Russian with 400 in Syria. Analytics and comments. View from the USA. The military are waiting for "Prometheus"

Recently, a representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said the following about the possible US plans to attack Assad’s troops:

It should be realistically understood that the combat calculations of Russian air defense systems are unlikely to have time to ascertain from a “straight line” the exact program of missile flight and the accessories of their carriers. And all the illusions of amateurs about the existence of stealth aircraft may encounter a disappointing reality

This statement was immediately discussed in the West. For example, in a well-known military-related blog called "War is Boring", which in 2011 was included in the top ten best military blogs, it was published on this topic, in which the author claims the same thing I wrote about. Let me remind you that I wrote that the invisibility really does not exist, and the stealth technology simply reduces the distance from which the radar can detect the plane. For example, according to my calculations, the F-22 can fly up to the S-400 at a distance of 28 kilometers, so the big question is who is the amateur. To paraphrase Konashenkov, we can say the following:

And all the illusions of amateurs that the S-400 radar can detect everything in the world may encounter a disappointing reality, since there are objects that no one was going to make invisible to the radar, but which nevertheless, under certain circumstances, can be inconspicuous, or even not visible to radar.

Before explaining what I mean, a little theory.

Typically, the "stealth" effect is achieved in two ways - using special materials that absorb radio waves, and using a special form of an airplane or rocket. Here's how this is explained in an article published on HowStuffWorks, a well-known educational and informational website created by University of North Carolina professor Marshall Brain. I quote:

Most conventional aircraft have a rounded shape. This shape makes them aerodynamic, but it also creates a very efficient radar reflector. The round shape means that no matter where the radar signal hits the plane, part of the signal is reflected and received by the radar.

A stealth plane, on the other hand, consists of completely flat surfaces with very sharp edges. When a radar signal hits a stealth plane, the signal is reflected at an angle.

Two illustrations are also given there. One shows a beam pattern of a translucent radar aircraft not made using stealth technology:

And the second for the stealth plane:

Now look at this plate that I took from here:

I already wrote that the main characteristic numerically showing how much an object can reflect or absorb radar radiation is the EPR (effective scattering area). In English it will be - radar cross section (RCS). So in this table, in the upper three rows are examples of EPR surfaces of various shapes. Pay attention to rows 3 and 4. If the straight surface is at a right angle to the radar, then all the rays are reflected back to the radar, but if the surface is tilted at a certain angle, the rays can be reflected in a completely different direction, as a result, the object for the radar will be invisible.

In this table, the slope is shown in the vertical direction, but it can also be horizontal. This angle is called "aspect angle", but I will call it simply "aspect". As you can see, the EPR depends on the aspect. Therefore, the developers of stealth systems try to make the object reflect waves in any aspect, however there are objects that are not made using stealth technology, but with certain aspects have very low ESR. An example of such an object is the 155 mm artillery shell M107.

On the website of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the state Massachusetts published a lecture on the EPR. There on page 7 there is a graph of the dependence of the EPR of the projectile on the aspect. Here is the graph:

As you can see, the largest EPR, as one would expect, with an aspect of 90 degrees, and the smallest with an aspect of about 18 degrees.

At first glance, it seems strange that the minimum EPR is not in the zero aspect, but this is only at first glance. The fact is that there is a flat patch in front of the projectile, which is clearly visible in this photo. It is he who reflects the rays in the zero aspect, but if the projectile flies at an angle of 18 degrees, then the patch is turned to the side, so part of the rays are reflected in the other direction. Moreover, this EPR is 10 times less than that of the F-22.

Using the technique by which I calculated the distance at which the S-400 radar can detect the F-22, I calculated that the same radar can detect an artillery shell that flies with this aspect at a maximum distance of 16 kilometers.

