MOSCOW, August 13. /TASS/. The Russian Tor-E2 short-range surface-to-air missile system (the export version of the Tor-M2) qualitatively surpasses Western rivals in its category through more sophisticated technology, the Russia-based Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade said in a report in the National Defense magazine obtained by TASS on Wednesday.
Experts say that a key difference of the Russian surface-to-air missile system from foreign rivals is that it features a more effective air reconnaissance capability.
"Western surface-to-air missile systems have excessively powerful individual reconnaissance means. The radar capabilities prove to be hardly in need within the short distance. For short-range surface-to-air missile systems, it is not so much the range that is important as the speed of surveying the airspace to assess the changing situation quickly. In terms of this parameter, only the Giraffe AMB radar can compare with the Tor-E2 detection and target acquisition station. All the other models operate by 2-3 times slower. The Tor family of surface-to-air missile systems features radars specially designed for an efficient operation within the short range," the report says.
The Russian-made military hardware uses the armament specially designed for it whereas its rivals employ weapons originally developed for other platforms, the experts say.
"Western surface-to-air missiles have inherited homing warheads from their air-launched prototypes: either active radar or thermal imaging and optical homing guidance. In aviation, homing warheads have no alternative. In air defense, however, homing missiles have both advantages and disadvantages. As compared to a fighter jet, a surface-to-air missile system cannot approach the target and a surface-to-air missile has to be adjusted in the mid-path from the ground," the experts explained.
Tor surface-to-air missile systems have no such flaws as they use the remotely controlled radio signal technology, the report says.
"Its main advantage is the possibility to provide continuous guidance for the surface-to-air missile to the target: the system’s guidance station instantly responds to any maneuver by air attack weapons and adjusts the missile’s flight path," the experts stressed.
Earlier, Russian troops highly commended the operation of the Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile system in the special military operation area. They said that the system demonstrates high efficiency at short ranges and successfully strikes all types of unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles used by Ukrainian troops.
The Tor-M2 is an advanced surface-to-air missile system designed to provide cover for ground forces. It is capable of detecting targets at a range of over 30 km and destroying them, conducting reconnaissance and eliminating targets on the move, which makes it extremely difficult for enemy artillery to hit it. The tracked cross-country chassis is capable of surmounting ditches, without losing its speed. A Tor-M2 battery is capable of simultaneously striking 16 targets moving from any directions at a speed of up to 730 m/s, at a range of up to 12 km and an altitude of up to 10 km day and night and in any weather conditions.