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AZERBAIJAN KEEPS ARMENIA'S AIRSPACE UNDER FULL CONTROL - STUDY
http://en.apa.az/news_azerbaijan_keeps_armenia___s_airspace_unde_18 6770.html
Azerbaijan leaves Turkey behind for the level of Air Defense System
Baku. Rashad Suleymanov -APA. The modernization of the Air Defense
System is one of the spheres that the Azerbaijani government has
attached great importance to within the framework of the Armed Forces
development program since 2005.
According to APA's study several important programs have been
implemented in the past seven years for the modernization of
Azerbaijan's air defense system. Modern technical equipment and
systems have been purchased.
It should be mentioned that during the Soviet times Azerbaijan's air
defense system was the major part of the South Caucasus air defense
system. The most modern air defense systems of the USSR were deployed
in the republic, those systems protected the southern borders of
the former union from the direction of Iran and Turkey. The system
included modern antiaircraft missile complexes of the time, fighter
jets and since 1986 Gabala radar station.
Air Defense Troops were established under Azerbaijani Armed Forces
after the country gained independence. The abovementioned troops were
united under the same command as Military Air Forces.
Azerbaijan's Air Defense System did not actively participate in the
1st Karabakh war. It is attributed to the limited use of military
aviation by Armenia during the 1st Karabakh war. Antiaircraft weapons
and portable antiaircraft missile complexes were majorly used in
Karabakh war.
Purchases
APA reports that alongside the modernization programs, Azerbaijan
purchased new antiaircraft missile complexes from foreign countries.
In 2010 Azerbaijan purchased from Russia 2 divisions of S-300 complexes
and 112 48N6U2/SA-10E missiles. The contract signed with Russia is
reportedly worth more than $300 mln. They say one more S-300 division
will be bought. S-300 missile complex was first demonstrated in the
military parade in Baku in 2011. Referring to the pictures taken by
the Google Earth, these complexes are protecting the airspace of the
capital Baku.
"Barak-8" antiaircraft missile complexes (1 division - 6 throwing
devices and 75 missiles), EL/M 2080 Green Pine missile defense radars
were purchased within the framework of $1.6 bn-contract signed with
Israel in 2011. "Barak-8" missiles purchased from Israel are mainly
designed to be deployed on ships.
Azerbaijan is the first country in the CIS to purchase EL/M-2080
Green Pine. Green Pine reportedly operates in search, detection,
tracking, and missile guidance modes simultaneously, capable of
detecting targets at ranges of up to about 500 km, and is able to
track more than 30 targets at speeds over 3,000 m/s.
During the reporting period Azerbaijan purchased a number of air
defense systems from Ukraine. According to official information,
Ukraine has recently sold several "Kolchuga-M" electronic
reconnaissance stations to Azerbaijan.
Director of "Tetraedr" company of Belarus told APA in February,
2011, that Azerbaijan intended to purchase T-38 "Stilet" antiaircraft
missile complexes. Moreover, various military websites report that
Azerbaijani Army is going to purchase "Pantsir" antiaircraft missile
complexes from Russia in the near future.
Current opportunities
According to APA, Azerbaijan, which reestablished its air defense
system over the past 7 years, purchased Modern radio-technical
surveillance systems, as well as antiaircraft missile complex from
Ukraine, Belarus and Israel. Several programs were carried out towards
modernization of the existing missile park.
In 2008-2011, two separate programs were carried out by the Belarusian
Tetraedr company on modernization of S-125M Pechora and 9K33M3
"Osa-AKM" systems included in inventory of air defense forces.
As a part of this program carried out with the participation of
local "Azairtecservise" company, 27 pieces of S-125M complexes
were improved to the level of S-125 - 2TM. Control system of the
complexes were electronized, life expectancy extended to 15 years. As
a result of the modernization, shooting distance of the missiles was
doubled (reached 35 km) and the height increased by 7 km (reached 25
km). Now these missiles are capable of striking the targets moving 900
meter/second. This number was 560 m/second before the modernization. At
the same time its accuracy of target destruction was increased.
Another antiaircraft missile complex improved to the level of 9K33-1T
"Osa-1T" after the modernization by Tetraedr company in 2008-2009
differs for a number of distinct advantages from 9K33M3 "Osa-AKM".
