The best defense and air defense systems in the world. What are the strengths of the most powerful armies in the world? The most effective portable air defense system: Igla-s man-portable air defense system

However, in reality there is no magic here for either side. The strategic level of mutually beneficial partnership in such a sensitive area as the supply of weapons and military equipment is an everyday reality for our countries, a kind of routine, but without any negative connotations. And so far neither other countries, which are making enormous efforts to penetrate and gain a foothold in the Indian market for military products, nor individual disagreements between Russia and India on some joint programs have been able to cause serious damage to this partnership (here, in particular, we can recall the project to create the AIT's medium transport aircraft, the cancellation of which recently became known).

TO INDIA WITH "TRIUMPH"

No matter how much someone would like to destroy the alliance between Moscow and Delhi in the military-technical cooperation sphere, this cannot be done. The basis of the Indian Air Force's combat power, Ground Forces and the fleet consists of Russian weapons: multifunctional fighters S-30MKI, the main battle tanks T-90, aircraft carrier "Vikramaditya" with an air group consisting of MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based fighters. And this list continues to grow. Currently, a contract is being prepared for the supply of S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missile systems to India developed by the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern.

An intergovernmental agreement on the supply of S-400 Triumph air defense systems to India was signed during the Russian-Indian summit in October 2016. As Vladimir Drozhzhov, Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, noted during the Aero India 2017 aerospace salon, Russia expects that the corresponding contract will be concluded before the end of 2017. Pre-contract negotiations are currently underway.

During Aero India 2017, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, Deputy General Director of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern for foreign economic activity, was asked why the S-400 is enjoying such great interest in the market of high-tech military products. The answer was simple: “At the moment, the S-400 is the best long-range air defense system in the world.” This fact is confirmed not only by the preparation of the corresponding contract with India, but also by the already concluded agreement on the supply of Triumphs to China (a contract with the PRC, as the director of international cooperation And regional policy state corporation "Rostec" Viktor Kladov, currently at the production stage). China has clearly made very significant progress in developing modern weapons systems, but still prefers to implement security-sensitive ones. national security programs in cooperation with Russia.

For obvious reasons, any details of the upcoming contract with India for the supply of S-400 air defense systems have not been disclosed. It is only known - and this was confirmed by Vyacheslav Dzirkaln during India 2017 - that the systems will be supplied to India in finished form, there is no talk of any localization of their production.

And in order to satisfy Delhi’s requirement for technology transfer when purchasing foreign-made weapons in accordance with the current last years Based on the “Make in India” principle, it is proposed to organize an after-sales service system in the country based on the REDICOM mobile complex, developed by the Granit State Industrial Enterprise, which is part of Almaz-Antey. “We offer the option of equipping the existing facilities in India to provide after-sales service for our equipment with the subsequent transfer of the necessary documentation and equipment, which would enable Indian partners to work independently,” said Vyacheslav Dzirkaln. “The concern has the right to train foreign specialists in carrying out service work,” emphasized the Deputy General Director of Almaz-Antey.

The mobile repair and diagnostic complex "REDICOM" is designed for Maintenance and refurbishment of anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes, as well as radar equipment at the sites of its operation. The equipment of the complex, housed in standardized container bodies, allows servicing and repairing digital, digital-analog, analog radio-electronic equipment, mechanical and hydraulic units and components, life support systems, and chassis. Placement of workshops in standardized container bodies, equipped full set life support systems (air conditioners, heating, filter and ventilation units), allows you to solve the tasks assigned to the complex in virtually any climatic zones and weather conditions.

Workplaces in workshops are equipped with automated monitoring and diagnostic systems, which reduces the time required to identify faults in electronic equipment. Possibilities are provided for storing spare parts and accessories kits for repairs.

The complex is universal and can be used to repair almost any equipment, both domestic and foreign. In the latter case, the operator only needs to provide technical documentation for weapons and military equipment, on the basis of which Granit specialists will develop test programs for diagnosing radio-electronic equipment.

In addition to the developer of the REDICOM complex, GPTP Granit, and the creator of the S-400 air defense system, NPO Almaz, its products were presented at the joint stand of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern. subsidiaries: JSC IEMZ Kupol, JSC UMZ, JSC VNIIRA, PJSC NPO Strela, PJSC Radiophysics - developers and manufacturers of air defense equipment for land and sea-based, automated control systems, radar stations and airspace control and ground reconnaissance systems.

In general, at the Aero India 2017 exhibition in the exposition of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern, emphasis was placed on the modernization and repair of specialized military products, common in South-East Asia. Thus, IEMZ "Kupol" presented a program for modernizing the OSA-AKM air defense system to the level of the OSA-AKM1 air defense system, and UMP - modernizing the Tunguska anti-aircraft missile and gun complex to the level of Tunguska-M1 and anti-aircraft self-propelled gun"Shilka" to the level of "Shilka-M4".