Of course, such calculations are too big an assumption, since the projectile is dull and brainless, so the probability that it will fly at a certain angle is close to zero. I just wanted to show with this example that there are objects that themselves, under certain circumstances, can be inconspicuous for radars. However, if you stuff this projectile with electronics, attach wings and lengthen your nose to make it sharper, you might get something

As you can see, in shape this thing is very similar to a shell, only there is no flat patch in front, and the nose is sharp. This means that if this thing flies towards the radar, there is simply nothing for the rays of the radar to reflect back to the radar from. True, there are some devices at the top, but they are not available to the radar, since this thing flies above the radiation of the radar. The fact is that this is not a shell or a rocket, but a bomb that is dropped from an airplane, but not just a bomb, but a guided bomb. It is called the “Joint Direct Attack Munition” (JDAM), and these bombs can fly along such a path:

By the way, note that in this picture it is not JDAM that is written, but JDAM-ER. ER stands for Extended Range. The fact is that just JDAM has a very small range, only 28 kilometers. This is exactly the maximum distance that the F-22 can fly up to the S-400 radar unnoticed. The F-22 is also armed with these bombs, but flying to the S-400 at the right distance is a big risk. However, a solution was found. Wings were attached to JDAM, as a result, the bomb range was increased to almost 80 kilometers, the result was JDAM-ER, which looks like this:

This F-22 bomb can be dropped from a distance more than 2.5 times the safe distance that the F-22 can fly to the S-400.

By the way, the JDAM form is similar not only to an artillery shell, but also to the Russian Iskander rocket, which is also considered invisible to radars. Here's what it looks like:

And here is her nose:

Given all of the above, we can safely say that if the JDAM flies strictly towards the radar, its EPR will be tens, if not hundreds, times less than the minimum ESR of an artillery shell, which means that the distance at which the S-400 radar can detect, at times less than that of an artillery shell. Moreover, JDAM, unlike a shell, is crammed with electronics, so its trajectory can be programmed. She has an internal guidance system that can be adjusted using GPS, but this is not the main thing, but the main thing is that the Pentagon’s contract with Scientific Applications & Research Associates Inc. (SARA) expires the other day, according to which SARA should modernize JDAM, adding there an electronic module that detects radiation from radars or electronic warfare devices (electronic warfare) and flies directly to the source of these emissions. In this case, even if the C-400 radar even succeeds in detecting JDAM, then at such a distance nothing will be done. The fact is that JDAM has another feature that is unusual for other bombs. It can fly at supersonic speed.

It is known that even the simplest bombs, or as they are called "free fall bombs," do not fall vertically downward, but along the path shown. In this case, two speeds are distinguished - vertical and horizontal. Vertical depends on the rate of free fall, and in the atmosphere also on air resistance. The initial speed is zero, and the initial horizontal speed is equal to the speed of the aircraft. Both of these speeds are independent of each other, but the most important thing is that the horizontal speed does not have acceleration. This means that, if air resistance is not taken into account, then the speed with which the bomb flies to the target is equal to the speed of the aircraft.

Usually supersonic bombers cannot drop bombs at supersonic speed, so to drop a bomb they must slow down, but for the F-22 a technology was developed that allows you to drop JDAM at supersonic speed, so the bomb will also fly at supersonic speed. But that is not all.

In fact, the form of both JDAM and Iskander is not ideal in terms of stealth for radars, but the shape of this cruise missile, which, unlike Iskander, is designed to launch it from an airplane, is almost perfect. This rocket is called "AGM-158 JASSM". It is specially made using stealth technology and is also available in two versions - just JASSM and JASSM-ER. Like JDAM-ER, JASSM-ER means increased range. The range is just JASSM reaches 370 kilometers. At first glance it seems that it is powerless against the S-400, since the S-400 radar can detect an aircraft at such a distance, but this is only at first glance.

In fact, so many missiles are not necessary, since the probability that the radar will detect it, if its target is the radar, and it flies towards the radar, is very low. But this rocket is relatively new and literally crammed with electronics and optics, so it can fly as it should. For example, before hitting a target, a rocket transfers its image to the computer of the carrier aircraft, which allows you to control the results of firing. Moreover, in flight, the missile can be retargeted, destroying suddenly detected targets, for example, the included radars of air defense systems. For example, several missiles fly in the direction of the radar, but one destroyed the radar, so the rest can be redirected to other targets. Thus, one B-1 Lancer can destroy the Russian base in Syria without risking anything.

