Turkish "Coral" against Russian "Triumph": EW systems near the borders of Syria
November 30 Istanbul edition Milliyet reported on the actions of the Turkish military, which should be a response to the deployment of C-400 in Syria. According to this newspaper, the Turkish armed forces transferred to the Syrian border the latest Koral radio electronic warfare systems (“Coral”). It is argued that this system is capable of suppressing various radio-electronic systems within a radius of 100 km and should interfere with the operation of Russian anti-aircraft systems. Soon such news were replicated by other media.
The news of the deployment of the EW system quickly became a topic of mass controversy. Military specialists and amateurs began making assessments and making forecasts, trying to present the results of the confrontation between the Turkish Koral complex and the Russian C-400. It is not difficult to notice that the real results of such a “fight” can be determined only in the course of a full-fledged combat use, which is still unlikely, and the vast majority of assessments are based not only on available information, but also on the personal opinion and political views of the evaluator.
Despite these peculiar factors, the topic of deployment of Turkish EW complexes is of great interest. The appearance of such systems in areas close to the theater of military operations can have some influence on the course of the battles and the situation on the fronts. In addition, the Coral complex itself is worthy of a separate study. According to reports, this system was first introduced only a few months ago, and now, according to the Turkish press, has already been deployed in positions near combat areas.
First of all, it should be noted that the deployment of EW Koral complexes near the Syrian border has not yet received sufficient evidence. All reports on this subject, ultimately, converge on the publication of Milliyet, which, in turn, did not refer to full-fledged official sources. Thus, until story With the deployment of "Coral" can be a banal newspaper duck, which appeared on the background of the deteriorating political situation.
Nevertheless, despite the possibility of a so-called. informational stuffing, the topic does not lose its relevance and should be considered and studied in detail. Recall the previously published data on the Koral system and try to draw some conclusions.
The Koral electronic warfare complex was developed and produced by the Turkish company Aselsan. The “premiere demonstration” of this system took place in May of this year during the IDEF-2015 exhibition. As part of this event, a new complex was shown, as well as some of its features were announced. According to available data, the task of the Coral system is to counter enemy's electronic systems by generating high power interference. Due to this, it is proposed to interfere with the work of communications and radar systems.
The Aselsan Koral system is based on two four-axle MAN KAT four-wheel drive chassis, on the cargo platforms of which all the necessary equipment is located. A characteristic feature of the complex, which the developers are paying attention to, is a modular equipment architecture that is capable of providing ease of operation, repair and upgrading. At the same time, both machines have a different composition of equipment, formed according to different tasks.
The German base chassis allows the complex to move on roads and rough terrain, which is expected to allow the timely deployment of the complex in any specified area. For stabilization during operation, chassis are equipped with outriggers, on which both cars are hung out before starting work.
The first element of the Coral complex is the so-called. Radar Electronic Support is a machine that performs the functions of electronic reconnaissance. The task of this machine, as follows from the available data, is to monitor the situation in the air, receiving, processing and recognition of signals. When building a Radar Electronic Support machine, the base chassis receives a large van with the equipment and operator workplaces mounted behind the cab. In addition, two telescopic masts with antenna-feeder devices are mounted at the rear of the chassis.
Apparently, the Radar Electronic Support equipment allows you to monitor the situation, receive and analyze various signals. Based on the results of the analysis of received signals, a decision is made on the use of interference sources mounted on the second machine. The operation of the Koral complex, according to available data, is managed by a crew of three persons - a commander and two operators. Their jobs are located in a vans intelligence vehicle.
The second element of the complex, performing the functions of a noise emitter, is the Radar Electronic Attack machine. During the construction of this machine on the base chassis, a casing is installed with special equipment (probably, power supply systems), as well as an antenna device of the original design. Directly on the cargo platform is mounted a lifting mechanism, on which is located the rotary platform for the antenna device. As part of the latter there are two lifting supports with antennas. Also directly on the swivel base is a block of additional equipment. Such a device design of the Radar Electronic Attack machine allows you to direct antennas in the desired direction in azimuth and, apparently, in elevation.
It is argued that the Aselsan Koral EW complex is capable of recording incoming signals, determining the type of their source and its location, and then performing jamming, interfering with the work of the enemy’s electronic systems. Earlier it was reported that the range of the complex exceeds 100 km, it can work in a wide range of frequencies. Systems may be operated at air temperatures from -30 ° C to + 50 ° C.
Radar Electronic Support from a different angle
In the time since the first demonstration of the Koral complex, Aselsan has built a certain amount of such equipment. According to reports, to date, at least one such complex has been deployed near the city of Izmir in western Turkey. As follows from recent reports, another such complex was delivered to the border area in the east of the country and put on alert.
