The 3K95 “Kinzhal” (Russian: Кинжал – dagger) is the naval version of the Tor missile system developed by Altair and has the NATO reporting name SA-N-9 Gauntlet. Using the same 9M330 missile as the land based version, the system can be mounted on vessels displacing over 800 tonnes and is known to be installed on Admiral Kuznetsov class aircraft carriers, Kirov class multimission cruisers, Udaloy class anti-submarine destroyers and Neustrashimy class frigates. The naval version of the later Tor-M1 is known as the “Yozh” (Russian: Ёж – hedgehog), while the export version of the Kinzhal is known as “Klinok” (Russian: Клинок – blade).

Despite starting testing earlier than its terrestrial counterpart, the naval variant, Kinzhal, had a more protracted development.[2] After an extended testing period using a Project 1124 Grisha class corvette (including the engagement and destruction of four P-5 Pyatyorka (SSC-1a Shaddock) anti-ship missiles in 1986[46]) Kinzhal finally entered service in 1989.

Stored within rotary VLS modules, the missiles are clustered into launchers comprising three to six modules (32 (Neustrashimy), 64 (Udaloy) or 192 (Kuznetsov, Kirov) missiles) and mounted flush to the deck. Each module has up to eight missiles stored ready to fire; during firing the missile is cold launched using a gas catapult before the launcher brings the next round to a firing position.[47]

SA-N-9 firing from the Kirov class cruiser Frunze.
Fire control (FC) is handled by the 3R95 multi-channel FC system, (NATO reporting name Cross Swords), composed of two different radar sets, a G-band target acquisition radar (maximum detection range 45 km/28 mi,[47]) and a K-band target engagement radar, (maximum tracking range 15 km/9 mi[citation needed]) that handles the actual prosecution of a target.

Using two top mounted, mechanically scanned, parabolic target acquisition radars, the fire control system provides a 360 degree field of view, as well as IFF. The target engagement radar is a Passive electronically scanned array antenna of the reflection type mounted on the front of the fire control system with a 60 degree field of view.[46] Much like its land based sibling, the target engagement radar can track and guide eight missiles on up to four targets at once and is effective to a range of 1.5–12 km and an altitude of 10–6000 m.[47] The system has a reaction time of 8–24 seconds[citation needed], depending on the mode of operation, and is managed by a crew of 13.[47] Additional missile guidance antennae can be seen around the fire control system and the 3K95, like the upgraded Tor launchers, is equipped with a secondary infrared guidance system. The 3R95 can also provide fire control information for the vessels AK-630 close in weapons systems (CIWS) providing a second line of defence should anything penetrate the missile layer.[46

]

Just like this system which can direct missiles at multiple targets , can the other systems too ?

MiG-21s could still be found in a few regiments in the mid-late 80s, but most of the fleet had already been replaced in the 70s.

Most were gone by 1990. Back in those days the Soviet Air Force was massive. MiG-29 were mainly deployed in the West, and were not enough to replace MiG-21/23.

In the link below you can find a summary of the VVS and PVO regiments, together with the aircraft they operated.

http://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/iap/iap.htm

In the mid-late 80s the following regiments were still equipped with MiG-21s:

– 18th Guards Vitebskiy twice Red Banner order of Suvorov Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment
– 27th Guards Vyborgskiy Red Banner Fighter Aviation Regimen
– 104th Fighter Aviation Regiment
– 15th Guards Orshanskiy orders of Kutuzov and Aleksandr Nevskiy Fighter Aviation Regiment
– 145th Fighter Aviation Regiment
– 159th Guards Novorossiyskiy Red Banner order of Suvorov Fighter Aviation Regiment
– 927th Kenigsbergskiy Red Banner order of Aleksandr Nevskiy Fighter Aviation Regiment
– 192nd order of Kutuzov Fighter Aviation Regiment
– 308th Fighter Aviation Regiment PVO
– 343rd Instructor Fighter Aviation Regiment
– 15th Pomeranskiy order of Bogdan Khmelnitskiy Fighter Aviation Regiment
– 582nd Fighter Aviation Regiment
– 582nd Fighter Aviation Regiment

Note that not all were equipped with MiG-21bis.

Thanks a lot !
I think one reason why Mig-21bis may be in service along with other later versions is that they could be used as point defence interceptors in Eastern Europe where distances were not too much and lack of BVR was not a huge disadvantage.NATO had several aircraft with F-5A and Mirage 5 in service as well

Video from 1990 showing Japanese P-3C launching Harpoon.

Video description.

See table on page 53 of following book.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=isbn:019829137X

Thank you very much just ordered this book

This may appear like a contradiction, once the escort ships would be capable to shoot down the ASCM by SAM( Surface Air Missiles) and most likely by jamming the active radar seekers from ASCM, so it should make more sense those escort ships were classified as priority targets, after all it first missions should be eliminates the air defenses from the enemy, in sequence to reach the mains targets from adversary.

However each ASCM has been launched against an escort vessel would be also one less against an Aircraft Carriers or transports ships, beyond that the escort vessels should be a lot more difficult targets to hit in reason that are: smaller, faster and maneuverable in general than Aircraft Carriers and transports.

But the more important aspect from escort vessels that it has been equipped for long time with ECM and chaffs launchers, as well the air defenses in layers, or in this case of short range air defenses( SAM, CIWS) would be quite effective against large missiles as ASCM that could be fired directly against the escort vessels

thanks again for the replies
regarding the use of AS 4 and AS 6 against escorts I completely agree with the logic ( atleast in the 70s and 80s ) when most of the destroyers and frigates did not carry AEGIS system or nuclear tomahawaks ( atleast not the allied navy ships , US might have)

but lets say in the 80s its a flotilla of japanease destroyers ( 4 or so) armed with sea sparrow and CIWS for defence and no air cover ( no AEGIS) , they are tracked and attacked by a regiment of Tu-16 Badger G or backfire B each with 1 AS-4/6.Dont you think launching 10 missiles against every ship will be sufficient to saturate its defences ? plus these are big birds so even one hit will cripple an escort easily