Published: 11/21/1997

Russia has revealed data on the S-300PMU2 Favorit surface-to-air system, officially unveiled during MAKS'97 in Zhukovsky. In comparison with the earlier S-300PMU1 model that entered service in the mid-eighties, the Favorit has a bigger firing range (200km instead of 150km) and better effectiveness against "non-strategic ballistic missiles". The developer of both systems is TsKB Almaz (also known as "Grushin's firm"), headed by Academician Boris Bunkin. The Favorit has a kill/launch ratio ranging from 0.8 to 0.93 for "conventional aerodynamic targets" and from 0.8 to 0.98 for Tomahawk- series cruise missiles. It can simultaneously engage six targets flying from 10m to 27km above the surface at a speed of up to 10,000km/h. The system consists of a 83M6E2 control vehicle, a 96L6E autonomous mobile radar and several S-300PMU2 launchers each carrying four missiles. All these are mounted on wheeled chassis with high cross-country capability. The key element in the Favorit is the 48N6E2 missile from NPO Fakel. It weighs 1,800kg, being 7.5m in length and 0.5m in diameter. After a cold start in the upright position with help of a catapult, the 48N6E2's own motor ignites to accelerate the missile up to 1,900m/s in 12 seconds. Having gathered speed and height, the missile attacks its target from above. According to Vladimir Svetlov, NPO Fakel general designer, the new model is interchangeable with the previous 48N6E, so that the Favorit launcher can fire both. TsKB Almaz began a thorough modernisation of the S-300PMU1 after the Gulf war (1991), during which the rivalry MIM-104 Patriot showed a relatively low effectiveness (0.4-0.6) against R-17 (Scud) middle-range ballistic missiles and its long-range derivatives, the Al-Hussain and Al- Abbas. The aim of the modernisation was to install a new warhead, specially developed to act against ballistic missiles, as well as to make use of new mathematics algorithms for optimal trajectory control. The work on the Favorit was prompted by the US purchasing components of the S-300PMU1, including launchers and missiles, from Belarus in November 1994. Later, despite a heavy resistance from Russia, the US managed to acquire more components and missiles from Belarus, Ukraine and other CIS countries. According to Vladimir Svetlov, the general designer of MKB Fakel, the Favorit had its first fire test on 10 August 1995 at Kapustyn Yar firing range. Two missiles were launched towards an approaching R-17. The second missile self-destructed after the first one had exploded in the air, causing the Scud's warhead to detonate. To handle such expensive projects like the Favorit, the leading Russian industrial enterprises specialising in air defence equipment formed the Defence Systems joint stock company. Registered on 23 January 1996, the Defence Systems is a finance-industrial group. Among its members are BALTUNEXIM bank, TsKB Almaz, MKB Fakel, and Northern Plant of St. Petersburg. Yuri Rodin-Sova, the general director of the Defence Systems, says the idea to establish the company occurred during fulfilment of Chinese order for the S-300PMU1. The next order for this system came from Cyprus. The appropriate contract was signed on 4 January 1996 between Rosvooruzhenie (Russian Armament) arms-trading agency and Cyprus Government. Despite a political scandal over this deal between Russia, Turkey and the US, the Russian arms-makers are not going to terminate the lucrative business in the Mediterranean. Last year Russia sold several dozens of T-80U main battle tanks and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to Cyprus. "The new contract with Cyprus will be fulfilled timely and fully", states the general director of the Defence Systems.(DF1197.1) (VK)

Article ID: 94