Analysis
of the Syrian army air force and air defence threats in case of no-fly zone.
Syria
has one of the most sophisticated Soviet-designed air defence systems
outside of the former Eastern Bloc countries. In August 2006, Russian
sources confirmed that the first battery of Strelets SA-24 multiple launch
units had been delivered to Syria, although the Russian Ministry of Defence
subsequently denied the transaction, claiming the contract had not yet
been signed.
Syria for the few past years has reached out to Russia to obtain modern
weapons that included many modern anti-tank and anti-air missile systems
that will further improve its combat capabilities. In early September,
2008 The Syrian Government is in line with Russia to purchase MiG-29SMT
fighters, Pantsir S1E air-defense systems, Iskander tactical missile systems,
and Yak-130 aircraft.
During the latest military exercises in December 2011, a video unveils
that Syrian army is now equipped with latest Russian made air defence
missile system as the BUK-M2 (Nato code SA-17 Grizzly).
The Syrian strategic SAM (ground-to-air missile) is based primarily on
Russian made systems. The Syrian Air Defense Force controls twenty-five
air defense brigades, each with six SAM batteries. It is equipped with
650 static SA-2, SA-3 and SA-5 launchers, 200 mobile SA-6 and SA-11 launchers
and over 4,000 anti-aircraft guns ranging from 23mm to 100mm in caliber.
There are also two independent SA-8 and SA-10 SAM Regiments, each with
four batteries of 48 mobile SAMs.
The Syrian early warning system comprises Long Track; P-12 Spoon Rest;
P-14 Tall King; H-15 Flat Face; P-30 Big Mesh; P-35 Bar Lock; P-80; PRV-13;
PRV-16 Thin Skin mobile and static radar sites throughout Syria
Syrian army is now equipped with the latest generation of Russian made
mobile air defence missile system as the SA-22 and the Pechora 2M.
Currently, there are 131 active SAM sites inside of Syria.
Video
Live firing ground-to-air defence missile systems of Syrian army
Towed
Air Defence Missile System:
The
SA-2 Guideline (Russian denomination S-75 ) is an low-
to high-altitude , command guided, surface-to-air missile
(SAM) system. Since its first deployment in 1957, it has
become the most widely-deployed and -used air defense
missile in history.
a
The
SA-3 Goa (Russian name S-125 Neva) system began development
in 1956 as a low- to medium-altitude complement to the
larger S-25/R-113 (SA-1), S-75 (SA-2) and S-200 (SA-5)
medium- to high-altitude surface-to-air missile systems.
a
a
The
SA-5 Gammon (Russian name S-200 Angara/Vega) is a low-
to high-altitude surface-to-air missile system designed
to defend large areas from bomber attack or other strategic
aircraft.
a
a
The
SA-6 Gainful (Russian denomination 2K12 Kub) is a Russian
made low-to-medium-altitude surface-to-air missile system.
The SA-6 entered in service with Russian army in 1967
and it was not seen in public until the 1967 Moscow Parade.
a
a
The
SA-8 Gecko NATO code name (Russian name 9K33 OSA) is russian
made a highly mobile, low-altitude, short-range tactical
surface-to-air missile system. "9K33" is its
GRAU designation.
a
a
The
SA-9 Gaskin (Russian name 9K31 Strela-1) is a highly mobile,
short-range, low altitude infra-red guided surface-to-air
missile system mounted on the wheeled armoured vehicle
BRDM-2.
a
a
The
BUK-M1 (NATO code: SA-11 Gadfly) missile system is a self-propelled,
medium-range surface-to-air missile systems developed
by the Russian defence industry.
a
a
z
The
SA-13 GOPHER or 9K35 Strela-10 is a short-range, low altitude
SAM system. The SA-13 is designed to defend troops on
the march from low level aircraft and helicopters, precision-guided
munitions and reconnaissance RPVs.
