The commander of the 41st Army, Major General Yakov Rezantsev, told reporters that in 2019, units of the Central Military District will receive a batch of the latest 9K317M Buk-M3 medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems. At present, servicemen are studying tactical and technical characteristics (TTH) of machines and the material base of the complexes.
“The newest Buk-M3 complexes, which this year will go into service with the 41st All-Army Army, will increase the combat capabilities of the air defense units to protect protected objects from enemy air attack weapons,” Rezantsev said.
- Launcher ZRK medium range "Buk-M3"
- © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Today, units of the Western, Eastern and Southern military districts are equipped with the newest air defense system.
According to the Ministry of Defense, each year, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation receive two Buk-M3 brigade complexes each. On December 26, 2018, in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, Lieutenant-General Alexander Leonov, head of the military air defense, said that the arrival of modernized air defense systems, including Buk-M3, would increase the combat capabilities of air defense units by 1.3 times by 2020.
"Together with the military groups" Buk-M3 "can strike in a fast mode and cover the main groups, command posts and other important objects. Now the first units of the Ground Forces are being re-equipped. But in the future, all the anti-aircraft missile brigades will be re-equipped at the Buk-M3, ”said Viktor Murakhovsky, editor-in-chief of the Arsenal of Fatherland magazine, in an interview with RT.
"Intercept any air targets"
"Buk-M3" refers to the fourth generation air defense system. Its development was launched in the second half of the 2000s within the walls of the Research Institute for Instrument Engineering (NIIP) them. Tikhomirova (part of the concern "Almaz-Antey"). In 2007, Nikolai Frolov, in 2005—2008. who held the post of head of the military air defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, called the "Buk-M3" "perfect new complex." According to him, the air defense system is created on the most modern elemental base.
Joint state tests of the new air defense system were completed in 2015. The production of "Buk-M3" was deployed at the PJSC "MI Engineering Plant. Kalinina (Ekaterinburg). The first production models of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were received in 2016. The troops brainchild NIIP them. Tikhomirov replaces "Buk-M1" and partly "Buk-M2".
The Buk-M3 division consists of a command post, a detection and target indication station, transport launchers, transport-loading machines and launchers containing 6 or 12 anti-aircraft guided missiles (SAM).
The firing range of the Buk-M3 increased 1.5 times compared to the Buk-M2 - up to 70 km. The minimum height of the target is 15 m, the maximum - 35 km. The number of simultaneously hit targets increased to 36. Each launcher can fire on 6 objects. The launch of missiles occurs at intervals of 2 seconds. As Aleksandr Leonov said earlier, the firing manufacturer Buk-M3 grew by 50%.
According to the source of the TASS agency in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the probability of hitting targets with a new air defense system reaches 99%. "Buk-M3" is designed to intercept highly maneuverable air objects flying at speeds of up to 3 km / s. The complex is capable of detecting and destroying cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, as well as all types of aircraft, including those made using stealth technology. Also "Buk-M3" can fire at sea and land targets.
The main weapon of this air defense system is the universal all-view anti-aircraft missile 9M317M, developed by the specialists of Dolgoprudno Scientific-Production Enterprise OJSC (DNPP). During the flight with the help of gas rudders, the rocket can be deflected in the right direction by 360 degrees.
- ZRK 9K317M "Buk-M3" in the open position of the forum "Army-2018"
- © Wikimedia Commons
In an interview with RT, the expert of the Center for Analysis, Strategies and Technologies Sergey Denisencev noted that the specialists of the NIIP named after N. Tikhomirov was able to significantly reduce the recharge time due to the use of upgraded transport and launch containers. In addition, according to the expert, “Buk-M3” is a more technologically advanced air defense system compared to previous samples.
"In the new" Buke "rockets are placed more compactly. This allowed to increase ammunition in the division and fire performance. It is important to note that in the "Buk-M3" missiles are hidden in the starting devices. This increases their service life and makes the complex less whimsical, ”explained Denisensev.
The main advantage of the "Buk-M3" Viktor Murakhovsky called it "electronic filling." He noted that the principle of “shot and forget” was implemented in the complex. Its essence lies in the fact that after the launch of a rocket, the ZRK crew can change positions without accompanying the target.
Buk-M3 is equipped with an automated control system that allows you to select important targets without human intervention and determine the order of their defeat. This allows you to intercept any air targets, including subtle aircraft and UAVs. The Buk-M3 guidance system is notable for its increased noise immunity, that is, it can perform tasks under conditions of active electronic countermeasures, ”Murakhovsky stressed.
"Such a weapon will be in demand"
In March 2018, the Rosoboronexport state corporation announced the launch of a campaign to promote Buk-M3 on the international market. In August last year, the complex was presented at the open exposition of the Army — 2018 forum. The export version of the air defense missile system was called "Viking". According to Sergey Ladigin, deputy head of Rosoboronexport, the novelty of the domestic industry has no competitors.
“His (“ Buk-M3 ”. - RT ) technical features make it possible to maximally adapt the complex to the priorities of Rosoboronexport’s foreign customers. The Viking command post has the ability to interface not only with a standard radar station, but also with other radars, including those not produced in Russia, ”the Rostec website says.
According to the Institute them. Tikhomirova, Viking is capable of intercepting modifications of F-16 and F-15 fighters, A-10 attack aircraft, B-1B, B-52 strategic bombers, stealth-made aircraft, Apache helicopters, MGM-52 ballistic missiles , cruise missiles AGM-86 ("Tomahawk"), anti-radar missiles AGM-88E.
- Buk-M3 medium-range air defense system
- © rostec.ru
“Export versions of even the Soviet“ Bukov ”are very effective weapons. This is further evidenced by their successful use to repel air attacks on Syria in 2018 and 2019. "Buk-M3" will be in demand in those countries that want to maintain and improve the defense of their armed forces. Therefore, the new complex will certainly be interested in the states that are already exploiting the previous versions of “Buka”, - said Murakhovsky.
Sergey Denisentsev believes that the countries of the post-Soviet space (Armenia, Azerbaijan), the Middle East (Syria, Algeria) and South America (Venezuela) can acquire the “Buk-M3”. The expert called the relatively low price the advantage of the domestic air defense system, in addition to its high combat and operational qualities.
“In the segment of medium-range complexes, the Buk-M3 has good chances on the world market. This is a worthy weapon in terms of price and quality. True, the Buk-M3 export can be held back by the fact that only a small number of countries have a layered air defense system. However, in the Russian army such weapons will definitely be in demand, ”Denisensev explained.
In addition, in September 2016, the Almaz-Antey concern announced the launch of development of the fifth-generation medium-range air defense systems based on the Buk-M3. The new complex is designed to conduct a "network-centric war." According to the concern, the air defense system will be deeply integrated "into a single system of echelon air defense."
“Further modernization of the Buka is a justified process. Most likely, the complex of the fifth generation will perform tasks in collaboration with other air defense systems and aviation. Now comes to the fore protection from a massive strike by UAVs and cruise missiles. To this end, domestic engineers will improve noise immunity and significantly expand the computing power of the fifth-generation complex, ”concluded the Denisensians.