At the time of the collapse of the USSR , the Ukrainian forces totaled one air defense army (8th separate) and four air armies, including those equipped with the latest S-300 air defense systems, Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters. However, during the short historical period, most of the weapons were sold, disposed of, or they are in malfunctioning. Recognizing 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Historical reference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, the 8th separate army included six large formations:
- 1st Air Defense Division (air defense), Crimea.
- 9th Far Eastern Military District, Poltava region
- 11th defense, east of the country.
- The 19th Far Eastern Defense District was covering Kiev.
- 21st Far Eastern Military District, Odessa region
- 28th Air Defense Corps, western Ukraine.
Radio engineering brigades were based in Kharkov, Lviv, Sevastopol, Vasilkov and Odessa. In 1992, the air defense forces consisted of 132 anti-aircraft missile divisions, combined into 18 regiments and brigades. The connections were manned and dispersed in such a way as to reliably cover the largest industrial centers, independently of each other.
Current state
After 20 years, Ukraine’s air defense is still a formidable force, but due to the presence of a large number of obsolete weapons, the defense potential is significantly weakened. The radars left over from the times of the USSR still allow you to control airspace. However, the lack of spare parts and the conflict in the southeast affected the operation of a number of tracking stations. In particular, radars in Lugansk and Avdeevka were damaged, and control over stations in the Crimea was lost for well-known reasons.
By the beginning of the 2000s, powerful but obsolete S-75 and S-125 missile systems were removed from service. In 2013, it was the turn to “cover” the S-200 air defense systems of various modifications. The last was the division of the S-200V air defense division of the 540th Lviv Regiment.
Of particular concern is the inadequate training of the Ukrainian air defense forces. They do not conduct practical firing here after the incident with a passenger plane accidentally shot down in 2001. Only 10% of the personnel have shooting skills.
Prospects
At the moment, the country's air defense does not have long-range anti-aircraft systems. Given this fact, the government has set the task in 2016 to begin a large-scale modernization of air defense, including air defense systems and radar stations.
The main obstacle is an acute shortage of funds. Purchasing modern anti-aircraft weapons from Western partners will be very expensive. In addition, due to political reasons, foreign countries are not in a hurry to sell high-precision weapons to the Ukrainian army. The solution would be to purchase cheaper, but reliable air defense systems (including mobile ones) from Russia, but the tensions between the neighbors did 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 are skeptical of the idea of “resuscitation” of obsolete weapons.
Air protection
Ukrainian air defense has a clear management structure. Anti-aircraft missile troops and radio-technical troops are responsible for the operation of radar systems and air defense systems, whose task is to protect the country's airspace. These structures are subordinate to the Air Force of Ukraine.
Air defense units use the S-300PT anti-aircraft missile systems (NATO classification SA-10a Grumble), S-300B1 (SA-12a Gladiator), S-300PS (SA-10b Grumble), Buk (SA- 11 Getfly). According to data from open sources, in 2010 there were 11 S-300PS installations and 16 S-300PT installations. The latter have actually worked out a resource. According to experts, only 8 S-300PS divisions are able to carry combat duty.
A difficult situation is developing with providing anti-aircraft systems with weapons. Air defense missiles for the S-300 systems of the 5V55 model have long developed a resource, and in the country their production has not been 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:
- early warning means: 36 lips .;
- radar installations 36D6: 20;
- Radar detection 64N6: 9;
- training grounds: 3.
Current positions for air defense systems:
- for S-125 systems: 2 positions;
- S-200: 5;
- S-300PS: 12;
- S-300PT: 16;
- "S-300V1": 1.
Inactive (reserve) positions for air defense systems:
- For S-75 systems: 58 items;
- "2K12": 1;
- S-125: 16;
- S-200: 11;
- S-300P: 19.
Early warning
The air defense of Ukraine has a developed early warning system. It is provided by various radars located throughout the country. Their positions typically 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) ones, which are designed to expand the network or relocate funds in case of need.
20 positions of the 36D6 radar (Tin Shield) and 8 positions of the 64N6 radar (Big Bird) provide target identification and combat control functions for the national air defense network. Troops provide ground and air cover for strategic targets. The 36D6 and 64H6 radars are positioned to provide duplicate coverage. These systems are able to control virtually the entire airspace of Ukraine, as well as significant sections of the Black and Azov Seas.
