VKS grouping in Syria. Quantity and quality. Russian Aviation Composition of the VKS group in Syria

A source:
https://rusi.org/publication/rusi-defence-systems/detailing-russian-forces-syria
Note:  The division of the 120th Guards ABR is confirmed by our Defense Ministry.

So, Sutyagin reports:

Ground troops:

1. The battalion tactical group of the 810th Marine Brigade (Sevastopol) - the 542nd separate airborne assault battalion, headquarters and command and control units - about 580 people.
No comments

2. 162nd separate reconnaissance battalion of the 7th airborne assault division (Novorossiysk) - about 320 people.

3. The reconnaissance battalion of the 74th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (Yurga) - about 440 people.

4. The battalion tactical group of the 27th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (Moscow) - two motorized rifle and tank companies - about 300 people.

5. The special battalion, probably the 3rd Special Forces Brigade (Togliatti); it is also possible that this battalion belongs to the 22nd Guards Br Br SPN (Rostov-on-Don) - 230 people.

6. Sniper team of TsSN "Senezh" (Solnechnogorsk) - the quantity is unknown.
No comments

7. Howitzer division of the 120th Guards Artillery Brigade (Kemerovo, more precisely Yurga) - eighteen 2A65 Msta-B, 270 people.
Note.  MO confirmed the 5th howitzer brigade battery in the area of \u200b\u200bthe settlement Hamrat (Homs)

8. Two batteries MLRS 9A52 "Smerch", the 439th Guards Missile and Artillery Brigade (Znamensk, Astrakhan Region) is supposed to be - 4 installations, 50-60 people.
No comments

9. Howitzer battery of the 8th artillery regiment (Simferopol) - six towed howitzers 2A65 Msta-B, seventy people.
Note.  No comments

10. A flamethrower battery from the 20th regiment of the Russian Chechen-Chemical Plant (Nizhny Novgorod) - six TOS-1A "Solntsepek", thirty people.

11. EW Rota - six R-330B launchers, three R-378B radio interference stations and six SPR-2 "Mercury-B" jamming stations, the 64th motorized rifle brigade (Khabarovsk), about sixty people, is expected.
No comments

12. EW Rota - the Rubella-4 complex (in two vehicles), the 17th EW brigade (Nizhneudinsk) is supposed to be about twenty people.
No comments

The total number of the land component of the Russian group is estimated at approximately 2,400 people.

Airspace Forces:

1. Four Su-30SM fighters from the 120th mixed aviation regiment (Domna; all four aircraft are identified by tail numbers “26, 27, 28, 29 red”).

2. Four Su-34 bombers of the 47th mixed aviation regiment (Buturlinovka; all four aircraft are identified with tail numbers "21, 22, 25, 27 red").

3. From twenty-four to thirty Su-24M and Su-24m2 bombers of the 2nd Guards Bomber Regiment (Shagol; seven planes with tail numbers “04, 05, 08, 16, 25, 26, 27 white” are tied) and 277- go bomber regiment (Khurba; five sides with numbers "71, 72, 74, 75, 76 white" are attached.

4. Ten Su-25SM attack aircraft; two Su-25UBs of the 960th assault aviation regiment (Primorsko-Akhtarsk; all twelve aircraft are attached - Su-25SM tail numbers "21, 22, 24, 29 red" in brown-green-blue three-color camouflage , and “25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32 red” in gray, Su-25UB with tail numbers “44, 53 red”).

5. Twelve Mi-24PN helicopters and two Mi-8AMTSh 113th Helicopter Regiment (Novosibirsk; all fourteen helicopters are attached - Mi-24PN board numbers "03, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 34 , 36, 37, 40 yellow ", Mi-8AMTSh" 212, 252 yellow ")

6. Up to eight Mi-28N helicopters - the 2nd squadron of the 487th helicopter regiment (Budennovsk) is expected.

7. The flying command post Il-22M - from the 144 Aviation Regiment DRLO (Ivanovo; registration number RA 75917)

8. One or two reconnaissance Il-20M with unknown numbers from the 257th mixed air regiment (Khabarovsk).

9. An air defense battery of six Pantsir-C1 (SA-22) installations of the allegedly 1537th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (Novorossiysk) - approximately ninety-five people.

10. The battalion of airfield services (jet aircraft) - 360-380 people.

11. The company airfield services (helicopters) - 90-110 people.

12. The battalion of communications and air traffic control - 240-270 people.

In general, the size of the Russian Aerospace Forces group in Syria is estimated at 1200-1350 people, including 150-180 pilots, 280 aviation technicians, 690-760 people in support and up to 100 people in air defense.

It is assumed that there are additional airbases to Khmeim, in particular with the Mi-28 based there.

P.S. Sutyagin has enough inaccuracies and errors.

Last Wednesday, October 14, the Bosphorus Strait heading for the Mediterranean Sea passed the auxiliary vessel of the Russian Navy “Dvinitsa-50”. Outwardly - nothing unusual, a cargo ship like a cargo ship. Not very large, with a displacement of only 4.5 thousand tons and a length of 108 meters. But there is no doubt that the military will even notice this passage of the Black Sea straits even across the ocean.

