Russian experts are developing a floating version of the Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) on a wheeled chassis. This was stated in an interview with the National Defense magazine by the head of the military air defense of the RF Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov.

“The Tor-M2 modification is being developed on a specialized wheeled chassis. The main requirement for a combat vehicle is swimming over water obstacles, ”Leonov said.

According to him, the Tor family in the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Russia is the main means of combating the striking elements of precision weapons and enemy combat aircraft. In Syria, the calculations of combat vehicles of this air defense system in cooperation with the crews of the S-400 Triumph and Armor-S systems destroyed more than 45 terrorist drones.

In early April 2020, the general director of the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant (IEMZ) Kupol (producer of the Tor family) Fanil Ziyatdinov said that the brainchild of the enterprise fully confirmed its characteristics "when performing special tasks in real combat conditions."

At the end of September last year, the Tor-M2 baptism of fire was confirmed by the RF Ministry of Defense. The representative of the military department, Igor Konashenkov, said that the Tor-M2 calculations successfully knock down both militant UAVs and shells of multiple launch rocket systems, which Islamists launch mainly from the Idlib de-escalation zone.

Fire on the march

Tor-M2 is a representative of a new generation of short-range air defense systems. It is designed to cover ground units from attacks by cruise, ballistic and anti-radar missiles. In addition, the complex is capable of intercepting enemy air bombs, UAVs, helicopters, airplanes, including those made using stealth technology.

“It is distinguished by the increased efficiency of repulsing massive air raids of modern air attack systems in conditions of fire and electronic countermeasures ... An anti-aircraft missile system can operate both manually, with the participation of operators, and fully automatic, while simultaneously tracking up to 24 air targets,” the statement says materials of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. 

  • Launch of the Tor-M2 complex rocket
  • © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

At the combat training launches, Tor-M2 demonstrated the ability to effectively hit targets at an altitude of 15 m to 10 thousand m and a range of 3 to 12 km. SAM can simultaneously fire up to four objects. At the theater of operations, complex calculations are used to protect first-tier troops.

Tor-M2 is the only air defense system in the world capable of firing on the march, which makes it possible to transfer troops faster. Prior to the appearance of this air defense system, the columns of military equipment had to make a short stop.

In addition, the Tor-M2 combat capabilities are expanded by the unique 9M338K anti-aircraft missile, which surpasses foreign analogues in its characteristics. The ammunition was developed within the walls of the Vympel State Engineering Design Bureau named after I.I. Toropova (part of the Tactical Missile Arms Corporation).

In an interview with Izvestia last March, the chief designer of the enterprise, Viktor Yeletsky, stated that the likelihood of Torom-M2 destroying any type of aircraft and drones, as well as high-precision munitions, including cruise missiles and gliding bombs, is close to 100%. The ammunition of the complex includes up to 16 9M338K missiles.

“Its range (9M338K. - RT ) of flight allows the Tor-M2 complex to cover troops along a 20 km front. In this sector, we bring down everything that moves. Including small, maneuvering, high-speed targets. Where previously it was necessary to keep two combat vehicles, now it’s enough to put one, ”said Yeletsky.

According to the developer, the high accuracy and range of the 9M338K was achieved mainly due to the original aerodynamic design. Engineers greatly facilitated the rocket, abandoning large bearing planes. In addition, the specialists of Vympel Design Bureau implemented a new method for removing the ammunition from the launcher - 9M338K flies out using gas generators (the technology of catapult launch was previously used).

“As a result, the new missile became more slender, elegant, maneuverable, and the ammunition load doubled. By the way, no one then could even think that so many missiles (16 units. - RT ) can be placed in a car , ”explained Yeletsky.

According to the designer, according to the totality of combat capabilities, the Tor-M2 still has no analogues.

Last September, the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Kupol IEMZ entered into two long-term contracts for the supply of Tor-M2 and its Arctic version of Tor-M2DT, made on the chassis of the DT-30 Vityaz two-link tracked all-terrain vehicle. The cost of both agreements amounts to almost 100 billion rubles. According to their conditions, the Russian army will receive air defense systems until 2027. 

Currently, the Tor-M2 in various modifications is in service with the Arctic units, the Baltic Fleet, troops of the Western and Eastern military districts. Abroad, this air defense system is operated in Belarus and Armenia. Last year, the general director of Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheev said that the department received several new applications from foreign customers.

Guaranteed defeat 

According to experts, the appearance on the arsenal of the Russian army of the floating version of the Tor-M2 will increase the mobility of army units covered by it. 

“The ability to overcome water barriers of various depths is a very important quality that allows escorting columns, guarding crossings and bridges,” Aitech Bizhev, the former deputy commander in chief of the Russian Air Force on issues of the integrated air defense system of the CIS member states, explained to RT. 

  • Arctic anti-aircraft complex "Tor-M2DT"
  • © Vitaliy Timkiv / RIA News

The expert believes that the development of the Tor-M2 floating modification was the result of an analysis of the use of the complex in various conditions. In his opinion, the new version of this air defense system will allow for a more effective interception of the enemy’s aerospace attack on the march.

In a conversation with RT, the chief editor of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, Victor Murakhovsky, called Tor-M2 the most effective air defense system in its class in the world. His main advantages were mobility, noise immunity and accuracy, inaccessible to many air defense systems. 

“Previously, a scheme was adopted in the air defense forces, according to which only two missiles could guarantee a defeated air target. "Tor-M2" reached the level of "one target - one missile", which was demonstrated in Syria. Therefore, this complex has earned the right to be called the most effective in the world, ”Murakhovsky emphasized.