Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
January 7, 2009
IWG Report 2007
Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
Search
Home :: Missile Defense Systems
S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
| Alternate Name: | SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant |
|---|---|
| Country: | Russia |
| Basing: | Land |
Details
The S-300V, also known by its NATO designation, SA-12, is an advanced Russian surface-to-air missile system. Two versions currently exist: the Gladiator (NATO: SA-12A), capable of destroying ballistic missiles, and the Giant (NATO: SA-12B), for use against aircraft and cruise missiles. Since the early 1990s, the Russians have sold thousands of S-300Vs throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
The S-300V was developed by the Antey Corporation, one of the former Soviet Union’s largest defense companies. It was designed mainly as an anti-ballistic missile system, although it also has the ability to target and destroy aircraft and cruise missiles, similar to the U.S. Patriot. The S-300V was first deployed in 1986 and was so successful that, by the late 1980s, the Soviet military was ordering an average of three to four battalions each year.(1) During the 1990s, Antey improved the capability of the S-300V, giving the system the ability to engage targets flying at ranges of up to 100 kilometers.(2)
From the beginning, the S-300V was designed as a dual-missile system, incorporating two missiles differing in dimension, range, and purpose. The smaller of the two, the Gladiator (NATO: SA-12A), is primarily an anti-aircraft missile. At 7.0 meters long, 0.72 meters wide, and weighing 2,500 kilograms, it flies at 1.7 kilometers per second and can destroy aircraft located 6-75 kilometers away at altitudes of 25-25,000 meters. Each Gladiator carries a 150-kilogram high explosive warhead.(3)
By contrast, the Giant (NATO: SA-12B) is designed to destroy tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, although it can also shoot down aircraft. At 8.5 meters long, 0.9 meters wide, and weighing 4,600 kilograms, it approaches its targets at 2.4 kilometers per second. It can engage cruise missiles and aircraft at ranges of 13-100 kilometers and at altitudes of 1-30 kilometers (20-40 kilometers against ballistic missiles). Like the Gladiator, each Giant is equipped with a 150-kilogram high explosive warhead.(4)
Both S-300V missiles are guided by the Russian 9S19M2 phased-array sector-scan radar, which is capable of scanning an area of 90-degrees every second. According to Antey officials, the radar detects targets between 20-175 kilometers with an accuracy of 200-300 meters. The 9S19M2 can track up to 16 incoming ballistic missiles, aircraft, or cruise missiles while simultaneously foiling up to six jamming devices.(5) Both S-300V missile variants plus the radar system are transported on mobile launchers.
Over the years, the Russians have tested the S-300V against a wide array of targets. Antey officials claim that, in a recent series of tests in early 1997, the Gladiator and Giant interceptors successfully destroyed more than 60 ballistic and cruise missiles. Among the target missiles were Scud Bs modified to simulate Iraq’s Al-Hussein short-range ballistic missile used in the Persian Gulf War. In a series of tests, S-300V had a single-shot kill probability of 0.4 to 0.7 against tactical ballistic missiles. An average of 1.5 to 1.75 interceptors are required to bring down a single target.(6)
In 1998, Antey unveiled a modification of the S-300V, nicknamed the “Antey-2500.” Known as the S-300VM while in development, the upgraded model contains two types of missiles with maximum velocities of 1.7 and 2.6 kilometers per second. The modified system is capable of simultaneously engaging 24 targets at a range of 40-200 kilometers and altitudes from 25 meters to 30 kilometers. It can detect, track, and destroy tactical ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,500 kilometers, hence its name, Antey-2500.(7)
Over the past decade, Russia has deployed thousands of S-300V and Antey-2500 missiles around its key military and industrial complexes. In addition, it has exported these systems throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East as a means of financing its ailing economy in the wake of the Soviet Union’s 1991 collapse. According to Aviation Week & Space Technology, “in the worldwide competition to sell ballistic missile defense systems, the Russian Antey Corp.’s S-300V is a main contender.”(8) The advantage for buyers of Russian surface-to-air missiles is that, unlike buying from the U.S., there are no political strings attached and, more often than not, the weapons are significantly cheaper than their U.S. counterparts.(9)
In 1996, for instance, Russia marketed the S-300V system in the United Arab Emirates in direct competition with the U.S., which had been selling Patriot missiles to the UAE for several years. Russia offered heavy discounted S-300V missiles to the UAE, essentially selling them at half their normal cost, in return for UAE’s forgiveness of long-term Russian debt. The Russia-UAE deal, however, angered the U.S. and soured its relations with Russia.(10)
The S-300V has also played a role in larger, more lucrative arms dealings between Russia and other nuclear powers. In February 2002, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov led a delegation to New Delhi, India, to negotiate a hefty arms deal, the focal point of which was the sale of S-300V missiles.(11) Over the years, as one of Russia’s largest and most frequent weapons buyers, India has equipped almost two-thirds of its armed forces with Russian hardware.(12) In February 2004, Russia formally offered to sell the defense system to India.(13) Recent tensions between India and Pakistan, both of which possess nuclear weapons, ensure that the S-300V and other anti-ballistic missile systems will figure prominently in future arms dealings.(14)
Likewise, it was reported in December 2003 that Moscow intends to supply Iran, a potential nuclear power, with $1.6 billion worth of weapons, the bulk of which will be either S-300V or Antey-2500 surface-to-air missiles. Iran has been lobbying for Russia to sell it a defense shield since the late 1990s. It plans to use the missiles to protect its key industrial region Esfahan, its naval base at Bandar Abbas (on the Persian Gulf), oil terminals at Abadan and Khorramshahr, and its nuclear power station at Bushehr.(15) The U.S., needless to say, voiced its strong objections to the Russia-Iran deal and, at one point, even threatened sanctions.