The fact is that a few months ago, a battered ship (built in 1985) was called completely differently from all documents on board - “Alican Deval”. And a completely different flag fluttered on his mast. Namely - Turkish. But relatively recently, “Alican Deval” was sold, changed its owner and went to Novorossiysk. There he raised the military flag of our auxiliary fleet. And already on October 10, he embarked on a Novorossiysk berth for loading. Virtually no one doubts that those goods are intended for our military in Syria.

There were reports immediately that, in fact, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation urgently acquired not one, but eight used transport ships at once in Turkey. All of them will be urgently delivered to the route Novorossiysk - the Syrian port of Tartus. Then this route, and without the former Turkish bulk carriers very busy in recent months, will work just at a frantic pace. And all together it means that the scale of participation of a group of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the war in Syria in the foreseeable future will only increase. Thus, the forecast published on October 14 in an article under the heading very quickly found its confirmation.

Russian aviation group deployed at the Khmeimim airport in Syria

I’ll briefly recall: in the Middle East press, citing sources in the coordination headquarters in Baghdad to combat the Islamic State * there were reports that, according to the Syrian command, the current intensity of air raids on the positions of the Islamists is completely insufficient. In order to decisively break the resistance of bearded thugs, Russian pilots must inflict three times as many rocket-bombing attacks on the enemy every day. Namely: instead of about 60 today, make an average of 200 sorties per day.

In order to fight at such a pace, at least three things are necessary:
  - the first is to urgently increase the grouping of our attack aircraft and helicopters in Syria.
  - the second is to equip at least one more airdrome for them. Since the one called the Khmeimim airbase works to the limit.
- third - to sharply increase the rear supply of the growing aviation group.

The first point, judging by the messages that have appeared, is already being implemented. This week, the appearance of our latest attack helicopters was first observed in the Syrian sky. A few more days they were not there. The fire support of the advancing Syrian forces and the protection of the perimeter of the Khmeimim air base provided to Russia were previously attended by relatively old Russian combat helicopters. Some of which still remember the sky of Chechnya. And even Afghanistan.

Where did the new "Night Hunters" come from in Syria? Not through Iran and Iraq did they fly? None of the military will answer this to you. But it can be assumed that helicopters were delivered to a warring country last Saturday by two planes of the Russian military transport aircraft. Because it was on Saturday that our two landed in Latakia. As announced by the Russian Defense Ministry, "with loads of humanitarian aid for the Syrian population." Perhaps on board these giant planes were not only cans with stewed and condensed milk. Somewhere in the far corners of the bottomless fuselages of the Ruslanov, the “Night Hunters”, probably, were just lying down.

Almost simultaneously, according to the Arab media, the civilian airport in Latakia, which had previously served even international flights, was declared closed to passengers. Thus, it is very likely that this is now the second airfield for the Russian group.

Of course, for the protection and defense of the second airdrome, an additional contingent of marines will be required. Yes, and much more is required. Namely, thousands of tons of aviation and automobile fuel, various kinds of ammunition, food, spare parts for equipment, etc. And here we go out to perhaps the most difficult part in organizing the combat work of a group of Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria . On their rear support.

Recently, the British The Financial Times published an article by the notorious hater of our country Zbigniew Brzezinski. Among other things, it says: “ The Russian naval and air forces present in Syria are very vulnerable because they are isolated from their country". You can hate Brzezinski, but he knows what he is saying. The supply of the warring faction is actually our Achilles heel in Syria.

However, Moscow is well aware of this without the prompts of the old American Russophobe. Everything that is possible has been thrown today to ensure transport communications between Russia and Syria. But you can, alas, a little. The airspace of Bulgaria at the request of Washington is closed for flights of Russian military transport aircraft. Turkish - even more so. For aircraft, there is a long and costly round trip through Iran and Iraq.

It is simpler and cheaper, although much longer, to deliver the necessary goods to Syria by sea. Therefore, the main burden in providing the warring group fell on Russian sailors.

However, at first they tried to attract civilians. Of course, there was no our group near Latakia, but Assad’s army was already fighting the Islamists with might and main, and needed the support of Russia. We provided it.

But in a row two international scandals happened at once. First, in January 2012, the Westberg Ltd. Chariot vessel was detained for inspection in the Cyprus port of Limassol On the flag of the state of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, it made a flight from St. Petersburg to Latakia. As it turned out - with a load of live ammunition, absolutely legally purchased by the Syrians from Rosoboronexport. Since Syria, due to the outbreak of civil war, was under EU sanctions, Cypriots “Chariot” were released on condition that it would change course. But soon, according to Turkish authorities, the cartridges were still unloaded Tartus.

In June of the same year, the Alaid dry cargo ship with Syrian combat helicopters and air defense systems repaired in Russia was detained off the coast of Scotland. The cargo ship was owned by Volcano Shipping NV, a company registered in Curacao. The operator was the Sakhalin company FEMCO.

As a result of the proceedings, the crew lost insurance and was forced to return to Murmansk.

It became clear that civilian courts could not break the blockade. Since then, any of our military assistance to the army of President Bashar al-Assad (and, more recently, to our own group of air and space forces) goes exclusively under the flag of the Russian Navy. Since the decks and holds of warships are national territory and are not subject to inspection by citizens of other states.

