Why Russia needed hypersonic weapons in the Eastern Mediterranean

February 20 2022 23

After spending some time in the Kaliningrad region, the MiG-31K supersonic fighters, equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, returned to the airfield in the Western Military District. Judging by the publications in the American press, the Russian hint was seen in the West, appreciated and taken into account. Now the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has transferred carriers of "Daggers" to Syria, and even together with Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers armed with powerful Kh-32 anti-ship missiles. Why were "Putin's rockets" needed in the Eastern Mediterranean?

The Russian Defense Ministry commented on the transfer of aircraft to friendly Syria as follows:

Long-range aircraft Tu-22M3 and MiG-31K with the Kinzhal aviation complex were relocated to the Khmeimim airfield (SAR) to participate in a naval exercise of the inter-fleet grouping of the Navy in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces completed the flight from the points of deployment, covering more than 1,5 thousand km. During the exercise, long-range aviation pilots will have to perform tasks for their intended purpose.

Exercises are a good and necessary thing, especially if they are held in a situation close to a combat one. So, today in the Eastern Mediterranean there is an extraordinary militarization. The North Atlantic Alliance has gathered in its waters three aircraft carrier strike groups at once - American, French and Italian, which have come under the operational subordination of the NATO bloc.

The US Navy's AUG leads the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier named Harry Truman. It is guarded by an escort of several cruisers and destroyers equipped with guided missile weapons (URO). To strengthen the strike capabilities of the grouping, the Pentagon sent an Ohio-class submarine to the Mediterranean Sea, converted into carriers of 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is leading several multi-purpose French, American and Spanish frigates and two submarines. Air support for the NATO Navy in the region is also provided by the light Italian aircraft carrier Cavour, which carries only 6 AV-8B Harrier II vertical take-off and landing aircraft and 12 helicopters on deck.

This force is very serious, but the really dangerous is the American Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, whose carrier-based aircraft could be a problem for the DPR and LPR militia in the event of an attempt to go on the offensive on Ukrainian territory. The AUG, led by "Harry Truman", is currently located not far from the coast of Greece, from where it can launch air and missile strikes on the South-East of the Independent.

To stop the offensive potential of the NATO bloc, the Russian Ministry of Defense has concentrated an extraordinary force in the Mediterranean Sea. Three missile cruisers of the Atlant project were sent here at once: Marshal Ustinov, Moskva and Varyag, the last of which are the flagships of the Black Sea and Pacific Fleets, respectively. Armed with super-powerful P-1000 Vulkan anti-ship missiles, these ships were once created specifically for the destruction of aircraft carriers. Squeezed in the relatively cramped waters of the Eastern Mediterranean, the three AUGs of the North Atlantic Alliance actually found themselves at the front sight of the Russian Navy, deprived of their main advantage: the ability to operate with a "far hand" carrier-based aviation, remaining at a distance inaccessible to an effective missile strike.

As we have told Previously, such an exchange - three aircraft carriers for three old cruisers and several old BODs - may be categorically unacceptable for the NATO bloc. For Russia, the loss of the most combat-ready ships, which will inevitably be destroyed by a retaliatory missile strike by the AUG escort, will also be a severe blow. But, apparently, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation decided to slightly correct the final score in their favor.

Tu-22M3 supersonic missile carriers with Kh-32 anti-ship missiles and MiG-31K supersonic fighters have been significantly deployed to the Russian Khmeimim airfield in Syria. This allows in general terms to imagine a possible attack on the AUG, which, according to all the rules, should be combined, simultaneously from water, from air and from under water.

Tu-22M3 is our next "aircraft carrier killer", only aviation. Its Kh-32 cruise missile has a range of up to 1000 km and a speed of 4–5,4 km/h. It is believed that it is capable of breaking through the Aegis air defense / missile defense system due to the high altitude at which it approaches the target, the highest flight speed, active maneuvering, protection from electronic warfare and a steep dive attack, which complicates its interception. These supersonic missile carriers are capable of additionally thinning out the slender ranks of the AUG of the NATO bloc.

