Air Defense of Ukraine. Air Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

At the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine's troops numbered one air defense army (8th separate) and four air armies, including manned air defense systems S-300, Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets. However, in a short historical period, most of the weapons were sold, disposed of, or it is in a defective condition. Realizing the importance of the availability of combat-ready armed forces, the government adopted a number of decisions to strengthen the troops, primarily in the field of modernization of air defense systems.

Historical reference

By 1992, eight separate armies included six large units:

• 1st Air Defense Division (DWPO), Crimea.
• 9 th dvoevo, Poltava region.
• 11th dvoevo, the east of the country.
• The 19 th dvoevo covered Kiev.
• 21-я дПВО, Одесская обл.
• 28th Corps of Air Defense, Western Ukraine.

Radio engineering brigades were based in Kharkov, Lviv, Sevastopol, Vasilkov and Odessa. In 1992, the air defense forces consisted of 132 air defense missile divisions, united in 18 regiments and brigades. The compounds were manned and dispersed in such a way as to reliably cover the largest industrial centers, independently of each other.

Current state

Twenty years later, the air defense of Ukraine continues to be a formidable force, but due to the large number of obsolete weapons, the defense potential is significantly weakened. Radar stations, left over from the time of the USSR, still allow controlling airspace. However, the lack of spare parts and the conflict in the southeast have affected the operation of a number of tracking stations. In particular, the radar in Lugansk, Avdeevka was damaged, for reasons known, control over the stations in the Crimea was lost.

By the early 2000s, powerful but obsolete S-75 and C-125 missile systems had been removed from the arsenal. In 2013 it was the turn to "cover" the S-200 air defense system of various modifications. The last was the division of the S-200V SAM in the 540th Lvov Regiment.

Of particular concern is the inadequate training of Ukrainian air defense troops. They do not conduct practical shooting after the incident with a casual passenger aircraft in 2001. Only 10% of the personnel have shooting skills.

Prospects

At the moment, the air defense of the country does not have long-range anti-aircraft systems. Taking this fact into account, the government set the task in 2016 to begin a large-scale modernization of anti-aircraft defense, including anti-aircraft missile systems and radar stations.

The main obstacle is an acute shortage of funds. The purchase of modern anti-aircraft weapons from Western partners will be very expensive. In addition, due to political motives, foreign countries are still in no hurry to sell high-precision weapons to the Ukrainian army. The way out would be to acquire cheaper but reliable SAMs (including mobile ones) from Russia, but the tension between neighbors does not allow this.

Given the lack of funds, the issue of restoring and improving the S-200 systems and returning them to combat duty is being considered. However, military experts with skepticism refer to the idea of "resuscitation" of obsolete weapons.

Means of air defense

The air defense of Ukraine has a clear management structure. Anti-aircraft missile forces and radio-technical forces are responsible for the operation of radar systems and air defense systems, whose mission is to protect the country's airspace. These structures are subordinate to the Air Force of Ukraine.

The anti -aircraft missile systems use the S-300PT missile systems (NATO classification SA-10a Grumble), S-300V1 (SA-12a Gladiator), S-300PS (SA-10b Grumble), Buk (SA- 11 Getfly). According to open source data, in 2010 there were 11 S-300PS installations and 16 S-300PT units. The latter actually produced a resource. According to experts, only 8 divisions "S-300PS" are able to carry combat duty.

A complex situation develops with the provision of anti-aircraft systems with weapons of destruction. Air defense missiles for the S-300 systems of the 5V55 model have long developed a resource, but in the country their production is not established.

Detection Tools

In Ukraine, there are more than 200 facilities related to air defense, as well as 76 auxiliary facilities. There are 36 active and 106 inactive positions for anti-aircraft missile systems.

These include:

• Means of early warning: 36;
• Radar equipment 36D6: 20;
• Detection radar 64N6: 9;
• Training polygons: 3.

Current positions for SAM:

• For systems "C-125": 2 positions;
• "S-200": 5;
• "S-300PS": 12;
• "S-300PT": 16;
• "S-300V1": 1.

Inactive (reserve) positions for SAM:

• For systems "C-75": 58 positions;
• "2K12": 1;
• "C-125": 16;
• "S-200": 11;
• "S-300P": 19.

Early Warning Tools

The air defense of Ukraine has a developed early warning system. It is provided by various radars located throughout the country. Their positions, as a rule, contain one or more types of early warning radars, as well as high altitude detection and recognition systems.

There are 28 active early warning positions with 8 additional (reserve) positions, which are designed to expand the network or redeploy funds if this becomes necessary.