What began after 2012 on this route is known in the world as the “Syrian Express”. For almost three years now, almost all the available personnel of the large landing ships (BDKs) of all four of our fleets have been raving between Novorossiysk and Syrian Tartus. At different times, replacing one another, six of the seven BDK of the Black Sea Fleet, all eight serviceable BDK of the Northern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet, participated and participate in this work. Over two thousand versts of Mediterranean jelly, even two of the four remaining ships from the Pacific Ocean had to slurp.

Somehow this potential was enough, until on September 30, our Khmeimim airbase near Latakia entered the battle in Syria. As you know, these are three dozen bombers and attack aircraft. Judging by the information regularly published by the Ministry of Defense, each of them makes at least 2–3 sorties per day. The combat load of the Su-34 front-line bomber (there are six of them in Syria) is about 12 tons. His older brother Su-24 (there are twelve of them at the air base) - 7 tons. Attack aircraft Su-25 - about 4.5 tons.

Even if you do not count fire support helicopters and the four fighters that fly no less intensively, do not take into account the similar needs of the reinforced battalion of the marine corps and the air defense and radio-electronic warfare units covering the Khmeimim, all the same the daily expenditure of ammunition and only Russian shock front-line aviation in Syria is estimated at more than one hundred tons. Every day and every night! And, say, a large landing ship of project 1171 of the Nikolay Filchenkov type is capable of accepting a maximum of 1,750 tons of cargo on board.

Further. It takes at least four to five days to drag them to Syria. Still need time for loading and unloading. For some cross passage repair. More than a couple of flights to Tartus per month does not work for everyone. And this is only about 3 thousand tons of cargo. Aviation is not enough for a week of combat work.

And what will happen if it grows numerically and starts flying soon from the former airport in Latakia? No BDK fleet is enough. At least from the Far East, call them, even from the Arctic.

New build for a long time. There was just launched with sin in half in the water in Kaliningrad and just embarked on the mooring tests of the large landing ship of the project 11 711 "Ivan Gren" ... Bagpipes with him stretches since 2004. The next one - “Peter Morgunov” - is just about to be laid at Yantar. According to the plan, this BDK will enter service no earlier than 2017. So for a long time to rely on the sufferers of the "Syrian Express" can not count.

What is left? Urgently buy, where necessary, workable bulk carriers and put them on providing front-line communications with Syria. What they did in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, having multiplied their capabilities by eight Turkish bulk carriers.

By the way, it is possible that larger vessels will be purchased than the former Turkish Alican Deval. For something, hasty dredging began at the entrance to Tartus. They are driven by a killer ship KIL-158 and hydrographic “Donuzlav” (both - the Black Sea Fleet). The task is to start accepting sea transports of more solid displacement at our logistics point as soon as possible. Because it is possible: the war on terrorists in Syria is a long time.

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* The “Islamic State” by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2014 was recognized as a terrorist organization, its activities in Russia are prohibited.

A legitimate military presence in Syria is one of Russia's advantages on the diplomatic front. The aerospace forces of the Russian Federation operate in the Arab Republic on the basis of an agreement of August 26, 2015, which allows Moscow to keep an aviation group in the country.

The first attacks on the Islamic State * were launched on September 30, 2015. Accumulations of military equipment, vehicles, stockpiles of weapons, ammunition and fuels and lubricants (fuels and lubricants) were bombed.

In total, over the two years of the operation, the Russian airborne forces completed more than 92 thousand airstrikes. As of September 2017, the Russian aviation destroyed more than 53.7 thousand militants, 8.3 thousand command posts, 17.2 thousand strong points, 970 training camps and 9.3 thousand infrastructure facilities of terrorist organizations.

Also, VKS strikes were aimed at undermining the financial well-being of IG *, which earned on energy trade. According to the Ministry of Defense, Russian planes bombed 132 fuel transfer stations and tanker convoys, 212 oil fields and oil and gas complexes, and 6.7 thousand fuel and lubricant depots.

Aviation wing

The main task of the videoconferencing is to support ground operations of the Syrian army. At the initial stage of the Russian mission, government troops were in a very difficult situation. Various militant groups occupied 85% of Syria.

The effective work of Russian aviation allowed to reduce the offensive capabilities of militants at the end of 2015. In 2016, the Syrian army was able to take several large cities, including Aleppo, and during the spring and summer campaign of 2017 liberated the central part of the country.

It is expected that by the end of this year, government troops will knock out terrorists from the east of the SAR, and the Islamic State will cease to exist as a military structure. On September 22, the Ministry of Defense reported that over the past two years, 2,235 settlements, or 87.4% of the territory of Syria, have been freed from the Islamic State.

The composition of the Russian aviation group in Syria has been constantly changing. In September 2015, it was based on 12 Su-25SM attack aircraft, 12 Su-24M bombers, four multi-purpose heavy fighters of the 4+ generation Su-30SM, Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters.

In October-November 2015, the air wing increased to about 70 units due to bombers and fighters. In February 2016, after reaching an agreement on a ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a reduction in air grouping.

Today, regular combat sorties are performed not only by operational-tactical, but also by long-range aviation - Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS, Tu-160. As a rule, strategic bombers fly from the Engels airfield in the Saratov region.

• Tu-22M3 bombers during aerial attack on terrorist targets in Syria
• RIA News

Bombs and rockets

The main means of defeating terrorists are the Su-24M and the Su-25SM Grach. Machines are capable of carrying a significant amount of ammunition, primarily adjustable and freely falling aerial bombs. It is these types of ammunition produced back in the Soviet period that were most often used in the Syrian operation.