A separate story with the hypersonic "Dagger", which is carried by the MiG-31K fighter, 1 piece on a suspension. The aircraft itself gives incredible speed to the rocket, acting as the first stage. It is believed that the existing missile defense systems are not able to intercept the "Dagger". This is probably how it really is. Some doubt we had some time ago about the possibility of hitting not only a stationary, but also a mobile target with a hypersonic missile, for which it is required to provide and promptly correct target designation data. Opinions on this important issue were then polarly divided.

Sending Kinzhal carriers to places where they might need to hit a target like an aircraft carrier capable of moving at a speed of 30 knots gives reason to hope that the Russian Ministry of Defense has full confidence in its missile. If so, we'll see.

Sergey Marzhetsky

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gunnerminer

-13

20 February 2022 09: 24

Sending a Tu-22M3 detachment to the Mediterranean Naval Theater along with the MiG-31K is an attempt to stretch Trishka's caftan. Kh-32 was not accepted into service. What is placed under the fuselage of the aircraft, one can only guess. It is impossible to hit mobile targets with the X-47M quasi-ballistic ammunition. The munition performs hypersonic flight when equipped with a hypersonic ramjet over its entire trajectory. Nobody in the world has such an engine. A guidance system for hypersonic ammunition has not been created. There are no materials for the heat-resistant fairing cap.
The Russian ship grouping in the Mediterranean Sea is like in a mousetrap. Not even able to get emergency dock repairs. The grouping does not have a floating missile technical base, there are no floating bases for the crews of surface ships and for the crews of Varshavyanka submarines. The grouping does not include a hospital ship where injured and wounded sailors could be evacuated to provide resuscitation measures, to accommodate the seriously wounded. There are no universal supply transports in the group. There are no missile boats. Missile boats based on Latakia and Tartus could partially remove a number of combat missions from the crews of the ships of the group. Not in the group and air cover (PLO aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, AWACS and U aircraft). At least a Tu-22M3 regiment is required, albeit with Kh-22 missiles, and not a tiny detachment.
The Soviet 5th Operational Squadron was a formation capable of inflicting unacceptable damage on the 6th Fleet of the US Navy.

The sailors of the Russian group may receive extremely limited opportunities for shore leave. Only in Tartus, only on the territory of the garrison. A sharp difference from their Soviet counterparts.
1. Volga073
  
  +2
  
  20 February 2022 10: 12
  
  So revive the USSR.
  1. gunnerminer
    
    -6
    
    20 February 2022 10: 18
    
    For the revival of the USSR, an attractive socio-economic model is needed. First of all, for the Russians. Without it, even with the colossal military power of the USSR, the USSR cannot be revived.
    Modern generations did not find the Soviet order, they have only superficial ideas. And no one needs the USSR. Not for that, it was dismantled.
    1. rotkiv04
      
      +4
      
      20 February 2022 11: 52
      
      you definitely don’t need the USSR, why is it in Israel
      1. gunnerminer
        
        -8
        
        20 February 2022 12: 14
        
        Nobody needs the USSR.
2. Rico1977
  
  0
  
  20 February 2022 16: 25
  
  Troll - pulled up under every news yapping. How much were you paid?
3. Alexander K_2
  
  0
  
  20 February 2022 20: 04
  
  It is not clear just why all this contingent in Syria?
  1. gunnerminer
    
    -5
    
    20 February 2022 20: 45
    
    To force the Turks to buy gas on the terms of Gazprom. But the Turks outwitted. I had to reduce the price, and even pay off with anti-aircraft systems, and build a nuclear power plant at Russian expense in Akyuyu.
Jacques sekavar

+3

20 February 2022 11: 27

Why would Russia need hypersonic weapons in the Eastern Mediterranean?

For a military-technical response to the refusal of the USA to accept the requirements of the Russian Federation.
A non-nuclear missile attack on NATO bases in Europe by a Mediterranean squadron from the south, from the west, from the north.
This guarantees irreparable damage to NATO infrastructure.
The February 19 demonstration of the exercises of the Russian nuclear triad is aimed at preventing the preventive non-nuclear strike of the Russian Federation on NATO bases from developing into a full-scale nuclear war.
1. gunnerminer
  
  -5
  
  20 February 2022 12: 18
  
  This guarantees irreparable damage to NATO infrastructure.
  
