Egypt are armed with 96 short-range air defense systems (M54 Chaparral - 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 gun artillery regiment and an anti-aircraft artillery division, and in a tank division - an anti-aircraft artillery regiment or a mixed anti-aircraft missile and artillery division. A separate mechanized (infantry) brigade has an anti-aircraft division.
The country's enterprises produce and repair Sinai-23 and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, Ain Sakr MANPADS (option Soviet MANPADS"Strela-2"), radar.
Officers for the Egyptian Air Defense Forces 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. Advanced training for 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 Advanced Hawk missile defense system (14 batteries, 80 launchers) and several anti-aircraft artillery batteries. They cover the most important administrative, economic and military installations, mainly around the capital Amman. The Jordanian air defense system requires modernization. Currently, its radar systems have insufficient capabilities to detect low-flying targets. This is largely due to the mountainous terrain, which allows enemy aircraft to covertly approach the most important centers of the country at low altitudes. Moreover, the latter are located close to the border.
The armament and equipment of the air defense forces are maintained in combat-ready condition. Their technical maintenance is at an appropriate level. In the coming years, it is planned to modernize the Advanced Hawk air defense system and purchase three new radars.
IN combat strength The Jordanian ground forces have three air defense brigades, subordinate to the Northern Central and Eastern Commands, respectively. The armored division also includes 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 "Vulcan" - 100). Air defense units of the ground forces generally have good weapons and a high level of personnel training.
Yemen. Currently, the military-political leadership of the country is placing the main emphasis in increasing 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 thousand people. They are armed with S-75, S-125 and Kvadrat air defense systems. The government intends to purchase 5 divisions of the S-300 PMU-1 air defense system from Russia.
The ground forces have 2 air defense brigades, 4 separate anti-aircraft artillery divisions, and an anti-aircraft missile division. 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 - "Vulcan" - 20, 20-mm ZU M167 - 50).
Qatar. The Qatari Air Force has air defense units armed with short-range air defense systems Roland-2 (9 launchers) and Mistral (24 launchers), 42 MANPADS (Stinger - 12, Strela-2 - 20, "Blowpipe" - 10). It is planned to purchase a batch of MANPADS for the ground forces in the near future.
Kuwait. The national air force includes air defense units armed with 4 Advanced Hawk air defense systems (24 launchers), 6 Amon air defense missile systems batteries (each with two Aspid short-range missile launchers, a Skygard fire control system, a radar 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 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 troops are part of the combined branch of the armed forces - the air force and air defense. Wherein special command Air defense was organized after the events of 1986 associated with American air raids on Libyan targets. It has under its command 4 air defense brigades equipped with the S-200VE "Vega" air defense system (each brigade has 2 missile batteries of 6 launchers, 4 anti-aircraft artillery batteries, a radar company), 6 air defense brigades equipped with the S-75M "Desna" air defense system, 3 air defense brigades , equipped with the S-125M Neva-M air defense system, and 3 air defense missile systems equipped with the Kvadrat and Osa air defense systems (20-24 self-propelled launchers in each). The Russian Senezh system is used to control air defense forces and means. A significant part of the air defense weapons and equipment is physically and morally outdated, which, along with poor training of personnel, does not allow them to be effectively used to counter modern means air attack.
Currently, the Libyan command expresses a desire to purchase 80 S-300PMU-1 (PMU-2) air defense missile launchers from Russia.
The air defense units of the Libyan ground forces are armed with the Strela-1, Strela-10 air defense systems, 24 Krotal missile launchers, various types of MANPADS, 600 anti-aircraft artillery guns and self-propelled guns (57-mm AZP S-60, 30-mm ZP, ZU-23-2, 40-mm ZSU M53, ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”).
Officers are trained at air defense military colleges in Tripoli and Misurata. There is also an air defense officer school. The duration 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 came 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 at the stationary radar stations. Mobile radars are placed on three trailers each and must, during a period of threat, by special decision, occupy pre-prepared positions. All control system equipment was manufactured in the USA, and Moroccan specialists were also trained there. Air defense radio units are organizationally part of the Royal Air Force.
The Moroccan ground forces have an air defense group. In total, the air defense units of the ground forces are armed with 37 M54 Chaparral 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 "Vulcan" - 60).
UAE. Currently, the country does not have a unified air defense system. The bulk of the available air defense forces and means are organizationally part of the Air Force and perform tasks to cover administrative centers, oil complex facilities, airfields, and various military installations.
The air defense forces are represented by a brigade, which consists of three divisions armed with 21 short-range missile launchers "Rapier" (12 launchers) and "Crotal" (9 launchers), and 5 batteries of the "Advanced Hawk" missile defense system. In addition, air defense units have 13 RBS-70 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 support the activities of air defense fire 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, Blowpipe - 20), 62 anti-aircraft guns (30-mm - 20, 20-mm ZSU M3VDA - 42).
Considering the fact that on modern stage Air defense forces and means are only able to carry out the tasks assigned to them to a limited extent; the Emirati leadership envisages the implementation of a set of measures to further development capabilities of air defense forces. In particular, it is planned to purchase additional quantities of the Advanced Hawk air defense system. In August 2000, a contract was signed with Russia for the supply of Pantsir-1 air defense systems (50 launchers) in the amount of $734 million. The UAE is participating in the creation of a unified GCC air defense system.
Oman. Air defense units (two squadrons of short-range missiles "Rapier", 28 launchers) are organizationally part of the Air Force. Four additional batteries of 35-mm anti-aircraft guns were purchased from South Africa. The Rapira air defense system is being modernized to the level of the Rapier B1 (X) model with the new Matra-2 missile with infrared guidance and a proximity fuse. Negotiations are underway on the supply of an additional batch of Rapier 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 pledged to provide assistance in training personnel of radio engineering units.
The air defense units of the Omani ground forces 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). If the financial situation further improves, it is planned to purchase MANPADS, other weapons and equipment for military air defense.
Saudi Arabia. The air defense troops (16 thousand people) are an independent branch of the armed forces. They are headed by a commander who has his own headquarters. Air defense troops consist of anti-aircraft missile forces, anti-aircraft artillery and RTV units. Interceptor fighters are operationally subordinate to air defense.