There are several reasons for the massive use of aircraft bombs in the ATS. Firstly, the Russian Aerospace Forces needed to unload warehouses with Soviet ammunition that were to be disposed of. Secondly, high-explosive bombs do an excellent job of destroying terrorist engineering structures.

Aerial bombs are not high-precision weapons, but most of them are equipped with homing heads, which allowed to increase the accuracy of bombing to the highest possible level.

The accuracy of hitting even 500 kg bombs can reach several meters. As a result, the Russian aerospace forces received an effective and relatively inexpensive means of destruction.

However, VKS often use missiles, including the latest. For example, on November 17 and 19, 2015, long-range aviation bombers launched a strategic cruise missile at the IS facilities using X-101 technologies for reducing radar visibility.

The missile is a development of the Rainbow ICD near Moscow. X-101 is designed to replace the X-55, which has been in service since the 1980s. During combat use in Syria, the ability of the X-101 from a long distance (up to 5500 km) to hit static and moving targets with a deviation of no more than 10 meters was proved.

Tu-95 and Tu-160 long-range aircraft received combat baptism in the SAR. On November 17, 2015, 25 strategic bombers carried out a massive missile bomb attack on terrorist positions. The blows of 34 cruise missiles destroyed 14 IS facilities.

The crews of Russian aircraft have demonstrated their combat readiness and ability to actually use high-precision weapons.

During the operation, the Russian aerospace forces lost one machine (without taking into account the losses of several helicopters that are related to army aviation). The tragedy occurred on November 24, 2015. The air-to-air missile launched by the Turkish F-16 fighter hit the Su-24M. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov, died, the navigator Konstantin Murakhtin was saved.

After the incident, Russian attack aircraft and bombers, including long-range aircraft, fly out on a combat mission only under the guise of fighters. In addition, Russia deployed the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) to Syria. ”

• Attack aircraft Su-25 Russian Aerospace Forces
• RIA News
• Olga Balashova

Mastery test

The operation in Syria allowed the Russian Defense Ministry to check the combat readiness of almost all military pilots.

As of September 2017, 86% of the airborne squadron’s flight experience gained combat experience.

In particular, 75% of long-range aviation crews, 79% - tactical tactics, 88% - military transport aircraft and 89% - army aviation (helicopters) went through the Syrian campaign.

Based on the results of sorties, the positive and negative sides of flight training were identified. They formed the basis for changing the process of training personnel, which will make the work of pilots more efficient. New training simulators were delivered to training centers, air combat patterns were changed.

Virtually no large-scale operation is complete without the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Russia deployed Orlan-10 and Enix-3 reconnaissance aircraft to the SAR, monitoring the area around the Khmeimim base, and heavy Outposts, which are shooting air strikes at militant positions.

The use of UAVs allows you to determine the goals of artillery attacks and conduct rescue operations. Suffice it to say that with the help of the "Orlan" the navigator of the downed Su-24M was discovered.

The terms of the Hmeimim lease agreement with Damascus do not limit Russia in the choice and number of aircraft and ammunition. This means that the VKS command, at its discretion, can change the composition of the air wing and experience new lethal and non-lethal weapons.

• Russian military at the Khmeimim airbase, Syria
• RIA News
• Maxim Blinov

Base from scratch

An undoubted achievement of the Ministry of Defense is the deployment of an air base in Latakia within a month. The military department has solved a difficult logistic problem, having managed to use the resources of transport aviation and the fleet, which supply the air group.

In 2015 alone, as part of the preparation of the Khmeimim airfield infrastructure, the crews of the Il-76 and An-124 Ruslan heavy aircraft completed more than 280 flights and carried 13,750 tons of cargo. Transport aircraft are transferring military equipment, food and various equipment to the SAR.

However, foreign media claim that the so-called Syrian express plays the leading role in the logistics of the Khmeimim base - regular flights of large naval landing ships (BDKs) of the Navy, as well as civilian vessels chartered by the Ministry of Defense.

Khmeimim is located 50 km from the port of Tartus, which since Soviet times has been the point of supply for the Navy. At the moment, Russia is modernizing the port.

On the basis of all the systems of material and engineering support for the air group were created and run smoothly. Dozens of facilities are deployed at the airdrome - equipment refueling points, warehouses for storing fuel and lubricants, missiles and other ammunition.

It is believed that the Russian command took over the experience of waging war in Afghanistan by the Soviet troops. The Syrian base was created in the likeness of the 14th military camp, where the headquarters of the 103rd Airborne Division, the 50th Parachute Regiment, the 1179th Artillery Regiment and the support unit were deployed in Kabul.

To create the necessary residential and administrative infrastructure in Khmeimim, the Ministry of Defense used universal containers two by six meters in size - KIMB (modular engineering block construction).

The facilities can be equipped with a living unit with beds, air conditioning, a shower and soundproofing, as well as other household (food, bath, laundry, mobile bakery) and military (control and communication points) needs.

Layered defense

The number of military and civilian personnel at the Khmeimim base is classified. It is known that in addition to flight crews, engineers, support personnel and management, military police officers and soldiers of the 810th separate brigade of the Marine Corps of the Black Sea Fleet are deployed at the base.