  The consumption of conventional ammunition is too high for such a large-scale task. Dozens of Tu-160M, Tu-22M3M, new regiments of Su-34M, several more brigades with Iskander complexes will be required.
  
  The February 19 demonstration of the exercises of the Russian nuclear triad is aimed at preventing the preventive non-nuclear strike of the Russian Federation on NATO bases from developing into a full-scale nuclear war.
  
  The cart is ahead of the horse.
  1. Sasha Anatolyevich
    
    +1
    
    20 February 2022 19: 25
    
    We are talking about the splashdown of the aircraft carrier air force. If one dagger is enough for one aircraft carrier, then what's the problem?
    1. gunnerminer
      
      -5
      
      20 February 2022 20: 04
      
      One Kh-47M with a conventional warhead is not enough to destroy an aircraft carrier. You need at least 15 direct hits. To do this, you need to find an aircraft carrier. But with the intelligence of the Navy, things are rubbish. Then you need to direct a couple of MiG-31K regiments to the AUG in combination with the SSGN division, the RKR division. With a demonstration regiment of fighters. But there has not been such a detachment of forces in the Russian Navy for 40 years already. And there never will be.
Alsur

+2

20 February 2022 11: 51

Quote: gunnerminer
Sending a Tu-22M3 detachment to the Mediterranean Naval Theater along with the MiG-31K is an attempt to stretch Trishka's caftan. Kh-32 was not accepted into service. What is placed under the fuselage of the aircraft, one can only guess. It is impossible to hit mobile targets with the X-47M quasi-ballistic ammunition. The munition performs hypersonic flight when equipped with a hypersonic ramjet over its entire trajectory. Nobody in the world has such an engine. A guidance system for hypersonic ammunition has not been created. There are no materials for the heat-resistant fairing cap.
The Russian ship grouping in the Mediterranean Sea is like in a mousetrap. Not even able to get emergency dock repairs. The grouping does not have a floating missile technical base, there are no floating bases for the crews of surface ships and for the crews of Varshavyanka submarines. The grouping does not include a hospital ship where injured and wounded sailors could be evacuated to provide resuscitation measures, to accommodate the seriously wounded. There are no universal supply transports in the group. There are no missile boats. Missile boats based on Latakia and Tartus could partially remove a number of combat missions from the crews of the ships of the group. Not in the group and air cover (PLO aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, AWACS and U aircraft). At least a Tu-22M3 regiment is required, albeit with Kh-22 missiles, and not a tiny detachment.
The Soviet 5th Operational Squadron was a formation capable of inflicting unacceptable damage on the 6th Fleet of the US Navy.

The sailors of the Russian group may receive extremely limited opportunities for shore leave. Only in Tartus, only on the territory of the garrison. A sharp difference from their Soviet counterparts.

Another option about cartoons from Putin, there is no Crimean bridge, it will fall in the first winter, what remains for you, hope this is a props.
1. gunnerminer
  
  -8
  
  20 February 2022 12: 20
  
  The Crimean bridge is a solid building. But even they cannot plug all the holes in the Russian defense. Somehow this bridge did not show itself very prominently in the actions of the KPUG KTOF in the Kuril region. Yes, and on the Black Sea, in 2021, too.
2. Alexander K_2
  
  -1
  
  20 February 2022 20: 05
  
  Unfortunately, you are right: naked show-off is more expensive than money!
3. Alexander K_2
  
  -1
  
  20 February 2022 20: 06
  
  I liked the leadership of the Russian Federation to splurge
Alsur

+5

20 February 2022 13: 02

Quote: gunnerminer
The Crimean bridge is a solid building. But even they cannot plug all the holes in the Russian defense. Somehow this bridge did not show itself very prominently in the actions of the KPUG KTOF in the Kuril region. Yes, and on the Black Sea, in 2021, too.