Organizationally, the air defense forces are divided into six groups. The 1st group (headquarters in Riyadh) includes three batteries of the Advanced Hawk missile defense system and two batteries of the Oerlikon missile system; 2nd group (Jeddah) - three batteries of Us. Hawk", a Krotal missile defense battery, two Shahin missile defense batteries, a 30-mm battery and two Oerlikon missile batteries, as well as an air defense training center; 3rd group - (Tabuk) - two batteries of Us. Hawk”, battery of “Shakhin” missile defense systems; 4th group (Khamis-Mushayt) - battery of Us. Hawk", a battery of "Shakhin" missile defense systems, two batteries of a 30-mm charger, a battery of "Oerlikon" charger; 5th group (Dhahran) - six batteries of Us. Hawk", two batteries of the "Shakhin" missile defense system, five batteries of the "Oerlikon" missile launcher; 6th group (Hafr el-Batin) - two batteries of Us. Hawk", four Oerlikon batteries. In total, the air defense forces have 33 missile defense batteries (16 - "Us. Hawk" and 17 - "Shakhin").
In total, the air defense forces are armed with 128 MIM-23B "Advanced Hawk" missile launchers, 141 "Shakhin" 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 "Vulcan" - 92. In addition, there are 70 40-mm L/70 anti-aircraft guns in warehouses.
The Gulf War gave a strong impetus to the development of Saudi air defenses, generally maintaining the general concept of their improvement, which included the creation of a multi-level integrated air defense system for the kingdom. In the 1990s, 21 batteries of Patriot missile defense systems (including 2 training ones) with 1055 missiles were purchased for the air defense forces. Further improvement of the country's air defense system is a priority area of national military development. In the future, the command intends to bring the country's air defense system closer in efficiency to Western models.
Currently, air defense troops are entrusted with covering important administrative, economic and military facilities: the country's capital, oil production areas, troop groups, air force and missile bases.
Saudi Arabia's air defense forms the basis of the GCC's Peace Shield air defense system. Its construction was largely completed in 1995. The Peace Shield includes 17 AN/FPS-117(V)3 long-range radars, three D radar systems coupled with AN-PPS-43 and AN-TPS-72 short- and medium-range radars. The system's control center is located in Riyadh. It controls five sectors, with command posts located in Dhahran (East), Al Kharj (Centre), Khamis Mushait (South), Taif (West) and Tabuk (Northwest). Military air bases have operational centers that are integrated with AWACS aircraft (5 units) E-3A AWACS, fighter aircraft, missile defense and anti-aircraft artillery batteries.
Saudi troops are taking part in the regularly held joint air force and air defense exercises of the GCC countries "Peninsula Falcon".
Air defense systems of the ground forces are represented by the short-range air defense system "Shakhin" ("Krotal") 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.
Officer cadres for air defense troops are trained in the largest and oldest military educational institution Kingdom Military College named after. King Abdulaziz in the Riyadh suburb of Al Ain.
Syria. The Air Force and Air Defense Forces (100 thousand people, including 40 thousand in the Air Force and 60 thousand in the Air Defense) represent 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 combined branch of the armed forces.
The territory of Syria is divided into Northern and Southern zone Air defense. To control air defense forces and assets, 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 technical 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 missile defense regiment consists of two missile divisions 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 system is armed mainly with outdated S-75, S-125 and Kvadrat air defense systems (the latter have undergone partial modernization work) and radio equipment that are not able to effectively counteract modern air attack weapons. There are problems with personnel training. The command, given the significant role that aviation played in the fighting in the zone Persian Gulf, 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 a desire to purchase S-300PMU air defense systems, Buk-M1 and Tor-M1 air defense systems from Russia.
Officers for the air defense forces are trained at the Air Defense College.
Sudan. The air defense forces are separated into a separate type of armed forces, which include five S-75 missile defense batteries (18 launchers) and anti-aircraft artillery units. All equipment is morally and physically outdated 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 country's air defense tasks are assigned to the ground forces. However, the air defense systems they have in their arsenal have limited capabilities to hit air targets only at low altitudes and are able to cover only individual objects.
The Tunisian ground forces are armed with 25 M48 Chaparral air defense systems, 48 RBS-70 MANPADS, 115 anti-aircraft artillery guns (37-mm Type 55/65 AZP - 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 strength of the ground forces includes 4 anti-aircraft batteries. Air defense systems are represented by 30 Strela-2 MANPADS, 100-mm KS-19 anti-aircraft guns (12), 57-mm S-60 AZP (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 M42 self-propelled guns and 23 and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns.
Djibouti. The ground forces are armed with 15 anti-aircraft guns (40 mm L/70 - 5, ZU-23-2 - 5, 20 mm - 5).
Air defense of the country is a separate type of armed support within the framework of measures to protect the state from attack from the air. The first units designed to combat the air threat were created in Russia even before the revolution, back in 1914. Equipped light guns and machine gun installations, these formations successfully resisted German airplanes.
But the Great Patriotic War became the real readiness of the air defense system for the defense of the country. During air battles on the approaches to Moscow and Leningrad, Soviet anti-aircraft gunners caused damage to fascist aviation. Over the entire military period, the air defense units destroyed or disabled more than seven thousand enemy aircraft.
The importance of air defense for the state is so great that the country has a special holiday - Air Defense Forces Day, which is traditionally celebrated every year on the second Sunday of April. The time for the holiday was not chosen by chance. It was in April that the most important decisions were made regarding the organization of this type of troops, their formation and development.
Troops of constant combat readiness
Modern Russian air defense troops are a branch of the military whose functions include covering military and civilian facilities and military formations from possible attacks from air attack weapons of a potential enemy. Domestic air defense units are able to destroy enemy aircraft at a variety of altitudes, regardless of flight speed.
IN Peaceful time air defense units are on round-the-clock combat duty, vigilantly guarding the country’s air borders and approaches to special important objects of strategic importance. If the need arises to participate in real combat operations, air defense troops will be able to conduct aerial reconnaissance, notify ground targets about the threat of attack from the air and all accessible ways destroy enemy aircraft and other means of attack.
From the point of view of organizational structure, air defense troops consist of command and control bodies, hidden command posts, radio engineering and anti-aircraft missile units, as well as aviation. The units are distinguished by high mobility and survivability. Hidden from prying eyes, detection equipment and missile launchers are capable of identifying enemy aircraft at distant approaches and timely neutralizing enemy air attack weapons.
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 aerospace defense are complexes and systems of anti-aircraft and missile defense, designed to solve all types of problems: from tactical to operational-strategic. The technical parameters of aerospace defense complexes and systems make it possible to organize reliable cover for troops, the most important public administration facilities, industry, energy and transport.