The Ministry of Defense paid great attention to building an echeloned system to protect the base from attacks from land and air. The first line of defense is air defense calculations, the second is marines checkpoints located around the perimeter of the base, the third is engineering structures, and the fourth is Syrian military checkpoints.

The S-400 air defense system, the Pantsir-S1 short-range anti-aircraft missile system and the Buk-M2 medium-range air defense system, the Osa, Pechora-2M and S-200 air defense systems are responsible for the Khmeimim air defense. Also deployed complex electronic warfare "Kraukha-4." The external perimeter of the base is monitored by an UAV.

Such security measures are justified, since the front line ran literally 5-10 km during the construction of the base. Moreover, from the side of the militants, attempts were made to mortar shelling and bombing with light drones.

• Striking terrorist targets in Syria

Invaluable experience

Professor of the Academy of Military Sciences Vadim Kozyulin told RT that Russia has gained the necessary experience in using transport and combat aircraft. The test in Syria passed almost all types of aircraft. This made it possible to identify their advantages and disadvantages.

“The Syrian air operation provided serious food for analysis and subsequent work. A huge layer of militarily useful information is hidden from the public. But there is no doubt that the necessary conclusions were made, ”said Kozyulin.

In his opinion, Russia has confirmed in Syria the reliability and high efficiency of the Soviet Su-24 and Su-25 aircraft. Kozyulin also drew attention to the fact that the operation in the SAR allowed “unloading” warehouses with Soviet bombs.

At the same time, almost all of the ammunition was equipped with modern homing heads. Special operations forces are involved in the correction of bombing attacks, and UAVs verify the results of bombing.

“I would like to note that Syria prompted Russia to the urgent need for the introduction of new unmanned systems and systems for destroying enemy UAVs. Even in conditions of war with a technologically weak enemy, it is impossible to do without drones, ”said Kozyulin.

The interlocutor of RT believes that the Ministry of Defense is not disingenuous, arguing that military operations in Syria fit into the framework of the military budget. An operation in the Arab Republic does not require billions of expenses, and the invested funds are paid off by gaining invaluable experience in combat use.

“War loves the bill. But Russia extremely rarely used expensive weapons, except for long-range aviation flights, although they are absolutely justified. The Ministry of Defense is getting rid of old ammunition, and the aerospace forces as a whole make as many flights as they should. We carry out the most important tasks to strengthen security without large-scale costs, ”said Kozyulin.

* "Islamic State" (IG) - a terrorist group banned in Russia.

The Russian Air Force group in Syria includes more than 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Su-34 and Su-24M front-line bombers, Su-25SM attack aircraft, Su-30SM and Su-35S fighter jets, Mi-24P attack helicopters, as well as transport attack helicopters Mi-8AMTSh.

In the preparation and formulation of tasks, aerial reconnaissance and refinement data are used, obtained from the headquarters of the Syrian army and using space reconnaissance and drones. All actions of Russia are coordinated with the Syrian side

In addition to the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Russian Navy was also involved in the operation. On the night of October 6-7, 2015, ships of the Caspian flotilla of the Russian Navy from the Caspian Sea launched a massive strike with cruise missiles ZM-14 of the sea-based Caliber NK complex at DAISH * facilities in Syria. 26 missiles were launched from the ships Dagestan, Grad Sviyazhsk, Veliky Ustyug and Uglich.

On December 17, 2015, the Tu-160, Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS long-range aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces attacked Daesh * positions in Syria, 34 cruise missiles were launched at militant targets in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. The cover of the aviation strike group was provided by 4 Su-27SM fighters.

On November 20, 2015, the ships of the Caspian Flotilla launched 18 cruise missiles at seven targets in the provinces of Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo, hitting all targets.

On February 1, 2016, Su-35S fighters were deployed to the Khmeimim airbase, which embarked on combat missions.

Su-24M "Swordsman"

The main striking force of the Russian air group in Syria is the modernized Su-24M front-line bomber.

Su-24M

Su-24 (according to NATO classification - Fencer-D) - a front-line bomber with a variable sweep wing, for its outstretched nose received the nickname "Swordsman." Designed for delivering missile and bomb strikes in simple and difficult weather conditions, day and night, including at low altitudes. The chief designer is Eugene Felsner.

The plane made its first flight in 1976. The bomber is equipped with a special computing subsystem SVP-24 "Hephaestus", adopted in 2008, which expands the capabilities of the aircraft to search for and destroy targets. Su-24M is capable of flying at low altitude with enveloping the terrain. The bomber can strike at both ground and surface targets using a wide range of ammunition, which includes high-precision weapons, including adjustable aerial bombs (KAB). The maximum flight speed at ground level is 1250 km / h, the ferry range is 2 775 km (with two PTB-3000 outboard fuel tanks). The aircraft is equipped with two AL-21F-3A turbojet engines with a thrust of 11,200 kgf each.

The armament is a 23 mm cannon; at 8 suspension points it can carry air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, adjustable and free-falling air bombs, as well as unguided aircraft missiles, removable cannon mounts, and tactical nuclear weapons.

Su-34 "Duckling"

Multifunctional fighter-bomber of the 4+ generation Su-34 (according to NATO classification - Fullback) is intended for delivering high-precision missile and bomb attacks, including using nuclear weapons, on land and surface targets at any time of the day. The main attack aircraft of the Aerospace Forces of Russia.

