Russia has deployed a new type of missile at its Kaliningrad base aimed at overcoming NATO missile defense systems in Poland and Lithuania.
The NATO alliance has been building up its forces in the Baltic region in recent years, which is viewed as a threat by Russia’s leadership. Its latest attempt to counteract NATO’s forces is the Smerch mobile ultra-long-range multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), which has replaced the BM-21 Grad, according to a report at the Bulgarian Military website. The Smerch, or Tornado, which is now in service with Russia’s units in Kaliningrad, is more powerful and has a longer range.
With a range of 120 kilometers, the Tornado is capable of striking NATO missile systems, airfields, and other defensive positions in Poland and Lithuania. NATO’s current air defense systems are not able to intercept the Tornadoes. Among the potential targets is the Polish naval base at Gdynia, which is a hub for NATO’s land, sea, and air forces in the region.
Russia views this as maintaining the balance of power. “All weapons systems in the MLRS reach zone that will be deployed against us in the territory of neighboring states can now be quickly destroyed,” Colonel Vladmir Anokhin, Vice President of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems, said, according to the report. “And the US missile defense in Poland will be useless. It cannot repel the blow of the new MLRS.”
https://twitter.com/V_of_Europe/status/1242277459288100864
The Tornadoes can be made ready to fire within three minutes, and can be moved only a minute after firing, which will make it difficult for NATO forces to destroy the launchers in a retaliatory strike. They can also be used to place anti-tank mines in the path of an invading ground force. Russian forces also have drones which can be deployed in advance positions to aid the targeting of the Tornadoes.
The Tornado has already seen use by Syrian government forces in the civil war there, so it has received thorough field testing.
Kaliningrad will also soon receive a new radar system called Container which will enable Russian forces to track all aircraft and incoming missiles at a range of up to 3,000 kilometers, which will cover all of Continental Europe and the UK.
Serbia also recently acquired an advanced missile defense system from Russia that is being deployed over NATO objections, as previously reported by Voice of Europe.
https://twitter.com/V_of_Europe/status/1195665341403283457
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