2016 turned out to be a “fruitful” year for news about air defense systems that are entering service within the framework of the State Armament Program (GPV-2020). Many experts and military specialists call them the best among existing systems air defense. The Russian Aerospace Defense Concern Almaz-Antey, the lead developer and manufacturer of aerospace defense complexes and systems, does not stop there; it has begun developing fifth-generation anti-aircraft missile systems and is creating a scientific and technical foundation for the future.
In 2016, the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine devoted a number of articles to the topic of air defense, starting with the history of its creation (see “ Military Academy in the 100-year history of military air defense" in No. 1 (21) 2016), spoke about the basics of the combat use of military air defense (see "Military air defense: the basics of combat use" in No. 4 (24) 2016) and military air defense systems of armies 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.
Interim results of building a modern layered air defense were discussed at the XXIV Military Scientific Conference of Military Air Defense, held in May 2016 in Smolensk. In the report of the head of the military air defense of the RF Armed Forces, Lieutenant General A. P. Leonov, “Development of the theory and practice of using military air defense of the Armed Forces Russian Federation V 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 effectiveness in defeating various air attack weapons (AEA), multi-channel, increased rate of fire and increased ammunition capacity of anti-aircraft missiles.
Doctor of Military Sciences, Lieutenant General A. D. Gavrilov, in the article “Military Air Defense: Fundamentals of Combat Use” noted the following: “No matter how highly effective technical means the air defense system possesses, the achievement of the assigned tasks 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 high level professionalism of commanders and staffs, awareness of personal responsibility of each anti-aircraft gunner for the assigned task of protecting the peaceful sky.”
Development and production of highly efficient equipment in parallel with participation in personnel training military units Air defense is a distinctive feature of the practical work of the Russian defense association - the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern.
Results of the work of Almaz-Antey
In November 2016, Almaz-Antey summed up the results of the year. As part of the fulfillment of state defense orders (GOZ), the Ministry of Defense received five regiments of the S-400 Triumph air defense system and three divisions of the air defense system medium range"Buk-M2", four divisions of the short-range air defense system "Tor-M2", a brigade set of the latest air defense systems "Buk-M3", as well as a number of different radars. In addition, in the past year, Almaz-Antey specialists carried out the necessary service activities for the maintenance and repair of more than two thousand weapons, military and special equipment (VVST) previously transferred to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and also supplied simulators for training combat crews of the complexes Air defense.
“Already, the annual targets for the supply of basic weapons have been completed by 70 percent, and for the purchase of missiles and ammunition - by more than 85 percent.
The troops received over 5.5 thousand units of weapons and military equipment, including more than 60 new and 130 modernized airplanes 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"- 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 defense industry enterprises, which took place 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 Russian Minister of Defense, Army General Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, these systems reliably protect our bases in Syria both from sea and from land. In addition, the Concern’s specialists restored the Syrian S-200 air defense systems.
The concern continued work on supplying the troops with the modernized and latest air defense systems of the S-300V4 air defense system, the Buk-M3 air defense system and the Tor-M2U air defense system. Without going into listing the technical characteristics of these complexes, we will briefly highlight their key features.
ZRS S-300V4
This air defense system represents a deep modernization of the S-300 complex, which has been produced by the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern since 1978. The heavy 9M83VM missile of the modernized S-300V4 is capable of reaching a speed 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 destruction of all existing and future aerospace attack weapons is ensured, including tactical ballistic missiles (at a range of up to 200 km). In general, the combat effectiveness of the S-300V4 has increased by 2.3 times compared to previous generations of the S-300.
Another feature of the system is increased mobility. Elements of the S-300V4 are placed on a tracked chassis, which allows for maneuver and deployment in the operational formation of formations, marching and order of battle formations of the Ground Forces off roads, on rough terrain.
The anti-aircraft missile division is capable of simultaneously firing at up to 24 targets, aiming 48 missiles at them. The rate of fire of each launcher is 1.5 seconds. The entire complex is transferred from standby mode to combat mode in 40 seconds, and the deployment time from the march takes 5 minutes. The battalion's ammunition load is 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 Krasnodar region. 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.
Buk-M3 air defense system
The Buk-M3 target detection station (STS) now tracks up to 36 targets at a distance of up to 70 kilometers across the entire altitude range. The new 9R31M (9M317M) missile has higher speed and maneuverability characteristics compared to the Buk-M2 missiles. It is placed in a transport and launch container (TPC), 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, transport vehicles can also hit targets. launchers 9A316M, they carry 12 missiles in the TPK.
The Buk-M3 equipment is built on a new element base; digital communications ensure a stable exchange of voice and combat information, as well as integration into the air defense technical control system.
The Buk-M3 air defense system intercepts almost all modern air defense systems that fly at speeds of 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 terms of the lower limit of target fire (60 meters versus 10 meters) and in the duration of the target detection cycle at distant approaches. The Buk-M3 can do this in 10 seconds, and the Patriot in 90 seconds, while requiring target designation from a reconnaissance satellite.
SAM Tor-M2U
Tor-M2U short-range air defense missiles effectively destroy targets flying at extremely low, low and medium altitudes at speeds of up to 700 m/s, including in conditions of a massive air attack and active counteraction to enemy electronic warfare.
The complex's SOC can detect and track up to 48 targets at a range of up to 32 kilometers. The complex's launcher can simultaneously fire at 4 targets at an azimuth of 3600, i.e., all around. A special feature of the Tor-M2U air defense system is the fact that it can conduct combat work on the move, at speeds of up to 45 km/h. Modern Tora equipment automatically identifies the ten most dangerous targets, and the operator only has to give the command to defeat them. Moreover, our newest Tor-M2U detects aircraft created using stealth technology.
The Tor-M2U air defense system battery consists of six launchers that can exchange combat information with each other automatically. Thus, by receiving information from one launcher, the others can repel a massive air attack from any direction. Retargeting time takes no more than 5 seconds.
Reaction of Western “partners” to the development of Russian aerospace defense
The successes of Russian air defense, which operates the products of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern, have long worried the minds of military leaders of 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 (AEA) from their countries’ defense industry enterprises. The development of new aviation systems, such as the fifth-generation fighter F-35 and the promising B-21 bomber, proceeded at a leisurely pace.