SAM "S-200V"
Armament of air defense of Ukraine includes systems of different radius of action. The S-200 systems are the most long-range (up to 250 km) of the anti-aircraft missile forces of Ukraine. Until recently, 5 active S-200 batteries provided protection for the airspace of almost the entire eastern region of the country between Kharkov and Lugansk. The last 11 inactive S-200 positions remain, although they are likely to be used to locate mobile assets such as the S-300PS. The government plans to return the modernized installations to operation in 2016-18, due to the lack of an alternative to long-range complexes.
The Ministry of Defense officially claimed that it was using a S-200V 250-km radius, but falling into the Russian airliner over the Black Sea with the erroneously launched S-200 missile in October 2001 could indicate that the S-200D complex was operating 300 km range.
SAM "S-300P"
Although the S-200 systems have a large range, the S-300P air defense system is still the most capable and numerous. There are 27 active batteries of the S-300P series: 16 batteries are equipped with S-300PT systems, and 12 are equipped with S-300P systems.
Installations are deployed so 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 previously Sevastopol) - by at least 5 batteries. Several complexes cover the western border.
A fully equipped S-300PT air defense missile system has 12 launchers, while a fully equipped S-300PS air defense battery has 8 launchers. Each battery is equipped with a 5N63 or 5N63C radar, as well as a radar for determining low-flying targets 5N66 or 5N66M. Both radar systems typically use the 40B6 series mast mast.
The capital, Kiev is the only place that remains protected by a complete set of batteries of the S-300P series. All 6 positions remain valid, 4 use the S-300PT, and two use the 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 active batteries each. Dnepropetrovsk is protected by four existing S-300PT batteries.
Tactical SAM
There are two tactical air defense systems, which are included in the Ukrainian air defense network. APUs use Buk 9K37 and S-300V1 systems. Some of these systems are subordinated to air defense forces, and part to other combat arms. Mobile complexes are designed to cover strategic industrial enterprises, public and political facilities, military groups.
The Defense Ministry claims that the ground forces use the Buk-M variant, and the Ukrainian air forces use the Buk-M1. The Ministry of Defense also claims that the army is using the S-300B1 (Gladiator) modification, indicating that Ukraine does not have the S-300B2 (Giant) system capable of shooting down ballistic missiles.
Coverage area
The Ukrainian air defense network was inherited from the USSR. Air defenses are designed to protect key populated areas and geographical regions. The capital of Kiev, the key industrial clusters with a center in Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Nikolaev and Odessa, is most densely covered. Some batteries are dispersed throughout the country.
According to the generals, the country is no longer threatened by the war against NATO, respectively, the Ukrainian troops have reduced the number of aircraft and air defense systems. Although the air defense network has significantly decreased in size since the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine still remains equipped enough to protect itself from an air attack.
Tactics and Strategy
Mobile devices such as S-300PS, Buk, and S-300B1 can operate where they are needed - almost anywhere in the country. The 64N6 and 36D6 radar stations provide anti-aircraft systems with support for controlling combat and determining targets, regardless of where they are located, thanks to a wide network of early warning equipment. Since the S-300PS air defense systems are usually located at prepared sites, a large network of inactive sites and structures are potential positions for deploying missile systems. In Ukraine there are more than 100 inactive (reserve) air defense positions of various configurations.
Obsolete models have a certain potential. While the S-200 is not well suited to attack maneuverable, subtle or low flying targets, the system can prevent reconnaissance or other large military aircraft from approaching the airspace of Ukraine. Perhaps this is due to their alleged return to duty after certain modifications. The military has no special plans regarding the retired S-300PT air defense systems of the 70s.
Further development
For 2016-2017, it is planned to modernize the air defense of Ukraine. The S-200 and S-300PS systems will require replacement in 2016-2020. Even without taking into account the service life, the best days of "S-300PS" and "S-200" were left behind. Due to the constant development of tactical means of ECM (Radio-electronic suppression), SEAD / DEAD (combating enemy air defense) and other factors, these SAM systems do not meet the trend of the times.
