Additional S-400 Triumph missile air defense unit enters combat duty in Belarus.

The air defense deployed to protect the Belarusian air borders have become much more effective as another unit armed with S-400 Triumph missile systems has entered combat duty, BelTA learned on June 30 from the Defense Ministry.
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The air defense deployed to protect the Belarusian air borders have become much more effective as another unit armed with S-400 Triumph missile systems has entered combat duty (Picture source: Belta)

Commander of Belarus' Air Force and Air Defense of the Armed Forces Andrei Lukyanovich noted that June 30 was a landmark day not only for the unit that has entered combat duty but also for the Air Force and Air Defense: "A unit armed with most advanced S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems has entered combat duty. What is even more important is that it happened in the run-up to our most important holiday - the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus".

According to him, being fully armed is more important today than ever given the current difficult military and political situation around Belarus. "The personnel have taken a training course on how to use the modern equipment, honed their skills at the Kapustin Yar training ground and are ready to perform the main task facing the air defense forces" Andrei Lukyanovich stated.

Background

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko turned to his long-standing ally and only protector, Russia, for assistance to strenghthen its air defense. To increase its grip on the regime and country, the Russian government decided to provide their advanced S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems to their Belarusian counterparts. The Belarusian military, together with Russian experts, embarked on the task of setting up the S-400 air defense systems across the country. The process was meticulously planned and executed, ensuring every installation was strategically positioned to maximize defense capabilities.

The relationship between Belarus and Russia is growing stronger in the wake of the induction of the S-400 missile systems. Joint military exercises and collaboration between the two nations have become more frequent.

S-400 Triumf

The S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler), previously known as the S-300 PMU-3, is a mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed in the 1990s by Russia's NPO Almaz as an upgrade to the S-300 family. The S-400 went into service on 28 April 2007.

S-400 missile systems are organized around the 30K6E administration system, which can coordinate eight divisions (battalions). The 55K6E is a command and control center based on the Ural-532301 vehicle. The 91N6E is a panoramic radar detection system with a 600-kilometre (370 mi) range and protection against jamming, and is mounted on an MZKT-7930 vehicle. Six battalions of 98ZH6E surface-to-air missile systems (an independent combat system) can track no more than six targets on their own, with an additional two battalions if they are within a 40-kilometre (25 mi) range. The 92N6E (or 92N2E) is a multi-functional radar with a 400-kilometre (250 mi) range, which can track 100 targets. The 5P85TE2 transporter-erector-launcher and the 5P85SE2 on a trailer (up to 12 launchers) are used for launch. The 48N6E, 48N6E2, 48N6E3, 48N6DM, 9M96E, 9M96E2, and the ultra-long-range 40N6E missiles have been authorized by a Russian presidential decree.

Optional elements of the S-400 (98ZH6E) include the 15I6ME–98ZH6E, which extends coverage 30, 60 and 90 km (19, 38 and 57 mi) from that provided by the 30K6E. The 96L6E has a 300-kilometre (190 mi) detection range. The 40B6M is housing the 92N6E or 96L6E radar. The Protivnik-GE is an anti-stealth UHF radar with a 400-kilometre (250 mi) range. The Moscow-1 passive sensor is 2+1⁄2 times more effective than the Protivnik, with a 400-kilometre (250 mi) range Orion for a target-designation on-the-air defense system, and the Avtobaza-M and Orion+ Avtobaza add high-precision detection. The 1RL220BE versions were reportedly used for jamming. The 400-kilometre (250 mi)-range S-200D Dubna (SA-5c) missiles and S-300 P-family radar systems can be used without additional command-and-control centers. S-300 (SA-20A, SA-20B) missiles may also be guided. A-50 and A-50U aircraft provide early warning and command-and-control target designation.

The 30К6Е control system can be integrated with the S-400 Triumf 98ZH6E system; the S-300PMU2 (through the 83М6Е2 control system); the S-300PMU1 (through the 83М6Е control system); the Tor-M1 through the Ranzhir-M battery-command post; the Pantsir-S1 through the lead battery vehicle. The Protivnik-GE and Gamma-DE radars, integrated with the 92H6E radar system, enable communication between each battery with Baikal-E senior command posts and similar types; nearby 30К6Е, 83М6Е and 83М6Е2 administration systems; the Polyana-D4М1 command post; fighter-aircraft command post, and mobile long-range radars.

The system's VHF component provides sector search-and-tracking, with the X- and L-band components providing fine-tracking capability. Good placement of the radars relative to the threat axis enables the L- and X-band components to illuminate the incoming target from angles where the target radar cross-section (RCS) is sub-optimal. The RLM-S and RLM-D have better elevation-tracking accuracy than the RLM-M, and the Nebo-M should be capable of producing high-quality tracks suitable for mid-course guidance of modern surface-to-air missiles and trajectory guidance of legacy SAMs.

The Gamma-C1E SHF mobile radar station has a 300-kilometre (190 mi) detection range. The Nebo-M VHF mobile radar station and the Resonance-NE radar station have a detection range of 400 kilometres (250 mi), and 40 kilometres (25 mi) to a height of 500 metres (1,600 ft). All Nebo-family locators are doubled for army air defense. During the 1970s, the long-range mobile UHF 5H87, and SHF 5H69 low-altitude locators were used. A goal of the 1980s was detection at a height of 10 metres (33 ft) at a distance of 40 km (25 mi). The Elbrus-90 computer is used to control the system.

Missiles

In the Russian armed forces, one system comprising eight divisions (battalions) can control 72 launchers, with a maximum of 384 missiles (including missiles with a range of less than 250 km [160 mi]). A gas system launches missiles from launch tubes. At 30 metres (98 ft) downrange rocket motor ignition activates. In April 2015, a successful test firing of the missile was conducted at an airborne target at a range of 400 km (250 mi); Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs) carrying the long-range 40N6 may only hold two missiles instead of the typical four due to their large size. Another test recorded a 9M96 missile using an active radar homing head that reached a height of 56 km. All missiles are equipped with directed explosion warheads, which increases the probability of complete destruction of aerial targets but are less effective against ballistic targets. In 2016, Russian anti-aircraft missile troops received upgraded guided missiles for S-300 and S-400 defense systems. The anti-aircraft version of the missile system, designed to destroy aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles, can also be used against ground targets. The S-400 is able to intercept cruise missiles at a range of only about 40 km due to their low-altitude flight paths.

Defense News July 2023