Despite these objections, it appears that Russia has no plans to stop marketing its S-300V missiles, as well as other weapons, throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East in the coming years.
Footnotes
- Nikolay Novichkov and Michael A. Dornheim, “Russian SA-12, SA-10 On World ATBM Market,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, 3 March 1997.
- Robert Wall, “Russia’s Premier SAMs Seen Proliferating Soon,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, 27 September 1999.
- Novichkov, et al.; Missile.index.
- Ibid.
- Novichkov, et al.
- Ibid.
- “Russia’s Antey Offers Upgraded SA-12 For Export,” Aerospace Daily, 28 May 1998.
- Novichkov, et al.
- Carlo Kopp, “Next-Generation SAMs For Asia A Wake-Up Call For Australia,” Australian Aviation, 1 October 2003.
- “Russian/U.S. Tussle Over UAE Air Defence System Intensifies,” Flight International, 24 March 1999; GlobalSecurity.org.
- “Russia: Moscow Begins Arms Trade Negotiations With New Delhi,” Periscope Daily Defense News Capsules, 6 February 2002.
- Sergei Blagov, “Trade: Russia Leads World In Arms Exports,” Inter Press Service, 1 July 2002.
- “Russia Offers S-300V SAM Anti-Missile System To India,” The Press Trust of India Limited, 5 February 2004.
- Sergei Blagov, “Trade: Russia Leads World In Arms Exports,” Inter Press Service, 1 July 2002; Rajat Pandit, “India Wants Info On Patriot Missile System,” The Times of India, 14 August 2003.
- Aleksandr Reutov, “Iran Yields To IAEA To Gain Time,” Kommersant, 19 December 2003.
Russia Tests S-300
The Russian military recently tested the S-300 air/missile defense system in a major exercise at the Ashuluk range in Astrakhan Region, reports Russian Channel One Europe TV. The broadcast stated that the S-300 crews “warded off air raids and missile attacks,” but did not specify the number of missiles fired, their targets, or their rate of success. The broadcast noted that Russia’s air defense shield currently “protects 140 strategic facilities and almost a third of Russia’s population,” adding that “the technical characteristics of the targets against which fire is directed are superior to the missiles actually possessed by the potential enemy.”
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Russia Develops New Support Vehicle for S-300, Plans to Export
Russia has developed a new reloading and missile-transportation vehicle for its S-300 air/missile defense systems, reports the September 1 issue of Jane’s Missiles and Rockets. The NPP Start scientific production enterprise released details of the new 22T6E2 vehicle at the recent Russian Expo Arms 2006 exhibition in Nizhniy Tagil. The 22T6E2 is based on Russian wheeled vehicles rather than the Ukrainian-manufactured KrAZ-260 wheeled chassis currently in use. The new vehicle, 10.8 m long, 3.2 m wide and 3.8 m high, can simultaneously load or unload two S-300 missiles and can relocate four missiles in approximately 30 minutes.
Jane’s reports that Russia plans to export the new S-300 vehicles immediately. In 2005, the designers completed all testing of the 22T6E2 and received a certificate for mass production. According to Gennadiy Mikhaylovics Muratshin, the general director of NPP Start, the factory already has production orders from four unspecified countries.
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Belarusian Missile Crews Test S-300 in Southern Russia
This morning, Belarusian missile crews took part in a military exercise at the Ashuluk range in southern Russia that included tests of the S-300 air/missile defense system, reports the Belarusian news agency Belapan. During the operational and tactical exercise, crews from the 115th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade used S-300 systems to engage 15 target simulators imitating an attack by cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles, and supersonic aircraft.
