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Date Posted: 17-Sep-2004

JANE’S MISSILES AND ROCKETS – OCTOBER 01, 2004

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New S-400 variant may use S-300V long-range missile
According to the Russian newspaper Vremya Novostei, the Almaz-Antei consortium has developed a new surface-to-air missile system designated Samoderzhets (Autocrat), writes Doug Richardson. This new system has been described as being fifth-generation, the term fourth-generation having been used to describe the S-400 Triumf.

In January 2004, the newspaper had quoted Antei designers as stating that a new fifth-generation SAM system would be available by 2012, but this is unlikely to have been a reference to Samoderzhets, since the latter will apparently be available on a much shorter timescale. The newspaper suggested that if Russian military forces are re-equipped with Samoderzhets, the S-400 could be released for export, meeting the international demand for higher-performance SAM systems.

No details of the new Samoderzhets system were revealed, but other reports in the Russian press have suggested that it may combine the ground systems, radar, and 9M96 and 9M96/2 missiles of the S-400 with the long-range 9M82M missile originally developed for the S-300VM Antei-2500.

Deployment of the S-400 has been hindered by delays in developing the system’s long-range missiles, which are being developed by Fakel. Trials had to begin using the 48N6 long-range missile used by the S-300P (SA-10 ‘Grumble’).

The 40km-range 9M96 (export designation 9M96E) and 120km-range 9M96/2 (export designation 9M96E2), and the ground-based radar, fire-control and launch systems are now ready, but development of the 400km-range 40N6 has been delayed by various problems, including lack of funding.

During the MAKS 2003 exhibition in Moscow it was reported that state trials of the 40N6 were expected to continue through 2004, in the hope that the S-400 could finally enter service some time in 2005. Although the S-400 had recently completed a series of trials using the 48N6, it would not be deployed with these missiles, which have only a limited capability against ballistic-missile threats.

To create the Samoderzhets, Almaz-Antei may have taken the heavy 9M82M missile that was developed for the S-300VM and repackaged this into the S-400 launcher. This change of platform should not impose undue technical risk, since it substitutes a wheeled launcher in place of the tracked launcher that the 9M82M was designed to use.

The 9M82M missile has a maximum range of 200km against large aircraft targets and can engage ballistic missiles re-entering at speeds of up to 4.5km/s. The latter velocity is associated with missiles with a range of 2,500km. Its warhead creates 20g fragments intended to improve the kill performance against incoming re-entry vehicles.

At a press conference held on 18 August, 2004, Colonel General Yuri Vasilyevich Solovyov, commander of the Special Task Command Troops, said that the S-400 was still undergoing tests, but was expected to enter service with the Moscow region anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence forces some time in 2005. Speaking to the newspaper Trud a week later, he described the S-400 as “a very expensive and sophisticated weapon, which is why its testing is delayed. We plan to receive the first complexes next year. I don’t know how many complexes we will have”.

Col Gen Solovyov also said that during trials conducted at the Ashuluk testing ground in 2003 and 2004, the S-300PM Favorit SAM system had been tested against simulated ballistic-missile targets. He described the target as a shell 2m long, 220mm in diameter and with a radar cross-section of only 0.01m2. After reaching an altitude of 60km, this descended as a speed of 800m/s. (In practice, this speed is not particularly challenging, being about half that of a Scud-class missile.)

– In April 2004, Air Marshal Vladimir Mikhailov, commander of the Russian Air Force, was reported as stating that a new extended-range missile was being developed for the S-300 (Sa-10 ‘Grumble’). Intended to improve the system’s missile-defence capabilities, it would be offered for export.

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Plus, some more info on the new S-300PMU2 deal.

JANE’S MISSILES AND ROCKETS – OCTOBER 01, 2004

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China to buy more S-300 SAMs from Russia
David C Isby

China will make a substantial additional purchase of S-300 (SA-10/20) series surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems in the near future, writes David C Isby. The size of the contract has not been announced, but reports in the Russian press indicate that it will be for between four and eight 12-launcher battalions with full equipment. The proposed deal has been agreed by Rosoboronexport and the Chinese Defence Ministry, and a contract is due to be signed by the end of 2004. It is expected to be worth around US$900 million.

In 1993, China placed its first order for the S-300 system, ordering two battalions of S-300PMU. In 1994, a further order was placed for four battalions of the improved S-300PMU1, which incorporates better subsystems such as the 48N6E missile and the 30N6 version of the ‘Flap Lid’ engagement radar.

A third contract, probably signed in 2001, covered four further S-300PMU1 battalions. Deliveries under this last contract were completed in August 2004. China’s most recent S-300 test firing was conducted in July 2004, but there was no indication of the version used.