Currently, preparations are being made to expand the Concern's product range offered for export. In particular, work is underway to obtain a passport for the export appearance of the Buk-M3 air defense system. In appearance (not to mention the significantly expanded combat characteristics) due to the placement of missiles in transport and launch containers, the new complex is noticeably different from its predecessors. As Vyacheslav Dzirkaln noted, “the product developers - specialists from the Tikhomirov Research Institute - came up with a proposal to give the export version of the complex a separate name. The proposed name is associated with the name of the first generation of air defense systems in export version. The Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan Concern expects that the wide popularity of the Buk complexes abroad will contribute to the successful promotion of the Buk-M3E air defense system on the foreign market. According to our data, in terms of combat effectiveness among mobile complexes of the class medium range there are no equals to the Buk-M3 complex.”

Among other samples of military products presented by the Almaz-Antey Concern at Aero India 2017, it should be noted radar systems for the protection of objects and borders, in particular, the multi-purpose radar "Sova" developed by the Tula NPO "Strela" was of interest to representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Border Guard Service of India .

“In addition to the fact that we present anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes at this exhibition, this year we paid a lot of attention to civilian products,” said Vyacheslav Dzirkaln during Aero India 2017. “The concern is a trendsetter in the field of automated air traffic control systems (AC ATC), so many meetings and negotiations take place here on this very topic.”

Deputy General Director of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern in particular noted that the Indian side is interested in the supply of automated air traffic control systems developed and produced by the Concern, airfield surveillance systems (A-SMGCS), primary and secondary radars, communication and navigation systems and means , weather support. “Various proposals are being considered to modernize the technical means of the air navigation system of the Republic of India, and organize joint production within the framework of the state program “Make in India”. Currently, the possibility of equipping Indian airports with ATC equipment produced by the Concern is under development. In addition to the Indian side, countries such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Iran, and Indonesia also show interest in our equipment,” said Vyacheslav Dzirkaln.

It is important to note here that Almaz-Antey plans to further expand its line of high-tech civilian products. The Concern's development concept provides that civil instrument engineering, radio electronics, the creation of automated control systems, autonomous power plants, development of energy-saving technologies and technologies for processing and disposal for the needs of housing and communal services, medicine, transport, communications, security and industrial production.

That is, in this case we are not talking about the production of, for example, consumer electronics and other consumer goods - attempts to reorient the defense industry to the stamping of pots already took place in 1980-1990. and demonstrated their complete incompetence, bordering on sabotage. Each segment of industry must mind its own business, especially since the transfer of high technologies from the military to related civilian spheres is a technique that has already been proven in world practice and has repeatedly proven its effectiveness.

INDIAN FIGHTER TENDER – NEW SERIES

The main aviation intrigue of the Aero India 2017 air show was the situation around India’s planned purchase of a large batch (200 units) of single-engine fighters - a legacy of the MMRCA program that was never fully implemented. Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar revealed some details of this project during the exhibition.

The fighter jets are to be assembled locally under the 'Make in India' concept with large-scale technology transfer.

As Manohar Parrikar told local media, two companies are currently leading the project - the American Lockheed Martin with the F-16 block 70 (F-16V) and the Swedish Saab with the JAS 39E/F Gripen. The minister also spoke about the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet of the American company Boeing, although this heavy twin-engine machine clearly does not fit the conditions of the upcoming tender. Whether this statement is a mistake or Indian variability is not yet clear. In any case, the F/A-18E/F has already participated in the famous tender under the MMRCA program, in which multifunctional middle-class fighters were also supposed to participate.

According to Manohar Parrikar, the selected aircraft will be assembled at a facility set up in India, purpose-built for the project as part of the proposed strategic partnership. Once the aircraft model is selected, India will exclusively identify Indian private companies as subcontractors for a certain period of time.

Answering questions from journalists that a decision had allegedly already been made to move the F-16 assembly plant to India, the Minister of Defense said that he himself learned about this from the media, although he did not deny the fact that such negotiations were actually held with the Barak administration Obama. The Donald Trump administration, in his opinion, may have a different point of view on this and other programs, and the Indian leadership is ready to discuss them, understanding that any deal of this scale must be consistent with US policy priorities.

Be that as it may, during Aero India 2017, the Swedish company Saab launched an unprecedentedly vigorous effort to promote its fighter aircraft on the Indian market. Representatives of the company announced the maximum possible transfer of technology to India, and also promoted at the exhibition the deck version of the Gripen for new Indian aircraft carriers, work on the creation of which has already begun.