An import substitution project is being developed for both individual units / weapons for old complexes, and the creation of our own product using components of Ukrainian enterprises and foreign partners.
Radar systems
Ukraine is one of the few manufacturers in the world engaged in the development and production of closed-circuit radars. However, the vast majority of equipment and weapons of the Ukrainian army is represented by outdated models. At best - modernized. The fleet of radio-technical weapons is made up of radars with a nomenclature numbering several generations of samples, means of automation of control and processing of radar information of various types by design.
According to the estimates of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, with the funds allocated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2016, significant expenditures are directed to air defense. It is planned to purchase 28 radar stations and upgrade six units. However, the need of the armed forces for new and modernized radars is much greater and amounts to about two hundred units. In fact, today the state of the air defense system, primarily the anti-aircraft missile forces and radar stations of the radio technical troops, leaves hope for the best. And this is against the background of the fact that Ukraine has its own manufacturers who are able to offer their own modern solutions to ensure control of domestic airspace.
To date, a large number of P-18M, P-18MA (P-19MA) radars remained in the troops. Thanks to NPO Aerotechnika and HC Ukrspetstekhnika, these stations not only remained in operation, but also underwent modernization. In addition, new ones appeared.
Radar "Malachite"
The new army of Ukraine urgently needs modern radars, such as Malachite. This system is called the modernization of the Soviet P-18 station, but in many ways it is quite different from its predecessor. Specialists of HC "Ukrspetstekhnika" made fundamental changes, and today it is a completely new station. “Malachite” implements digital signal processing, combining it with modern ACS, implements noise immunity, the near detection zone is reduced to 2.5 km, the antenna tilt is increased relative to the horizontal position within + 15 / -15 degrees, etc. “Malachite” has detection range of up to 400 km, that is, the station detects and tracks targets much better and further than all the radars currently operating in Ukraine.
The capabilities of the complex were positively assessed by the leadership of the Ukrainian defense department. As a result, the radar station was not only adopted, but also put into the army. According to the management of Ukrspetstekhnika, as of April 2015, about a dozen Malachite radars were handed over to the troops.
Some stations were transferred to Ukrainian sailors who operate the system in conditions of a different underlying surface, different from the Soviet P-18. Operation in the sea showed that the station successfully solves the tasks of tracking air targets within its characteristics, as well as surface targets in the line of sight. That is, the 12-mile zone, which is under the scrutiny of military sailors, is freely controlled by the Malachite radar.
Radar "MR-1"
The new radar station of the meter range, marked "MR-1", was created by the NPK Iskra enterprise. Designers have implemented all the latest achievements of scientific thought, aimed at leveling the value of stealth technology (stealth).
“MR-1” was created both for autonomous operation and for functioning as part of regional ACS of the Ukrainian Air Defense Administration. The radar is capable of detecting, tracking and measuring the azimuth, range, and height of the target, despite the effect of interference.
The disadvantage of the old stations was the need to install a separate turbogenerator on 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 mobility of the station. After 5-10 minutes of operation, it is necessary to relocate the radar to a new position. In “MG-1” the operator works without leaving the cab, controls the work, monitors the air situation through an indicator. The station, using available radio communications in digital format, automatically transmits the air situation to the air defense control centers of the SV type PU-15 or PU-12. In addition, the MG-1 station is capable of accurately measuring the height of targets, which makes the system 3-coordinate. The instrumental working range is 400 km. The project is under development.
Radar "Pelican"
The three-coordinate circular survey station 79K6 (export version - 80K6) Pelican began to be developed in 1992 by the SPK Iskra. Only in 2007 the radar was adopted by the Armed Forces. All radar equipment is located on one transport unit.
The appearance of the 79K6 radar in the Ukrainian army made it possible to independently use the S-300PT / PS anti-aircraft missile divisions. In addition, it is possible to use 79K6 in a brigade structure (6 divisions). According to the main tactical and technical characteristics, the 80K6 radar is at the level of foreign counterparts, and its cost is at least half as much as that of 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 issue of equipping troops with modern radio-technical means and air defense systems is quite relevant today. This makes it possible to ensure control of the airspace of Ukraine and give orders to domestic industry.