  Su-34

Among the Russian military, the Su-34 received the nickname "Duckling" because of the bow of the aircraft, resembling a duck's beak.

The all-weather front-line bomber is a modernization of the Su-27 fighter. The chief designer is Rolland Martirosov.

The first flight took place on April 13, 1990. It was adopted by the Russian Air Force on March 20, 2014. Serially produced since 2006 at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after V.P. Chkalova. Maximum speed - 1900 km / h, flight range - more than 4,000 km without refueling (7,000 km - with refueling), practical ceiling - 14,650 meters. The armament is a 30 mm cannon; at 12 nodes of the suspension it can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles of various types, unguided rockets and aerial bombs.

The aircraft is equipped with an in-flight refueling system. The Su-34 is equipped with two AL-31F M1 turbojet engines with a thrust of 13,300 kgf in “afterburner” mode each. The crew of the aircraft - 2 people.

According to information from open sources, in December 2014, 55 Russian Su-34s were in service with the Russian Air Force. In total, the RF Ministry of Defense intends to adopt 120 Su-34s.

Su-25SM Grach

The armored subsonic attack aircraft Su-25SM (NATO classification - Frogfoot-A), nicknamed "Rook", is intended for direct support of ground forces over the battlefield day and night with direct visibility of the target, as well as the destruction of objects with specified coordinates around the clock in any weather conditions .

The aircraft differs from the Su-25 base model by the presence of the PrNK-25SM Bars airborne sighting and navigation system and equipment for working with the GLONASS satellite navigation system. The cabin equipment was also seriously updated - multifunction displays (MFDs) and a new indicator on the windshield (ILS) were added instead of old sights.

Su-25SM is able to use a wide range of ammunition, including high-precision weapons. The aircraft is equipped with a 30-mm GSH-30-2 double-barreled aviation gun. The maximum flight speed near the ground is 975 km / h, the radius of action is 500 km. The aircraft is equipped with two RD-195 turbojet engines with a thrust of 4,500 kgf at maximum speed each.

Su-25 became the most warring aircraft of the Russian army. He participated in many military operations (Afghanistan, Angola, South Ossetia). It is the Rooks that leave at each Victory parade over Red Square plumes of colored smoke in the form of the flag of the Russian Federation.

Su-27SM

  Su-27SM and MiG-29 at MAKS 2013

Multipurpose fighter Su-27SM (NATO classification - Flanker-B mod.1). Designed to gain air supremacy. The effectiveness of the aircraft compared to the base Su-27 has increased 2 times when working on air targets.

Su-27SM is equipped with new complexes of avionics (avionics). The cockpit is equipped with multi-function displays (MFD). The nomenclature of applied aviation weapons (AMS) has been expanded.

On aircraft such as Su-27CM3, two additional suspension points are installed under the wing consoles.

Su-30SM

The task of Su-30SM fighters (according to NATO classification - Flanker-H) is to cover bombers and attack aircraft that strike at DAES fighter positions.

The twin generation 4+ multi-purpose heavy fighter was created on the basis of the Su-27UB through its deep modernization.

  Su-30SM at MAKS 2015

It is intended both for gaining dominance in the air, and for striking at ground and surface targets. The design of the aircraft used front horizontal tail (PGO) and engines with a controlled thrust vector (UHT). Due to the application of these solutions, the aircraft has super maneuverability.

The Su-30SM has a multifunctional radar control station (RLSU) with a passive phased antenna array (PFAR) Bars. The composition of the fighter’s ammunition range includes a wide range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles and high-precision guided air-to-surface weapons. Su-30SM can be used as an aircraft for training pilots for promising single-seat fighters. Since 2012, the construction of these aircraft for the Russian Air Force.

Su-30SM is able to carry out military operations associated with the long range and duration of flight and the effective management of a group of fighters.

The Su-30SM installed a system of refueling in the air, new navigation systems, expanded the group of control equipment for group actions, and also improved the life support system. Due to the installation of new missiles and an arms control system, the combat effectiveness of the aircraft was significantly increased.

Su-35S

The Su-35C multi-purpose supersonic super-maneuverable fighter belongs to the 4 ++ generation. It was developed in the 2000s by the experimental design bureau them. BY. Sukhoi based on a Su-27 front-line fighter. The first flight of the Su-35 made in 2008.

  Su-35S fighters fly from Privolzhsky airfield to Syrian air base Khmeimim

The aerodynamic design of the aircraft is made in the form of a twin-engine high-wing with a three-leg retractable landing gear with a front strut. Su-35 is equipped with AL-41F1S turbojet engines with afterburner and thrust vector controlled in one plane, which was developed on the basis of AL-31F installed on Su-27 aircraft. It differs from its predecessor by an increased draft of 14.5 tons (against 12.5), b aboutlower resource and lower fuel consumption.

On the Su-35 - 12 nodes of the external suspension for mounting high-precision missiles and bombs. Two more - to accommodate electronic warfare containers.

The composition of the Su-35 armament includes a whole set of guided missiles such as air-to-air and air-to-surface, as well as unguided missiles and air bombs of various calibers.

According to the nomenclature of bomber and unguided missile weapons, the Su-35 as a whole does not differ from today's Su-30MK, but in the future it will be possible to use advanced and new models of air bombs, including those with laser correction. The maximum mass of the combat load is 8000 kg.

