Missile defense for export. SAM 98R6E "Abakan"
Self-propelled launcher 51P6E2 on "Army-2020". Photo: press service of JSC "Concern East Kazakhstan region" Almaz - Antey "
The Russian defense industry offers foreign customers a wide range of anti-aircraft systems of different classes and types. Now the promising anti-aircraft missile system of non-strategic anti-missile defense 98Р6Е "Abakan" is being launched on the international market. It is intended to strengthen existing air defense-missile defense systems and is capable of effectively intercepting ballistic targets that pose a threat to troops or important objects.
Way to the market
The specialized complex of non-strategic missile defense (SAM NMD) with the code "Abakan" is another development of the VKO "Almaz-Antey" concern. According to known data, the main role in the project was taken by the Research Electromechanical Institute (Moscow), and the launcher was created by the Machine-Building Plant. Kalinin (Yekaterinburg).
The existence of the Abakan project first became known in August last year, on the eve of the opening of the Army-2020 military-technical forum. In a press release from the concern "Almaz-Antey" it was reported that the exhibition will show for the first time a self-propelled launcher 51P6E2 from the promising air defense missile defense system "Abakan". At the same time, the main features, capabilities and characteristics of the complex were revealed. In particular, the press reported that the project was developed specifically for the international market.
It was reported that, together with the SPU, the air defense missile system includes a multipurpose detection and target designation radar 98L6E "Yenisei-E". Last year it was shown in the form of a picture, and for the first time a full-fledged sample was shown at Army-2021. Together with him, the launcher was again delivered to the exhibition.
In February this year, the Russian industry took part in the Indian exhibition Aero India 2021, where, among other things, it presented a number of modern anti-aircraft systems, with the exception of Abakan. The reasons for the absence of the new air defense missile defense system were disclosed by Rosoboronexport. As it turned out, at that time the permits for the introduction of the new development to the international market had not yet been issued.
SAM components: two launchers and a 98L6E radar. Source: Bastion-karpenko.ru
The foreign "premiere" of the new air defense system took place in November at the Dubai Airshow 2021 exhibition in the UAE. This development, as expected, attracted the attention of foreign specialists. Whether it was possible to interest real customers is unknown. However, there is every reason for optimistic estimates and forecasts.
As part of the complex
The Abakan air defense missile defense system is reportedly a variant of deep modernization and further development of the S-300V line of military air defense systems. The main feature of the 98P6E project was the rejection of versatility: this complex is intended only for intercepting ballistic targets of non-strategic classes. A complex with such functions is being created for the first time in domestic and world practice.
The Abakan complex consists of several fixed assets. These are the Yenisei-E multifunctional radar (unified multifunctional radar), self-propelled PU 51P6E2 (up to 4 units), as well as 9M82MDE guided missiles and a set of auxiliary equipment and products. It is curious that in the published materials about the new air defense system, command posts or control vehicles are not mentioned. Perhaps their functions are distributed among other machines in the complex.
All facilities of the complex are placed on a self-propelled chassis, which simplifies the transfer and deployment to new positions. Combat work and shooting on the move is impossible, but preparation for them takes minimal time. Deployment from the march takes no more than 15 minutes, and preparation for firing from a deployed state - approx. 3 min.
Radar type 98L6E is built on a multi-axle special chassis of the MZKT brand. It contains housings with a calculation compartment and an antenna device carrying a HEADLIGHT. The tactical and technical characteristics of such a station were not disclosed, however, it is known that it is capable of monitoring the air situation and issuing data on targets to launchers.
"Yenisei-E" at the "Army-2021" exhibition. Photo: press service of JSC "Concern East Kazakhstan region" Almaz - Antey "
According to known data, the Yenisei-E radar can be included in the air defense-missile defense control loops and exchange data with other stations and complexes. It is also possible to install means of state identification of Russian or NATO standards. A secondary channel is provided for work in the Unified Air Traffic Control System, which allows monitoring of civil airlines.
SPU 51P6E2 is built on a five-axle chassis of the Bryansk Automobile Plant. This machine carries a lifting device with two large-size transport and launch containers for missiles. There is also a target illumination radar with the function of transmitting radio correction commands. The antenna of this station is placed on a lifting mast.
The appearance of the 9M82MDE missile has not yet been revealed. In terms of dimensions and weight, this product is probably not inferior to the existing missiles from the S-300/400 air defense system. The Abakan complex is capable of launching missiles at intervals of 2 sec. Up to two missiles are simultaneously aimed at one target.
Special tasks
The mission of the Abakan missiles is to defeat tactical and operational-tactical ballistic missiles. The interception of such targets is carried out at a distance of up to 30 km and an altitude of up to 25 km. Target speed - up to 3,5-4 km / s. The defeat is made by a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. In the final section of the trajectory, the missile defense system builds a maneuver and selects the moment to detonate its charge in such a way that the target's warhead is right in the expansion cone of the striking elements.
SAM "Abakan" is proposed to be used as part of a multicomponent layered system of air and missile defense. It is entrusted with the task of intercepting ballistic missiles that threaten important targets, while other targets must be hit by other air defense systems. At the same time, the possibility of independent operation of the NMD missile defense system is not excluded.
It is assumed that such a distribution of targets will significantly increase the overall effectiveness of air defense and missile defense. The simultaneous use of "traditional" systems and air defense missile defense systems ensures the optimization of the composition of their ammunition and helps to more effectively use their technical potential. In other words, the air defense missile system will be able to concentrate all efforts only on aerodynamic targets, and Abakan will deal with all ballistic threats without exception.
Commercial prospects
Currently, there are a lot of various anti-aircraft systems on the international market that are capable of performing air defense and NMD missions. At the same time, there are no specialized systems designed to deal only with non-strategic ballistic threats. The Russian complex 98Р6Е "Abakan" actually creates a completely new niche on the market - and immediately fills it, having no direct competitors.
This monopoly position in the market provides well-known advantages. If a potential customer wishes to purchase a specialized NMD missile defense system, then he will not have to choose from several samples. Of course, if there is a clear demand for such systems, new competing developments may appear, incl. foreign. However, it will take several years to create and bring them to the market, and during this time Abakan will have no competitors.
However, the commercial prospects of the 98P6E product remain unclear. The project is based on a new and original idea of a specialized NMD system. A potential customer will have to carefully study both the concept itself and the Abakan complex, and then conclude whether he needs such weapons. How many countries would like to develop their air defense missile defense with the help of fundamentally new systems is a big question.
However, the realization of technical and commercial potential is still constrained by other factors. First of all, it is the novelty of the complex. Some of his funds were shown for the first time only last year, and the "premiere" of other components took place only a few months ago. Potential customers simply did not have time to thoroughly study the "Abakan" and so far could not have time to determine its value.
A new direction
Thus, the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey VKO concern have developed a new concept of an air defense missile system capable of dealing with specific complex targets. Using new and well-known ideas, as well as available components, they designed and built a new type of experimental complex, which is now on display at exhibitions and, possibly, will take part in tests.
The profit of the Russian industry depends, first of all, on the results of current and future exhibitions. In addition, the commercial successes of "Abakan" will show the need to develop the entire direction of the air defense missile defense system. Accordingly, the development of new systems of this class will begin. Competition will naturally arise on the market, but the title of the progenitor of the whole direction of anti-aircraft systems will remain with the Russian complex.
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