Netizens on Monday morning spread "intelligence" that the Russian military transport aircraft installed the Chkalovsky-Mozdok-Khmeimim air bridge.

“What they deliver is not yet known. But it’s already clear that something extraordinary is happening, ”these amateur investigators are sure based on an analysis of the Flightradar24 website.

Do you want to hear the secret story?

True, a few minutes later the same user specified that the combat control points (PBU) 55K6E of the S-400 Triumph airborne were loaded in three aircraft.

Member of the Academy of Military Sciences Alexander BartoshHowever, he expressed doubt that these messages are true.

The doubt is not primarily the content of these messages, but the way they look. A certain anonymous person has the opportunity to take photographs of the loading of military equipment at a military aerodrome at close range, get flight plans for the Russian aerospace forces, instantly put them on universal access to the Internet ... It looks somehow unconvincing, ”he told Reedus.

Another source of Reedus (a high-ranking retired general), strictly on condition of anonymity, also suggested that reports of the deployment of PBU systems to Syria could be a provocation or fantasy of its author.

Only a direct participant in this loading, if any, could get the opportunity to come close to the board at a military airfield. If this is not a fiction, then the author of these pictures and messages should already be in the development of the FSB, the former military leader suggested.

At 12:00 Moscow time, reports of some extraordinary transfers to Syria, however, did not appear in any official or semi-official media, Russian or English, even in those that would certainly have seized on such a sensation.

Among the sources of trust, one can only name the Kommersant newspaper, which said that after the crash of the Il-20 aircraft, Russia could deliver air defense systems to Syria, though not the S-400, but the S-300, designed to limit the actions of Israeli aviation.

However, in a message that appeared at 08:40 Moscow time, the talk about the supply of the S-300 to Syria is also exclusively as an opportunity, and not as a fait accompli.

Can the story with MH17 be repeated?

On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that Russia will soon deliver Syria S-300 air defense systems to Syria to cool the "hot heads."

The delivery of the S-300 to Syria is almost a settled issue, so it is not so important whether the anonymous informant was ahead of the events or not, says the Middle East Research Coordinator at the Institute for Strategic Studies and Forecasts Dmitry Egorchenkov.

The need to replace the obsolete S-200 has been discussed for a long time, and the tragedy with the IL-20 became the catalyst for this decision. Therefore, it’s not only a matter of “cooling off hotheads”, as Sergei Kozhugetovich mentioned, but also of guaranteeing that the tragedy of September 17 will not happen again, ”he told Reedus.

The fact of “friendly fire” was made possible, first of all, not because of the “insidious setup” by the Israeli Air Force, but because the S-200 systems were not equipped with a target recognition tool (“friend or foe”). The following versions of air defense systems, 300s and 400s, are equipped with such systems.

The radius of destruction of the S-200 complexes, like the S-300, is 250-300 km. Thus, in the zone of their reach there is a waiting area for aircraft heading to Cyprus, not to mention the fact that Syria itself is perfectly visible from the board of liners that go from Moscow to the Israeli Ben Gurion airport and vice versa. However, the S-300 is much more selective when choosing a target than its predecessor.

Therefore, the re-equipment of Syrian air defense with newer models will not only strengthen the Assad’s defense capabilities, but also strengthen the safety of civil aviation in the region, says Yegorchenkov.

Despite the fact that there is a war in Syria, a no-fly zone has not been introduced there, so it cannot be completely ruled out that a “blind” anti-aircraft missile can confuse the target and aim at a civilian airliner instead of an enemy fighter. The Russian military on Sunday just emphasized that Israeli combat aircraft threatened, among other things, the safety of civil aviation flights, the expert recalls.

Igor Konashenkov, an official spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, said on Sunday that the Russian military was firmly established in the opinion about the guilt of the Israeli air force in the tragedy.

