In 2011, a new State armament program for 2011-2020 was adopted (the timing of its implementation in connection with the economic crisis is likely to continue). Within the framework of the Program, large-scale re-equipment and modernization of existing weapons are carried out. Not the least role in the re-equipment of the Russian Armed Forces is played by missiles.
Equipping the Armed Forces with missiles
At the end of 2014, the chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov summed up the results of the modernization of the army over the past year. In terms of missile equipment, he noted that Russia received thirty-eight intercontinental ballistic missiles. Air defense regiments replenished with modern anti-aircraft missiles. Two brigades rearmament on Iskander-M.
He also spoke about the supply of equipment to the navy, namely: the Novorossiysk submarine, the Severodvinsk submarine with cruise missiles, the Uglich and Grad Sviyazhsk small missile ships. In addition, a system is being improved that warns of a missile attack.
How did the Iskander appear?
They first learned about Iskander at the MAKS-99 exhibition at the aerospace show in Zhukovsky, Moscow Region. Sergei Ivanov, who at that time was the Minister of Defense of Russia, noted that this missile system would be purchased already starting in 2005.
The predecessor of Iskander was the 9K714 Oka missile system, developed under the guidance of a designer with a significant surname S.P. Invincible. The fate of the Oka, however, was deplorable.
In 1987, the presidents of the USSR and the USA Gorbachev and Reagan signed the Treaty on the Elimination of Short and Medium-Range Missiles. The nuclear-type continental arms race was discontinued, but due to the actions of the leadership of the USSR, the most important weapons systems for the country's defense were subject to restrictions. "Oka" was listed first on this list and fell under destruction. In 1989, two hundred missiles and one hundred and two launchers were destroyed.
"Iskander" hysteria
The disciples of the Invincible managed to revive the complex, which was called "Iskander" (which means "winner" in Tatar). The new complex, of course, has the best tactical and technical characteristics in comparison with its predecessor. However, all the original ideas embodied in the Oka have been continued and developed in Iskander.
The political elite of the West was brought into a state of extreme excitement by the mention of the Iskander’s deployment in Russia, in the Kaliningrad Region, on November 5, 2008. This excitement was akin to what they feel when they mention the Syrian chemical or Iranian nuclear weapons. Since then, the R-500 Iskander rocket began to sober up NATO and the United States in situations where the protracted debate was about to end.
But why such a reaction? What is the matter here? But the fact is that medium-range missiles of the Iskander complex are practically elusive. This is due to several factors. For example:
- A cruise missile is capable of maneuvering with incredible overloads, which no interceptor missile in the world is able to achieve today.
- Even if the previous paragraph were possible, then detecting it with standard means of radar is unrealistic.
- Iskander is capable of throwing targets specifically to mislead the enemy, as well as to establish radio interference and jam all emitters that are guided by the missile defense system.
Thus, any object located at a distance of up to five hundred kilometers can be destroyed by the Iskander complex by almost one hundred percent.
There are three types of operational tactical missiles: Iskander-E, Iskander-M and Iskander-K.
Iskander-E
This system is specially designed for export. Its main characteristics are as follows: range - two hundred eighty kilometers with a mass of the main part of four hundred and eighty kilograms; flight speed - 2100 m / s.
The missile system includes a single-stage rocket, a self-propelled launcher, command post and transport and loading machines, a mobile point for information training, mobile units that provide technical and domestic plans, arsenal and training kits.
Iskander-M
This version of "Iskander" is the main, more complex, for domestic use. On its basis, an export version was developed - Iskander-E.
Iskander-M is not so noticeable compared to the previous one and is able to better maneuver both at the start and in the final stage of the flight. Its guidance system is combined, with optical and laser homing, radio correction and GPS.
R-500 rocket
They are used in the Iskander-M missile system. And the R-500 cruise missiles have been developed since 1998.
These missiles weigh four hundred and eighty kilograms, operate at a distance of five hundred kilometers with a flight duration of twenty-four minutes, at a speed of two hundred thirty to two hundred and sixty kilometers per second. Although the cruise missile was originally intended for Iskander-M, it was later adapted to the Iskander later developed. The first tests with an improved complex took place in Kapustin Yar in 2007. There, the R-500 rocket demonstrated all its excellent characteristics.
The missile control system, most likely, is based on the basis of GPS and digital computers. The warhead does not separate. The launch system operates in conjunction with space navigation systems. Sighting data is automatically entered into rockets that are in a horizontal position inside the SPU. Data entry is quick and can be adjusted before launch.
Earth to Earth
Land-to-ground missiles are rockets that are used to hit targets on the ground and are also launched from the ground. This name, along with the use of the term “air-to-air”, etc., is used only in Russia, and was previously used in the USSR. Thus, according to Russian terminology, Iskander R-500 missiles are ground-to-ground missiles. In other countries, they are called simply tactical or operational tactical.
Iskander-K
A more advanced version of Iskander-M was developed in 2012. It was called Iskander-K. Its medium-range missiles are equipped, as on the R-37, with bearing surfaces. Thus, it is possible to quickly and accurately shoot on a flat trajectory. R-500 rocket is capable of flying at six meters height. She has a combined seeker and interchangeable warheads. The complex can launch two missiles for different purposes with a break of one minute.
The combination of "Iskander"
According to military experts, if both Iskander-M and Iskander-K are used at the same time, a synergistic effect is obtained that none of the missile defense systems can counteract. When the Iskander of one type and having the same characteristics, but flying at a six-meter height, the Iskander of another type, which is extremely maneuverable, flying at hypersonic speed, is directed toward the same target, it will be hit with the highest probability.
Placement of Iskanders
The United States immediately reacted through all communication channels as soon as Russia placed the Iskander system in the Kaliningrad region, urging it not to destabilize the situation in Europe. Poland and Latvia also expressed their concern on this issue, saying that such actions, they say, do not lead to the desire for closer interaction and cooperation with NATO and the European Union. The reaction of Azerbaijan is also interesting after these missiles were delivered to Armenia. All the aggressive rhetoric that had taken place before that moment on his part immediately ceased.
In the summer of 2014, after the annexation of Crimea to Russia, the president approved the deployment of complexes in Crimea. R-500 cruise missiles with the Iskander complex could not leave indifferent Europe and the United States. And their reaction was already habitually loud and offended. After all, the appearance of such formidable weapons at the Black Sea radically changed the balance of forces with NATO.
The President of the Russian Federation is accused that such a decision is cynical and insidious. It supposedly gives Russia the opportunity to approach NATO bases.
NATO has nothing to answer to Iskander. Hence the violent reaction of the West to the relocation of Russian complexes within its territory. However, ten years ago it was said that in response to the NATO air defense and missile defense, Iskander missile systems will be deployed near the Russian borders. And so it happened. An unpleasant surprise for NATO was the possible double deployment of Iskander: in the Kaliningrad region and in the Crimea.