The fighter is also equipped with a gun GSh-30-1 caliber 30 mm (ammunition - 150 rounds).

Long-range aircraft based on the territory of Russia

Long-range supersonic missile bomber with variable wing geometry.

It is intended for the destruction of ground and sea targets by supersonic guided missiles at any time of the day and in any weather conditions.

The chief designer is Dmitry Markov. The first flight was made on June 22, 1977, launched into serial production in 1978, and was adopted by the USSR Air Force in March 1989.

The aircraft is equipped with two NK-25 turbojet engines, developing power with afterburner up to 25 tons. The combat equipment of the aircraft may include: three supersonic air-to-ground missiles, ten aeroballistic missiles to destroy enemy ground targets, as well as up to 12 tons of conventional or nuclear bombs located in the fuselage and on the external sling. The aircraft is also equipped with defensive weapons - a GSh-23 cannon with a rate of fire up to 4 thousand rounds per minute.

In total, about 500 Tu-22M of various modifications were built. The maximum speed of the aircraft is 2,300 km / h, the practical range is 5,500 km, the practical ceiling is 13,500 m. The crew is 4 people. It can carry various types of cruise missiles with a conventional or nuclear charge.

Currently under repair and modernization of aircraft of this model, which are in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Tu-95MS

Turboprop strategic bomber-missile carrier - product "B", according to NATO codification "Bear".

  Tu-95MS

It is intended for the destruction of important targets by nuclear and conventional weapons in remote military-geographical areas and in the deep rear of continental theaters of operations.

The chief designer is Nikolai Bazenkov. The aircraft was created on the basis of the Tu-142MK and Tu-95K-22. The first flight took place in September 1979. Adopted by the USSR Air Force in 1981.

The maximum speed is 830 km / h, practical range - up to 10 500 km, practical ceiling - 12 000 meters. Crew - 7 people. Armament - long-range cruise missiles, 2 cannons of 23 mm caliber.

Currently in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces is about 30 units. Modernization is underway to the Tu-95MSM version, which will extend the life of aircraft until 2025.

Ultrasonic strategic wing bomber with variable wing geometry.

Designed to defeat the most important targets in nuclear and conventional weapons in remote military-geographical areas and in the deep rear of continental theaters of operations.

The chief designer is Valentin Bliznyuk. The machine made its first flight on December 18, 1981, and was adopted by the USSR Air Force in 1987.

Maximum speed - 2,230 km / h, practical range - 14,600 km, practical ceiling - 16,000 m. Crew - 4 people. Armament: up to 12 cruise missiles or up to 40 tons of aerial bombs. Flight duration - up to 15 hours (without refueling).

At least 15 vehicles of this type are in service with long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Until 2020, the arrival of ten modernized Tu-160M \u200b\u200bmachines is expected.

Helicopters

Mi-8AMTSh "Terminator"

Mi-8AMTSH Terminator transport and assault helicopters are located at the Khmeimim airbase. This is the latest modification of the well-known and proven Mi-8 military transport helicopter.

"Terminator" is designed to defeat equipment, including armored, shelters and firing points, enemy manpower.

The range of ammunition used from the Mi-8AMTSh, in addition to unguided weapons, includes high-precision weapons, in particular anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) 9M120 "Attack" or 9M114 "Assault". The helicopter can carry up to 37 paratroopers, up to 12 wounded on a stretcher or transport up to 4 tons of cargo, perform search and rescue and evacuation operations.

The helicopter is equipped with two VK-2500 engines of increased power. Mi-8AMTSh equipped with a range of protection against damage. The cockpit of the new helicopter is equipped with multi-functional indicators that display a digital map of the area, and the latest flight and navigation equipment that works with GPS and GLONASS navigation systems. Mi-8AMTSh helicopters are also distinguished by improved resource indicators, which allow them to save significant funds on helicopter maintenance during the life cycle.

Crew - 3 people. Maximum speed - 250 km / h, flight range - up to 800 km, practical ceiling - 6,000 meters.

The versatility and high flight performance made Mi-8 helicopters one of the most popular Russian helicopters in the world.

The Mi-24P attack helicopter (according to NATO classification - Hind-F) is intended for visual observation and the organization of a security zone in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Khmeimim airfield, as well as search and rescue operations. It is a modernized version of the Mi-24.

Each Mi-24P used in Syria carries four units of 20 unguided aircraft missiles. The helicopter is also equipped with guided missiles and a 30-mm GSH-30K double-barreled automatic aircraft gun (ammunition - 250 shells), capable of speeds up to 300 km / h and climb to heights of up to 4,500 meters. It can fly at extremely low altitudes up to 5 meters.

The helicopter made its first flight in 1974, mass production began in 1981.

Mi-24P is intended for delivering strikes against accumulations of manpower, fighting equipment, including armored vehicles, and destroying low-flying low-speed air targets.

The crews of the Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-24P helicopters are equipped with night vision goggles, which allows them to fly at night.

