The
Bal-E modern coastal missile system (CMS) has entered service in the
coastal missile unit of the Caspian Flotilla formed this year. Spokesman
for the Southern Military District Col. Igor Gorbul told Itar-Tass that
“specialists of the Kaluga-based Typhoon plant are currently tuning
the radar equipment and consolidating the entire system of the complex
control into a single network.” “During 2011 part of the
battalion’s officers underwent training at special courses at
the plant,” he said.
The Bal-E mobile coastal missile system with the KH-35 type anti-ship
missile was developed on the order of the Russian Navy in the late 1990s
and adopted for service in 2008. The system consists of a self-propelled
command control and communications centre, self-propelled launchers,
a transport and reloader machine and communications vehicle, a total
of up to 11 special vehicles.
The coastal missile system is capable of hitting targets at ranges up
to 120 kilometers at any time and under any weather conditions. The
time of deployment after a march - 10 minutes, cruising range - 850
kilometers, ammunition - 64 missiles, the number of missiles in one
salvo - 32. |
The firepower of
a Bal-E squadron is able to foil the fulfillment of a combat mission
of a major naval strike group, an amphibious unit, or a potential enemy
convoy. The squadron’s launchers can be set at hidden positions
at a distance of 10 kilometers from the coast.
“During the 2012 training year, the rocketeers of the Caspian
Flotilla will perform at least three rocket launches on sea surface
targets imitators,” Gorbul said.
The Bal-E mobile coastal missile system is designed: to control straits
and territorial waters; to protect naval bases, other coastal installations
and infrastructures; to defend coastline in probable landing approach
areas. The missile system can conduct combat actions, providing fully
autonomous afterlaunch missile guidance in fair and adverse weather
conditions, by day and night, under enemy fire and electronic countermeasures.
The system can conduct both single and salvo fire from any launcher,
with the capability of receiving current information from other command
posts and external reconnaissance/target designation data sources. A
salvo can include up to 32 missiles. One such salvo can thwart a combat
mission carried out by an enemy naval attack group, a landing force
or a convoy.
Source: PNA/Itar-Tass
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