Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria – Overview

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In accordance with the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic signed in Damascus on August 26, 2015, a Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) air group has been stationed in Syria since September 30, 2015.

VKS forces currently use one main airbase at Hmeimim, 25km south of Latakia, and two support airbases, Shairat (40km south-east of Homs) and Tiyas (63km west of Palmyra) used mainly as staging and helicopter bases.

At first the group was of mixed character: fighters (Su-30SM), tactical bombers (Su-24M and Su-34), attack aircraft (Su-25SM), as well as transport and attack helicopters, Il-20M1 and Tu-214R radio-electronic reconnaissance aircraft. Airbases on Russian territory have been used to launch attacks using Tu-95, Tu-160, and Tu-22M3 heavy bombers.

A-50 aircraft have been used for airborne early warning. As the status of the mission permitted, aircraft were returned to their permanent bases. The first withdrawal took place on March 15 and 16, 2016, the second in late December 2016 after the cessation of hostilities took effect.

Group Composition

Su-35S 4^th-Generation Multirole Fighter (NATO Classification Flanker-E+). The “S” means the aircraft was designed for the VKS. Characteristics: start of production in 2007, top speed of 2500km/hr, range 3600km (4500km with external tanks), practical ceiling 20km. Armament: 30mm autocannon with 150 rounds, 12 hardpoints rated for 8,000kg of ordnance, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, anti-ship missiles, unguided rockets, KAB-500 guided bombs, FAB-250 and FAB-500 free-fall bombs. This range of weapons allows the plane to function as a fighter and as an attack aircraft. NATO experts believe it to be the most dangerous fighter used by VKS, since it has 5^th generation avionics and a large payload of long-range air-to-air missiles. On November 22, 2016, 4 Su-35S completed in mid-November 2016 at the Komsomolsk-na-Amure plant were sent to Hmeimim. They replaced fighters which were based there since January 2016.

Fig. 1. Su-35S Multirole Fighter

Su-30SM Two-Seat 4^th-Generation Multirole Fighter (NATO Designation Flanker-C). This plane is intended to destroy aerial targets 24 hours a day in any weather conditions, monitor air space, blockade enemy airfields in depth, and attack ground and naval targets. “SM” means series production, for the VKS. Main characteristics: Start of production September 21, 2012 (first flight), maximum speed 2125 km/hr, range 3000km, ceiling 17.3km. Armament: 30mm autocannon, 12 hardpoints rated for 8,000kg of munitions, including air-to-air munitions, unguided rockets, FAB-500 and FAB-250 free-fall bombs. Up to four such aircraft may be based at Hmeimim right now.

Fig. 2. Su-30SM two-seat fighter

Su-24M/Su-24M2 Tactical variable geometry bomber (NATO designation Fencer). M stands for modernized. The oldest of these aircraft was built in 1988-89. Characteristics: service entry 1983, Maximum speed 1600km/hr, range with full payload 560km, practical ceiling 17km. Armament: 23mm six-barrel gatling with 550 rounds, 8 hardpoints for 7500kg of various munitions, including air-to-air, air-to ground missiles, unguided rockets, KAB-500 guided bombs, FAB-1500, FAB-500, FAB-250 bombs, low-volume cargo pods, target designation pods. There may currently be up to 12 of these aircraft at Hmeimim.

Fig. 3. Su-24M tactical bomber

MiG-31 Long-Range Interceptor Fighter (NATO designation Foxhound). The MiG-31’s mission is the intercept and destruction of aerial targets flying at all altitudes at any time of day and in any weather, even when protected by active and passive electronic and thermal countermeasures. Initially designed to intercept cruise missiles and low-flying satellites. A group of four MiG-31s can monitor airspace 1100km in breadth. According to Russian MoD, these aircraft take the place of the A-50 AEW aircraft and are used to provide air defense for the Russian airbase in Hmeimim, and to direct Russian aircraft over Syria. Characteristics: start of production in 1975, top speed 3700km/hr, range 1500km, or 3000km with two external tanks, practical ceiling 20km, zoom climb ceiling 30km. Armament: 23mm with 260 rounds, hardpoints for 3000kg of ordnance including 4 300km range air-to-air missiles, 2 80km range missiles, 4 20-40km range missiles. In November 2016, at least one such aircraft was noted at Hmeimim. It was probably used to accompany the air group in its transfer flight.

