“Guaranteed to destroy any target”: how the Ball missile system strengthened the coastal defense of Russia

The crew of the Black Sea Fleet’s self-propelled coastal missile complex (DBK) successfully discovered and destroyed a conditional enemy surface ship. Video with live firing of this system is published on the page of the RF Ministry of Defense on Facebook.

“With the calculation of the coastal missile system“ Ball ”of the Black Sea Fleet, a tactical exercise was carried out with missile firing at a sea target. The role of the “enemy” ship was performed by a surface target equipped with special corner radar reflectors, ”the military department said.

On June 24, the cars included in the Ball complex were first shown at the Victory Parade in Moscow. Launchers (launchers) on a wheeled chassis, transport and handling machines, and self-propelled command and control command and control posts drove through the cobblestones of Red Square.

The main developer of the Ball is JSC Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (Moscow), a member of Tactical Missile Weapon Corporation JSC (KTRV).

"In the depths of the coastline"

"Ball" is designed to protect the naval infrastructure, coastal defense in airborne hazardous areas and control of territorial waters and torrential zones. The vehicles of the complex are located on the MZKT-7930 high cross-country chassis, which allows them to occupy firing positions on unprepared coastal areas.

According to KTRV, Bala launchers and cargo handling vehicles can be placed “in hidden positions deep in the coastline”. In turn, the command post of the coastal missile complex provides reconnaissance, target designation and distribution of targets between launchers.

• Launcher BRK "Ball"
• © Alexey Kudenko / RIA Novosti

“The presence in the complex of active and passive high-precision channels for radar target detection allows for a flexible strategy for target detection, including covert”, - specified in the materials of the corporation.

In addition to radars, “Ball” is equipped with navigation equipment, night vision devices, topographic referencing and orientation tools that allow you to quickly change position after a missile launch and go to a new firing line. The deployment time of the complex is 10 minutes.

"Ball" can fire both singly and in massive salvoes of up to 32 missiles. The shooting of such a quantity of ammunition can cause serious damage to a large naval strike group and the enemy landing force. DBK goals can be obtained, including from external command posts and external intelligence facilities.

“The presence of TPM (transport and reloading machines. - RT ) in the complex allows 30-40 minutes to make a second volley. The combat control system of the complex’s facilities was implemented using digital methods of transmitting all types of messages, using automated communication systems, processing messages, and classifying classified information with guaranteed durability, ”the KTRV website says.

In addition, “Ball” has great modernization potential. In particular, as the KTRV engineers say, it can be updated by installing passive jamming systems, "which will significantly increase the complex's invulnerability from enemy controlled weapons in duel situations."

Interviewed by RT experts called the "Ball" a modern highly effective means of coastal defense. The main advantages of the complex of analysts included noise immunity, all-weather, shock capabilities, stealth and maneuverability.

"Ball" is one of the most successful Russian complexes. It forms the basis of the anti-ship defense of the coastal forces of the Navy. The complex has high mobility and therefore it can be quickly transferred to threatened areas on its own. Also, DBK cars can be transported by military transport aircraft if long-distance transport is required, ”Viktor Murakhovsky, editor-in-chief of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, explained in an interview with RT.

A similar thought was expressed by the editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine Igor Korotchenko. In a RT commentary, the specialist emphasized that the Ball is a highly mobile and extremely dangerous weapon for a potential adversary. According to him, the Russian DBK is capable of "guaranteed to destroy any target" in the sea.

"Ball" can be quickly deployed in different areas of the coast and become a reliable means of protection against carriers of high-precision strike weapons. For example, this complex allows you to control the naval activity of NATO countries in the Black Sea region, including the movement of American destroyers, ”Korotchenko.

• Launch of the DBK “Bal” rocket of the Baltic Fleet coastal forces
• © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

The total ammunition "Ball" can reach 64 ammunition. To defeat targets, the Russian anti-ship missile X-35 and its improved version with a maximum firing range of 260 km are used. The ammunition was developed within the walls of the Zvezda-Strela (Korolev) State Scientific Production Center to destroy boats, corvettes, frigates, and destroyers.

As experts noted, the upgraded version of the X-35 is more powerful, has improved electronics and differs in minor design features.

“The X-35U is equipped with a more powerful warhead and a new homing radar, which increased the accuracy of hits and improved target selection,” said Murakhovsky.

The key advantage of the X-35 family of analysts include a small-sized turbojet engine and a special powder accelerator, which give the rocket a powerful starting impulse. Most of the way the ammunition flies at a height of several meters, and at the final stage makes a jump for a subsequent attack.

At the same time, KTRV specialists consider the modest financial expenses for operation and repair, when similar missiles are included in the arsenal of the Air Force and ships of the near sea zone with the Uranium complex, an important advantage of the X-35.

“Cover all directions”

"Ball" was widely used in the coastal defense forces of the Navy, where it is supplied with the Bastion DBK, armed with the Onyx supersonic missile with a range of about 300 km. This ammunition is capable of hitting targets under conditions of strong fire and electronic countermeasures and is considered in the West as one of the most dangerous types of Russian weapons.

"Ball" and "Bastion" complement each other. "Bastion" is intended for long-range fire defeat of naval strike and carrier groups. At the same time, the task of the Ball is the destruction of ships capable of attacking the coast with the help of missiles, artillery or landing and landing equipment. It operates at less distant borders, ”Murakhovsky explained.

According to experts, DBK data are part of the coastal units of all operational and strategic associations of the Navy and the Caspian Flotilla. At the end of 2016, “Ball” and “Bastion” were deployed in the South Kuril Islands.

Korotchenko said that the supply of Bal and Bastion troops significantly increased the defensive potential of the Navy. Also, according to the expert, the deployment of the DBK allows Moscow to "project power away from the coast."

Murakhovsky believes that in recent years, Russia is experiencing an intensive development of the coastal defense system. Today, "Ball" and "Bastion" cover all areas where, from the point of view of the military, there is a threat of potential aggression or a landing.

“Now the prevailing trend is the creation of interspecific groupings of troops in the Navy. They included coastal defense troops equipped with anti-ship systems, and marines. Thus, at present, the Russian fleet has all the means to independently organize coastal defense, ”summed up Murakhovsky.