You and the rocket in your arms

In fact, the danger to civilian liners from stray S-200 missiles is not so great as to indicate this as a reason for the supply of S-300 missiles to Syria, a military expert believes Anton Lavrov.

Despite the fact that the S-300 and S-400 are much smarter than the S-200, the final word remains not with the missiles, but with the missiles. Both professional and specially trained operators can manage both, and no one will trust such systems to recruits, ”he told Reedus.

The human factor is so important in handling air defense missiles because the time to make a decision in a combat situation takes seconds and it is important that the rocket launcher does not get confused in a hypothetical situation if the missile has captured the wrong target.

Even the obsolete S-200 has a system that allows you to change the trajectory of the rocket up to the moment the target is hit. In addition, all missiles have a self-propelling system. But in both situations, the crew of the rocket launcher must own this situation, and not doomed to watch how the rocket captured the wrong target! - emphasizes the expert.

He recalls that during the years of the war in Syria there were incidents when missiles flew very far from the intended targets, but their crews managed to react and destroy the missiles in the air.

It is clear that the wreckage will still continue to move along the ballistic trajectory to the intended target. But the damage from a cloud of small debris or even a whole missile, but with an inactive warhead, will be incommensurably less than if the warhead explodes. In any case, all these stray missiles did no harm to anyone, ”Lavrov says.

From the moment Russia deployed the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system in Syria, there has been continued talk in the foreign media about how effective this system is and how to deal with it. Tyler Rogovay, an American military expert, speculated on this topic on his Foxtrot Alpha blog, while Mikhail Khodarenok, editor-in-chief of the Military-Industrial Courier newspaper, commented on his notes.

Photo by RIA Novosti

Tyler hornbill   In his blog, he noted that some American military experts and military journalists believe that the newest Boeing EA-18 Growler electronic warfare aircraft can be called a panacea for the S-400, but this is not so. A single aircraft is unlikely to be able to completely suppress all electronic equipment of an anti-aircraft missile regiment equipped with an C-400 air defense system, while Triumph will be able to hit Growler with a burst of missiles if it is in the zone of defeat of at least one of the divisions.

“The US’s unique capabilities in electronic warfare (EW) and radar jamming include not only Growler, but also many other support platforms and systems. This integrated ecosystem of weapons and sensors includes reconnaissance aircraft, cyber warfare and hacking, active suppression of enemy air defense and attack weapons, stealth aircraft and long-range ammunition used outside the reach of enemy weapons. The last two are especially effective if they are used together by adding electronic warfare equipment ”- writes Rogovey.

Mikhail Khodarenok   agrees with this statement, noting the high training and professionalism of Americans in the conduct of electronic warfare:

“The USA is a master of electronic warfare. They have the most advanced technology for electronic suppression. They don’t repeat from conflict to conflict, and they probably have some unusual surprise already prepared for the next opponent. ”

Organized interference is truly the worst weapon for anti-aircraft missile weapons. The expert recalls that Turkey has stated that it has deployed Koral electronic warfare ground stations. But nothing is known about their performance characteristics.

The chief editor of the Military Industrial Courier notes that it is impossible to guarantee the suppression of S-400 air defense systems by the Koral system and the Growler aircraft:

“This is an equation with many unknowns. What kind of interference? At what range? With what intensity? What is the power? From what azimuth? At what frequencies? What specific electronic equipment is it put in? ”

Expert Tyler Rogowey argues that in order to destroy the air defense system of the alleged enemy with the S-400 air defense system, a whole range of different warfare tools must be used. So, it is supposed to combine the work of stealth aircraft with long-range supplies, the launch of conventional (not stealth) aircraft from hidden platforms and much more.

“For example, the F-16 can fly up to the distance of the radius of destruction of a high-precision cruise missile of the air-surface class AGM-158 JASSM, and the F-35 can fly up to the distance of destruction of a small bomb. If we add to this the suppression of interference, these distances are reduced depending on the tactics and technical and material capabilities for the implementation of this tactic. The problem is that against a serious opponent you have to take into account that he has not one launcher zone and not one radar, but a whole set of different systems, including both flying vehicles and air defense systems ”- he wrote.

