TOS-1A flamethrowers delivered to new NBC unit in South Siberia.

A new Central Military District NBC protection unit being formed in the Altai Territory in south Siberia has received TOS-1A heavy flamethrowers, the district’s press office said.

TOS-1A heavy flamethrower (Picture source: Army Recognition)

"A new NBC protection unit in the Altai Territory has received TOS-1A heavy flamethrowers under the state defense procurement program. Three launchers were handed over to the unit during a ceremony," the press office said.

According to the press office, the TOS-1A crews manned by enlisted personnel underwent training in the Moscow Region in advance to master the advanced weapon. Earlier, Central Military District Commander Lieutenant-General Alexander Lapin said that the reactivated NBC protection unit would start to accomplish its missions on June 1 as part of the 41st Combined-Arms Army.

The TOS-1A combat vehicle weighs 44.3 tons and has a crew of three. It mounts a pod of 24 launch tubes. Its minimum firing range is 400 m and the maximum one equals 6,000 m. The complete salvo takes 6 seconds. The system fires rockets with the incendiary or fuel-air explosive warheads. The warhead’s payload produces an aerosol cloud that goes off in a fuel and air explosion when ignited. The TOS-1A is especially effective in mountainous terrain or well-fortified areas, including in urban buildings.