Protect aircraft: strengthening air defense in Syria
Soon after clarifying the main circumstances of the crash of the Su-24 bomber, the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the main list of measures to be taken in the very near future. In order to protect the Khmeimim base and planes during combat sorties, the command ordered to strengthen the fighter cover of the strike aviation, and also deploy anti-aircraft missile systems to the Syrian base. In addition, the crew of the Moscow guards missile cruiser received orders to make the transition to the coast of Syria and also take part in the air defense of these areas.
It is assumed that such an increase in air defense in the area of Khmeimim airbase and other areas where Russian pilots operate will cool hot heads from third countries and prevent possible new attacks on our aircraft. Officially stated that all air targets that pose a danger to Russian aviation will be destroyed. Let us consider what the potential adversary will have to face if it decides on new provocations and new aggressive actions against our planes.
Back in mid-September, when the first reports appeared about the transfer of Russian aircraft to Syria, it became known that four Su-30CM multi-role fighters were present as part of the aviation group being formed. The main task of these aircraft is to support strike aircraft on combat missions and to counter enemy attempts to prevent the fulfillment of assigned tasks. In addition, there is information about the participation of Su-30CM in the attacks of terrorist objects as attack aircraft.
Due to the high flight characteristics, they can accompany bombers of all types with equal efficiency and engaging in the Syrian operation. By covering the attack aircraft, the Su-30CM fighters are able to detect, identify and attack a dangerous air target in a timely manner. The combat effectiveness of these aircraft is further increased due to the possibility of interaction with ground services and obtaining target designation from radar stations.
Su-30CM fighter has a fairly powerful weapon system. It is equipped with a built-in automatic cannon GSH-30-1 caliber 30 mm and 12 pylons for the suspension of weapons. When performing tasks to intercept air targets, a fighter's ammunition can consist of several missiles of different types with different characteristics. So, for hitting targets at short ranges, guided missiles P-73 or newer RVV-MD can be used. It is proposed to intercept targets at medium ranges using P-27, P-77 or, in the near future, RVV-SD missiles. Depending on the type of rocket, a target can be attacked from distances up to 70-80 km.
With the right interaction with other elements of the air defense, Su-30CM fighters are able to timely detect a potentially dangerous object and then attack it using the most appropriate weapon in this situation. Thus, the mere presence of such aircraft in the airspace can interfere with the implementation of enemy plans, since any aggressive actions can be quickly and severely stopped.
A few days ago, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the strengthening of the aviation group at Hmeimim airbase. The group's fighter aircraft was supplemented by four Su-27CM fighters, who, as reported, have already taken part in the fight against terrorists and have struck several blows at their targets. Su-27SM is one of the newest modifications of the base aircraft and differs from it in a number of new equipment, including the so-called. glass cabin.
In solving the tasks of covering attack aircraft, the Su-27CM can carry up to 8 tons of various air-to-air weapons. Due to the use of modern onboard equipment, this fighter can carry and use the entire range of modern domestic missiles of this class. Depending on the characteristics of the tactical situation, the Su-27CM can take on board up to eight P-27 or P-77 missiles, as well as the order of 4-6 P-73 missiles. Thus, each aircraft of this type receives sufficient ammunition to combat air targets at small and medium distances.
For several years, rumors about the possible appearance of interceptors MiG-31 in the sky over Syria have regularly appeared. Previously, without any evidence, it was said about the plans of the official Damascus to purchase such aircraft. After the start of the Russian operation, similar rumors began to mention the possible transfer of a certain number of interceptors to the Hamim base to reinforce the existing grouping. Despite a fairly active discussion of such information in various circles, the MiG-31 has not yet appeared in the sky of Syria.
It should be noted that with the right tactics of using the MiG-31, they could fully solve all the issues of protecting Syria from air attacks. These aircraft have high flight data and combat qualities. So, onboard radar stations of the “Zaslon” family allow detecting air targets at distances up to 400 km. The maximum range of destruction of detected targets when using P-33 missiles reaches 300 km. Other types of ammunition can be used to attack at shorter distances.
Despite its high performance, MiG-31 interceptors are not working in Syria yet. Moreover, there is every reason to believe that the Russian aviation group based on Hamim will not need such planes in the future. This version is supported by the current composition of the group, as well as the characteristic features of the current conflict, in which the characteristics of the MiG-31 may be redundant.
During the deployment of the Russian air base, all necessary measures were taken to organize the air defense of the airfield and surrounding areas. To this end, the Russian military together with the Syrian colleagues built a layered air defense system based on complexes of various classes and types. Apparently, initially the purpose of these works was to protect the Chemeem base and its facilities. In connection with the latest events, the zone of responsibility of Russian anti-aircraft complexes may increase by several times. Moreover, the characteristics of some systems allow for the destruction of targets in almost the entire airspace of Syria.