Armament: bombs and missiles

Concrete bomb BETAB-500

The BetAB-500 concrete-piercing bomb was developed at the Basalt State Scientific Production Enterprise. Designed for the destruction of concrete structures, bridges, naval bases. The main objective of the bomb is to break through the roof of a fortified object, it can be underground fuel and lubricant depots or weapons, various concrete fortifications. BetAB-500 is capable of breaking through 1 meter of concrete buried 5 meters into the ground. In medium-density soil, this munition forms a funnel with a diameter of 4-5 meters. Such parameters are achieved, firstly, due to the trajectory of the fall of the bomb - vertically down. After dropping from an airplane, a special braking parachute opens at the munition, which directs BetAB to the ground. In addition, when the parachute is fired off, a rocket accelerator is activated in the rear of the bomb, which creates an additional speed for the ammunition to meet with the target. The mass of the warhead of the bomb is 350 kg.

BetAB has a reinforced shell compared to a conventional high-explosive bomb, which helps break through concrete and other fortifications.

Missiles X-29L and X-25ML

Rockets of the X-29 family were developed in the USSR and were adopted in 1980. Now the modernization and production of ammunition is carried out by the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation.

Missiles of this type are designed to destroy such ground targets as strong aircraft shelters, stationary railway and highway bridges, industrial structures, warehouses, concrete runways.

In the X-29L version, the missile is equipped with a laser homing head. In Syria, these missiles are used by Su-24M front-line bombers and Su-34 fighter-bombers.

The missile is equipped with a high-explosive penetrating warhead. Before launching the rocket, the pilot can set the option for the rocket to fire — instantaneous, from the contact of the rocket with the target, or the delayed response.

The firing range of the Kh-29L rocket is from 2 to 10 km.

The missile has a powerful warhead weighing 317 kg with an explosive mass of 116 kg.

X-25 is an air-to-surface airborne guided multi-purpose missile equipped with a semi-active homing head (GOS). On the rocket X-25ML installed laser seeker.

Designed to engage small targets both on the battlefield and behind enemy lines. It is capable of punching up to 1 meter of concrete.

The maximum launch range is 10 km. Flight speed - 870 m / s. The mass of the warhead (warhead) is 86 kg.

KAB-500S

This adjustable bomb is designed for high-precision destruction of stationary ground targets - railway bridges, fortifications, communications nodes. The bomb has a high accuracy of destruction due to the inertial-satellite guidance system. Ammunition can be effectively used day and night in any weather.

The bomb can be dropped at distances from 2 to 9 km from the target and at altitudes from 500 meters to 5 km at a speed of the carrier aircraft from 550 to 1100 km / h. The mass of the bomb in different versions is 560 kg, the mass of a high-explosive concrete-piercing warhead is 360-380 kg.

The probable circular deviation of the bomb from the target, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, is 4-5 meters, according to the manufacturer - from 7 to 12 meters.

KAB-500S has a fuse with three types of moderation.

A direct hit by two such aerial bombs in Syria destroyed the headquarters of the Liva al-Haq formation and immediately destroyed more than 200 militants.

OFAB of different masses

High-explosive high-explosive fragmentation bomb. It is used to destroy poorly protected military installations, armored and unarmored vehicles, and manpower. It is used from heights from 500 meters to 16 km.

In Syria, these ammunition is used by Su-25SM attack aircraft.

X-555 cruise missile

Subsonic strategic air-launched cruise missile, modification X-55, equipped with a conventional warhead (warhead).

The missile is equipped with an inertial-Doppler guidance system, which combines terrain correction with satellite navigation. X-555 can be equipped with different types of warheads: high-explosive, penetrating or cluster with different types of elements. Compared to the X-55, the mass of the warhead was increased, which led to a decrease in flight range to 2000 km. However, the X-555 can be equipped with conformal fuel tanks to increase the flight range of a cruise missile to 2,500 km. According to data from open sources, the circular probable deviation (CVO) of the rocket is from 5 to 10 m.

According to the data obtained from the video recording of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Kh-555 missiles were used from Tu-160 and Tu-95MS aircraft, which carried them in the fuselage compartments.

Strategic missile carriers of these types are equipped with a MKU-6-5 drum launcher, on which 6 air-based cruise missiles can be placed.

Cruise missile ZM-14

On October 7, 2015, three small missile ships of Project 21631 of the Caspian Flotilla (Uglich, Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug) and a patrol ship of Project 11661K Dagestan launched 26 missiles at 11 ground targets located at a distance of about 1,500 km . This was the first combat use of the missile system.

Project 11661K and 21631 missile ships included in the flotilla are equipped with Caliber tactical cruise missile launchers (NATO classification - SS-N-27 Sizzler).

The Caliber missile system was developed and manufactured by the Novator Design Bureau in Yekaterinburg on the basis of the S-10 Granat complex, was first introduced in 1993.

On the basis of Caliber, ground-based, airborne, surface-mounted and underwater-based complexes were created, as well as export options. At present, different types of Caliber complexes are in service with Russia, India and China.

Officially disclosed data on the ultimate range of only the export version of the rocket, it is 275-300 km. In 2012, at a meeting with the President of Dagestan, Magomedsalam Magomedov, Vice Admiral Sergey Alekminsky, who was then the commander of the Caspian Flotilla, said that the tactical version of the Caliber (3M-14) cruise missile could hit coastal targets at a distance of up to 2,600 km

The performance characteristics of the 3M-14 rocket are classified information and are not publicly available.

* DAISH - a terrorist organization banned in Russia *