However, Mikhail Khodaryonok recalls that the S-400 air defense system is also not an absolute weapon and should be used in conjunction with other types of armed forces and military branches.

“If Growler is working, then first of all, fighter aircraft should be assigned the tasks of hitting this electronic warfare aircraft. If interference is created from ground-based EW stations, then they need to be bombed or assaulted or hit with fire from long-range artillery and missile forces. That is, it is necessary to create conditions for the performance of combat missiles-400- continues the expert.

The American specialist pays a lot of attention to working at a safe distance outside the reach of the enemy’s combat weapons:

“The capabilities of air defense detection devices are only getting better, as well as the radius of destruction of ground-to-air missiles is growing, so you may have to use hidden long-range missiles integrated into one network. Or long-range stealth aircraft and other techniques, including suppression (at a distance), to weaken and ultimately destroy the air defense system. As a result, working outside the range of the enemy’s weapons, it is possible to weaken its air defense. Then, for example, you can fly closer and use a fighter with medium-range stealth missiles, instead of launching long-range missiles from afar. At the same time, conventional (non-stealth) aircraft can attack with long-range missiles, thus freeing up space for attack to a stealth aircraft. And drones - false targets with electronic warfare equipment on board can be used together with attacking combat units to go deep into enemy territory, disabling air defense means along the way. ”

Khodarenok repeats that the combat use of the S-400 air defense system must also be considered in a complex, within the framework of the air defense system created in advance.

“In particular, a three-echelon anti-aircraft missile defense was built in Syria. The S-400 air defense system operates at distant frontiers, the Buk-M2 air defense system at medium range, and the Pantsir-C1 air defense missile system performs tasks at the near approaches to the guarded object. This is a fairly stable group. ”“he says.

The chief editor of the “Military-Industrial Courier” also doubts the statement about the enemy’s work at safe distances:

“Firstly, the S-400 air defense system’s affected area is quite large, and secondly, the Buk or the Carapace can catch the missed target.

Terms of use of S-400

According to Mikhail Khodarenka, S-400 air defense systems and other air defense systems can only be used in two cases. Firstly, in the event of a full-scale military conflict:

“If this is applied, then only in conditions of a hypothetical armed clash with the United States or Turkey, which is not included in the plans of either the first or the second. But on the whole, a similar situation should be considered extremely unlikely. ”

Secondly, in case of violation of the Syrian state border in the airspace by airplanes of other states. Here Khodarenok refers primarily to Turkey, if Turkish fighters go deeper into Syrian airspace.

“Both Americans and Turks have already appreciated this opportunity. The Turks stopped flying and striking the territory of Syria, since there is a high probability that in this case they will be destroyed by the S-400 air defense fire ”he says.

At the same time, the Russian military expert draws attention to the fact that any defeat of an aircraft by air defense missile systems / air defense systems will have difficult-to-predict consequences. So, for example, if rockets are fired on an airplane, it can perform a missile defense, turn around and fly back to its territory. Missiles can catch up with him (their speed is almost 2 km / s), the fighter will fall on the territory of Turkey and at the same time can destroy some extremely significant civilian object. However, if he violates the state border, is hit and falls in Syria, then

“By all international standards, we have the right to open fire and destroy an intruder. This scenario is the most likely. ”

As for the incident with the downed Su-24, Mikhail Khodarenok suggests that if the S-400 air defense system had already been deployed in Syria at that time, then there might not have been an attack on a Russian aircraft.

Overall grade: 4.2

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In the anti-terrorist operation in Syria, at the request of Damascus, the Russian Space Forces are participating. Combat sorties take place on a daily basis, and as our Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized today, the Ministry of Defense informs in detail about all the targets hit. The safety of the pilots themselves and all those who serve on the ground has recently been provided, including by the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system.