Protection of the complex against interferences was improved, combat
control automated. New drive system that allows striking targets
moving 700 m/second on 7 km altitude and 12 km away was applied at
the modernized "Osa-1T" complex.
In addition, the complex included OES-1T electro-optical system,
infrared radar with a range of 8-12 microns, TV channel and laser
range-finder to determine target distance when radar system is
not working. The reliability of this complex was improved due to
modernization of 80 percent devices. During the tests, "Osa-1T"
proved its opportunities to destroy small-size targets, as well as
targets established on Stealth technologies.
In general, the air defense of Azerbaijan is ensured by EL/M-2080
Green Pine in a large distance (200-500 km), S-200 "Vega" (29-40 km
altitude, 250 km range, middle range S-300 PMU-2 Favorit (200 km
range). For comparison, according to these indicators, Azerbaijan
leaves Turkey behind for the level of Air Defense System.
Moreover, Azerbaijan's Air Defense System has S-125-2TM Pechora,
9A33-1T "Osa", Buk-M1-2, 9K35 "Strela-10" and 2K11 "Krug" systems
used against close targets.
According to military experts, at present, the Azerbaijani Air
Defense System is keeping under full control not only the airspace
of the occupied territories, but also the territory of Armenia from
north-west and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The recently-purchased
radar facilities, especially TRML-4D radar delivered by the US enable
to fully control the airspace over the Caspian Sea.
The airspace of Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding regions occupied
by the Armenian Armed Forces are controlled by the radar systems in
Beylagan, Fuzuli, Agjabadi, Goygol region, Nakhchivan and Kurdamir.
Each of the processes in this airspace and Armenia's airspace is
recorded.
Azerbaijan's missile systems near the frontline are regarded as
potential threats to the flights to Khojaly airport that Armenians
are going to open and enable to directly prevent flights to this area.
Currently, Armenia's air defense system includes S-300PT, S-300PS,
S-300PT, "Krug", S-125 "Neva", "Osa" and "Strela-10" complexes,
this country has no long-range air defense systems like those in
Azerbaijan. Late in December Armenia's Defense Ministry declared
program on modernization of air defense systems. S-300 systems will
be first modernized within this program.
http://en.apa.az/news_azerbaijan_keeps_armenia___s_airspace_unde_18 6770.html
Azerbaijan leaves Turkey behind for the level of Air Defense System
Baku. Rashad Suleymanov -APA. The modernization of the Air Defense
System is one of the spheres that the Azerbaijani government has
attached great importance to within the framework of the Armed Forces
development program since 2005.
According to APA's study several important programs have been
implemented in the past seven years for the modernization of
Azerbaijan's air defense system. Modern technical equipment and
systems have been purchased.
It should be mentioned that during the Soviet times Azerbaijan's air
defense system was the major part of the South Caucasus air defense
system. The most modern air defense systems of the USSR were deployed
in the republic, those systems protected the southern borders of
the former union from the direction of Iran and Turkey. The system
included modern antiaircraft missile complexes of the time, fighter
jets and since 1986 Gabala radar station.
Air Defense Troops were established under Azerbaijani Armed Forces
after the country gained independence. The abovementioned troops were
united under the same command as Military Air Forces.
Azerbaijan's Air Defense System did not actively participate in the
1st Karabakh war. It is attributed to the limited use of military
aviation by Armenia during the 1st Karabakh war. Antiaircraft weapons
and portable antiaircraft missile complexes were majorly used in
Karabakh war.
Purchases
APA reports that alongside the modernization programs, Azerbaijan
purchased new antiaircraft missile complexes from foreign countries.
In 2010 Azerbaijan purchased from Russia 2 divisions of S-300 complexes
and 112 48N6U2/SA-10E missiles. The contract signed with Russia is
reportedly worth more than $300 mln. They say one more S-300 division
will be bought. S-300 missile complex was first demonstrated in the
military parade in Baku in 2011. Referring to the pictures taken by
the Google Earth, these complexes are protecting the airspace of the
capital Baku.
"Barak-8" antiaircraft missile complexes (1 division - 6 throwing
devices and 75 missiles), EL/M 2080 Green Pine missile defense radars
were purchased within the framework of $1.6 bn-contract signed with
Israel in 2011. "Barak-8" missiles purchased from Israel are mainly
designed to be deployed on ships.