The project to create a naval version of the JAS 39E/F has not yet left the paper stage, although, according to Saab representatives, the construction of a flight prototype of the fighter will begin “very soon.” Since the Swedish fleet does not have aircraft carriers, the first flight of the naval Gripen will take place from the deck of an aircraft carrier of a “third country”. The main candidate for this role is the United States, since the Swedes are unlikely to be able to reach an understanding on this issue with Paris, which expects to independently sell its carrier-based Rafale M to India.

In addition to promoting the JAS 39E/F to the Indian market, Saab is offering as either a standalone or additional option to enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian-developed Tejas light fighter. The Swedes are ready to integrate their radar on board this aircraft, similar to that installed on the Gripen, and also equip the Tejas with a suspended container with a small-sized phased array radar, which allows the use of all-aspect air-to-air missiles from the fighter.

Russia will also participate in tenders to supply India with 200 new fighters and deck-based vehicles for promising aircraft carriers. Our contenders are MiG-35 and MiG-29K/KUB. As Vladimir Drozhzhov said during Aero India 2017, the Russian proposal for the first competition was submitted even before the official start of the tender procedures.

Israeli corporation Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. published a video where, using computer graphics, she presented the capabilities of the latest AIR EW Systems radar warfare system, which is currently being developed by the Israeli defense industry.

The electronic jamming system (ERS) consists of three components: Sky Shield ESM (wide-range radar suppression), Light Shield ESM (short-range radar suppression) and an X-Guard container towed on a cable. The last element, according to the developers, should divert missile defense missiles towards itself.

According to the script of the video, a group of multirole F-16 fighters equipped with AIR EW Systems takes to the air to attack enemy infrastructure facilities (a thermal power plant was chosen as a conditional target).

The system disorients the enemy’s air defense - this role is played by air defense systems reminiscent of the Russian S-400 and Pantsir-S.

Issued by air group anti-aircraft missiles distracts the towed X-Guard container, as a result of which the missiles are thrown off course and the fighters strike the civilian infrastructure of the mock enemy. The AIR EW Systems electronic warfare system is currently in the final stages of development.

Systemic struggle

It should be noted that the Israeli military has real experience breaking through enemy air defenses. We are talking, in particular, about the air operation Artsav-19, carried out during the conflict between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic in 1982.

However, that operation involved a whole arsenal of offensive weapons. First, the IAI Scout UAV and Mastiff small remotely piloted aerial vehicles conducted reconnaissance, determining the location of Syrian anti-aircraft missile systems and airfields, which were targeted with missile attacks based on the data received. Shrike homing anti-radar missiles were also involved in the operation, with the help of which Israeli Air Force aircraft destroyed the radar Syrian air defense.

At the same time, an entire air group was responsible for the radar support of the operation, including the American carrier-based long-range radar detection aircraft E-2C Hawkeye, equipped with a radar antenna and a “friend or foe” identification system. The result of a carefully planned operation was the victory of the Israeli side over the air defense systems of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The scheme for breaking through the enemy's layered air defense system today represents a multi-stage and carefully coordinated operation using various UAVs, early warning aircraft, radar warfare systems and fighters. To detect and confuse enemy air defenses, the Israeli military, in particular, can use “dummy” ATALD (Advanced Tactical Air Launched Decoy & Aerial Target) missiles produced by the state corporation Israel Military Industries. The missile is designed to simulate the appearance of multiple targets on enemy radars. It is expected that this will force him to switch his air defenses to combat mode, which will allow the radar detection systems of the attacking side to detect the position of enemy air defense systems.

After the enemy's anti-aircraft systems are destroyed by strikes cruise missiles long-range and attack drones, fighters equipped with electronic warfare systems can join in the operation.

As reserve lieutenant general, deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force in 2003-2007 on issues of the United Air Defense System of the CIS member states Aitech Bizhev explained in an interview with RT, the air defense system is a whole complex, including systems for suppressing radio interference of on-board equipment of attacking aircraft, fighter aircraft, as well as close and long-range air defense systems.

An attack on such a system is impossible with a single air group of fighters, the expert explained.

“In commercials, each country presents its achievements in the best possible way. But a true assessment can only be given based on the results of a real battle,” Bizhev emphasized. — If an attack and breakthrough of the enemy’s air defense is planned, then, for example, a group of electronic suppression aircraft should participate in the operation, which will “blind” the air defense systems with interference. And only behind them comes strike aircraft, which carry out a combat mission. This algorithm is accepted all over the world; it is a classic scheme.”

Defender of the Sky

The fact that it is Russian models of air defense systems that appear as a conditional enemy in foreign commercials defense companies, - confirmation of the leadership of Russian developments, experts say.