I understood your message - the Crimean bridge, the only positive fact that you wave like a flag. But in fact, with the advent of Putin, or maybe Medvedev, the Russian government, I don’t know who was the initiator there, a lot has been done in the digitalization of the country. State services, this is generally something with something. Remember what happened since then. inspection of cars 20 years ago, what a torment it was and now, this is heaven and earth. And so in everything, the forward movement of Russia is felt, therefore, we are ahead of most countries, including the EU, in this parameter. What is commonplace for Russians is inaccessible to others or requires a mandatory personal trip to the bank, but here you can do it from your smartphone (transfers, payment for services, etc.). Soon they plan to include payment for housing and communal services in the state. services, all utility bills for the state will be pulled up for you. services, went there and looked at what you need to pay for a communal apartment, taxes, etc. and pay what you see fit at the moment.
Nevertheless, in Russia there are problems with infrastructure, with the level of salaries, there is not enough money for everything, so there is discontent, but I think everything will still improve with time.
1. gunnerminer
  
  -5
  
  20 February 2022 14: 38
  
  The Crimean bridge was built by a friend of the President, an oligarch, at public expense. As long as there were incomes from oil exports, including for the United States, there were funds for wastage, and for the defense industry.
  
  From the collection of anecdotes and stories of Vysokovsky.
  
  After the fairy tales told by the Ministry of Education and Science and the Academy of Sciences to the president about the high salaries of young scientists in science, he hardly found a position as a mathematics teacher in a lyceum for especially gifted children. Specially gifted children were understood to be the children of especially wealthy parents, for whom the monthly "voluntary" contribution to the lyceum's cash desk in the amount of twice the regional salary of a university professor was considered a mere trifle. The fact that the concept of special giftedness in Russia now has the exact opposite property - I understood from the first minutes of class, voiced by tiktok and yotube roulades. What exactly I learned about this generation of the digital economy:
  - They don't remember anything. From the word at all. They don't need it.
  
  Now the incomes of Russians are lower than those of Serbs, Croats, Montenegrins, Slovenes, Estonians. They also survived the collapse of the country. Money cannot be enough in a resource-based rental economy, when fighting on several bridgeheads. Our military has been in the former SAR for the seventh year.
  
  The topic of the post is not about the Crimean bridge. There is little hope for him in battle.
Alsur

+1

20 February 2022 14: 42

Quote: gunnerminer
The Crimean bridge was built by a friend of the President, an oligarch, at public expense. As long as there were incomes from oil exports, including for the United States, there were funds for wastage, and for the defense industry.

Even if it is, what difference does it make? The bridge is not built, you can’t drive on it, what’s wrong?
In my opinion, you are now engaged in demagogy or simply trying to belittle the significance of the fact of building a bridge, if you could not refute the very fact of its construction.
1. gunnerminer
  
  -5
  
  20 February 2022 20: 32
  
  The Crimean bridge is a weak cover for Trishkin's caftan of the Ground Forces, the Aerospace Forces and the Navy. BTG was collected from all military districts. And even the KTOF marines. As in 1941 and in 1942.
  
  At a round table in the Federation Council, Stanislav Gadzhimagomedov, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff, stated that Russia simply does not have enough ships and aircraft to resist the Americans in the Far East.
  
  “If you take it purely in terms of the fleet, the superiority of the Americans in terms of the number of ships and response capabilities is much higher than ours. If we can completely close the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea, then there are still not enough ships and aircraft in the Far East,” Stanislav Gadzhimagomedov told the senators and added that Russia is ready to strike at violators of its maritime border, but the decision on this is made at the highest level . His words are quoted by Interfax.
Rico1977

-1

20 February 2022 16: 27

There is nothing to think about - 3 NATO aircraft carrier groups in the Mediterranean. Another in the Red Sea and one in the Atlantic not far away.
1. gunnerminer
  
  -6
  
  20 February 2022 20: 46
  
  This is only the visible, surface part. More submarines with torpedoes and cruise missiles.
Sergey Latyshev

-1

20 February 2022 23: 35

Wah! Why was it necessary in Kaliningrad they already wrote, it turned out (politely) past
They already wrote how amers were surrounded in the Mediterranean. It turned out ... past
Now - about the exchange and a possible attack. Let's wait

And training is a good thing. And what units have arrived - so they save a resource