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia, Russian Missile Defenses, Testing - Foreign
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Polish Analyst: Russia May Send S-300 Missiles to Iran via Belarus
Russia may export S-300 air/missile defense interceptors to Iran via Belarus, writes Polish analyst Piotr Koscinski on the Rzeczpospolita newspaper website. Koscinski cites the Russian publication Vzglyad, which published an article in April 2006 suggesting that Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenka himself would be the go-between for the transaction. The move would allow Russia to categorically deny the sale of these weapons to Iran, and maintain its image within the G-8 and on the world stage. According to Jane’s Intelligence Digest, an Iranian military delegation visited Minsk in January 2006, and negotiations surrounding the transfer of S-300 systems took place. According to Aleksandr Rakhimchyk, deputy director of the Moscow-based Institute of Military and Political Analysis, if Iran receives Russian-made S-300 systems, the U.S. would not be able to carry out a military operation against the Islamic Republic “without suffering significant losses.”
» More stories on: Analysis, Former Soviet Republics, Iran, Proliferation, Russia
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Belarus Deploying Missiles on Polish Border
Belarus has deployed Russian-made S-300 air/missile defense interceptors in the city of Brzesc near the Polish border, according to a report by Radio Polonia on May 31. Relations between the two countries have been tense ever since authorities in Belarus accused Poland of interfering in its internal affairs by supporting the Belarusian democratic opposition movement. In addition, Poland is a top choice for the Pentagon’s European missile defense site, which has angered Russian authorities. In response, Russia and Belarus signed a joint air defense pact, and Moscow began arranging for the deployment of S-300 units in Belarus, thus extending the effective range of Russia’s western air-defense by at least 150 km (90 miles), and the detection of air targets by 400 km (250 miles). Poland currently has no equivalent air/missile defense interceptors.
» More stories on: Deployment, Former Soviet Republics, Russia
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Russia Trying to Sell India on S-300 System
Russia has pitched its S-300 surface-to-air missile system to India, reports RIA-Novosti. Mikhail Sukachev, a representative of Russian state arms firm Rosoboronexport, recently spoke at the Defexpo arms show in New Delhi: “Russia has offered India to create a comprehensive air defense system using different air defenses, including S-300 missile systems of various modifications.” The news briefing came after Indian media reports named the U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) as the main competitor to the Russian S-300.
» More stories on: India, Russia
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Russia-Belarus Air Defense to be Integrated as One
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov announced that his department would be submitting a document to the government for the creation of a single regional air defense system between Russia and Belarus Union, reported RIA-Novosti on October 19. “The document, which specifies how the system will function, is passing through bureaucratic procedures,” said Ivanov, adding that Russia would soon be supplying Belarus with S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to build up the common regional air defense system.
On October 13, the Belarusian Defense Ministry told Interfax that the Belarusian military already receives data from the Russian radar situated in Hantsavichy in Brest Region, information sharing which is critical to the launch of interceptors against an aircraft or missile attack:
“The radar is designed to provide a missile attack early warning and monitor missile launches, possibly threatening Belarus. That is why data fed by the Russian radar is of paramount importance to Belarus,” an official said.
According to him, information support is one of the conditions for Russian military facilities’ presence in Belarus.
Among other conditions, Belarusian air defense units have been granted the right to conduct live firing exercises at Russian firing ranges. Belarusian units conduct such exercises on a regular basis at the Ashuluk firing range in Astrakhan Region, and other Russian proving grounds. Up to 10 battalions conduct live firing exercises on an annual basis. The Russian side provides systems, firing ranges and targets to this end.
At the present time Belarus accommodates the Uzel Baranavichy early warning radar in Hantsavichy, and the Russian navy command and control post, situated near the town of Vileyka.
» Interfax on Belarus-Russian Data sharing for joint air defenses
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Head of Rosoboronexport on Arms Cooperation
Military cooperation between Russia and Belarus is growing rapidly, reports the Belarusian daily Zvyazda. The article quotes Sergey Chemezov, director-general of Russia’s Rosoboronexport arms company, as claiming that Russian-Belarusian interaction accounts for one third of manufacturing and research facilities in the former Soviet Union, and 30-35 percent of jointly developed weaponry. This includes the S-300P and S-300V missile defense systems, which are exported worldwide. Russia has also signed military cooperation agreements with Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Zvyazda notes that Chemezov is pursuing a single pricing policy in order to boost revenues.
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Industry, Russia
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Profile of Russian S-300 System
Russian television, in a report on Russian Channel One TV on April 10, carried a profile of the Russian Air Defenses coinciding with the thirtieth annual “Day of Air Defence Troops” commemoration. The profile looks in particular at the radar and interceptor systems for the S-300, and other interceptors around Moscow.
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Russian S-300V Profiled
Russian NTV television recently carried a report, on February 27, on the S-300V air and missile defense system. The report describes how the system was first devised for the purpose of destroying, with a nuclear warhead, American ballistic missiles, such as the Pershing II. According to the report, the Antey-2500 version of the S-300 interceptor has a range of 2,500km. Russia maintains that the American Patriot air and missile defense system has still not achieved comparable capability.
» Missile system details for: S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
 | |
| Total Records: 26 | [1] 2 3 » |
|---|---|
Home :: Missile Defense Systems