a
a
The
Buk-M2E (NATO name SA-17 Grizzly) is a russian made mobile
medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed
to defend field troops and logistical installations against
air threats.
a
a
The
Pantsyr-S1 (NATO code SA-22) is an air defense missile
/ gun system designed and manufacturec by the Russian
Defense Companies KBP Instrument Design Bureau and Ulyanovsk
Mechanical Plant
a
a
The
Pechora-2M is a surface-to-air anti-aircraft short-range
missile system designed for destruction of aircraft, cruise
missiles, assault helicopters and other air targets at
ground, low and medium altitudes. The Pechora-2M was developed
and produced by Russian-Belarus Oboronitelniye Sistemi
(Defence Systems).
a
The
SA-7 Grail (Russian denomination 9K32M Strela-2) is the
first genration of portable air defence missile system,
made by the Russian defence industry. The SA-7a (9K32
Strela-2) was introduced for service in 1968.
a
a
The
9K34 Strela-3 (NATO code SA-14 Gremlin) is russian made
man-portable air defence missile system (MANPADS) which
was developed in Russia as a response to increase performance
of the earlier 9K32 Strela 2 (SA-7 Grail) system.
a
a
The
SA-16 Gimlet or 9K310 IGLA-1 is a man-portable air defense
missile system with solid propellant guided missile. It
is a simplified version of IGLA (SA-18 Grouse) portable
anti aircraft missile system.
a
a
The
SA-18 Grouse or Igla or 9K38 is a Russian made man-portable
infrared homing surface-to-air missile defence system
(SAM/MANPAD). The SA-18 Grouse with its 9M39 missile was
accepted into service in the Soviet Army in 1983.
a
a
The
SA-24 Grinch (Russian name Igla-S 9K338) is the latest
generation of Russian portable air defense missile system.
The SA-24 Grinch Igla-S is a further development of the
Igla family systems (SA-18 and SA-16).
a
a
The
ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a Russian lightly armoured,
self-propelled, radar guided anti-aircraft weapon system
(SPAAG). The ZSU-23-4 Shilka was developed in the early
1960's and was first seen in public during a parade in
Moscow in November 1965.
a
a
The
2K22
Tunguska (NATO Code 2S6) is a Russian made tracked
self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon armed with a surface-to-air
gun and missile system. It is designed to provide day
and night protection for infantry and tank regiments
against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and cruise
missiles in all weather conditions
Anti-aircraft
guns:
The
ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a russian made towed
23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon.
a
a
a
The
M1939 (61-K) is a Russian-made 37mm anti-aircraft gun
which was developed during the late 1930s and used during
the Second World War. The 61-K was accepted for service
in Russian army in 1939 under the designation of the 37
mm Automatic Anti-aircraft Cannon M1939 and the first
order placed for 900 units.
a
The
S-60 is a Russian-made 57mm anti-aircraft gun designed
by the Central Design Bureau and introduced in 1950 as
the replacement for the older 37-mm M1939 anti-aircraft
gun.
a
a
The
KS-19 of 100mm caliber is a Russian-made towed anti-aicraft
gun which was introduced in the late 1940s to replace
the old M1939 and M1944 anti-aircraft guns.
a
a
a
The
KS-12 of 85mm caliber is a Russian-made towed anti-aicraft
gun which was introduced with the Soviet army in 1939.
Production of the KS-12 gun ended in 1944 when it underwent
several major modifications which allowed the gun to fire
a more powerful charge while using the same shells as
the M-1939 version.
a
The
Syrian
Air Force is the Aviation branch of the Syrian Armed Forces.The
Syrian Air Force is organized into 2 combat strike squadrons, 2 transport
squadrons, 3 attack helicopters squadrons, and one air defence command
with 21 brigades.
Total aicraft in service: between 350 to 611 combat, transport 24, Helicopters
200
Personnel: 60,000
Fighter
Aircraft
The
Mikoyan MiG-29
is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed
in Russia for an air superiority role. Developed in
the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service
with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use
by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other nations.