The first alarming signals for NATO members sounded after 2010, when the revival began military power Russia. Since 2012, military exercises began to occur much more frequently, 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 maximum ranges and without the use of additional target designation equipment. Thanks to the S-400 and S-300V4 air defense systems, the long-range line of destruction at the operational-tactical level has increased to 400 kilometers, which means that modern and promising air defense systems of NATO countries are guaranteed to fall into the firing zone of Russian air defense systems. NATO generals sounded the alarm. At the same time, purely defensive air defense systems in Western media characterized as “means of aggression.” True, there were also more pragmatic assessments.
In 2015, American military expert Tyler Rogoway discussed the topic of countering Russian air defense systems on his Foxtrot Alpha blog. In particular, he paid a lot of attention to working at a safe distance beyond the reach of weapons: “The capabilities of air defense detection devices (Russia - author’s note) are only getting better, just as the range of destruction of surface-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 ultimately destroy the air defense system. As a result, working outside the range of enemy weapons, you can weaken his air defense. Then, for example, you can fly closer and use a fighter with medium-range stealth missiles, instead of launching long-range missiles. At the same time, regular (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 delve deeper into enemy territory, disabling air defense systems along the way.”
In addition to the widespread use of “stealth technologies,” the Americans are relying on electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems. For example, naval forces The United States is working to create a method to counter modern air defense systems with phased array radars (PAA), such as the S-400 or the Chinese FD-2000 air defense system. They are going to equip EA-18G Growler aircraft (a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft based on the F/A-18 Super Hornet) with Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) electronic countermeasures systems. It is assumed that such electronic warfare systems will allow American strike aircraft to destroy enemy targets without the risk of being noticed anti-aircraft missile systems, the American magazine The National Interest reported in October 2016. Development new version NGJ is being carried out 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 frequency in which the phased array operates, and that this will be enough to be able to freely attack Russian air defense systems. According to plans, the NGJ should enter service in 2021.
In the next 5–10 years, the military-industrial complex of NATO countries 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 Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern makes it possible to neutralize the efforts of Western specialists.
Prospects for the development of Russian air defense systems
Fourth generation air defense automated control system
Currently, automated control systems for troops (ACCS), air defense forces and means (ACS) are at the fourth technological stage of development. In conditions of the rapidity of enemy air defense attacks, modern air defense cannot be effective without automated systems for controlling forces and means.
This stage of rearmament is taking place in the context of organizational and staffing changes in the structure of the command and control system of the Russian Armed Forces. Requirements for efficiency, continuity, stability and secrecy of command and control of troops are being tightened, new combat and information means for air defense, air defense, radio and electronic warfare with higher capabilities are being developed and put into service.
The enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern are already supplying the armed forces with systems and complexes that are integrated with automated control systems and ESU TK, information from which is sent to the National Defense Control Center (NDCM of the Russian Federation).
Currently, the means and complexes that ensure information interaction are undergoing field testing from the level of the anti-aircraft missile division to the district air defense automated control system. Numerous military and command post exercises make it possible to identify “weak points” in information exchange, which are transformed into specific technical assignments to eliminate them and are sent to the Concern’s enterprises. This allows you to quickly and efficiently make changes to manufactured kits and carry out work to modernize existing air defense systems.
Fifth generation air defense system
In addition to improving information interaction systems, fifth-generation air defense systems will begin to enter service with the anti-aircraft missile forces in the near future. We are talking, first of all, about the continuation of the Buk line of medium-range air defense systems, developed by NIIP named after. Tikhomirov (part of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern).
This is how they are characterized by a military expert, a member of the board’s expert council Russian military-industrial complex, editor-in-chief 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 . Those functions that we currently have divided between air defense and electronic warfare systems will be integrated into one system.
And secondly, the fifth generation air defense system will feature almost complete automation and robotization of all reconnaissance, control and fire cycles. In fact, a person will only make a decision whether to open the fire cycle or not.”
The Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern has already reported that the fifth-generation medium-range air defense system will have the ability 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 electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems, will actively interact with the air strike and reconnaissance complexes of the Russian Aerospace Forces. We are talking about the interaction of the air defense automated control system and the Postscriptum automated control system.
ACS "Postscript" 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 aircraft’s combat zone is received in real time. At the same time, the aircraft will receive information not only from long-range radar detection (AWACS) aircraft, but also from ground-based air defense radar stations, as well as from ground-based complexes RTR of the ground forces.
Brief conclusions
The results of the work of the Almaz-Antey Concern in 2016 are generally assessed as successful. The plans for the supply of equipment and the requirements of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are being met, which does not exclude “working on mistakes” 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 air defense systems of NATO countries, the intense tasks of implementing the state defense order and creating a scientific and technical reserve, the management and team of the Concern will have to go through a difficult path. There is no doubt that the assigned tasks will be completed successfully, which is guaranteed by the glorious traditions of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern.
It has a history of more than a century, 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 Krasnoye Selo. However, these attempts revealed the complete inability of conventional artillery to hit air targets, and of untrained military personnel to operate guns.
Start of air defense
The decoding of the well-known abbreviation means, that is, a system of measures to protect territory and objects from attack from the air. The first firing near St. Petersburg was carried out from four-inch cannons using ordinary bullet shrapnel.
It was this combination of technical characteristics that revealed the inability of the available means to destroy airborne objects, the role of which was then played by aerostats and balloons. However, based on the test results, Russian engineers received technical specifications for the development of a special gun, which was completed in 1914. Technically imperfect at that time were not only artillery pieces, but also the airplanes themselves, which are not capable of rising to a height exceeding three kilometers.
World War I
Before 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 already in 1910. The countries obviously anticipated an imminent conflict and tried to prepare for it, taking into account the sad experience of previous wars.
Thus, the history of air defense in Russia goes back one hundred and seven years, during which they have significantly developed and evolved from guns 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 to be December 8, 1914, when a system of defensive structures and means directed against air targets began to function on the approaches to Petrograd. 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 headquarters.
Fighter aircraft in the First World War
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, effective operation requires a significant number of highly qualified pilots. It was for these purposes that the first Officer Aeronautical School in Russia was formed on Volkovo Pole near St. Petersburg in 1910, which aimed to train first-class aeronauts, as pilots were called at that time.
In parallel with the network of observation points, a system was created that received the official name “Radiotelegraph Defense of Petrograd.” This system was intended to intercept 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 is intended only to shoot down enemy aircraft. However, already on the fields of the First World War it became clear that the troops were faced with numerous and complex tasks not only in controlling the skies, but also in reconnaissance, camouflage and the formation of the front line of front-line aviation.
