Russian newspaper: Vietnam has owned 6 Buk-M2E battalions

According to Russia's topwar.ru, Vietnam's air defense currently possesses 2 S-300 Favorit battalions, 6 Buk-M2E battalions, Buk-M2E and especially Pantsir-S1 made in Russia.

Surprising information

Russian news agencies believe that Vietnam's missile defense network is at a fairly high level. The missile defense divisions are equipped with both time-tested old systems, as well as the latest generation of Russian missile defense complexes: 2 S-300 Favorit battalions and 6 Buk-M2E battalions.

The S-300 high-altitude defense missile systems are tasked with protecting industrial infrastructure in the provinces surrounding Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, as well as coastal artillery and Bastion-S anti-missile systems.

Buk-M2E system.

In the event of war, the S-300 division deployed near Hanoi could protect the airspace over most of the Gulf of Tonkin, hindering enemy air force actions invading from the sea.

Topwar.ru also reported that the 361st Air Defense Division stationed near Hanoi is equipped with up to 3 Buk-M2E battalions, as well as a number of Pantsir-S1 missile systems to provide fire support for Buk and S-300. Buk-M2E missile systems and Pantsir-S1 air defense missile systems are also deployed to protect the airspace at Cam Ranh military port.

In addition, to further strengthen the capacity of the Air Defense - Air Force, Vietnam has also decided to purchase at least two C-295 AEW&C early warning aircraft manufactured by Airbus Defence & Space.

These aircraft are equipped with Israel's active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system that can detect targets at a range of up to 400 km.

In the Vietnam Air Force, C295 AEW & C aircraft will perform the task of detecting targets and giving instructions to S-300 and Su-30MK2 fighter jets, the Russian newspaper added.

Is Pantsir-S1 necessary for Vietnam?

Although it has not yet carried out any interception in real combat, the power of the Pantsir-S1 system is undeniable. However, according to the military-informant website, the fact that the Israeli-made Spyder-SR air defense missile system won the Vietnamese procurement package means that the Pantsir-S1 no longer has a chance.

According to this website, in terms of purpose, Spyder-SR is mainly used as a point defense shield, while Pantsir-S1 is often deployed with other long-range air defense systems such as S-300, S-400 with the task of protecting these complexes.

Pantsir-S1 air defense system.

In addition, Pantsir-S1 is an integrated anti-aircraft missile-gun system, so comparing it with Spyder-SR is a bit lame. Spyder is designed to serve the organization of air defense operations in a centralized network combat method, operating in all weather conditions, with high self-propelled mobility, fast combat level transition and the ability to shoot at multiple targets at the same time.

The complex is capable of destroying all types of flying targets including fighter jets, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles and other remotely-launched guided bombs and munitions in a strong electronic suppression environment.

Spyder is equipped with TOPLITE passive optical-electronic reconnaissance equipment on each launcher vehicle to ensure the ability to detect and indicate targets for missiles while the vehicle is moving and in case the radio reconnaissance channel is jammed. Spyder uses 2 types of missiles: missiles with Derby active radio radar homing head and missiles with Python-5 dual-band infrared thermal imaging passive homing head.

These missiles can be targeted by the target reconnaissance equipment on the command vehicle or on the launcher vehicle before launch (Lock On Before Launch) when the target is within the tracking range of the missile's self-seeker. Or they can detect the designated target after launch (Lock On After Launch) when the target is out of the tracking range of the missile's self-seeker.

Spyder applies automatic radio data transmission technology via VHF/UHF band, encrypted and anti-interference between vehicles in the complex and between the complex and different parts of the unified air defense system from a distance of 100 km.

This is an important factor in ensuring the timely, accurate, secret and secure command information network of the complex in modern air defense operations. Spyder has anti-electronic suppression features to effectively deal with and eliminate enemy advantages in all stages of air defense operations from reconnaissance, target detection, ensuring command information and commanding fire.

Clip of Buk-M2E system intercepting stealth targets:

According to Baodatviet