Absolute control in the Syrian sky. C-400 anti-aircraft missile system around the clock on alert duty at the Khmeimim air base. To ensure full combat readiness of the S-400, five minutes is enough. During this time, the combat crew of an anti-aircraft missile launches launchers, radars and command posts. Today it is the most modern high-precision system, which has no analogues in the world.

These complexes appeared at the Russian airbase immediately after Turkish fighters shot down our Su-24 bomber. SAMs were transported to Latakia during the day. They first took up combat duty abroad. According to the military, the S-400 regularly spot "suspicious" objects in the air. Having discovered that our systems are watching them, they turn around and fly back.

Startup takes only five seconds. One such installation provides safety in the sky in a radius of at least 400 km. The radars installed here are capable of tracking up to 300 potential targets and destroying 36 objects simultaneously.

The S-400 covers the Syrian sky from the ground, while from the sea the airspace is controlled by the cruiser Moscow, on board of which the Fort system is installed. It is also called the ship's analogue of the S-300. Thus, our planes in the sky are covered throughout Syria.

From the beginning of the air operation on duty and the short-range complex "Shell-S". Its main task is to cover the S-400 and protect the facilities of the Khmeimim air base. The range of his defeat is more than 20 km. At the same time, he is able to detect the target even on approaching within a radius of 50 kilometers. Daily duty carries a calculation of three people: operator, commander and driver. Depending on the task, this system is able to destroy the target in seven seconds. The armament of this system is 12 guided missiles and a 30-mm gun. "Shell-S" is able to detect more than 20 targets. At the same time, up to 10 objects can accompany and destroy this melee vehicle.

On the “take-off” Khmeimim, the sound of turbines of fighters and bombers is constantly heard. Our planes continue to be on alert in the sky. Information about the new whereabouts of the terrorists of the ISIS organization banned in Russia is regularly sent to the information center in Latakia. They are checked several times by means of objective control and in a joint center in Baghdad. Aircraft return to base about an hour after departure - on average, pilots spend so much on average to complete a combat mission. A little rest - and again to the sky.

Since the beginning of the Russian operation in Syria, more than 30 Su-24 front-line bombers, more than a dozen Su-25 attack aircraft, several newest Su-34 bombers, Su-30 fighters to cover the work of other planes and several helicopters have been deployed at the Khmeimim air base in Latakia. On Tuesday, one Su-24 was lost as a result of a Turkish Air Force missile strike, allegedly violating the Turkish-Syrian border. As a result of the attack, the pilots ejected: the commander of the crew, the gunmen were shot in the air, the navigator managed to escape.

The "amazing" complex "Triumph"

The Russian S-400 Triumph mobile multichannel anti-aircraft missile system is called the Growler. The system is designed to destroy all modern and promising means of aerospace attack. It was adopted by the S-400 in 2007, although the development of such a complex began in the Soviet Union.

The Triumphs are located in all military districts of Russia, and also cover Moscow and the Central Industrial Region - four S-400 regiments are deployed around the capital: in Dmitrov, Zvenigorod and Podolsk.

The complex is capable of detecting targets at a distance of 400 km. From this distance, aerodynamic targets may be destroyed at a flight speed of up to 4.8 km / s, such as cruise missiles, tactical aircraft (for example, an F-16 fighter, firing a Sidewinder missile at the Russian Su-24) and strategic aviation, as well as ballistic missile warheads. Triumph missiles can hit low-flying targets at a height of more than 5 m. For comparison: the main competitor of the S-400 - the American Patriot complex - is capable of working at targets at a height of at least 60 m. The Russian system can also use several types of missiles, that is, one the installation can simultaneously perform several combat missions.

The S-400 system includes an early detection radar, as well as an all-altitude detector that has the ability to work against cruise missiles and "stealth" with stealth technology. This radar can detect a target at a maximum height of 100 km in any direction. The system has launchers freely moving on the ground on a trailer and a command center, the maximum distance between which and the battalion when using repeaters is up to 100 km.

The cost of such an anti-aircraft missile system was not officially announced, but when in 2014 it was announced that Triumph had received an export passport, the deputy head of the air defense system said that "only countries with developed economies and good financial capabilities can afford to buy such systems."

