Russia’s air defense is not fit for purpose – military experts

[Fighter488]

Russia’s air defense is not fit for purpose – military experts​

Published 13 May, 2010, 23:13

Edited 15 May, 2010, 05:51

Russia is lagging 25-30 years behind the U.S. in terms of air and space defense and can't resist a potential threat, say former high-ranking military officials.

The criticism comes from a former chief of Russia’s air force, Anatoly Kornukov, who sees the root of the problem in the meltdown of the defense industries in Russia, which have lost qualified personnel and key technologies, leaving the industrial plants in a “pitiful condition.”


In Soviet times, Kornukov said, it was widely known that Russian air defense systems were capable of shooting down 98% of intruding enemy planes. Now the figure has shrunk to 20%. Therefore, if North Korea or Iran launch an attack on Russia with short-range missiles, Russia will not be capable of shooting them down.

Kornukov is not the only person criticizing Russia’s armed forces. Another former big figure in the country’s military, Anatoly Sitnov, who used to be in charge of military equipment for the Defense Ministry, said that Russia’s army has lost 300 key technologies in air and space defense – for example, aircraft plants as well as factories for missile defense systems.

The country’s government representatives, however, said that the military forces have been growing stronger due to recent reforms and that they are currently developing S400 air defense missile systems which were on display during the Victory Day parade.

They added that they are developing a new S500 system which will have a greater range of 600 kilometers, and will be capable of dealing with 10 objects simultaneously.

Kornukov countered this by saying that the armed forces have only two S400 systems, while they are supposed to have at least 15. Therefore, they are behind schedule. Also, Kornukov said that S400 systems that were on display are outdated as they were made during the Soviet times and their lifetime is not indefinite. The reforms, Kornukov added, have crippled Russia’s air and space defense because they ruined the coordination between different parts and units.

Political analyst Viktor Mizin from the Moscow University of International Relations told RT that there is no reason to be concerned with the state of Russia’s military forces.

“I don’t see any reasons for this kind of panic,” he said. “We are not in a state of Cold War. Of course, the concept of protecting the country differs from that of the Soviet Union. Now we are protecting the major industrial centers, and S400 are doing their jobs well.”


Russia?s air defense is not fit for purpose ? military experts - RT

 

[Thomas]

Russia’s air defense is not fit for purpose – military experts​

Published 13 May, 2010, 23:13

Edited 15 May, 2010, 05:51

Russia is lagging 25-30 years behind the U.S. in terms of air and space defense and can't resist a potential threat, say former high-ranking military officials.

The criticism comes from a former chief of Russia’s air force, Anatoly Kornukov, who sees the root of the problem in the meltdown of the defense industries in Russia, which have lost qualified personnel and key technologies, leaving the industrial plants in a “pitiful condition.”


In Soviet times, Kornukov said, it was widely known that Russian air defense systems were capable of shooting down 98% of intruding enemy planes. Now the figure has shrunk to 20%. Therefore, if North Korea or Iran launch an attack on Russia with short-range missiles, Russia will not be capable of shooting them down.

Kornukov is not the only person criticizing Russia’s armed forces. Another former big figure in the country’s military, Anatoly Sitnov, who used to be in charge of military equipment for the Defense Ministry, said that Russia’s army has lost 300 key technologies in air and space defense – for example, aircraft plants as well as factories for missile defense systems.

The country’s government representatives, however, said that the military forces have been growing stronger due to recent reforms and that they are currently developing S400 air defense missile systems which were on display during the Victory Day parade.

They added that they are developing a new S500 system which will have a greater range of 600 kilometers, and will be capable of dealing with 10 objects simultaneously.

Kornukov countered this by saying that the armed forces have only two S400 systems, while they are supposed to have at least 15. Therefore, they are behind schedule. Also, Kornukov said that S400 systems that were on display are outdated as they were made during the Soviet times and their lifetime is not indefinite. The reforms, Kornukov added, have crippled Russia’s air and space defense because they ruined the coordination between different parts and units.