The available information about the Coral system attracts attention, but does not allow for a complete picture. Most of the information of particular interest has not yet been published. It can be assumed that this complex really has high characteristics, since its development was completed only a few months ago and the most modern components are used in its composition. However, without accurate information about the characteristics of the complex, it is too early to draw any conclusions.
According to the Turkish press, the Coral complex is deployed on the border with Syria to counteract the C-400 Triumph Russian anti-aircraft missile systems. Nevertheless, even in the conditions of the existing shortage of information, there is reason to doubt the very possibility of such a use of the promising Turkish system.
December 2 edition "Vesti.Ru" published an interview with the adviser to the first deputy general director of the Concern "Radioelectronic Technologies" (KRET) Vladimir Mikheev. KRET is engaged in the development of domestic radio-electronic means, including advanced EW systems, which is why the opinion of its specialists is of great interest.
V. Mikheev notes that the suppression of the C-400 radar by means of the Koral system can hardly be possible. The main problem that hinders such use concerns the basing of technology. Ground-based EW systems, to which the Coral belongs, cannot effectively deal with anti-aircraft complexes and missiles. To counteract the anti-aircraft complexes, designed to work in conditions of enemy use of interference, air-based electronic warfare systems are necessary.
As an example of EW tools intended for installation on airplanes, V. Mikheev cited the Russian systems Lever and Khibiny, created by Concern Radio Electronic Technologies. In addition, he recalled that Turkey does not have systems of this level. Such equipment is available from the US armed forces, but it is not supplied to foreign countries.
Indeed, due to a number of objective factors, ground-based electronic warfare systems do not have the ability to fully counteract ground radar stations and other systems. To solve such problems, specialized airplanes or helicopters are required, or combat aircraft with outboard containers of a corresponding purpose.
The impossibility of effective use of the Coral against the Russian C-400 allows not to worry because of possible problems for the anti-aircraft gunners. However, this is not a reason to take no action. In this situation, the most reasonable and logical step will be the use of electronic intelligence. The Aselsan Koral complex was introduced only six months ago and seems to be used for the first time in real conditions. Thus, the Russian RTR has an excellent opportunity to collect the necessary data on the latest foreign EW system. It is hardly worth missing such a chance. It is known that there are already EW Krasukha-4 complexes on Khmeimim airbase. It seems that the calculations of this complex in the near future will have to carry out tasks for the study of foreign technology.
If the reports of the Turkish press correspond to reality, and the Koral complex really cannot effectively counteract Russian anti-aircraft weapons, then a logical question arises: why do we need the transfer of EW systems to the border with Syria? You can offer several answers to this question.
The most obvious answer is an attempt to demonstrate strength against the background of the last deterioration of relations. After the attack on the Russian bomber and the subsequent reaction of official Moscow, the Turkish leadership, seeing the risks of an open clash, is forced to reassure its public by various methods. In the course are both the relevant statements and the transfer of military equipment to the border with Syria. Sending electronic warfare complexes, as well as communications about it, is a good addition to such attempts to show its strength.
Another view of the Radar Electronic Attack
Another answer was suggested by Sergey Denisencev, an employee of the Center for the Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, quoted by Vzglyad. He believes that press reports may be an attempt to advertise a new EW complex. Thus, if the situation does not reach a real conflict, then in a few years the Turkish industry will be able to offer its development, accompanying it with appropriate commentary. It will be argued that the Turkish armed forces did not lose a single aircraft, not for military and political reasons, but because of the Coral complex. With such advertising complex can be sold to some third countries.
Despite the lack of basic information of greatest interest, the current situation with the C-400 and Aselsan Koral complexes is worthy of consideration. In addition, even now you can not only consider it, but also draw some conclusions. Careful examination and analysis of the situation show that it is unlikely to pose any noticeable danger to the Russian group in Syria. Moreover, the deployment of Turkish EW facilities on the Syrian border may be of interest to radio intelligence and defense industry specialists studying the foreign achievements of this field.
Thus, if the confrontation does not go into a stage of real conflict, all parties will come out of the situation with some advantage. Official Ankara will be able to show strength, reassure the population, and in the future - advertise their new development. Russia, in turn, has an excellent opportunity to study the latest achievements of the Turkish industry and get a lot of important information that will be used in new projects of domestic equipment and weapons.
In the current situation, the transfer of the Coral complexes to the border with Syria turns out to be one of the most profitable moves for Turkey. Nevertheless, the situation continues to evolve, and relations between the two countries deteriorate every day. Whether Turkish EW systems can somehow influence the situation will be shown soon. However, we can already assume that a pair of cars with special equipment can hardly improve relations between Russia and Turkey, spoiled by aggression from the latter.
On the materials of the sites:
http://milliyet.com.tr/
http://tass.ru/
http://ria.ru/
http://vesti.ru/
http://vz.ru/
http://kret.com/
http://armyrecognition.com/
http://defence.pk/
- Ryabov Kirill
- Armyrecognition.com, Forums.eagle.ru
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