“Of course, in materials aimed at promoting their products, the most best samples weapons,” explained the head of the department of political science and sociology of the Russian Economic University. G.V. Plekhanov, expert of the Association of Military Political Scientists Andrey Koshkin. — S-400 is the best air defense system in the world. This is confirmed by the fact that countries such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia are seeking to obtain them, despite the displeasure of Washington or NATO.”

The S-400 air defense system was developed in the 2000s by NPO Almaz named after. A.A. Raspletin, in 2007, the Triumph complex was adopted by the Russian Armed Forces. It is capable of detecting targets within a radius of 600 km, the reach of the S-400 for aerodynamic targets reaches 400 km, for ballistic targets - 60 km. "Triumph" is designed to destroy all types of air targets flying at speeds up to 4.8 km/s. The complex is simultaneously capable of striking 36 targets, and thanks to the vertical launch of missiles, shelling can be carried out at 360 degrees.

The S-400 can perform missions in radio countermeasures conditions. In 2016, the Izvestia newspaper, citing sources in the Ministry of Defense, reported the supply of special stealth containers capable of sheltering anti-aircraft systems from enemy radio reconnaissance.

The only real competitor to the S-400 today is the American Patriot air defense system. However, in a number of indicators, the Russian Triumph is superior to the American complex, experts say.

Russia is actively exporting the S-400 abroad: China was the first buyer; a contract for the supply of air defense to China was signed back in 2014. Turkey showed interest in Triumph: a supply agreement was concluded in September 2017. In addition, Saudi Arabia and India plan to purchase Russian air defense systems.

Political emphasis

In 2015, Russia deployed the Triumph air defense system in Syria, near the Khmeimim airbase. The appearance of the S-400 in the Middle East cannot but worry Israel, which has very tense relations with a number of regional powers. Tel Aviv's main regional adversary, the Islamic Republic of Iran, received the S-300 in 2016. And although there is no talk of supplying S-400 to Tehran yet, such a possibility cannot be ruled out in the future. Therefore, the issue of countering such systems is extremely relevant for the Israeli defense industry.

As stated former manager Israeli Uzi Rubin missile program, any air defense system can be dealt with in the future.

• Founder and first director of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization of the Ministry of Defense Uzi Rubin
• cyclowiki.org

“It takes years to cope with such a system. The threat to our Air Force posed by the S-300 and S-400 is not something new.<…>Time is on our side. If you don't have funds today, they will appear tomorrow. There are no insoluble problems,” newsland.com quotes Rubin as saying.

However, the development of air defense systems also does not stand still. Currently, the Russian air defense concern Almaz-Antey is developing the S-500 Prometheus air defense system. It is assumed that the newest complex will be able to fight low-orbit satellites and space weapons, hypersonic cruise missiles and UAVs. As Lieutenant General Viktor Gumenny, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, previously reported, the Russian military may receive the S-500 by 2020. However, it is too early to talk about the export of these new systems. According to Rosoboronexport General Director Alexander Mikheev, at the moment foreign deliveries of the S-500 are not included in the company’s plans.

At the beginning of 2017, a number of online media outlets disseminated information that Israeli F-35 fighters were allegedly able to strike Syrian territory without being noticed by the Triumph air defense system. The rumors were spread with reference to Defense News, although no such publication was subsequently found on the pages of the publication. As experts explained, in reality, Russian anti-aircraft gunners are not deliberately targeting Israeli aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic in accordance with the current agreements, and there is no talk of any “breakthrough” in this case.

Bizhev believes that the dissemination of information about the capabilities of overcoming the S-400 serves advertising purposes - arms manufacturers would like to convince potential buyers of the effectiveness of their products.

“Due to the fact that the S-400 is exported abroad, it can be assumed that we are talking about commercial and marketing ploys designed to diminish the value of the Russian complex,” the expert explained.

In reality, foreign experts simply do not have information about the capabilities of the S-400: talk about whether any system can overcome the S-400 makes no sense - the system has never yet taken part in real combat operations, the expert notes.

“All intelligence services in the world would like to know the tactical and technical characteristics of the Triumph,” Bizhev emphasized. — There are peacetime frequencies, there are wartime frequencies. No one turns on military frequencies outside of combat operations so that they are not recognized by reconnaissance aircraft of other countries.”

However, this story has not only a commercial, but also a political background, Koshkin believes. According to the expert, Tel Aviv respects Russia and its armed forces, but at the same time the Israeli side seeks to show that it is capable of overcoming even the most better system Air defense.

“The Israelis would like to show their power, to demonstrate to Arab countries and Iran: despite the fact that the Islamic world is acquiring anti-aircraft missile systems that are considered the best in the world, Israel is still a formidable force,” concluded Koshkin.

