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Rubezh-ME Russia's Compact Missile System for Coastal Defense Challenges Debuts in Vietnam.
At the Vietnam Defence 2024, from December 19 to 22, 2024, Russia will unveil the Rubezh-ME coastal missile system for the first time. Developed by the Kaluga Instrument-Making Plant "Typhoon," this modern system is built on a compact, mobile, and integrated architecture designed to meet the operational needs of armed forces in diverse environments. Mounted on a KamAZ chassis, the Rubezh-ME is capable of protecting territorial waters and addressing both maritime and land-based threats.
The Rubezh-M coastal missile system, armed with Kh-35U Uran anti-ship missiles, is capable of striking surface targets, including ships weighing up to 5,000 tons (Picture source: Russian Media )
The Rubezh-ME integrates a command post, radar systems, and launchers onto a single platform. This streamlined configuration, referred to as a "boat on wheels," minimizes logistical complexity while enhancing mobility across various terrains, including public roads. The system's firing range extends up to 260 km for export versions and up to 500 km for models designed for the Russian Navy. Its target detection capabilities are supported by an SPU-A active radar, which can locate targets up to 250 km away, and an SPU-P passive radar with a detection range of up to 500 km. These features enable the system to adapt to a wide range of scenarios, from autonomous operations to coordinated use in formations of multiple vehicles.
The Kh-35UE missile, the Rubezh-ME's primary armament, is a subsonic model measuring 4.4 meters in length and carrying a 145 kg explosive warhead. It is capable of neutralizing surface ships up to 5,000 tons using guidance systems that combine inertial navigation, satellite positioning, and radar homing. The missile flies at low altitudes, ranging from 10 meters above the waves during cruise phases to 3-4 meters in terminal approach, complicating detection and interception efforts. Its versatility also allows it to engage strategic land-based targets such as bridges and military installations, making it suitable for various missions. The export version of the missile has a maximum range of 260 km, while the Russian Navy variant extends to 500 km. High levels of automation in the system enable missile launches to be prepared in under a minute, with operations managed by a single operator.
The Rubezh-M system is intended to complement the larger and more expensive Bal coastal missile system, which can accommodate up to eight missiles per launcher (Picture source: Rosoboronexport)
A key component of the system is its SKPUS mobile command post, mounted on a similar chassis but equipped with the Monolith-B radar. This radar enhances the system's range and target-tracking precision while facilitating coordination with other units. A Rubezh-ME battery can include up to eight launcher vehicles, supported by reloading vehicles with cranes, allowing for the launch of 32 missiles in a single salvo and reloading within 30 to 40 minutes. These features make the Rubezh-ME an effective tool for countering naval groups or defending strategic areas.
Compared to its predecessor, the Bal system, the Rubezh-ME offers a lighter design, reduced cost, and improved modularity. Unlike the Bal, which relies on separate platforms for radars, control, and launchers, the Rubezh-ME integrates all these components into a single platform. This integration simplifies logistics and increases operational flexibility. Additionally, the system is capable of operating in challenging conditions, including electronic warfare and environments with dense enemy air defenses.
The system’s effectiveness is supported by recent examples of the capabilities of Russian coastal missile systems. In 2023, the Bastion system, equipped with Onyx missiles, demonstrated its ability to strike land-based targets during operations in Ukraine. These examples highlight the growing versatility of modern coastal missile systems, capable of addressing a range of needs from maritime defense to strategic land-based strikes.