“Ready for any surprises”: what tasks the Russian S-300PS complex in Tajikistan will be able to carry out

The S-300PS Favorit anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) divisional set was put into service at the 201st Russian military base (Tajikistan), the press service of the Central Military District (CVO) said. After the completion of the preparatory measures, the air defense system will embark on pilot combat duty.

“The equipment was delivered to the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan by rail from the storage arsenal of the Central Military District, deployed in the Volga region,” the press service of the Central Military District said.

The main objectives of the S-300 division will be to cover the facilities of the 201st military base "from airspace attack". Also, the calculations of the air defense systems will be responsible for the air defense of the Central Asian region of collective security and serve together with the forces and means of the armed forces of Tajikistan.

Parts of the 201st Gatchina twice Red Banner Base are deployed in Dushanbe and Kurgan-Tyube. This combined arms formation was formed in September 2004 on the basis of a motorized rifle division, which conducted operations against the Mujahideen during the Tajik Civil War (1992-1997).

The 201st base is part of the CVO. From open data it follows that the base is armed with tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, multiple launch rocket systems, helicopters and drones. According to the agreement concluded in 2012 between Moscow and Dushanbe, Russian troops may be in Tajikistan until 2042.

S-300PS - air defense complex, designed for the defense of important administrative, industrial and military facilities. The system provides for the defeat of aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles. The range of intercepting missiles of this SAM system can reach 150 km.

Airspace control

In a conversation with RT, retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenok noted that the S-300PS is a fairly effective air defense system. According to him, the complex’s calculations can provide reliable protection for Russian military facilities in Tajikistan.

“The S-300PS is not a new weapon, but it is capable of quite successfully solving its combat missions. There is work for the complex in Tajikistan, and the decision to transfer it is justified. I can also assume that the S-300PS will operate within the framework of a collective air defense system that is deployed in Central Asia, ”said Khodarenok.

• Transportation of S-300 to Tajikistan by rail
• © Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

A similar point of view is shared by Dmitry Drozdenko, a columnist for Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine. In a commentary on RT, he noted that the transfer of the “Favorite” to Tajikistan is aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the air defense of the Central Asian region.

“For the integration of the S-300 into the CIS Integrated Air Defense System, which covers Central Asia, there are all technical capabilities. The deployment of this complex will allow Russia to control the air situation in the region, which is very important for ensuring the security of the 201st base and the Republic of Tajikistan as a whole, ”says Drozdenko.

The expert noted that the CIS Integrated Air Defense System is experiencing certain difficulties due to the lack of modern technology among the allies of the Russian Federation. According to Drozdenko, the appearance of the S-300PS will not solve all existing problems, but it will significantly strengthen the southern frontiers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

“It is desirable that anti-aircraft systems like S-300 were in every state that is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Russia is very interested in controlling the airspace of the region, which is of strategic importance to us, ”Drozdenko explained.

In a conversation with RT, military expert Yuri Knutov suggested that the transfer of the S-300PS to Tajikistan was primarily due to increased terrorist activity in Afghanistan. In his opinion, the Russian base in the republic needs such an “air security umbrella”.

“The main danger now comes from Afghanistan, with which Tajikistan has a long border. In this country, various radical groups, including ISIS * militants, who in recent years have been moving there from the Middle East, feel quite at ease, ”Knutov said.

The growth of terrorist activity

According to the FSB of Russia, after the defeat in Syria and Iraq, international terrorist organizations move to troubled Afghanistan. In particular, the illegal armed formation (illegal armed group) Vilayat Khorasan, which is part of the Islamic State *, is being strengthened in the republic.

At a press conference in September, Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov, head of the CSTO Joint Staff, said there were about 4,000 IS supporters in Afghanistan. In addition, Taliban militants pose a serious threat **. The ranks of this Islamist organization include about 11 thousand people.

Yuri Knutov fears that the Mujahideen may launch the production of airborne and missile attack means or get them through smuggling.

“Most likely, sooner or later, the Mujahideen, like the Syrian illegal armed groups, will acquire drones and primitive missile systems that can cause very serious damage. The military of 201st base needs to be prepared for any “surprises” and strengthen the air defense system, ”Knutov stated.

• Military equipment during a joint exercise of the 201st Russian military base and military forces of Tajikistan.
• © Iskandar Aminov / RIA News

At present, Tajikistan conducts exercises of the troops of the CSTO member states “Unbreakable Brotherhood - 2019”. Units fulfill the implementation of anti-terrorist tasks. According to legend, militants invaded the republic from Afghanistan. At the moment, the first stage of maneuvers has been completed.

In the "Indestructible Brotherhood" artillery units of the 201st military base take an active part. As part of the first stage of the exercises, they attacked a conventional enemy with Grad multiple launch rocket systems, Gvozdika and Acacia self-propelled howitzers.

“With concentrated fire, the calculations (of the 201st base) worked out the destruction of the enemy’s weapons and manpower. Air cover was provided by the crews of Kazakhstani Su-30SM fighters, Russian attack and transport-combat helicopters Mi-24 and Mi-8, delivering missile and bomb attacks on the positions of militants, ”the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Yuri Knutov believes that the 201st base is the most combat-ready formation in Central Asia. The plans of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, according to experts, are strengthening air defense of Russian facilities. He predicts that, in addition to the S-300PS, Tor-M2 and Pantsir-S1 short-range anti-aircraft systems will be deployed to Tajikistan.

“Fighting terrorist drones if such a need arises is too wasteful with S-300PS firepower. From the Syrian experience, we can conclude that the 201st base will need cannon weapon systems and low-cost missiles. I'm talking about the "Shell-C1" and "Tor-M2." It is likely that soon they will be delivered there, ”Knutov suggested.

* “Islamic State” (ISIS, ISIS) - the organization was recognized as terrorist by decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2014.

** “Taliban” - the organization was recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of February 14, 2003.