After the victory of the October Revolution, all air defense forces available on the territory of Petrograd came under the control of the Red Army, which began to reform and reorganize them.
The actual air defense abbreviation and decoding appeared in 1925, when in official documents The terms “national air defense” and “front line air defense” were used for the first time. It was at this time that priority directions for the development of air defense were determined. However, more than ten years passed before their full implementation.
Air defense of the largest cities
Since defense against air attacks required significant resources, both human and technical, 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 against air attacks and Leningrad. An air defense brigade was organized for the defense of Kyiv. The transcript mentioning the means used to repel enemy air attacks is as follows:
- flak;
- aerial reconnaissance;
- communication and notification;
- anti-aircraft 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 significantly more complex and the technology has become more universal. In addition, radio reconnaissance and information warfare now play a great role in air defense.
By the beginning of World War II, early detection of enemy air forces and their destruction became especially important. To solve this problem, special electronic reconnaissance means are being developed. 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.
Current state of air defense
The decoding of the well-known abbreviation does not fully correspond to modern realities, since today in the world non-contact methods of warfare based on missile weapons and special low-visibility aircraft are becoming increasingly important.
In addition, the abbreviation PRO, which refers to missile defense, is increasingly being used next to the abbreviation PVO. It is impossible today to imagine effective air defense without the use of missile weapons, which means that systems that are fundamentally important for the integration of various systems from anti-aircraft gun to radar warfare systems.
In the age of the Internet, competent search and the ability to distinguish reliable information from incorrect information is of great importance. Increasingly, users are looking for a decoding of the Air Defense Department of the Internal Affairs, which means the passport and visa department of the Department of Internal Affairs - the police department involved in passporting the population.
Air and Missile Defense Troops
Air defense
The Air Defense Forces of the Russian Federation were, until 1998, an independent branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (RF Armed Forces). In 1998, the country's air defense forces were merged with Air Force in the new form of the RF Armed Forces - the Russian Air Force. In 2009-2010 All air defense formations of the Russian Air Force (4 corps and 7 air defense divisions) were reorganized into 11 aerospace defense brigades. In 2011, 3 air defense brigades of the Russian Air Force became part of a new branch of the Russian Armed Forces - the Aerospace Defense Forces.
It is necessary to distinguish the air defense troops of the Air Force of the Russian Federation and the aerospace defense brigade of the Russian Federation, which were previously organizationally part of the Air Defense Forces of the Russian Federation, from the Air Defense Troops of the Ground Forces.
Abbreviated name - VPVO of the Russian Armed Forces.
The tasks of the Russian Air Defense Forces (both an independent branch of the Russian Armed Forces and as part of the Russian Air Force, the Russian Air Defense Forces, the Russian Aerospace Forces) are: repelling aggression in the air sphere and protecting command posts of the highest echelons of state and military administration, administrative and political centers from air strikes , industrial and economic regions, the most important economic and infrastructure facilities of the country and groupings of troops (forces).
In 2015, the Air Force of the Russian Federation was merged with the Aerospace Defense Forces of the Russian Federation in a new branch of the RF Armed Forces - the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation, which organizationally included a new branch of the military - the Air Defense and Missile Defense Troops (Air Defense Forces).
Story
The date of formation is considered to be the date of creation of the Petrograd air defense system - December 8 (November 25), 1914.
In 1930, the Directorate (since 1940 - the Main Directorate) of Air Defense was created.
Since 1941 - air defense troops.
In 1948, the country's Air Defense Forces were removed from the subordination of the artillery commander and transformed into an independent branch of the Armed Forces.
In 1954, the High Command of the Air Defense Forces was formed.
In 1978, the transportable S-300PT air defense system was put into service (it replaced the older S-25, S-75 and S-125 air defense systems). In the mid-80s, the complex underwent a number of upgrades, receiving the designation S-300PT-1. In 1982, a new version of the S-300P air defense system was adopted into service with the air defense forces - the S-300PS self-propelled complex; the new complex had a record short deployment time - 5 minutes, making it difficult to attack by enemy aircraft.
1987 became a “black” year in the history of the Air Defense Forces. On May 28, 1987, at 18.55, Matthias Rust’s plane landed in Moscow on Red Square. A serious imperfection became apparent legal basis for the actions of the duty forces of the country's Air Defense Forces and, as a consequence, the contradiction between the tasks assigned to the Air Defense Forces and the limited rights of the leadership in the use of forces and means. After the flight of Rust, three Marshals of the Soviet Union were removed from their posts (including the USSR Minister of Defense S.L. Sokolov, the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Defense Forces A.I. Koldunov), about three hundred generals and officers. The army has not seen such a personnel pogrom since 1937.
In 1991, due to the collapse of the USSR, the USSR Air Defense Forces were transformed into the Russian Federation Air Defense Forces.
In 1993, an improved version of the S-300PS complex, the S-300PM, was put into service. In 1997, the S-300PM2 Favorit air defense system was adopted.
Assessing the process of accelerating the physical aging of weapons and military equipment, the Defense Committee State Duma The Russian Federation came to disappointing conclusions. As a result, a new concept of military development was developed, where it was planned to reorganize the branches of the Armed Forces by 2000, reducing their number from five to three. As part of this reorganization, two independent branches of the Armed Forces were to be united in one form: the Air Force and the Air Defense Forces. Decree of the President of the Russian Federation (RF) dated July 16, 1997 No. 725 “On priority measures to reform the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and improve their structure” determined the formation of a new type of Armed Forces (AF). By March 1, 1998, on the basis of the control bodies of the Air Defense Forces and the Air Force, the Directorate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force and the Main Headquarters of the Air Force were formed, and the Air Defense and Air Force Forces were united into a new branch of the Russian Armed Forces - the Air Force.
By the time of the unification of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation into a single branch, the Air Defense Forces included: an operational-strategic formation, 2 operational, 4 operational-tactical formations, 5 air defense corps, 10 air defense divisions, 63 units of anti-aircraft missile forces, 25 fighter air regiments, 35 radio engineering units troops, 6 formations and reconnaissance units and 5 electronic warfare units. It was armed with: 20 aircraft of the A-50 radar surveillance and guidance complex, more than 700 air defense fighters, more than 200 anti-aircraft missile divisions and 420 radio engineering units with radar stations of various modifications.
