The flares were dropped automatically – there was no warning system or anything they were linked to. Flare dispensers had various settings, either fully manual (one press on the button = one flare), semi-automatic (one press on the button = your flare dispenser starts launching an X number of flares at a certain interval) or fully automatic (an series of flares is launched during certain pre-programmed parts of the flight, for example during landing or when climbing out of a target).
And indeed they didn’t have RWRs. The Mujaheddeen obviously didn’t have radar-guided missiles (in case you guys forgot, an RWR doesn’t notice it when an IR missile is launched), so it wasn’t necessary.
The big jammers were flown in support of the Backfires indeed because there was a lack of low-key EW. Even though the Tu-22M3s did have RWRs, their jamming capability was not.
If this doesn’t convince you PLA; please show me where your alleged RWR antenna on the 1980s MiG-23ML or Su-22M4 are. I have plenty of drawings if you need those to point them out :p
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