Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
February 8, 2012
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Home :: Missile Defense Systems
S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
| Alternate Name: | SA-10 Grumble |
|---|---|
| Country: | Russia |
| Basing: | Land |
Details
The S-300P surface-to-air missile system—currently manufactured, deployed, and exported by the Russians—is designed to detect, track, and destroy incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft. Also known by its NATO designation, SA-10 Grumble, the system has been modified several times since its inception: the most recent variants are the S-300PMU-1 (SA-10D) and the S-300PMU-2 Favorit (SA-20).
In the late 1960s, the Soviet Union began work on a new strategic air defense system known as the S-300 (NATO: SA-10 Grumble). The S-300 was designed by the Russian Almaz Scientific Production Association to shoot down low-altitude targets, including cruise missiles and aircraft.(1) From the beginning, the system included the most “cutting-edge” Soviet missile defense technology. Its phased-array fire control radar was capable of tracking up to six targets simultaneously, while its single-state, solid-fuel propelled missile sported aerodynamic control surfaces and thrust vectoring. The first S-300 missile, known as 5V55K, had a range of 47 kilometers and could engage its targets between 100 and 30,000 meters.(2)
In 1980, the S-300 became operational and was renamed S-300P, in order to distinguish it from the S-300V (NATO: SA-12A Gladiator; SA-12B Giant), another surface-to-air missile system deployed by Soviet ground forces. The “P” in S-300P stood for “PVO-Strany,” code for “air defense system,” while the “V” in S-300V was for “Voyska,” or “ground forces.” Although some of the technology was similar, the two systems were quite different: the S-300P was designed to engage cruise missiles and other low-flying targets; the S-300V was developed to shoot down tactical ballistic missiles.(3) By 1987, approximately 80 S-300P sites were operational, with another 20 in the making. Nearly half were located around Moscow to protect key military and industrial complexes.(4) Over the years, the S-300P has undergone several modifications, including the S-300PT (SA-10A), the S-300PT-1/1A (also SA-10A), the S-300PS (SA-10B), and the S-300PM (SA-10C).(5)
Although the Soviet Union imploded in 1991, the Russians continued upgrading and modifying the S-300P system throughout the 1990s. At the 1992 Moscow Air Show, the Russians displayed the latest version in the S-300P lineage, the S-300PMU-1 (SA-10D). This upgraded system, armed with new single-stage, solid-fuel propelled 48N6 missiles, has the capability to shoot down tactical ballistic missiles in addition to cruise missiles and aircraft, at ranges of 5-150 kilometers and altitudes between 10-27,000 meters. The 1,900 kilogram missile carries a 143 kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead. A typical S-300PMU-1 battery contains 48 missiles on 12 mobile launchers. Each battery is capable of launching one 48N6 missile every three seconds. The missiles are guided by the 36N85 vehicle-mounted engagement radar, which is capable of detecting incoming ballistic missiles at 40 kilometers, and aircraft between 3 and 150 kilometers. The 36N85 can guide up to twelve 48N6 missiles, while simultaneously tracking up to six targets.(6)
In 1997, the Russians unveiled yet another variant of the system, this time called S-300PMU-2 (SA-10E Favorit). Its larger missiles (9M96E and 9M96E2), longer range (200 kilometers), and better guidance system make the S-300PMU-2 a thorough modification of its predecessor. The system can engage targets between 10 meters and 27 kilometers above the ground.(7) The Russians claim that, during a series of tests in the mid-1990s, the S-300PMU-2 shot down a target ballistic missile traveling at 1,600 meters per second, and that the system can destroy targets traveling at 4,800 meters per second.(8) The Russians add that the system has a kill ratio between 0.8 and 0.98 against Tomahawk-class cruise missiles and from 0.8 to 0.93 against aircraft.(9)
One of the main reasons why the Russians devoted so much time and effort to upgrading and modifying the S-300P during the 1990s was to increase the system’s market value. In a trend that continues to cause much concern in the U.S., the Russians have been exporting S-300P missiles (and other weapons) throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East as a means of financing their ailing economy.
In 1991, the same year as the Soviet collapse, Syria announced its intention to purchase $1.5 billion worth of arms from the Russians, including an unidentified number of S-300P missiles.(10) The following year, China began negotiating its own deal, and in 1993 received “dozens” of Russian S-300Ps, heightening U.S. concerns over the surge in weapons proliferation. In particular, the U.S was worried (and still is) that China would dismantle the Russian S-300s and incorporate the advanced technology into its own offensive missiles, such as the CSS-6 (DF-15/M-9) and the CSS-7 (DF-11/M-11), which in turn would be proliferated on down the line.(11)
In 1993, Iran procured an unidentified number of S-300PMU-1 missiles from Russia. Kuwait expressed its own interest shortly afterward.(12) According to a 1993 report, “the S-300PMU is being marketed extensively, particularly in the Middle East.”(13) The following year, Hungary received its own supply of Russian S-300s: the deal paid off Russia’s $800 million debt to its former Warsaw Pact ally.(14) In November 1996, Mikhail Timkin, deputy manager of the Rosvooruzheniye state arms export company, bragged that he had found two more buyers for the S-300P: “Cyprus is in the bag, we’ve wrapped it up completely. It buys only our weapons now. We have even got into NATO, can you imagine? I am in charge of Turkey, and I can tell you that Turkey is now buying weapons from us.”(15) A few years later, Greece was added to the list.(16)
As late as August 2002, Iraq was attempting to acquire its own S-300 missiles, possibly as a means of frustrating or delaying an attack by the U.S. Sources indicate that Saddam Hussein was trying to acquire enough S-300 components from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine to build his own missile defense shield.(17) Iraq never completed this objective, although in April 2003 Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov admitted that Operation Iraqi Freedom had caused an upsurge in purchases of Russian weapons from other Middle Eastern nations: “We got a great advertising gift for our weapons in Iraq.” During the war, Alexander Nozdrachev, head of the state-run Russian Agency for Conventional Weapons, correctly predicted that the Iraq conflict would “generate a surge in interest in anti-aircraft defenses.” That year alone, Russian arms sales totaled $4.5 billion, mostly to Syria, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia—the lion’s share of which was for missile defense systems such as the S-300.(18)
Footnotes
- Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
- Michal Fiszer and Jerzy Gruszczynski, “Castles In The Sky,” Journal of Electronic Defense 25, 1 February 2002.