A training camp has been opened in the suburbs of the Romanian city of Constanta, in which Romanian troops will now master American Patriot air defense systems. And the Americans themselves volunteered to train them.

And in Deveselu, Romania, a ceremony was held to open another NATO missile defense base. Among the guests of the event was general secretary NATO Jens Stoltenberg. But the main participants in the ceremony were generals from the United States. After all, America is main member NATO has placed its new missile defense system here.

Another similar event took place in the spring of this year in Poland, in the village of Redzikowo. And today there are more than 400 similar military bases of the Alliance around Russia. The United States explains the constant approach of its missile defense system to our borders by the supposed need to protect the European continent. And at the same time they assure that these systems are only defensive and in no way offensive. For example, the latest missile defense system that the United States installed in Romania. It's called "Aegis Ashor". This steel ground structure, four stories high and weighing about 900 tons, is capable of detecting and attacking 20 targets at once at a distance of up to two hundred kilometers.

Other weapons of attack may be combat aircraft, of which more and more began to appear at air bases right near our western borders. For example, the Emari airbase in Estonia is literally teeming with military aircraft: on the runway there are dozens of A-10-Thunderbolt attack aircraft designed to fight tanks and ground targets, air tankers, F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, which are capable of breaking through any air defense system. All this allows us to consider “Emari” one of the most serious threats to Russia, because NATO combat aircraft from here to St. Petersburg take just over five minutes of flight, and to Moscow - no more than half an hour.

And precisely in order to prevent an air blitzkrieg, Russia has created a unique three-echelon air defense system. It includes long-, medium- and short-range air defense systems. The first line of defense is the long-range S-300, S-400 and S-500 systems, as well as interceptor missiles of the Russian missile defense system, capable of reaching targets beyond the atmosphere.

In just a fraction of a second, the Russian A-135 Dnepr, dubbed Gazelle by NATO, will take off from the silo to intercept the target. At an altitude of 370 kilometers and a range of up to 800 kilometers, it is capable of destroying any aircraft: from airplanes to maneuvering warheads of American ballistic missiles. Such missiles form the basis of Moscow's missile defense system and are capable of nuclear attack- shoot down more than 50 warheads on approach to the capital.

But even if we imagine that some enemy missile remains unshot by the Gazelle, it will be met and destroyed by the S-400 Triumph long-range complex. It is capable of attacking 36 enemy aircraft simultaneously. That's 4 times more possibilities American systems Air defense of a similar class. The flight range of Patriot missiles is only 170 kilometers, while the S-400 has a range of 400 kilometers. In addition, the Patriot process of transmitting data about a target takes as much as 90 seconds, which is almost 10 times longer than the S-400. This means that Patriot simply will not have time to react to the danger. Also Patriot big problems with interception of low-flying targets - minimum height defeats 60 meters. This is 6 times more than the Russian S-400, which can simultaneously destroy 12 aircraft even in the stratosphere.

But most importantly, the Russian missile defense system is built in such a way that the affected areas of anti-aircraft missile systems overlap each other, leaving the target not the slightest chance. For example, the S-400 long-range complex is complemented by the Buk medium-range complexes and the Tor short-range air defense system, capable of destroying the most challenging goals- those that fly at extremely low altitude. At the same time, Thor is capable of firing from the march, moving at a speed of 45 kilometers per hour - this makes him indispensable when accompanying transport convoys and protecting them from enemy aircraft.

The Americans simply do not have such medium-range air defense systems - the Pentagon decided to take a different path - creating laser weapon. The project was predicted to have a brilliant future - exceptional accuracy, efficiency and, most importantly, low cost. Since 1989, the United States has annually invested more than two billion dollars in laser development. The United States spent 26 years and about sixty billion dollars on developing the laser, but it suddenly turned out that the laser hits only one and a half kilometers.

Today, Russian air defense systems - Pantsir, S-400 Triumph and the latest modifications of the S-300 Antey are on combat duty in Syria. And it was precisely the fear of them that did not allow the American Air Force to carry out the scenario there according to which events developed in Yugoslavia.

“Harpoon”, “Tomahawk”, “Caliber”, “Onyx” or “Brahmos”: who can compete with them for the title of the best cruise missile in the world?

Recently, the cruise missile has become one of the most deadly and sought-after types of weapons. Reach the enemy with a scalpel-point strike, eliminate him command bunker, sink a flagship, or carry out a massive attack on enemy positions - only cruise missiles are capable of performing all these tasks at once. Cheap, cheerful, effective, and, most importantly, without any participation from the pilot. It is for these reasons that all the leading world powers and countries of lower rank are trying to effectively develop their technologies aimed at building new models of these formidable weapons. But who among them has gone the furthest? Whose gunsmiths created the world's most advanced cruise missile?