As a result of the measures taken, a new organizational structure of the Air Force was created. Instead of air armies front-line aviation formed air force and air defense armies, operationally subordinate to the commanders of the military districts. The Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District was created in the Western strategic direction.
In 2005–2006 Some of the military air defense formations and units equipped with S-300V anti-aircraft missile systems (ZRS) and Buk complexes were transferred to the Air Force. In April 2007, the Air Force adopted the new generation S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system, designed to defeat all modern and promising aerospace attack weapons.
At the beginning of 2008, the Air Force included: an operational-strategic formation (KSpN) (formerly the Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District), 8 operational and 5 operational-tactical formations (air defense corps), 15 formations and 165 units. In 2008, the transition to the formation of a new look for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (including the Air Force) began. In the course of the events, the Air Force switched to a new organizational structure. Air Force and Air Defense commands were formed, subordinate to the newly created operational-strategic commands: Western (headquarters - St. Petersburg), Southern (headquarters - Rostov-on-Don), Central (headquarters - Yekaterinburg) and Eastern ( headquarters - Khabarovsk). In 2009–2010 a transition was made to a two-level (brigade-battalion) system of command and control of the Air Force. As a result, the total number of air force formations was reduced from 8 to 6, all air defense formations (4 corps and 7 air defense divisions) were reorganized into 11 aerospace defense brigades.
In December 2011, 3 brigades (4th, 5th, 6th) of the air defense forces of the operational-strategic aerospace defense command (formerly the Command special purpose The Air Force, the former Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District) became part of a new branch of the Armed Forces - the Aerospace Defense Forces.
In 2015, the Aerospace Defense Forces were merged with the Air Force and formed a new branch of the Russian Armed Forces - the Russian Aerospace Forces.
As part of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation, a new branch of troops has been organizationally allocated - the Air Defense and Missile Defense Forces (PVO-PRO Troops). The air defense and missile defense troops will be represented by air defense brigades and a missile defense formation.
As part of the further improvement of the air defense (aerospace) defense system, the development of a new generation of S-500 air defense systems is currently underway, in which it is planned to apply the principle of separately solving the problems of destroying ballistic and aerodynamic targets. The main task of the complex is to combat the combat equipment of medium-range ballistic missiles, and, if necessary, intercontinental ballistic missiles in the final part of the trajectory and, within certain limits, in the middle part.
The Day of the Country's Air Defense Forces was celebrated in the USSR and is celebrated in the Russian Armed Forces on the second Sunday in April.
Operational-strategic formations of air defense forces of the USSR and Russia
Air defense districts
- associations of air defense troops, designed to protect the most important administrative, industrial centers and regions of the country, and armed forces groupings from air strikes. important military and other facilities within established boundaries. In the armed forces of the USSR, air defense districts were created after the Great Patriotic War on the basis of air defense fronts. In 1948, the districts were reorganized into air defense districts; in 1954, air defense districts were again created.
Moscow Air Defense District (since August 20, 1954):
Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District (since 1998);
Special Forces Command (since September 1, 2002);
United strategic command aerospace defense (since July 1, 2009);
Air and Missile Defense Command (since December 1, 2011);
1st Air and Missile Defense Army (since 2015).
1st Air Force and Air Defense Command
2nd Air Force and Air Defense Command
3rd Air Force and Air Defense Command
4th Air Force and Air Defense Command
Baku Air Defense District - formed in 1945 on the basis of the Baku Air Defense Army, in 1948 it was transformed into a district. Since 1954 - again a district. Abolished on January 5, 1980.
Compound
The air defense forces of the Russian Armed Forces included:
management (headquarters);
Radio technical troops;
Anti-aircraft missile forces;
Fighter aircraft;
Electronic warfare forces.
The location of the Main Headquarters of the Air Defense of Russia (USSR) is the village of Zarya, near the village of Fedurnovo, Balashikha district of the Moscow region (train from Kursky station towards Petushki station), or from the Gorkovsky highway, outside the city of Balashikha and the division named after. Dzerzhinsky.
Air defense systems in service with Russian air defense forces
S-400 air defense system (Since April 2007)
S-300 air defense system (Until 2007, anti-aircraft missile system medium-range S-300P was the basis of the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Russian Air Force.)
S-350 "Vityaz" air defense system (The S-350E "Vityaz" medium-range anti-aircraft missile system will enter service with the Russian troops by 2016. New complex is intended to replace the S-300PS air defense system with V55R missiles, the service life of which ends in 2015.)
ZRPK Pantsir-S1
ZRPK "Pantsir-S2" (from June 2015 the complex will begin to be supplied to the Air Force air defense forces)
Missile defense
Anti-missile defense (BMD) is a set of measures of reconnaissance, radio engineering and fire or some other nature (aerostatic missile defense, etc.), intended for the protection (defense) of protected objects from missile weapons. Missile defense is very closely related to air defense and is often carried out by the same complexes.
The concept of “missile defense” includes protection against a missile threat of any kind and all the means that carry it out (including active protection of tanks, air defense systems fighting cruise missiles, etc.), however, at the everyday level, when talking about missile defense, they usually have type “strategic missile defense” - protection from the ballistic missile component of strategic nuclear forces(ICBMs and SLBMs).
Speaking about missile defense, we can distinguish self-defense against missiles, tactical and strategic missile defense.
Self defense against missiles
Self-defense against missiles is the minimum unit of missile defense. It provides protection from attacking missiles only for the military equipment on which it is installed. Characteristic feature self-defense systems is the placement of all missile defense systems directly on the protected equipment, and all placed systems are auxiliary (not the main functional purpose) for this equipment. Self-defense systems against missiles are cost-effective for use only on expensive types of military equipment that carry heavy losses from rocket fire. Currently, two types of self-defense systems against missiles are actively developing: complexes active protection tanks and missile defense of warships.
Active protection of tanks (and other armored vehicles) is a set of measures to counter attack shells and missiles. The action of the complex can mask the protected object (for example, by releasing an aerosol cloud), or it can physically destroy the threat with a nearby detonation of an anti-shell, shrapnel, a directed blast wave, or in another way.
Active defense systems are characterized by extremely short reaction times (up to a fraction of a second), since the flight time of weapons, especially in urban combat, is very short.
An interesting feature is that to overcome the active protection systems of armored vehicles, the developers of anti-tank grenade launchers use the same strategy as the developers of intercontinental ballistic missiles to break through strategic missile defense - decoys.