Fig. 4. MiG-31 interceptor fighter

Su-25/Su-25SM3 Attack Aircraft (NATO designation Frogfoot). The oldest of these aircraft dates to 1988, but underwent a full modernization after 2000 which left only some of the original hardware. Characteristics: start of production 1975, top speed 950km/h, range 640 without and 1250 with external tanks, ceiling 7km. Armament: twin-barrel 30mm autocannon with 250 rounds, 10 hardpoints for 4400kg of ordnance including air-to-air, air-to-surface missiles, rockets, bombs, low-volume cargo containers. Its unique attribute is the pilot’s cabin made of welded titanium armor plate which protects against 12.7mm bullets all around and against 30mm shells from the most dangerous aspects. AS of January 12, 2017, four such aircraft were deployed to Hmeimim.

Fig. 5. Su-25SM attack aircraft

Mi-24 Attack Helicopter (NATO designation Hind). Main characteristics: Entered production in 1969, top speed 335 km/h, range 450 km, aerodynamic ceiling 5 km. Armament depends on the variant, and includes 23mm and 30mm cannon, 13.7mm machine guns, 4-6 hardpoints for air-to-air missiles, ATGMs, 30mm automatic grenade launchers, rockets, 50-500kg bombs. Its distinguishing feature is the ability to carry 8 troops in the troop compartment, or 2-4 wounded. Right now there may be up to 6 such helos at Hmeimim.

Figure 6. Mi-25 attack helicopter

Mi-35M all-weather attack/assault helicopter. It is intended to destroy enemy armor, troop transport missions, fire support, wounded evacuation, and cargo transport internally or externally. Characteristics: entered production in 2005, top speed 300km/h, aerodynamic ceiling 5.5km, range 550km. Armament varies on the variant and may include a 23mm cannon with 450 rounds, 4 hardpoints for up to 1500kg of ordnance such as ATGMs, rockets, 23mm gun pods with 250 rounds. Hmeimim may currently base up to 6 such machines.

Fig. 7. Mi-35M attack/assault helicopter

Mi-28N attack helicopter (NATO classification Havoc). Used to search and destroy enemy armor in a high-threat environment, as well as slow aerial targets and personnel. N stands for Night Hunter. Characteristics: entered production in 2005, top speed 300km/h, range 450km, aerodynamic ceiling 5.5km. Armament includes 30mm cannon with 250 rounds, 4 hardpoints for ATGMs (up to 16), rockets, air-to-air missiles, 30mm gun pods with 150 rounds, small-volume cargo container. Its distinguishing feature is a crew armored cabin constructed from 10mm aluminum plates reinforced with 16mm ceramic platees, with cockpit glass capable of withstanding 12.7mm hits. There may be up to 6 of these machines at Hmeimim.

Figure 8. Mi-28N attack helicopter

Ka-52 scout/attack helicopter (NATO designation Hokum-B). Used to destroy armor and soft-skin vehicles, personnel, and slow-flying aerial targets. Characteristics: entered production in 1997, top speed 350km/h, range 460km, aerodynamic ceiling of 5.5km. Armament: 30mm cannon with 460 rounds, 4-6 hardpoints for 2800kg of ATGMs, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, rockets. Participated in fighting in Syria since April 2016. There may be 4 of these machines at Hmeimim.

Fig. 9. Ka-52 scout/attack helicopter

Mi-8AMTSh Multirole Helicopter (NATO designation Hip). In the assault transport configuration it can transport up to 28 soldiers or cargoes internally or externally. It may carry weapons similar to those used by the Mi-24, mounted on 4-6 rail launchers, and also 23mm cannon or 7.62mm machine guns under the nose. There may be 4 of these machines currently at Hmeimim.

Fig. 10. Mi-8AMTSh multirole helicopter

As of April 2017, since the start of the operation VKS carried out over 23 thousand combat sorties and 77 thousand airstrikes against the terrorists. According to VKS commander Viktor Bondarev, as of August 2017 the entire army aviation flight staff has rotated through Syria, and some have served two tours already. One shouldn’t forget that apart from the combat aircraft and helos, transport aircraft and helicopters are also playing an important role.

The composition of the force suggests that the mainstay of the air group are its attack helicopters, which means a shift from operational-tactical air support (aimed at HQs, training camps, storage facilities, supply convoys, large troop concentrations) to purely tactical (the support for Syrian forces on the battlefield and the destruction of individual combat vehicles and command and observation points). While the West is mourning the victims of the numerous terrorist attacks in France, Spain, Sweden, and Germany, while threatening to avenge itself on the perpetrators, Syrian forces with VKS support are simply carrying on with their work, destroying the militants in open warfare.

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