China became the first foreign customer of the S-400; the sale of this system in China became known in 2015.

India also declares its intentions to acquire the system. But the first foreign country where the Triumph can show itself in a real battle was Syria.

“This is the first time we have deployed it abroad, although for several years it has been supplied serially in several divisions a year to the Russian army and has been widely used in large operational-tactical exercises, such as Center 2015 this year. The capabilities of this complex are very great, roughly speaking, we can use its radar to see all air targets within a radius of about 500 km, if it is located in Khmeimim, that is, we can see the territory of Turkey at 250-350 km depending on the terrain ” , - explained to “Gazeta.Ru” a member of the expert council at, military expert, stressing that

it does not make sense to place more than one division of this system in Syria, since it will block all the Syrian provinces bordering Turkey - Latakia, Idlib and Aleppo.

He also noted that this complex had a missile with a range of 300 km, depending on the type and height of the target. This, according to him, is quite enough to reach 150 km inland of Turkey. The expert explained that the deployment of the S-400 at the Khmeimim base should not be neglected by the Turkish side, since the warning is “very serious”.

“As I understand it, Turkey itself has now set such conditions that if someone flew into someone else’s space for three seconds, the right to shoot down has already been given. This will be a warning so as not to bury. So it’s better for them (Turkey) not to fly into Syrian airspace, ”the expert added.

Not a joke, but control over the activities of the Turkish Air Force

An expert in the field of air defense of the Center for Military-Political Studies (U), Vladimir believes that the deployment of the S-400 in Latakia is “the current exhaustive solution to the problem that confronted the Russian air forces.”

“The state does not joke with such things,” Korovin told Gazeta.ru. “Therefore, the situation in Turkey is rather unpleasant: the radar system sees several hundred kilometers, and since the S-400 will be located on the border with Turkey, all its air force activities will be under Russian control today.”

Korovin recalled that Russian air defense systems “scared” Turkey not for the first time. So, Greece in the mid-90s planned to deploy S-300 complexes in Cyprus, then Turkey spoke out strongly against this, threatening to bombard the positions of the complexes. The story ended with the fact that the Greeks acquired from Russia S-300 placed on another island - Crete.

“You can turn to the story 20 years ago, when Turkey panicked over all channels for two years. Today, this situation for the Turks comes down to almost the same thing, ”the source said.

S-400 may remain in Syria

According to experts, the S-400 system has proven itself in the framework of tests and exercises and is a modern and effective means of air defense.

“The S-400 proved itself during the tests according to the highest rating. Of course, there are no such complexes that work flawlessly, this applies to both Patriot and French complexes. This complex in terms of efficiency and reliability is consistent with what should be used today, ”said Korovin.

“It turns out that this complex will demonstrate to the whole world what might mean its appearance in such hot spots. This is a great advertisement, ”Korovin added.

Viktor Murakhovsky, however, believes that in the event of a “triumph” of the operation against the IS in Syria, the Russian S-400 may remain in this country - for example, in exchange for the S-300, the supply contract of which is frozen:

“I think that quite this complex can“ suddenly ”remain in Syria“ as a keepsake ”. This, of course, will depend on the course of hostilities against the IS (an organization banned in Russia), ”the expert says.

Officials themselves have so far refuted such assumptions. “This complex will be returned, I haven’t thought about any sales yet, there are no such plans yet,” said Vladimir Kozhin, assistant to the president on military-technical cooperation issues, on Thursday

According to Murakhovsky, it is also to be expected that the Russian group in Syria could be replenished with the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and cannon system, designed to cover long-range air defense systems and systems.

“Obviously, if they are not there yet, then they will be there. Because the “Armor” air defense missile system battery goes to the division of such S-400 air defense systems to cover the division’s positions themselves, ”Murakhovsky said.

In photographs from the scene analyzed by "Gazeta.Ru", ZRPK "Shell" as part of the system deployed in Syria is already present.