Tactical missile defense
Tactical missile defense is designed to protect limited areas of territory and objects located on it (troop groups, industry and settlements) from missile threats. The targets of such missile defense include: maneuvering (mainly high-precision aircraft) and non-maneuvering (ballistic) missiles with relatively low speeds (up to 3-5 km/s) and without means of overcoming missile defense. The reaction time of tactical missile defense systems ranges from several seconds to several minutes, depending on the type of threat. The radius of the protected area, as a rule, does not exceed several tens of kilometers. Complexes with a significantly larger radius of the protected area - up to several hundred kilometers - are often classified as strategic missile defense, although they are not capable of intercepting high-speed intercontinental ballistic missiles covered by powerful means of penetrating missile defense.
Existing tactical missile defense systems
Short range
Tunguska (only by external target designation through the external Command Post).
Thor
Pantsir-S1
Medium and long range:
Beech
S-300P all variants
S-300V all options
S-400 with any missiles
Strategic missile defense
The most complex, modernized and expensive category of missile defense systems. The task of strategic missile defense is to combat strategic missiles- their design and tactics of use specifically provide for means that make interception difficult - a large number of light and heavy decoys, maneuvering warheads, as well as jamming systems, including high-altitude nuclear explosions.
Currently, only Russia and the United States have strategic missile defense systems, while the existing systems are capable of protecting only from a limited strike (a single missile), and in most cases, over a limited area. In the foreseeable future, there are no prospects for the emergence of systems capable of reliably and completely protecting the country’s territory from a massive strike by strategic missiles. However, as more and more countries have, are developing, or could potentially acquire a number of long-range missiles, the development of missile defense systems that can effectively protect a country's territory from a small number of missiles appears necessary.
Types of strategic missile defense
Boost-phase intercept
Takeoff interception means that the missile defense system attempts to intercept the ballistic missile immediately after launch, while it is accelerating with its engines running.
Destroying a ballistic missile on takeoff is a relatively simple task. Advantages of this method:
The missile (unlike the warheads) is large in size, clearly visible on radar, and the operation of its engine creates a powerful infrared stream that cannot be camouflaged. It is not particularly difficult to point an interceptor at such a large, visible and vulnerable target as an accelerating missile.
It is also impossible to cover an accelerating missile with decoys or dipole reflectors.
Finally, destroying a missile during takeoff results in the destruction of all its warheads along with it in one blow.
However, takeoff interception has two fundamental disadvantages:
Limited reaction time. The acceleration duration takes 60-110 seconds, and during this time the interceptor must have time to track the target and hit it.
Difficulty in deploying interceptors within range. Ballistic missiles, as a rule, are launched from deep in enemy territory and are well covered by their defense systems. Deploying interceptors close enough to engage incoming missiles is generally extremely difficult or impossible.
Based on this, space-based or mobile interceptors (deployed on ships or mobile installations) are considered as the main means of interception on takeoff. At this stage it may also be effective application laser systems with their short response time. Thus, the SDI system considered orbital platforms with chemical lasers and systems of thousands of tiny Diamond Pebble satellites, designed to hit take-off missiles with kinetic collision energy at orbital speeds, as means of takeoff interception.
Midcourse interception
Mid-trajectory interception means that the interception occurs outside the atmosphere, at the moment when the warheads have already separated from the missile and are flying by inertia.
Advantages:
Long interception time. The flight of warheads outside the atmosphere takes from 20 to 40 minutes, which significantly expands the ability to respond to missile defense.
Flaws:
Tracking warheads flying outside the atmosphere is challenging because they are small and do not emit radiation.
High cost of interceptors.
Warheads flying outside the atmosphere can be covered with maximum effectiveness by means of penetration. It is extremely difficult to distinguish warheads flying by inertia outside the atmosphere from decoys.
Terminal phase intercept
Re-entry interception means that the missile defense system attempts to intercept the warheads during the final stage of flight - as they re-enter the atmosphere near the target.
Advantages:
Technical convenience of deploying missile defense systems on one’s own territory.
A short distance from radars to warheads, which significantly increases the effectiveness of the tracking system.
Low cost of missile defense.
Reduced effectiveness of decoys and interference during re-entry: Lighter than the warheads themselves, decoys are more decelerated by air friction. Accordingly, the selection of false targets can be performed based on the difference in braking speed.
Flaws:
Extremely limited (up to tens of seconds) interception time
Small warheads and difficulty tracking them
No redundancy: if warheads are not intercepted at this stage, no subsequent defense echelon can exist
The limited range of interception systems at the terminal stage, which allows the enemy to overcome such defenses by simply sending more missiles at the target than there are missile defenses near the target.
History of strategic missile defense
Despite great difficulties and shortcomings, in the USSR the development of missile defense systems proceeded quite systematically and systematically.
First experiments
Research into the possibility of countering ballistic missiles in the USSR began in 1945 as part of the Anti-Vow project at the Zhukovsky Air Force Academy (Georgy Mironovich Mozharovsky’s group) and at several research institutes (Pluto theme). During the creation of the Berkut air defense system (1949-1953), work was suspended, then sharply intensified.
In 1956, 2 missile defense system projects were considered:
Zonal missile defense system "Barrier" (Alexander Lvovich Mints)
In a missile-hazardous direction, three radars with antennas looking straight up were installed one after another at intervals of 100 km. The attacking warhead sequentially crossed three narrow radar beams; its trajectory was built using three notches and the point of impact was determined.
System based on three ranges “System A” (Grigory Vasilievich Kisunko)
The project was based on a complex of a heavy-duty long-range detection radar and three precision-guided radars located along the perimeter of the defended area.
The control computer continuously processed the reflected signals, aiming the anti-missile missile at the target.
The project of G.V. Kisunko was chosen for execution.
The first missile defense complex in the USSR, chief designer G. V. Kisunko. It was deployed in the period 1956-1960 at the GNIIP-10 (Sary-Shagan) training ground specially built for these purposes in the Betpak-Dala desert. Launches of ballistic missiles into the interception area were carried out from the Kapustin Yar and, later, Plesetsk test sites in a triangle with a side of 170 km, at the vertices of which (sites No. 1, No. 2, No. 3) precision guidance radars were located. The B-1000 missile defense launcher was located in the center of the triangle (site No. 6), the interception was carried out on the atmospheric section of the trajectory (altitude 25 km) on a collision course. Control was carried out by a computer center with two computers, M-40 (implementation of the automatic cycle) and M-50 (processing of system information), designed by S. A. Lebedev.
