The Tor Family SAM System at Vietnam Defence Expo 2024
Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol (part of Almaz – Antey ASD Corp.) presents its defence products at international exhibition Vietnam Defence Expo 2024. The joint exposition of Rosoboronexport demonstrates the Tor-E2, Tor-M2KM, Tor-A air defence systems, the Typhoon-AD (E) combat vehicle for MANPADS anti-aircraft gunners’ squad and the Adjutant versatile target training system.
Combination of combat capabilities of the Tor-E2 SAM systems ensures its high competitiveness among similar air defence and missile systems. Tor-E2 is distinct in a record-breaking short deployment time – three minutes – which is especially important when repelling a sudden raid. Its speed of air surveillance – 1 antenna revolution per second – is said to be the best rate all over the world. Ammunition of one combat vehicle is 16 missiles, which is several times higher than ammunition load of similar systems.
As for other tactical and technical characteristics – they are also at the level of the best world samples, or surpass them. The targets peak performances are very high: the maximum speed is over 700 m/s, the minimum size within the radio range is less than 0.1 m2. The effective area fully complies with the requirements for short-range air defence systems – up to 16 km by range, up to 12 km by altitude and ±9.5 km by ground track parameter. The lower border of effective zone is 10 m or less. The Tor family combat vehicles have proved (often with exceeding the certified values) their performance characteristics at real battles in the zone of SMO, where they hit any type of aerodynamic aerial weapon and a number of types of ballistic AW including state-of-the-art samples from various producers.
The Tor family SAM systems vary in chassis and a customer can choose the version appropriate for the predicted theatre of war operations. At the Vietnam Defence Expo 2024, in addition to Tor-E2, the Tor-A SAMS based on a two-link tracked chassis and the TorM2KM self-contained combat module is presented.
The Tor-A SAM system is designed for operation in completely off-road conditions – swampy areas, sandy dunes, ice hummocks and virgin snow. Wheel specific pressure is only 0.3 kg/cm2 – it can go wherever an infantryman can go, and this allows for air defence in any direction and implementation of an operational-tactical plan unexpected for the opposing side. The Tor-A SAMS combat vehicles are produced in two versions – with a life support cabin that makes it easier for the crew to work in extreme conditions, or with increased ammunition (another 16 body storage missiles, in addition to the combat-ready ammunition).
The Tor-M2KM air defence system does not have a self-propelled chassis at all. This significantly reduces its cost, which allows getting more combat vehicles for the same money. The Tor-M2KM SCCM is the site-specific air defence means; absence of a chassis does not play a significant role. However, if necessary it can be easily transformed into a mobile SAM system – by mounting on any chassis with suitable carrying capacity. The combat module can also be transported by a cargo helicopter, which allows its placement in hard-to-reach places like in mountainous or wooded areas, on the roofs of buildings etc. One of the options for using the Tor-M2KM SAMS is to place it on the deck of a warship or even of a merchant ship. It makes the system to be the inter-branch one and enables rapid manoeuvre for available air defence means from land to sea direction.
Another air defence means presented at Vietnam Defence Expo 2024 is combat vehicle of the Typhoon-Air Defence MANPADS anti-aircraft gunners’ squad. The CV provides anti-aircraft gunners with enhanced mobility and protection. Communication facilities enable receiving target designation from a higher command post. It is possible to conduct combat work both from the side of the vehicle and being dismounted.
The manufacturer also presents the Adjutant Versatile Target Training System. The target training system of a new generation is capable of repeated use of targets and launching several targets of various types into the sky at once, providing each with a different flight path.
High quality and reliability of the Kupol-developed systems are confirmed by their successful operation by the Russian army, and Armies of many other countries. –ros/adj/mhi (Photos: Rosoboronexport / IS-Media Co.)
