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Analysis: Russian Ground Forces build up air defensePart 2

The Russian design of a DART analog has been known for long. It has recently joined the round of munitions of T-15 heavy infantry fighting vehicle with the Kinzhal 57mm combat module. It has at least eight places to accommodate smart munitions. Derivatsya with guided projectiles can replace both Shilka and Tunguska. 2S38 ammunitionwill considerably expand the list of targets. Besides helicopters and drones, Derivatsya will destroy smart bombs and missiles (if armed with guided munitions).
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2S6M combat vehicle of 2K22M Tunguska-M system (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)

Strela-10 antiaircraft short-range missile system will also be replaced soon. In early 2018, Airborne Forces Commander Colonel-General Andrey Serdyukov said the troops would receive new Ptitselov weapon in 2022. It is carried by BMD-4M airborne vehicle. It was reported this year that Ptitselov will be also supplied to the Ground Forces. In contrast to the airborne vehicle, it will be carried by BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles. Ptitselov will replace outdated Strela-10 in the Airborne and Ground Forces.

The vehicles had to be delivered yet in 2017. Ptitselov has not been officially demonstrated, but is believed to be based on Sosna-R antiaircraft system. In 2016, a Defense Ministry source told TASS that the antiaircraft weapon designed for the Airborne Forces in the framework of Ptitselov project can be armed with existing combat modules, including Sosna.

Trials of Sosna-R had to begin in the summer of 2015. The first Sosna combat vehicle was presented at Army-2018 forum. It was carried by MTLB prime mover. The Zvezda TV channel later showed a Sosna on BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle.

The system guides the missile by a laser beam. The radar tracks the target and the optical electronic system emits a beam at it and a launch takes place. The main advantage is the ability to destroy high-speed and maneuverable targets. Sosna missiles are invulnerable to heat traps and infrared disturbances.

Before Ptitselov appeared, several R&D, including Bagulnik and others, were launched for the Airborne and Ground Forces. One of them aimed at creating a light and air transportable option of Pantsir missile gun.

Many R&D were nearly ready when Ptitselov appeared. Bagulnik even passed acceptance trials. Therefore, Ptitselov is likely to be a new modular combat system. It can carry short-range or longer-range missiles depending on the mission. Anyway, Ptitselov considerably increases the capabilities of motorized rifle and tank regiments, Together with Derivatsia it can create multi-layered defense against precision air weapons and drones. Such an air defense will be lethal for helicopters.