Azerbaijan is the first country in the CIS to purchase EL/M-2080
Green Pine. Green Pine reportedly operates in search, detection,
tracking, and missile guidance modes simultaneously, capable of
detecting targets at ranges of up to about 500 km, and is able to
track more than 30 targets at speeds over 3,000 m/s.
During the reporting period Azerbaijan purchased a number of air
defense systems from Ukraine. According to official information,
Ukraine has recently sold several "Kolchuga-M" electronic
reconnaissance stations to Azerbaijan.
Director of "Tetraedr" company of Belarus told APA in February,
2011, that Azerbaijan intended to purchase T-38 "Stilet" antiaircraft
missile complexes. Moreover, various military websites report that
Azerbaijani Army is going to purchase "Pantsir" antiaircraft missile
complexes from Russia in the near future.
Current opportunities
According to APA, Azerbaijan, which reestablished its air defense
system over the past 7 years, purchased Modern radio-technical
surveillance systems, as well as antiaircraft missile complex from
Ukraine, Belarus and Israel. Several programs were carried out towards
modernization of the existing missile park.
In 2008-2011, two separate programs were carried out by the Belarusian
Tetraedr company on modernization of S-125M Pechora and 9K33M3
"Osa-AKM" systems included in inventory of air defense forces.
As a part of this program carried out with the participation of
local "Azairtecservise" company, 27 pieces of S-125M complexes
were improved to the level of S-125 - 2TM. Control system of the
complexes were electronized, life expectancy extended to 15 years. As
a result of the modernization, shooting distance of the missiles was
doubled (reached 35 km) and the height increased by 7 km (reached 25
km). Now these missiles are capable of striking the targets moving 900
meter/second. This number was 560 m/second before the modernization. At
the same time its accuracy of target destruction was increased.
Another antiaircraft missile complex improved to the level of 9K33-1T
"Osa-1T" after the modernization by Tetraedr company in 2008-2009
differs for a number of distinct advantages from 9K33M3 "Osa-AKM".
Protection of the complex against interferences was improved, combat
control automated. New drive system that allows striking targets
moving 700 m/second on 7 km altitude and 12 km away was applied at
the modernized "Osa-1T" complex.
In addition, the complex included OES-1T electro-optical system,
infrared radar with a range of 8-12 microns, TV channel and laser
range-finder to determine target distance when radar system is
not working. The reliability of this complex was improved due to
modernization of 80 percent devices. During the tests, "Osa-1T"
proved its opportunities to destroy small-size targets, as well as
targets established on Stealth technologies.
In general, the air defense of Azerbaijan is ensured by EL/M-2080
Green Pine in a large distance (200-500 km), S-200 "Vega" (29-40 km
altitude, 250 km range, middle range S-300 PMU-2 Favorit (200 km
range). For comparison, according to these indicators, Azerbaijan
leaves Turkey behind for the level of Air Defense System.
Moreover, Azerbaijan's Air Defense System has S-125-2TM Pechora,
9A33-1T "Osa", Buk-M1-2, 9K35 "Strela-10" and 2K11 "Krug" systems
used against close targets.
According to military experts, at present, the Azerbaijani Air
Defense System is keeping under full control not only the airspace
of the occupied territories, but also the territory of Armenia from
north-west and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The recently-purchased
radar facilities, especially TRML-4D radar delivered by the US enable
to fully control the airspace over the Caspian Sea.
The airspace of Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding regions occupied
by the Armenian Armed Forces are controlled by the radar systems in
Beylagan, Fuzuli, Agjabadi, Goygol region, Nakhchivan and Kurdamir.
Each of the processes in this airspace and Armenia's airspace is
recorded.
Azerbaijan's missile systems near the frontline are regarded as
potential threats to the flights to Khojaly airport that Armenians
are going to open and enable to directly prevent flights to this area.
Currently, Armenia's air defense system includes S-300PT, S-300PS,
S-300PT, "Krug", S-125 "Neva", "Osa" and "Strela-10" complexes,
this country has no long-range air defense systems like those in
Azerbaijan. Late in December Armenia's Defense Ministry declared
program on modernization of air defense systems. S-300 systems will
be first modernized within this program.