- Ibid.
- GlobalSecurity.org.
- Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
- Ibid.
- GlobalSecurity.org.
- “Russia In Talks To Create UAE Air Defence Network,” Flight International, 22 October 2002.
- GlobalSecurity.org.
- “$1.5 Billion Worth Of Arms To Be Bought From Soviet Union, Says Israel,” Flight International, 16 October 1991; “Syrian SAMS: Missile Systems From Russia,” Flight International, 7 October 1992.
- “Negotiations Begin For More Russian Arms,” Flight International, 2 September 1992; Ruth Sinai, “China Acquires Russian Missiles,” The Associated Press, 27 May 1993.
- “Iran Builds Up With Russian Firepower,” Flight International, 18 August 1993.
- “Kuwait Considers Helicopter/Missile Buy From Russia,” Flight International, 15 December 1993.
- “Hungarian Deal: Hungary To Receive Missile System To Pay Off Debt,” Flight International, 26 January 1994.
- “Russia Seeks ‘Solvent’ Markets For Arms Exports,” BBC Monitoring Service, 14 October 1996; “Cyprus To Buy Russian Anti-Aircraft Missiles Despite Turkish Worries,” BBC Monitoring Service, 16 December 1996.
- “Greece: Athens, Moscow Discuss Arms Deals,” Periscope Daily Defense News Capsules, 29 November 2001.
- “Iraq: Baghdad Seeks Russian Air Defense System,” Periscope Daily Defense News Capsules, 13 August 2002.
- Viktoria Loginova, “Iraq War Generates Free Publicity For Russian Weapons,” Agence France-Presse, 4 April 2003.
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)
Belarus to Deploy Four Batteries of S-300PS Defenses in March
Russia will deploy four S-300PS surface-to-air missile batteries in Belarus this March, according to Aytech Bizhev, deputy commander of the Russian Air Force. The deployment will extend the effective range of Russia’s western air-defense by 150 km (90 miles) and the detection of air targets by 400 km (250 miles). On Friday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov referred to the S-300PS missile units as “purely defensive” in an attempt to reassure NATO that the deployment was not directed against the western alliance. Belarus shares borders with NATO members Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
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)
Turkey Considering American PAC-3 and Russian S-300 Systems
Turkey is considering the purchase of missile defense systems such as the American PAC-3 and the Russian S-300P, reports DefenseNews. Last October, Turkey’s civilian procurement office, the Savunma Sanayi Mustesarligi (SSM), took control of the country’s theater air defense program, and will soon seek a final go-ahead from Turkey’s top procurement panel, the Defense Industry Executive Committee. Defense News quotes SSM officials as stating that Ankara wants systems with anti-missile capabilities, for it does not expect any serious aircraft threat in the coming years. The two strongest candidates are the American Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), the only tactical ballistic missile defense system with combat experience, and Russian S-300P, which has already been exported to a host of nations. Although Turkey has also considered purchasing the Israeli Arrow-2 system, Israel is said to be reluctant to transfer technology so important to its defensive deterrent.
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
Russia Shipping Four S-300P Complexes to Belarus in 2006
The Belarusian news agency Belapan quotes Colonel Igor Azarenok, the commander of Belarusian Western Operational Command, as saying that the first S-300 PS missile complexes will be delivered to the 115th air defence missile brigade stationed in Brest in March 2006, and that all four will have been shipped by the autumn. A contract for the S-300 was reportedly concluded on September 10.
» Belpan report on S-300P contract
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
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)
Pentagon Releases Report on Chinese Military Power
The Pentagon has released its annual report to Congress on Chinese military power, which describes China at “a strategic crossroads.” The 45-page report covers a host of topics, including Chinese military strategy and doctrine, the effects of military modernization, and an assessment of the security situation in the Taiwan Strait. “Questions remain about the basic choices China’s leaders will make as China’s power and influence grow, particularly its military power.” Of particular note is attention to such themes as China’s defense spending, strategic missile forces, the increasing number of short range missiles deployed near Taiwan, space policy, and the threat posed by a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse.
» NY Times: China’s Military Geared to Deterring Taiwan, Report Says
» Text of 2004 DOD Report on Chinese Military Power
» More stories on: China, Chinese Missile Defenses, Space-Based Systems
» Missile details: CSS-2 (DF-3, DF-3A), CSS-3 (DF-4), CSS-4 (DF-5), CSS-4 (DF-5A), CSS-5 Mod 2 (DF-21A/B), CSS-5 (DF-21), CSS-9 (DF-31/DF-31A), CSS-NX-5/CSS-NX-4 (JL-2)
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
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)
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