The 20 positions of the Tin Shield and 8 positions of the Big Bird radar provide identification of the target and combat control function for the national air defense network. Troops provide ground and air cover for strategic facilities. Radars 36D6 and 64N6 are located so as to provide a duplicate coverage. These systems are able to control virtually the entire air space of Ukraine, as well as significant areas of the Black and Azov Seas.

SAM "S-200V"

Armament of the Air Defense of Ukraine includes systems of different range. Complexes "S-200" are the most long-range (up to 250 km) in anti-aircraft missile forces of Ukraine. Until recently, 5 operating batteries "S-200" provided protection of the air space almost the entire eastern region of the country between Kharkov and Lugansk. The last 11 inactive positions of the S-200 remain, although they are probably used to accommodate mobile assets, such as the S-300PS. The government plans to return the upgraded facilities in 2016-18, due to the lack of an alternative to long-range complexes.

Officially, the Ministry of Defense claimed that it was using a 250 km radius of the S-200V, but the entry into the Russian airliner over the Black Sea of a missile launched by the S-200 missile in October 2001 might indicate that the S-200D complex was operating, 300-kilometer radius of action.

SAM "S-300P"

Although the S-200 systems have a long range, the S-300P air defense system is the most capable and numerous. There are 27 "S-300P" batteries in operation: 16 batteries are equipped with "S-300PT" systems, and 12 - with "S-300P" systems.

The installations are deployed in such a way as to protect the most important political, military and industrial zones of the country. Dnepropetrovsk, Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa are protected by at least 6 batteries each, Nikolaev (and earlier Sevastopol) - at least 5 batteries. Several complexes cover the western border.

The fully equipped battery of the S-300PT SAM has 12 launchers, while the fully equipped S-300PS battery has 8 launchers. Each battery is equipped with a radar 5Н63 or 5Н63С, as well as a radar for determining low-flying targets 5Н66 or 5Н66М. Both radar systems, as a rule, use a 40B6 series mast.

The capital, Kiev is the only place that remains protected by a full set of batteries of the S-300P series. All 6 positions remain in force, 4 use "S-300PT", and two - "S-300PS". Military air defense units also cover Kharkov (S-300PT), Odessa (S-300PS) and Nikolaev (S-300PT) - these industrial centers are protected by three operating batteries each. Dnepropetrovsk is protected by four operating batteries "S-300PT".

Tactical SAM systems

There are two systems of tactical air defense systems, which are inscribed in the air defense network of Ukraine. The APU is used by the systems "Buk" 9K37 and "S-300V1". Some of these systems are subordinated to the air defense forces, some to other combat arms. Mobile complexes are designed to cover strategic industrial enterprises, public and political facilities, military groups.

MO argues that the land forces use the "Book-M" option, and the Ukrainian air forces use "Buk-M1". The Ministry of Defense also claims that the army is using the modification of the "S-300V1" (Gladiator), pointing out that Ukraine does not have a system "S-300V2" (Gigant), capable of shooting down ballistic missiles.

Coverage Area

The Ukrainian ZRK network was inherited from the USSR. The air defense facilities are organized in such a way as to protect key populations and geographic regions. The most densely covered are the capital Kiev, key industrial clusters with a center in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkov, Nikolaev and Odessa. Some of the batteries are dispersed throughout the country.

According to the generals, the country is no longer threatened by the war against NATO, accordingly, Ukraine's troops reduced the number of aircraft and systems of the SAM. Although the air defense network has significantly decreased in size since the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine still remains well equipped to protect itself from the air attack.

Tactics and strategy

Mobile means such as "S-300PS", "Beech" and "S-300V1" are able to operate wherever they are needed - practically anywhere in the country. Dislocations of radar 64H6 and 36D6 provide anti-aircraft systems support for combat management and target determination, regardless of where they are located, thanks to a wide network of early warning systems. Since S-300PS are normally located on prepared sites, a large network of inactive sites and structures are potential positions for the deployment of missile systems. In Ukraine, more than 100 inactive (reserve) positions of SAM systems of various configurations.

A certain potential is for obsolete models. While the S-200 is not well suited to attack maneuverable, low-flying or low-flying targets, the system may prevent reconnaissance or other large military aircraft from approaching Ukraine's airspace. Perhaps this is due to their alleged return to duty after certain improvements. Regarding the decommissioned S-300PT SAM systems of the 1970s, the military does not have special plans.

Further development

For 2016-2017 years, the modernization of air defense of Ukraine is planned. Systems "S-200" and "S-300PS" will require replacement in 2016-2020. Even without taking into account the service life, the best days of the "S-300PS" and "S-200" were left behind. Due to the continuous development of tactical means of ECM (Radio-electronic suppression), SEAD / DEAD (combat against enemy air defense) and other factors, these SAM systems do not respond to the times.