Answers to these questions in a special review of the ten best cruise missiles in the world.

10th place: RGM-84 Harpoon Block II (USA).

Our top “American old man” opens, developed in the middle of the last century, one of the most common cruise missiles in the world, a kind of anti-ship “harpoon” - RGM-84 of the latest modification Block II. The reliable, proven system is truly universal and can be based both on land and in the air, on water and under water. But it is only capable of hitting naval targets, and even then at a very short distance, only 130 kilometers and with a not very high maximum speed of 860 km/h, and it carries only a little more than 200 kilograms of combat load. Agree, very, very modest.

With such parameters, breaking through a modern enemy missile defense system and sinking a serious ship like an aircraft carrier will not help, and all sorts of target approach modes and the small dimensions of the missile will not help. And the rocket carrier will have to approach a dangerous distance. Therefore, Harpoon takes an honorable tenth place, for the sake of respect for the former glory of the “old man”.

9th place: RBS-15 Mk. III (Sweden).

The Swedish arms concern Saab began developing another “old man” from our review at the same time as the RGM-84, but development, alas, was delayed and the first modification of the missile was put into service only in 1985. But it also turned out better than its American competitor. Versatility of launch from all possible carriers, twice the flight range, almost the same warhead mass and more high speed flight: RBS-15, the third modification is more deadly than Harpoon, but also cannot be used against ground targets. Therefore, the Swedish development is confidently pushing aside the American “harpoon” in our rating.

8th place: SOM (Türkiye).

Until now, the Turkish armed forces did not have a cruise missile of their own production, but in 2012 they nevertheless adopted it for service. the latest development- SOM rocket. Created in Turkish design bureaus SOM is a fairly compact universal cruise missile capable of hitting not only sea targets, but also ground targets. The latest electronics, various target engagement modes, firing range and maximum speed flight above the level of the legendary RGM-84 - the Turks managed to realize all this in metal. But still, Turkey still lacks experience in the development of such weapons systems. Therefore, it was possible to outdo the Swedish and American analogues of SOM, but nothing more. Diagnosis: study and study again, experience in development comes with time.

7th place: Naval Strike Missile (Norway).

The Norwegians, first of all, care about protecting the maritime borders of their own state and, with their development in 2007, do not lag behind the world's leading manufacturers of cruise missiles. Naval Strike Missile outshines Harpoon, RBS-15, and SOM. The missile flies further, almost reaches the speed of sound, is assembled from composite materials, destroys all targets and can itself actively interfere with the enemy. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for such a “gift” to be intercepted by the missile defense system.

But for now, Naval Strike Missile can only be based on ships, and it carries only 125 kilograms of combat load. Not enough - the most low rate from our rating, therefore only 7th place.

6th place: BGM-109 Tomahawk Block IV (USA).

So, meet the legendary Tomahawk. Where would we be without him... An ageless veteran and one of the most famous cruise missiles in the world opens the list of heavyweights in our ranking.

Longest range, most intense story combat use, a very serious warhead mass of 450 kilograms - the American “tomahawk” is the most serious threat to the enemy. For an enemy that does not have the same modern air defense system, for example, third world countries. Subsonic speed, coupled with the inability to maneuver with high overloads, makes the American “miracle weapon” an easy target for the enemy’s latest anti-aircraft missiles.

But still, the flight range of 1600 kilometers plays a significant role, so place number 6.

5th place: Storm Shadow/SCALP EG (France-Italy-Great Britain).

The joint development of the leading arms concerns of the European Union should have led to something, at least, grandiose. This is how the unique Storm Shadow cruise missile, packed with electronics and made using stealth technology, was born. Her combat unit tandem type, weighing almost half a ton, allows you to penetrate the most serious armor, and the combined guidance system with target recognition mode can hit the most difficult targets.

It would seem that Storm Shadow should be the leader of this rating, if not for one “but”... maximum speed. The missile cannot overcome the supersonic barrier, which means that it remains a fairly easy victim for the latest missile defense systems.

4th place: R-800 “Onyx/Yakhont” (Russia).

"Old Man" of Soviet design in the late 70s earned its place on the list thanks to one advantage - a supersonic flight speed of 3000 km/h. Similar characteristic none of the cruise missiles presented above developed in the West possesses it, which means that Onyx has virtually no equal in breaking through modern missile defense systems. And the complete unification of the main types of carriers (surface, underwater, ground) and the possibility of use against targets of any location confidently place the Russian missile in 4th place.