Political analyst Viktor Mizin from the Moscow University of International Relations told RT that there is no reason to be concerned with the state of Russia’s military forces.

“I don’t see any reasons for this kind of panic,” he said. “We are not in a state of Cold War. Of course, the concept of protecting the country differs from that of the Soviet Union. Now we are protecting the major industrial centers, and S400 are doing their jobs well.”


Russia?s air defense is not fit for purpose ? military experts - RT

It is rare that you get such a high level Russian Military officer speaking the truth so frankly.

 

[Fighter488]

It is rare that you get such a high level Military officer speak the truth so frankly.

How real this assesment is, Thomas?
Fighter

 

[ptldM3]

Anatoly Kornukov needs to lay off the vodka, 25-30 years behind? Which defences are 25-30 years ahead of the S-400? And several years from now who will be 25-30 years ahead of the S-500?

This is no different than Australian officials crying the F-35 is garbage.

 

[Thomas]

How real this assesment is, Thomas?
Fighter

He is simply reaffirming what has been said before on this site. The Russian defense industrial sector has had major problems since the collapse of the Soviet Union. They have been experiencing Loss of skilled workers, lack of Government funding, a brain drain of researchers going to work for other countries. and lack of modernization of many of the production plants. Many of the defense plants of the Soviet days are now closed.

Other Russian annalists have talked about shortages of high tech parts. needed for the construction modern generation weapon systems. I do believe though they will overcome much of these problems over time. But it is taking a whole new thinking on their part. Instead of requiring all parts be made in Russia. Now they are starting to import high tech production equipment. and even contracting out to other countries components for high end weapons systems.

They still need to stem the flow of their brain drain though. Iran, China, and even the U.S. are hiring away much of the young Russian talent. They might be able to stem some of that flow. By pouring lots of money into research programs at the universities. This is one tactic the U.S. is very good at.

The news report mentioned the S400 and S500 as examples. the S400 until recently was on Russia's export list. Supposedly it was pulled from export because of problems with the system. Russia having only 2 systems in service could signal this to be true. The S500 is defiantly many years out from production. And from what I have seen so far it will be comparable to the SM-3 block II already being fielded by the U.S.

But it is hard to say still since it has not made it off the drawing board. In the short term if I was Russia. I would actually look at buying from Europe, Israel and even the U.S. more.

 

[Thomas]

Anatoly Kornukov needs to lay off the vodka, 25-30 years behind? Which defences are 25-30 years ahead of the S-400? And several years from now who will be 25-30 years ahead of the S-500?

This is no different than Australian officials crying the F-35 is garbage.

Yea I do not think Russia is 25-30 years behind. But you are behind to some extent.

 

[Indiarox]

Russia’s air defense is not fit for purpose – military experts​

Published 13 May, 2010, 23:13

Edited 15 May, 2010, 05:51

Russia is lagging 25-30 years behind the U.S. in terms of air and space defense and can't resist a potential threat, say former high-ranking military officials.

The criticism comes from a former chief of Russia’s air force, Anatoly Kornukov, who sees the root of the problem in the meltdown of the defense industries in Russia, which have lost qualified personnel and key technologies, leaving the industrial plants in a “pitiful condition.”


In Soviet times, Kornukov said, it was widely known that Russian air defense systems were capable of shooting down 98% of intruding enemy planes. Now the figure has shrunk to 20%. Therefore, if North Korea or Iran launch an attack on Russia with short-range missiles, Russia will not be capable of shooting them down.

Kornukov is not the only person criticizing Russia’s armed forces. Another former big figure in the country’s military, Anatoly Sitnov, who used to be in charge of military equipment for the Defense Ministry, said that Russia’s army has lost 300 key technologies in air and space defense – for example, aircraft plants as well as factories for missile defense systems.

The country’s government representatives, however, said that the military forces have been growing stronger due to recent reforms and that they are currently developing S400 air defense missile systems which were on display during the Victory Day parade.

