Russia implementing arms contract with Iran: official

[Owais]

MOSCOW (updated on: November 17, 2006, 23:43 PST): Russia is going ahead with a contract to deliver sophisticated air defence systems to Iran, a Russian defence ministry official said on Friday, despite appeals from Washington to reconsider.

"The contract with Iran is being implemented. Everything is going well. We will honour the terms fully," said Mikhail Dmitrev, head of the federal service for military-technical co-operation, ITAR-TASS reported.

"There is no reason to review this contract," Dmitrev said.

At the end of 2005, Russian media reported that Iran signed a contract with Moscow for the purchase of 29 Tor-M1 air defence systems for 700 million dollars (550 million euros).

The United States called on Russia in May to scrap the contract.

In August, Washington announced sanctions against Russian jetmaker Sukhoi and state arms exporter Rosoboronexport for providing Iran with equipment that could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction.

 

[Zeeshan S.]

Does Russia looks like a son that it is going to listen to its daddy (United States) for every defence deal it signs with Iran?

Iran cannot and will not use weapons of mass destruction unless it is threatened.

 

[A.Rahman]

he TOR-M1 surface-to-air missile system is a mobile, integrated air defense system, designed for operation at medium-, low- and very low –altitudes, against fixed/rotary wing aircraft, UAVs, guided missiles and precision weapon. The system is capable of operating in an intensive aerial jamming environment. The system is comprised of a number of missile Transporter Launcher Vehicle (TLV). A Russian air defense Tor battalion consists of 3 - 5 companies, each equipped with four TLVs. Each TLV is equipped with 8 ready to launch missiles, associating radars, fire control systems and a battery command post. The combat vehicle can operate autonomously, firing from stationary positions or on the move. Set-up time is rated at 3 minutes and typical reaction time, from target detection to missile launch is 5-8 seconds. Reaction time could range from 3.4 seconds for stationary positions to 10 seconds while on the move. Each fire unit can engage and launch missiles against two separate targets.

Tor M1 can detect and track up to 48 targets (minimum radar cross section of 0.1 square meter) at a maximum range of 25 km, and engage two of them simultaneously, at a speed of up to 700 m/sec, and at a distance of 1 to 12 km. The system's high lethality (aircraft kill probability of 0.92-0.95) is maintained at altitude of 10 – 6,000 m'. The vertically launched, single-stage solid rocket propelled missile is capable of maneuvering at loads up to 30gs. It is equipped with a 15kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead activated by a proximity fuse. The system is offered as fully integrated tracked combat vehicle, or as a modular combat unit (TOR-M1T) comprising a truck mounted mobile control module and launcher/antenna units, carried on a trailer. Other configuration include separated towed systems, as well as shelter-based systems, for the protection of fixed sites.

The missile is also effective against precision guided weapons and cruise missiles. In tests the missile demonstrated kill probability of such targets ranging from 0.6 to 0.9.

The first operator of the Tor system was the Russian Army Air-Defense, which operates 100 units of the SA-15 Gauntlet variant. The Russian navy also uses the naval version known as SA-N-9. China bought 50 systems and possibly 25 more, between 1997 and 2002. The Greek army fielded 21 Tor M-1 systems. Most recently (December 2005) Iran was reported to sign a deal estimated at US$ 1 billion covering the procurement of up to 30 TOR M-1 missile systems, modernization of air-force systems and the supply of patrol boats. The system was also proposed to several other countries. Deliveries of the TOR systems are expected between 2006-2008.

 

[A.Rahman]

Nice demonstration of Tor M1

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[A.Rahman]

Designations 9K331 Tor-M1

Date of Introduction 1990

Sold to At least 5 countries

Crew 3

TLAR 9A331 combat vehicle


Chassis GM-355


Combat Weight (mt) 34


Length (m) 7.5

Height (m) 5.1 (TAR up)

Width (m) 3.3

Engine Type V-12 diesel

Cruising Range (km) 500

Max. RoadSpeed 65 (km/h)

Radio INA

Protection NBC Protection System

Launcher Reaction Time (sec) 5-8

Reload Time (min) 10

Fire on Move Yes

Emplacement Time (min) 5

Displacement Time (min) Less than 5

Missile Name 9M331

Max. Range (m) 12,000

Min. Range (m) 100

Max. Altitude 6,000 (m)

Min. Altitude 10 (m)

Length 2,900 (mm)

Diameter 235 (mm)

Weight (kg) 167

Missile Speed (m/s) 850

Propulsion INA

Guidance Command

Warhead Type Frag-HE

Fuze Type RF Proximity

Warhead Weight (kg) 15

Self-Destruct (sec) INA

FIRE CONTROL Sights w/Magnification

Electro-optical (EO) television system

Range 20 km

IFF Yes

Radar Function Target Acquisition

Detection Range (km) 25

Tracking Range (km) INA

Frequency INA

Frequency Band H-band Doppler

Radar Function Target Tracking and Guidance

Detection Range (km) INA

Tracking Range (km) 25

Frequency INA

Frequency Band K-band Doppler, Phased Array

VARIANTS SA-N-9 Naval version