From official and other sources it is known that Khmeimim’s air defense system is provided by several types of anti-aircraft systems belonging to both the Russian armed forces and the Syrian army. The latter, for example, provided short-range C-125 and medium C-200 complexes. Other equipment was delivered from Russia and is operated by Russian military personnel.
It is known that the protection of the Russian airbase at short distances is carried out by several anti-aircraft missile-cannon complexes "Pantsir-C1". Several combat vehicles of this type are located around the perimeter of the base and are responsible for intercepting targets that have managed to break through other defense echelons. It is noteworthy that in Syria there are not only Russian “Pantsiri-С1”. Dozens of such complexes were supplied to Syria under the contract of 2006.
The Osa anti-aircraft missile systems were added to the Pantsirey-S1. Both of these systems are designed to attack targets at short distances and can hit dangerous objects at distances up to 20 or up to 10 km, respectively. In the case of the Pantsir-С1 complex, anti-aircraft automatic cannons with a range of up to 4 km are an additional means of destroying targets.
According to domestic media reports, Buk-M2E medium-range air defense systems were delivered to Syria. With the help of the new 9М317 missiles, this complex can attack aerial targets at ranges up to 50 km and altitudes up to 25 km. According to reports, the maximum target overload reaches 24 units, which allows the Buk-M2E complex to effectively destroy all existing and prospective combat aircraft.
After the destruction of the Russian Su-24 bomber, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered to strengthen the air defense of Hmeimim airbase using a number of new means. The ground grouping of air defense must be reinforced by the newest long-range air defense systems С-400. This decision was made on November 24, and the first reports appeared on 26 about the completion of the transfer and deployment of all the facilities of the complex.
The Ministry of Defense reports that such a high deployment speed was achieved with the help of military transport aviation. During the day, the C-400 complex was transported by military transport aviation from one of the airfields near Moscow to the Syrian base. In the future, the calculations of the complexes produced all the necessary procedures and prepared them for work.
Such statements by the Ministry of Defense are of great interest, since earlier information about the already transferred C-400 to Syria appeared in unofficial sources. Now the situation has cleared up. As it turned out, just a few days ago, one of the new model air defense systems served in the Moscow region, and after receiving the order in the shortest possible time was transported to the base Hmeimim, where he will now work until the corresponding order.
The C-400 anti-aircraft complex includes a number of different means of detecting and processing data, as well as missile launchers with several types of guided missiles. Declared the possibility of the destruction of various aerodynamic and ballistic targets. Among other things, the C-400 can hit subtle planes and ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 3000-3500 km.
The existence of several types of anti-aircraft missiles used by the C-400 complex is known. They are intended to attack certain targets at different ranges, and also have some differences. Of particular interest is the long-range rocket 40H6E, the launch range of which is declared at the level of 400 km. With the help of such missiles, the C-400 complex is able to "close" almost the entire territory of Syria and some of the neighboring regions.
Already on November 24, the Guards missile cruiser "Moscow", along with other ships located in the Mediterranean, received an order to approach the shores of Syria and take part in the organization of air defense. This ship has several anti-aircraft systems, but at the moment the C-300F Fort complex is of the greatest interest, allowing you to attack targets at long ranges.
The “Fort” air defense missile system is a ship version of the C-300 family systems, built using a number of unified components. The cruiser "Moscow" carries eight launchers with a common ammunition of 64 guided missiles. The complex "Fort" can use several types of missiles that have different characteristics. Different missiles offered for the Fort system can hit targets at ranges up to 150-200 km. In addition, there are missiles with a shorter range.
When located off the coast of Syria, the Guards missile cruiser “Moscow” is capable of carrying out air defense of Hmeymim airbase and the nearby region, as well as some remote areas. In addition, being in the northern areas of the territorial waters of Syria, the ship is able to "cover" the area of the destruction of the Russian bomber and prevent new incidents of this kind.
The perfidious and treacherous attack of Turkish aviation leads to serious consequences. The Russian Ministry of Defense is no longer inclined to see an ally in Turkey and is taking measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. For this purpose, the grouping of air defense systems is strengthened, and adjustments are made to the tactics of fighter aircraft.
In just a few hours after the Turkish attack, it was decided to strengthen the fighter escort of strike aircraft, as well as to deploy in Syria new anti-aircraft systems and supplement them with the systems of the cruiser "Moscow". Thus, in the shortest possible time, an enhanced air defense system was created, capable of protecting the Hamim airbase and, under certain conditions, other areas of Syria.
Not the most far-sighted and intelligent actions of the Turkish leadership and the air force lead to serious consequences. In response to the aggression, Russia is building up its air defense systems and thereby warns potential aggressors against ill-considered actions. Available information about the reinforced grouping of Russian air defense suggests that it can not only prevent new attacks on Russian aircraft, but also disrupt the implementation of some plans of third countries related to strikes on various objects in Syria. The Russian armed forces clearly demonstrate that in no case should we quarrel with them.
On the materials of the sites:
http://mil.ru/
http://ria.ru/
http://tass.ru/
http://interfax.ru/
http://airwar.ru/
Information