3rd place: 3M-54 “Caliber” (Russia).

The newest Russian weapons system, developed at the turn of the century, recently shocked the whole world with its combat capabilities, during the autumn missile launches against the positions of Daesh militants*. Amazing ability to deploy on all types of carriers, including in specially camouflaged containers. Amazing maximum flight speed, almost three times the speed of sound. Amazing targeting and hitting accuracy. One of the highest firing ranges and the most large mass combat unit. “Caliber” certainly deserved the highest place in our ranking!

But, alas, most of the data on the Russian cruise missile is classified and we can only be guided by approximate parameters. Therefore - bronze.

2nd place: YJ-18 (China).

Any rating will always have its own “dark horse”; ours is made in China. Very little is known about the YJ-18 cruise missile: the Celestial Empire has always been able to keep its secrets, but, apparently, it is a serious modification of the Russian analogue 3M-54 “Caliber”, the technology of which was acquired by the Chinese along with Project 636 submarines.

Well, what could be better and more lethal than the improved “Caliber”? That's right, practically nothing, that means silver.

1st place: BRAHMOS (Russia-India).

The only things better than mountains are mountains, and the only thing better than “Caliber” and the “Caliber” modified by the Chinese is BRAHMOS. The newest Russian-Indian cruise missile, created on the basis of the R-800 Onyx, leads the ranking.

A maximum speed of 3,700 km/h, a mixed flight profile, providing a completely unpredictable trajectory of approach to a target at ultra-low altitudes at supersonic speed, 300 kilograms of warhead (penetrating, high-explosive fragmentation, cassette) and a launch range of 300 kilometers - save from BRAHMOS is unlikely to be capable of any missile defense. Well, if we add here the possibility of being based on any type of carrier and the ability to destroy absolutely any targets, then it becomes clear why the gold belongs to the Russian-Indian missile.

Well, and finally - a short video with colorful launches of all the presented missiles.

* – The organization’s activities are prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation by decision of the Supreme Court.

System S-300 "Favorit".
Photo courtesy of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern

In early February, the well-known analytical center Air Power Australia presented an in-depth study on the combat capabilities of modern military aviation and current air defense systems. The American “air sword” and the Russian “shield” are taken as the basis.

ETERNAL COMPETITION

The choice of hypothetical opponents does not appear to be random. The USA has the highest potential air force and, in addition, they hold the lead in the supply of aviation military equipment abroad. Russia is the leader in the production and export of air defense equipment. It is enough to note that only one of its air defense concerns, Almaz-Antey, supplies products manufactured at its enterprises to more than fifty countries around the world (see map).

The arms market itself tells you who is the leader in which area. There is no need for experts who are prone to subjective assessments for various reasons. Because they vote in the market using funds from budgetary allocations. Thousands and thousands of specialists, officials, and high-ranking military personnel are involved in operations to determine the best and most advantageous “cost-effectiveness” ratio of a particular type of weapon. Subjectivism is kept to a minimum.

In fact, Russian air defense systems are classified as premium. This assessment of researchers from Air Power Australia is supported by their high combat reliability, destruction efficiency and relatively low price by the standards of the arms market. For example, the Americans have systems of this class that are much more expensive, despite the fact that the same reliability, efficiency and combat capabilities of their products are significantly lower than those of Russia.

The conclusion of foreign experts is interesting: modern Russian anti-aircraft missile systems and radar systems have reached a level that virtually eliminates the possibility of US combat aircraft surviving in the event of a military conflict.

According to an Australian study, it is not only the american planes F-15, F-16 and F/A-18, but even the promising fifth-generation Joint Strike Fighter, also known as the F-35 Lightning II. And in order to achieve superiority, which military aviation The United States had at the end of the Cold War, the Pentagon needs to take into service at least 400 more F-22 Raptor aircraft. Otherwise, American aviation will finally lose its strategic superiority over Russian air defense.

As analysts note, this circumstance may also affect the US position in the world. Countries such as China, Iran and Venezuela will be well aware that the Americans will not agree to open military confrontation, realizing that as a result of this, the US Air Force and Navy will lose hundreds of combat aircraft and pilots. That is, the United States armed forces risk unacceptable damage. Of course, unacceptable from the point of view American politicians, whose career in such a development of events will end in national disgrace.

Air Power Australia recalls that its expert Dr Carlo Coll, who defended his thesis in the field of radar technology, compared the capabilities of modern Russian anti-aircraft missile systems and American F-35 fighters and concluded that these aircraft would be easy targets. The manufacturer of the latest winged aircraft, the American corporation Lockheed Martin, has never tried to publicly challenge the expert’s statement.

