Russian MoD speeds up acquisition of Tor SAM systems

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a long-term contract on 19 September with Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol, a subsidiary of the Almaz-Antey concern, for the acquisition of Tor-M2 (9K332) and Tor-M2DT (9K331MDT) short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

The document was signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said the value of the contract is approximately RUB100 billion (USD1.53 billion) and that the systems ordered will be delivered in 2019–27.

The Tor-M2 all-weather tactical SAM system is armed with 16 9M338K single-stage solid-fuel missiles with an increased target engagement envelope and accuracy and reduced weight and dimensions compared with the earlier 9M331 missile. As a result the system can engage aerial targets flying at a maximum range of 16 km, a speed of up to 1,000 m/s, and an altitude of 10,000 m.

The Tor-M2 can simultaneously detect and process up to 48 objects at a distance of up to 32 km. The system can be deployed within three minutes and engage up to four targets with up to eight missiles at a time. The Tor-M2 weighs 30 tonnes and has a 500 km operational range. The Tor-M2 began entering Russian Ground Forces’ service in 2012.

At the Army 2019 defence exhibition held on 25–30 June in Kubinka near Moscow, Almaz-Antey unveiled a variant of the Tor-M2 based on a wheeled 8x8 platform developed by its subsidiary, the Bryansk Automotive Plant.

The Tor-M2DT is a modification of the Tor-M2 on a DT-30PM Vityaz two-unit all-terrain tracked carrier intended to operate in the Arctic. The system began entering service with air defence units of the Northern Fleet in late 2018.