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Russia Developing Weapon Systems To Counter American ATACMs in Ukraine

© Sputnik / Dmitry Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankRussia's S-400 advanced air defense systems deployed in Syria
Russia's S-400 advanced air defense systems deployed in Syria - Sputnik India, 1920, 04.10.2023
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Russia is reportedly developing a long range surface-to-surface missile to counter ATACMs tactical ballistic missiles which Ukraine will likely use to target Russian S-300 and S-400 systems.
The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently released a video footage showing the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, purportedly watching the test launch of the missile on Friday September 28, 2023, when he visited the Kapustin Yar training ground in the Astrakhan region.
In the video, Dmitry Medvedev was also seen inspecting the Pantsir (AD) system and a radar. Speaking to personnel at Kapustin Yar training ground, Medvedev said, “The main thing we must achieve is resistance to modern air defence and electronic warfare systems that are in NATO's arsenal and that are being supplied to our enemy".

“We are actively modernising our equipment, trying to find opportunities to counter even the latest Western models with appropriate countermeasures. This will continue to happen, until our final victory,” Dmitry Medvedev stated.

Existing Surface Attack Capability of Russian AD Systems

Existing Russian AD systems, such as the medium range Buk-M3 and the long range S-300 are capable of attacking surface targets. Furthermore, during the course of the Special Military Operation (SMO), Russian forces have used long range S-300 AD system missiles to attack static surface targets and they have used medium range Buk-M3 AD system missiles for counter battery fire.
© Sputnik / Alexey Kudenko / Go to the mediabankRussian S-400 air defence system launches missile during drills
Russian S-400 air defence system launches missile during drills - Sputnik India, 1920, 04.10.2023
Russian S-400 air defence system launches missile during drills

Counter Battery Fire

The Buk system can extrapolate the launch point of rockets fired by MLRS using the recorded tracks of the rockets launched from the MLRS during salvo fire. The Buk system can then launch an AD missile targeting the computed coordinates of the MLRS system.
Like the Buk-M3, the S-300 and S-400 systems too have the ability to detect and track rockets launched from MLRS systems, including the M142 HIMARS. Based on multiple tracks the systems can extrapolate launch points.
It's unlikely that surface attack capability being added to the S-400 system is intended to destroy static surface targets. Russian forces have many different precision guided, air and surface launched missiles and drones capable of attacking surface targets - stationary as well as moving. These range from Geran-2 drones, subsonic cruise missiles such as Kalibr, Kh-101 and Kh-55; and supersonic cruise missiles such as Onyx and Kh-38, to name a few.
It is highly likely that the surface attack missile being integrated with the S-400 system has been developed specifically for counter battery fire as attacking surface targets using AD systems has proven to be not very effective.
However, a specialised surface attack missile integrated into the S-400 system would pose a serious threat to HIMARS launchers. It would become possible for the S-400 system to engage a HIMARS launcher within a few minutes of opening fire. The upgraded S-400 system would be able to respond to a HIMARS attack even before the HIMARS rockets reach their intended target.
© Sputnik / РИА Новости / Go to the mediabankRuins in Makeevka after Ukrainian strike
Ruins in Makeevka after Ukrainian strike  - Sputnik India, 1920, 04.10.2023
Ruins in Makeevka after Ukrainian strike

Russia New EO Sensor

It's interesting that Russia's Ruselectronics, which is part of Rostec state corporation, recently announced that it has developed a 1280x1024 EO Sensor suitable for missile guidance.
The breakthrough is sure to rattle the West as, according to the press service of Rostec state corporation, the EO modules can “see” targets at any time of the day.
The1280x1024 pixels resolution sensor has an image resolution in the range 400-900 nm, "which allows the use of these photodetectors to obtain high-quality images at any time of the day."
The modules were created by specialists from NPP Pulsar (part of Ruselectronics) on the initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

“When creating photodetectors, we managed to achieve current photoelectric characteristics at the level of foreign analogues, using only Russian components.”

Sergei Borovoy
General Director of Pulsar Research and Production Enterprise

Capability Essential for Self Protection

A credible counter battery capability could become absolutely essential for the S-400 system if the US transfers ATACM tactical ballistic missiles to Ukraine. Most analysts believe that such a transfer is just a matter of time.
The ATACM missiles, which can be launched using the M142 HIMARS launcher, have a range of 300 km. It is highly likely that Ukraine will use ATACMs to target Russian S-300 and S-400 systems covering the battlefront.
As such, a counter battery fire capability integrated with the S-400 systems may well be an urgent necessity.

Great News For India

The surface attack capability for the S-400 will surely be welcomed by the IAF leadership.
India and Russia signed a contract valued at $5.43b on October 5, 2018 for delivery of the S-400 system from Russia. Under the terms of the contract, Russia will supply India with five regimental sets of S-400s, each with a command post and two battalions of eight launchers each.
Russia has so far delivered three regiments. The remaining two are to be delivered by the end of 2023.
In October 2018, a senior IAF officer hinted to The Print that the IAF may procure additional S-400 squadrons on completion of the initial procurement.
“Let us get the first one in place and, yes, we may need to get a second one, given the length of our borders,” the senior officer said.
In September 2019, Russia's state corporation Rostec CEO, Sergey Chemezov, said that both India and Russia are currently in talks to launch a local S-400 production line in India.
"Yes, we are discussing the localization [of S-400 production] with India as well," Chemezov reportedly told a media outlet.
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