On March 4, 1961, after a number of unsuccessful attempts, the B-1000 anti-missile missile, equipped with a fragmentation warhead, destroyed the warhead of the R-12 ballistic missile with the weight equivalent of a nuclear charge. The miss was 31.2 meters to the left and 2.2 meters in height. This is the first real interception of a target by a missile defense system in world practice. Before at this moment ballistic missiles were considered absolute weapons with no countermeasures.
Subsequently, 16 more interception attempts were carried out, 11 of which were successful. Research has also been carried out on positioning and measuring satellite trajectories. The work of System “A” ended in 1962 with a series of tests K1 - K5, as a result of which 5 nuclear explosions were carried out at altitudes from 80 to 300 km and their effect on the functioning of missile defense and early warning systems was studied.
System “A” did not enter service due to low reliability and low efficiency: the system ensured the defeat of only single short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at short distances from a protected object, however, as a result of work on it, a specialized training ground was built and vast experience was accumulated, which served further development of missile defense systems in the USSR/Russia.
Missile defense systems of the Moscow industrial region
A-35
The creation began in 1958 with a resolution of the CPSU Central Committee. G.V. Kisunko was appointed chief designer. According to tactical and technical requirements, the system was supposed to provide defense of an area of 400 km² from an attack by Titan-2 and Minuteman-2 ICBMs. Due to the use of more advanced radars and anti-missiles with nuclear warheads, interception was carried out at a distance of 350 km in range and 350 km in altitude, guidance was carried out using a single-station method. The computer center operated on the basis of a dual-processor computer 5E92b (developed by V. S. Burtsev). Construction of A-35 facilities in the Moscow region began in 1962, but the placement on combat duty was delayed for a number of reasons:
The advanced improvement of attack weapons required a number of serious improvements.
The promotion of competing missile defense projects "Taran" by V. N. Chelomey and S-225 KB-1 led to a temporary halt in construction.
The growth of intrigue in the upper echelons of scientific and technical leadership led in 1975 to the removal of Grigory Kisunko from the post of chief designer of the A-35.
Upgraded A-35 system. Chief designer I. D. Omelchenko. Placed on combat duty on May 15, 1978 and in service until December 1990, the Danube-3U early warning radar continued to operate in the A-135 system until the early 2000s. In parallel, at the Sary-Shagan training ground, the A-35 “Aldan” firing range complex was built (site No. 52), which was used as a prototype and for training crews of the Moscow missile defense system in real combat shooting.
A-135
Further development of the missile defense system of the Moscow industrial region. General designer A. G. Basistov. Draft design in 1966, development began in 1971, construction began in 1980. Commissioned in December 1990. The Danube-3U long-range detection radar and the Don-2 multifunctional radar had phased array antennas. Two interception echelons, long-range transatmospheric and near-atmospheric with two types of interceptor missiles. A range shooting complex "Argun" was envisaged (sites No. 38 No. 51 of the Sary-Shagan training ground), but it was not completed. In accordance with the amendment to the ABM Treaty between the USA and the USSR of 1974 and the change of leadership, the Vympel Research and Production Association recognized this facility as unpromising, work on it was stopped, and the launchers were destroyed. The complex continued to function in a stripped-down version as the Argun-I measuring station until 1994.
A-235 "Samolet-M"
A promising missile defense system that will replace the A-135. The creation contract was signed in 1991. In August 2014, the start of testing missile defense systems for the A-235 complex was announced; completion of work on the project is scheduled for 2015.
Also in the USSR there were several unrealized projects of missile defense systems. The most significant of them are:
Missile defense system for the country's territory "Taran"
In 1961, on his own initiative, Chelomey proposed a system of defense for the entire territory of the USSR from a nuclear missile attack from the United States.
The project was based on interception in the middle part of the trajectory using a super-heavy anti-missile missile, which Chelomey proposed to create on the basis of the UR-100 intercontinental missile. It was assumed that the radar system deployed in the Far North would have to detect warheads approaching along transpolar trajectories and calculate approximate interception points. Then, anti-missile missiles based on the UR-100 were to be launched with inertial guidance at these design points. Precise guidance was supposed to be carried out using radar systems target designation and radio command guidance installed on anti-missile missiles. The interception was supposed to be using a 10-megaton thermonuclear warhead. According to Chelomey’s calculations, intercepting 100 Minuteman-class ICBMs would require 200 interceptor missiles.
The system was developed from 1961 to 1964, but was closed in 1964 by government decision. The reason was the rapid growth of American nuclear arsenal: From 1962 to 1965, the United States deployed eight hundred Minuteman-class ICBMs, which would have required 1,600 UR-100-based interceptor missiles to intercept them.
In addition, the system was subject to a self-blinding effect, since numerous detonations of 10-megaton warheads in outer space would create huge clouds of radio-opaque plasma and powerful EMP, disrupting the operation of the radar, which made subsequent interceptions extremely difficult. The enemy could easily overcome the Taran system by dividing its ICBMs into two successive waves. The system was also vulnerable to missile defense countermeasures. Finally, the frontline early warning radars, a key component of the system, were themselves extremely vulnerable to a possible pre-emptive strike that would render the entire system useless. In this regard, Vladimir Chelomey proposed using the created A-35 and S-225 as part of his “Taran” system, receiving, in the future, leadership over all anti-missile issues in the USSR. It must be said that the Taran project was considered by many to be unfinished and adventurous. Chelomey enjoyed strong support from the leadership of the USSR; the son of the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, Sergei Khrushchev, worked in his design bureau; this explains the closure of the project after the dismissal of N.S. Khrushchev in 1964.
S-225
Work began in 1961. General designer A.A. Raspletin.
An air defense and missile defense complex for protecting relatively small objects from single ICBMs equipped with means of overcoming missile defense and advanced aerodynamic targets. Active development phase from 1968 to 1978.
Distinctive features were a container transportable and quickly assembled design, the use of RTN with a phased array antenna RSN-225, new high-speed short-range interception missiles PRS-1 (5YA26) from OKB Novator (designer Lyulev). 2 testing complexes were built, “Azov” (site No. 35 Sary-Shagan) and a measuring complex in Kamchatka. The first successful interception of a ballistic target (an 8K65 missile warhead) was carried out in 1984. Presumably, due to the delay in the development of the anti-missile system and insufficient RTN energy for missile defense purposes, the topic was closed. The PRS-1 missile subsequently entered the short-range interception echelon of the A-135 complex.