They added that they are developing a new S500 system which will have a greater range of 600 kilometers, and will be capable of dealing with 10 objects simultaneously.

Kornukov countered this by saying that the armed forces have only two S400 systems, while they are supposed to have at least 15. Therefore, they are behind schedule. Also, Kornukov said that S400 systems that were on display are outdated as they were made during the Soviet times and their lifetime is not indefinite. The reforms, Kornukov added, have crippled Russia’s air and space defense because they ruined the coordination between different parts and units.

Political analyst Viktor Mizin from the Moscow University of International Relations told RT that there is no reason to be concerned with the state of Russia’s military forces.

“I don’t see any reasons for this kind of panic,” he said. “We are not in a state of Cold War. Of course, the concept of protecting the country differs from that of the Soviet Union. Now we are protecting the major industrial centers, and S400 are doing their jobs well.”


Russia?s air defense is not fit for purpose ? military experts - RT

They are probably doin that to get the govt. to spend money on defense tats all

 

[ptldM3]

Yea I do not think Russia is 25-30 years behind. But you are behind to some extent.

If we look at the SM3 Block II missle we see it is very advanced, a range of 500km but i think it is just one missle warhead. When the S-500 comes out it will boast a range of 600km and have the ability to engage 10 targets at once. They say it should be ready in 2 years but to be safe lets say 5, lets also assume that the SM3 will evolve. engaging 10 targets is impressive, but lets say the SM3 is equal or better by the time the S-500 comes out, as it stands the spects of the S-500 seem insermountable but i will give the SM3 the benifit of the doubt and say it will edge it, but honestly how much better will it have to be to top 600km and 10 targets? This is where i think the artical is foolish, 25-30 years is just rediculous.

 

[Luftwaffe]

I will agree with Thomas..said that before members are are just angry and even disown russian general lol..but i would say russians are atleast 8-10 years behind us..

 

[Thomas]

If we look at the SM3 Block II missle we see it is very advanced, a range of 500km but i think it is just one missle warhead. When the S-500 comes out it will boast a range of 600km and have the ability to engage 10 targets at once. They say it should be ready in 2 years but to be safe lets say 5, lets also assume that the SM3 will evolve. engaging 10 targets is impressive, but lets say the SM3 is equal or better by the time the S-500 comes out, as it stands the spects of the S-500 seem insermountable but i will give the SM3 the benifit of the doubt and say it will edge it, but honestly how much better will it have to be to top 600km and 10 targets? This is where i think the artical is foolish, 25-30 years is just rediculous.

The SM-3 blk II has a greater range then the SM-3 blk I. So far the range seems to be classified though. I can't find it anywhere. It simply says that it is greater then the SM-3 blk I range of 500km.

As far as targets that will probably depend on if it is a sea or land based system. The sea based SM-3 uses the aegis weapons control system. That system can fire on a lot more then 10 targets at once. It would probably be a matter of how many MK-41 cells are loaded with SM-3.

The land based system will use a different Radar and fire control system. Not sure what that is going to be yet.

 

[ptldM3]

The SM-3 blk II has a greater range the the SM-3 blk I. So far the range seems to be classified though. I can't find it anywhere. It simply says that it is greater then the SM-3 blk I range of 500km.

As far as targets that will probably depend on if it is a sea or land based system. The sea based SM-3 uses the aegis weapons control system. That system can fire on a lot more then 10 targets at once. It would probably be a matter of how many MK-41 cells are loaded with SM-3.

The land based system will use a different Radar and fire control system. Not sure what that is going to be yet.

The S-500 will have 10 warheads in one missle. I don't know much about the SM-3, but i assume it opporates similarly to the S-500? Or is it a single missle per single taget?

The video ilistrates how it will work, just go to the 1:25 second mark.

 

[Thomas]

The S-500 will have 10 warheads in one missle.

hmmm, it appeared to me it was showing the S500 hitting 10 MIRV's. Not that the S500 has 10 warheads. Now that would be a pretty huge technological development. to fire a SAM that broke open and hit 10 different targets.