Day of Anti-Aircraft Missile Forces of the Armed Forces of Russia
08.07.2021 09:39
Day of Anti-Aircraft Missile Forces of the Armed Forces of Russia
Russian Ministry of Defense
For the first time, they heard about this type of troops in our country back in 1960, when on July 8, the post of commander of anti-aircraft missile forces was established in the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union. It is this date that is still considered the professional holiday of the military units of the Air Defense Forces.
In general, история the aforementioned type of troops is closely intertwined with the stages of the formation of domestic rocketry. Combat development aviation in the middle of the 20th century, in particular, an increase in altitude and flight speed, raised the question of creating weapons capable of effectively resisting enemy air attacks.
The usual machine-gun and cannon armament could no longer provide adequate protection against enemy raids and missile strikes. At the same time, one should not forget that among the tasks assigned to the air defense forces is the cover of strategic state facilities.
For the prompt solution of the above-mentioned problem, a number of design bureaus were created in the USSR, responsible for the creation of air defense missile systems. The first anti-aircraft missile units began to form in the mid-50s, and in the 60s, ammunition fired from the newest Soviet C-75 complex shot down an American Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft belonging to the CIA.
It is worth noting that the downed aircraft was at an altitude that was beyond the previously used Soviet air defense systems. From that moment on, unpunished "sorties" into the airspace of the Soviet Union became impossible, and on July 8 of the same year, Air Defense Missile Forces were created in our country.
As part of the air defense missile systems of the Russian Federation today, a variety of complexes operate: short-range, short and medium-range, as well as long-range. At the same time, with the development of technology and electronics, modern anti-aircraft missile systems have received enhanced firepower and almost "surgical" accuracy.
At the moment, domestic complexes: S-200, S-300, S-400, Pantsir, Igla, Strela, Buk, Tor, Tunguska, etc. enjoy undeniable authority throughout the world. ... They are capable of providing safety against almost any air weapon in any conditions and at different heights.
However, our country did not stop there. In the near future, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will receive the unique S-500 "Prometheus" air defense-missile defense system. It may become the world's first air defense system capable of withstanding hypersonic arms and even space threats. Indeed, according to some reports, its ammunition will be able to reach targets at an altitude of 200 km.