The project of import substitution as separate units / weapons for the old complexes is being developed, as well as the creation of its own product using the components of Ukrainian enterprises and foreign partners.

Radar systems

Ukraine - one of the few manufacturers in the world engaged in the development and release of radar in a closed loop. However, in the overwhelming majority of the equipment and armament of the Ukrainian army is represented by obsolete models. At best - modernized. The park of radio-technical weapons is made up of a radar with a nomenclature numbering several generations, various types of automation tools for the management and processing of radar information.

According to the estimates of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, with the funds allocated to the APU in 2016, significant expenditures are directed to air defense. It is planned to purchase 28 radar stations and modernize six units. However, the need for armed forces in the new and modernized radar stations is much larger and amounts to about two hundred units. In fact, to date, the state of the air defense system, primarily anti-aircraft missile forces and radar stations of the radio technical forces, leaves hope for the best. And this is against the backdrop of the fact that Ukraine has its own manufacturers that are able to offer their own modern solutions to ensure control of domestic airspace.

To date, the troops left a large number of radars P-18M, P-18MA (P-19MA). Thanks to NPO "Aerotechnika" and HC "Ukrspetstekhnika" these stations not only remained in the line, but also underwent modernization. In addition, there are new ones.

Malachite radar

The new army of Ukraine badly needs modern radars, such as Malachite. This system is called the modernization of the Soviet station P-18, but in many ways it is quite different from its predecessor. The specialists of HC "Ukrspetstekhnika" made drastic changes, and today it is a completely new station. In Malachite, digital signal processing has been implemented, combined with modern automated control systems, noise immunity has been implemented, the near detection zone has been reduced to 2.5 km, the antenna inclination has increased with respect to the horizontal position within + 15 / -15 degrees, etc. Malachite has The detection range is up to 400 km, that is, the station detects and accompanies the targets much better and further than all the radars currently operating in Ukraine.

The complex's capabilities were positively evaluated by the leadership of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. As a result, the radar station was not only adopted for service, but also delivered to the troops. According to the management of Ukrspetstekhnika, as of April 2015, about a dozen Malakhit radar stations were transferred to the troops.

Some stations are transferred to Ukrainian sailors, who operate the system in conditions of another underlying surface, different from the Soviet P-18. Operation in the sea conditions has shown that the station successfully solves problems on tracking air targets within their characteristics, as well as surface targets in the line of sight. That is, the 12-mile zone, which is under the close attention of military seamen, is freely controlled by the Malakhit radar.

MR-1 radar

The new radar station of the meter range, labeled "MR-1", was created by the company NPK Iskra. The designers have implemented all the latest scientific advances aimed at leveling the value of stealth technology (low-visibility).

"MR-1" was created both for autonomous work and for functioning as part of regional ACS of the Air Defense Department of Ukraine. The radar is capable of detecting, tracking and measuring the azimuth, range, target height, despite the effects of interference.

The disadvantage of the old stations was the need to install a separate turbogenerator for additional transport units, which provided power to the systems. As a result, the radar was based on 3-4 cars. The new MG-1 station requires only one transport unit. All equipment is placed on the chassis of the KrAZ car.

In modern combat conditions, it is required to provide high station mobility. After 5-10 minutes of operation, the radar must be relocated to a new position. In the "MG-1" the operator works without leaving the car, manages the work, observes by means of the indicator after the air situation. The station automatically transmits the air situation to the air defense control centers of the SV type PU-15 or PU-12 using the available means of radio communication in digital format. In addition, the MG-1 station is able to accurately measure the altitude of targets, which makes the system 3-coordinate. The instrumental range is 400 km. The project is under construction.

Pelican radar

Three-coordinate station for circular review of 79K6 (export version - 80K6) Pelikan started to be developed in 1992 by NPK Iskra. Only in 2007 the radar was adopted for the Armed Forces. All radar equipment is located on the same transport unit.

The appearance of the 79K6 radar in the Ukrainian army made it possible to independently use S-300PT / PS anti-aircraft missile battalions. In addition, the application of 79K6 in the brigade structure (6 divisions) is possible. According to the main tactical and technical characteristics, the radar 80K6 is at the level of foreign analogues, and its cost is at least half as much as compared with competitors. The maximum target detection range of the Pelican is 400 km. However, with an EPR of 3-5 m ² , the target detection range at a flight altitude of 100 m is 40 km; At an altitude of 1000 m - 110 km; At an altitude of 10-30 km - 300-350 km.

The question of equipping troops with modern radio and air defense systems is quite relevant today. This makes it possible to provide control over the airspace of Ukraine and to give orders to the domestic industry.