Although most of China’s existing systems are S-300PMU1, Beijing has being trying to acquire the S-300PMU2 for several years. This variant includes the longer-ranged 48N6E2 missile, the 30N6E2 version of the ‘Flap Lid’ engagement radar and the 64N6E2 version of the ‘Tombstone’ surveillance radar.

Early in 2004 it was reported that China’s next purchase might be of S-300PMU1 systems incorporating some PMU2 technology. Russian press reports of the latest deal describe the systems as S-300PMU, but a report in Jane’s Defence Weekly (27 August 2004) says that the contract will be for eight battalions of S-300PMU2, making China the first export customer for the system.

Most if not all of the earlier Chinese S-300 procurements had involved a 50:50 combination of payment and barter, but the proposed new contract would be a cash purchase.

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Who knows the REAL weapons integrated with Su-30MKI? I know the Russian specifications enlisting R-73, R-27/R-27E and R-77 (RVV-AE) AAMs plus Kh-25MPU, Kh-29L, Kh-31A/P, Kh-59M and KAB-500Kr air-to-ground missiles. No problem with AAMs. According to UN conventional weapons register, India bought several hundreds R-27 missiles, 30 R-77s in 1999, 120 R-77s in 2000, maybe some later (no data for 2002 and 2003). But, until 2001 (including) India didn’t receive any air-to-ground missiles for Su-30MKI. Are there any Kh-29, Kh-31, Kh-59M or KAB-500 in India?

Of all people, I thought you would know, PiBu! 🙂

From what I can make out, China has ordered 3 batches of Tor-M1s. She approached Russia in 1998 or so to discuss production of up to 160 units to equip some 10 regiments, but whether that has gone through is unknown.

~ Sept. 1998, ordered 15 units (about 1 regiment) of Tor-M1s. About 16 units to a regiment.

~ July 1999-2000, ordered 20 more units, some as partial debt repayment.

~ 2002, 3rd batch of 25 units.

So that’s 60 units x 8 missiles per launcher = 480 missiles. How many reserve launchers and missiles per ‘unit’?

Google made a computation of 1000 missiles and over based on past purchases, plus backup stock included on the contract. That’s in the one of the threads in the missile forum. (Guess which). Roughly 1500 is the figure if you include the recent S-300PMU2 purchase, but of course those missiles will only be delivered next year.

I was just about to post that here….

The 54K6E2 battle management post can control the S-300PMU and S-300PMU1 in operation around Beijing, making it more effective in uniting the air-defense networks.

History of Chinese S-300 ADS purchases;

1) First, in 1993 with S-300PMU comprising 2 missile battalions. A total of 32 launching units/trucks, with a double ammunition reserve of 5V55R (with radar homing warhead), and a software mod to allow the Favorit to control the 5V55R. Cost was $220 million, 65% through barter goods, and the rest in hard currency. So that’s 32x(4 missiles per truck), + 2x(32×4) = 384 missiles total + unknown local production?

2) Second contract in 1994, for 4 missile battalions of S-300PMU1s with 32 launch units, plus a reserve of 196 48N6E missiles. Hard currency paid for half, the other half through barter. Hmm, the Russians really like to barter. No info on extra ammunition reserves? Contract was about $400 million

3) Third contract, which just finished, cost about $440 million. 4 missile battalions of the S-300PMU1A third contract, with 32 launch units and a reserve of 198 48N6E missiles.

So that’s 384 5V55R missiles, and (256+196+198) = 650 48N6E missiles.

I suppose the reserve missiles are also mounted on TELs?

So that’s 384 5v55R + 650 48N6E = 1034 missiles

So the latest PMU-2 deal involves 64 8×8 TEL/TLCs 4 missiles each, plus an additional reserve of 41 48N6E2 missiles. So that’s 297 + 1034 = 1331 total mssiles. And if you include the reserve missiles as being mounted on TEL/TLCs as well, then that’s about 333 mobile launch units, not including supporting units as well.

I’d like to know how many Tor units they have.

PL-12 or SD-10 it seems.

The old picture does not have rings on the missile located on that same hardpoint.

Note the AAM on the wingtip—it’s a type I have not seen before. I believe it may be a possible scoop—the next generation PLAAF IR-AAM.

This Su-27 model resides in SAC’s company exhibition hall.

The website I got it from has even more “disturbing” news.

Now tell me what you think?

Haven’t had time to read the article, but I was thinking the same thing about the IR-AAM. Afterall, Jane’s M&R reported a new dogfight missile being worked on to replace the PL-9.

Oh yeah baby. The latest in evil Chinese plans (tweaking me long whiskers with very long nails).

Guess these missiles are hanging on whose mockup of what plane in whose corporate office. (Might be your first serious clue as to the next generation of PLA AAM and PGM).

Holy !@#@. That looks like the same model that we saw last time at the SAC exhibition, but with a different armament. Is that an SD-10 hanging off the rails?

You mean your fu manchu beard? 🙂