Russian army to acquire additional Tor-M2 anti-aircraft systems to address shortfall.

On August 19, 2023, the Russian Armed Forces announced their intention to increase their defense capabilities with the procurement of additional Tor-M2 tactical surface-to-air missile systems. This decision stems from a new agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the manufacturing entity, the Kupol Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant.
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TOR-M2 Russian Short-range surface-to-air defense missile system (Picture source: Army Recognition )

Since the onset of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has faced a significant reduction in its modern air defense arsenal, losing nearly a third of its systems. The nation is now grappling with the challenge of replenishing these important defense assets.

While the specifics of the new contract remain confidential, several OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) sources have confirmed substantial losses for the Russian forces. Based on photographic and video evidence, it's estimated that 29 Tor series surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems have been lost, including the scarcely seen Tor-M2DT arctic variant.

The Tor system stands out in the Russian defense lineup, especially for its prowess in countering cruise missiles and precision-guided weapons. The majority of these systems are mounted on the GM-355 chassis, enabling them to seamlessly accompany tanks and other armored vehicles across diverse terrains.

The Tor-M2 is a short-range air defense missile system designed by Russia. It is currently used by several countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, China, Egypt, and Russia. This system is equipped with 8 missiles, either 9M331 or 9M332, with a missile range of 1,500 to 7,000 meters and a missile altitude varying from 50 to 6,000 meters. These features make the Tor-M2 a formidable tool for short-range air defense.

The Tor-M2 is quick to deploy, capable of targeting 10 to 12 objectives within a minute. It is equipped with the M2E PESA engagement radar and the Tor M2E search radar, both mounted on the turret. In terms of dimensions, the Tor-M2 measures 7.5 meters in length, 3.3 meters in width, and 5.1 meters in height. It requires a crew of three people for efficient operation. The Tor-M2 was officially inducted into the Russian military's arsenal in 2008.

Air dominance remains a major issue in the conflict in Ukraine, so the addition of the Tor-M2 system is a significant advantage for Russian forces. However, the equipment still needs to be built and delivered and won't be available immediately on the battlefield. It remains to be seen if Russia will be able to replace the equipment destroyed in Ukraine. The production and repair of damaged or destroyed equipment is one of the new challenges of the war in Ukraine, which seems to be dragging on.