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IMINT: Russian S-300 protect Armenia, Karabakh skies
October 15, 2012 - 14:28 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The analysis of recent imagery acquired from various
sources highlights air defense developments in the Caucasus region.
In its most recent research, the U.S.-based open-source military
analysis IMINT & Analysis, based on the Google Earth satellite imagery
of air defense systems, examines Russian and Armenian air defense
postures in the Caucasus region, Contact.az reported.
`Imagery from TerraServer and Bing Maps provides the first look at
newly identified active S-300PS (SA-10B GRUMBLE) complexes in Armenia
and the Georgian breakaway republic of Abkhazia. Both locations
represent significant deployments for differing reasons,' says Sean
O'Connor, a subject matter expert in the fields of air defense and
strategic warfare.
Prior to 2008, Armenia imported components for at least three S-300PT
(SA-10A GRUMBLE) batteries, displacing S-125 (SA-3 GOA) batteries
defending the capital of Yerevan, according to the source.
By 2010, Russia delivered an additional pair of S-300PS batteries,
reportedly deployed in the eastern Syunik province. The two sites,
near Goris in the north and Kaghnut in the south, both reside within
seven kilometers of the border with Nagorno Karabakh.
`Only the Kaghnut battery resides on a prepared site, the complex
specially designed to accommodate the local terrain. Both batteries
employ a 5N63S mobile engagement radar and mast-mounted 5N66M
low-altitude EW radar,' the source mentioned.
`As imaged in 2011, the Goris battery currently operates four 5P85S/D
TELs, with the Kaghnut battery operating eight. Additionally, both
batteries displaced aging 2K11 (SA-4 GANEF) units. The status of the
displaced 2K11 batteries remains unknown.'
Deployment of the mobile S-300PS batteries in Syunik province places
the entire Nagorno Karabakh under the protection of Armenia's air
defense network, according to the analyst.
Furthermore, the S-300PS enjoys mobility that the S-300PT does not,
enabling rapid relocation when required. As such, either S-300PS
complex represents a possible occupant for the S-300P complex
constructed near Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh,
supplementing or replacing extant 2K11 or S-125 batteries in the
region.
The siting of the S-300PS batteries permits target track assignment
from either the Yerevan-based 64N6 battle management radar or a
Nagorno Karabakh-based 36D6 EW radar. Furthermore, the current siting
of the S-300PS batteries closes a pre-existing air defense gap,
allowing Armenia to deny air travel into Nakhijevan.
`With the amount of attention given to air defense related
developments in the Middle East, it is simple to overlook developments
elsewhere in the world. However, overlooked developments, such as the
placement of Armenian S-300PS batteries adjacent to Nagorno Karabakh,
represent significant occurrences potentially impacting various future
scenarios in the region,' the source concludes.
October 15, 2012 - 14:28 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The analysis of recent imagery acquired from various
sources highlights air defense developments in the Caucasus region.
In its most recent research, the U.S.-based open-source military
analysis IMINT & Analysis, based on the Google Earth satellite imagery
of air defense systems, examines Russian and Armenian air defense
postures in the Caucasus region, Contact.az reported.
`Imagery from TerraServer and Bing Maps provides the first look at
newly identified active S-300PS (SA-10B GRUMBLE) complexes in Armenia
and the Georgian breakaway republic of Abkhazia. Both locations
represent significant deployments for differing reasons,' says Sean
O'Connor, a subject matter expert in the fields of air defense and
strategic warfare.
Prior to 2008, Armenia imported components for at least three S-300PT
(SA-10A GRUMBLE) batteries, displacing S-125 (SA-3 GOA) batteries
defending the capital of Yerevan, according to the source.
By 2010, Russia delivered an additional pair of S-300PS batteries,
reportedly deployed in the eastern Syunik province. The two sites,
near Goris in the north and Kaghnut in the south, both reside within
seven kilometers of the border with Nagorno Karabakh.
`Only the Kaghnut battery resides on a prepared site, the complex
specially designed to accommodate the local terrain. Both batteries
employ a 5N63S mobile engagement radar and mast-mounted 5N66M
low-altitude EW radar,' the source mentioned.
`As imaged in 2011, the Goris battery currently operates four 5P85S/D
TELs, with the Kaghnut battery operating eight. Additionally, both
batteries displaced aging 2K11 (SA-4 GANEF) units. The status of the
displaced 2K11 batteries remains unknown.'
Deployment of the mobile S-300PS batteries in Syunik province places
the entire Nagorno Karabakh under the protection of Armenia's air
defense network, according to the analyst.
Furthermore, the S-300PS enjoys mobility that the S-300PT does not,
enabling rapid relocation when required. As such, either S-300PS
complex represents a possible occupant for the S-300P complex
constructed near Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh,
supplementing or replacing extant 2K11 or S-125 batteries in the
region.
The siting of the S-300PS batteries permits target track assignment
from either the Yerevan-based 64N6 battle management radar or a
Nagorno Karabakh-based 36D6 EW radar. Furthermore, the current siting
of the S-300PS batteries closes a pre-existing air defense gap,
allowing Armenia to deny air travel into Nakhijevan.
`With the amount of attention given to air defense related
developments in the Middle East, it is simple to overlook developments
elsewhere in the world. However, overlooked developments, such as the
placement of Armenian S-300PS batteries adjacent to Nagorno Karabakh,
represent significant occurrences potentially impacting various future
scenarios in the region,' the source concludes.