The
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
(NATO reporting name: Foxbat) is a Russian made supersonic
interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. Armament: R-23
Apex, R-73A Archer, R-60T Aphid AAMs; Kh-58 Kitler
The
Sukhoi Su-27
(NATO reporting name: Flanker) is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable
fighter aircraft designed by the Russian Company Sukhoi.
The Su-27 is equipped with a 30mm GSh-301 gun with 150
rounds of ammunition and a range of missiles, rockets
and bombs mounted externally on ten hardpoints.
The
Sukhoi Su-24
(NATO reporting name: Fencer) is a supersonic, all-weather
attack aircraft developed in Russia. The Su-24's fixed
armament is a single fast-firing GSh-6-23 cannon with
500 rounds of ammunition, mounted in the fuselage underside.
The gun is covered with an eyelid shutter when not in
use. There are eight external hardpoints (two under
the inner wing glove, two swiveling pylons under the
outer wing, and four on the fuselage) for a maximum
warload of 8,000 kg (17,600 lb), including various nuclear
weapons. Two or four R-60 (NATO AA-8 'Aphid') infrared
missiles are usually carried for self-defense.
The
SU-22 is the export version of
Sukhoi Su-17 (NATO reporting name: Fitter) is a Russian
made attack aircraft developed from the Sukhoi Su-7
fighter-bomber. Armament: two 30-mm NR-30 with 80 rounds
per gun; provision for 4250 kg (9,370 Ib) of disposable
stores, including tactical nuclear weapons, AAMs, ASMs,
guided bombs, bombs, cluster bombs, dispenser weapons,
napalm tanks, large-calibre rockets, rocket-launcher
pods. cannon pods, drop tanks and ECM pods, carried
on nine external hardpoints.
The
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
(NATO reporting name "Fishbed") is a supersonic
jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Russian Company
Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau. Armament: one 23-mm
GSh-23 two-barrel cannon with 200 rounds, plus four
underwing pylons suitable for AA-2 'Atoll' orAA-8 'Aphid'
AAMs, UV-16-57 rocket launchers, 500- or 250-kg (1,102-
or 551-lb) bombs, S-24 240-mm(9.45-in) air-to-surface
rockets, or drop tanks.
The
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
(NATO reporting name: "Flogger") is a variable-geometry
fighter aircraft, designed by the Russian Company Mikoyan-Gurevich
design bureau. Armament: one 23-mm GSh-23L two-barrel
cannon with 200 rounds; provision for up to 3000 kg
(6,614 Ib) of disposable stores, including AAMs, cannon
pods, rocket-launcherpods, large-calibre rockets, and
bombs, carried on six external hardpoints.
Combat
helicopter
The
Mi-25 Hind-D is the export version
of the Mi-24 Hind-D. The Mi-24 (NATO reporting name:
Hind) is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter
and low-capacity troop transport with space for 8 soldiers.
It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated
since 1972 by the Russian Air Force, its successors,
and by over thirty other nations. Armament: one 12.7
mm (0.5-in) JakB-12.7 machine gun; provision for 2400
kg (5,291 lb) of disposable stores, including bombs,
rocket-launcher pads, dispenser weapons, cannon pads,
grenade launchers, anti-tank missile, drop tanks and
ECM pads, carried on four underwing and two wing tip
pylons
Syria
purchased the first 18 SA.342
Gazelles in 1977, in response to Israeli
Bell AH-1 Cobras. These Gazelles entered service with
the 976 Attack Helicopter Squadron, equipped with AS.12
anti-tank guided missiles. Additional SA.342s were supplied,
enabling the SyAAF to organize a full brigade of three
squadrons, and one unit used for liaison and cooperation
with police. France supplied HOT ATGMs with those helicopters,
considered at that time one of the most advanced ATGMs.
Each Gazelle could carry four HOT missiles, mounted
on stubs behind the cockpit.
