Monolit-BR coastal defence radars enter service with Russia's Western Military District

The Monolit-BR coastal defence radar has entered service with the Leningrad Naval Base in Russia's Western Military District. (Russian MoD)

The Monolit-BR coastal defence radar has entered service with the Leningrad Naval Base in Russia's Western Military District, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation announced on its website on 20 January.

Two Monolit-BR systems were delivered, the ministry said, adding that they are designed to provide over-the-horizon (OTH) tracking of surface vessels and low-flying aircraft. The likely recipient was the 25th Coastal Missile Brigade, which is part of the Baltic Fleet headquartered at the Leningrad Naval Base.

Monolit-BR consists of two radar vehicles, and can use passive and active tracking methods to limit its radar signature as required. It can also receive targeting data from the Mineral-ME shipborne OTH radar and other stand-off collection assets and co-ordinate this data into fire-control solutions for the 3K60 Bal coastal defence system.

The 25th Coastal Missile Brigade is known to operate the 3K60 as well as the K-300P Bastion-P coastal defence system. The Mineral-ME radar equips the Baltic Fleet's Sovremenny-class flagship Nastoychivy, but the destroyer has been out of service for a refit since 2013.