The researchers also concluded that since the end of the Cold War, Russian designers have achieved significant results in modernizing air defense systems. Moreover, Russian engineers and scientists gained the opportunity to comprehensively and objectively assess the potential of a potential enemy thanks to the military conflicts in Iran in 1991 and Serbia in 1999. This process, as noted in the report, is in many ways reminiscent of a chess game. As a result, the Russians were able to figure out how to checkmate American combat aircraft.

Comparing the capabilities of modern air defense systems and aircraft, analysts also note that the Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system, produced by the Almaz-Antey air defense concern and already adopted by the Russian army, today actually has no analogues in the world. The technical capabilities of the Triumph are significantly higher than those of the American Patriot, and are twice as superior in combat performance to the well-known predecessor of the S-400 - the S-300 Favorite system, supplied to China, Slovakia, Vietnam and Cyprus. In the future, “Triumph” may become a core project in the military-technical cooperation of the Russian Federation with Arab countries, in particular with the United Arab Emirates.

And what is typical, the study emphasizes, is that Russia is building a deeply layered air defense system. If the S-300 and S-400 complexes are long-range, then they tenaciously interact with short- and medium-range complexes. They complement each other and at the same time insure, creating an insurmountable and continuous wall for the air aggressor. Short- and medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems of the Tor, Buk, and Tunguska types were supplied, in particular, to China, Iran, India, Greece, Syria, Egypt, Finland, and Morocco.

In addition to traditional customers of Russian military products, countries such as Singapore and Brazil, which have purchased man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems, are also interested in domestic air defense systems.

Russia's position in the market for sea-based anti-aircraft missile systems is also very strong. For example, the Shtil, Reef, and Klinok air defense systems are successfully operated on warships.

FROM AIR DEFENSE TO ABM

Anti-aircraft missile systems of the S-300 family are considered one of the most powerful air defense systems in the world. The development of this system began in the 1960s, when the USSR Armed Forces demanded the creation of a mobile multi-channel medium-range air defense system capable of protecting the country's skies from massive raids modern aviation using guided weapons.

Testing of the future S-300 took place in the 1970s. In order to misinform a potential enemy, according to the documents, the new air defense system was designated as the S-75M6 - another modernization of the “veteran” complex, widely known throughout the world at that time, which entered combat duty back in the late 1950s. The terms of reference provided for the development of three versions of the air defense system - S-300P for air defense, S-300V for ground forces and S-300F - a ship-based complex for the Navy.

Systems for air defense troops and the navy were mainly focused on defeating aircraft and cruise missiles, military complex had to have greater capabilities to intercept ballistic targets in order to provide missile defense. Nowadays, the S-300 systems form the basis of the air defense of our country and the Russian Ground Forces, and are also successfully sold on the world market.

Based on the S-300 air defense system, the newest S-400 system has been developed, capable of firing both new missiles and using the ammunition of its predecessor. The S-400 air defense system has the combat capabilities, mobility and noise immunity of the latest versions of the S-300 complex, combined with a longer firing range.

The S-400 system is designed to defeat all types of aircraft– airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. Important difference S-400 from S-300 - new anti-aircraft missiles with active heads homing and increased firing range. "Triumph" is capable of destroying a target at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of 30 km. These indicators allow us to consider the complex not only as an air defense weapon, but also partially as an anti-missile weapon.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Colonel General Alexander Zelin, reveals the secrets of the S-400 Triumph complex: it can hit “a super-maneuverable small-sized target with an effective reflective surface, which a five-ruble coin has.” He can handle it air targets, which are made using stealth technology, that is, invisible aircraft with a low effective reflective surface.

The Air Force Commander is extremely proud that the anti-aircraft missile system The new generation S-400 is expected to be used to ensure the safety of participants and guests of the 2014 Winter Olympics. “Builders will build facilities in Sochi for the Olympics, and we will prepare an air defense system that will ensure reliable holding Olympic Games", the general said in a recent interview.

Of course, reliable protection of both the people who arrived at the Olympics and the Sochi residents themselves is the most important thing, no one is going to argue about the need for this. And a margin of safety will not hurt here. Moreover, in the immediate vicinity is Georgia, against which Russian troops recently conducted military operations. And the fervor of anti-Russian sentiment there has not yet subsided.

However, life does not stand still. Two years ago, the Military-Industrial Commission under the Government of the Russian Federation set the task, in particular, for the Almaz-Antey air defense concern to develop advanced fifth-generation air defense and missile defense weapons. Its distinctive feature will be that fire, information and command systems and complexes will merge together.

This is the next stage in the fight for a clean and peaceful sky. The Russian reserve is high, but the closest competitor, the United States, also does not want to see itself as an outsider. The competition between technical schools and simply military potential is intensifying.