According to Sputnik's list of Vietnam's recent purchases of Russian defense products, the list includes Kilo-class submarines, Su-30MK2 fighter jets, S-300PMU1 systems... And notably, the list also includes the Tor-M2 and Buk-M2 air defense systems.
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| This is reportedly the second time Sputnik has mentioned this information. In late 2014, the same source also reported that Vietnam possesses several previously undisclosed weapons, namely the Tor-M2 and Buk-M2 air defense missile systems. These systems are superior to the S-75 systems supplied to Vietnam by the Soviet Union. |
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| According to the Russian side, Tor (NATO designation SA-15 Gauntlet) is a short-range air defense missile system equipped for mechanized infantry divisions or combined arms units, capable of engaging targets at low to medium altitudes in all weather conditions. |
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| Tor systems can destroy fighter jets, helicopters, cruise missiles, bombs, glide bombs, drones, etc. The Tor-M2 variant, which entered service in 2008, has enhanced combat capabilities against enemy targets under strong electronic jamming. |
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| The Tor-M2 variant has been developed in several versions using different chassis: the Tor-M2E uses a tracked chassis; the Tor-M2K uses a wheeled chassis; and the Tor-M2KM uses a TATA Motors wheeled chassis for export to India. The Tor-M2 system is equipped with missiles capable of destroying targets at ranges from 1 to 15 km, altitudes from 10 m to 10 km, simultaneously engaging four targets at once, using radio guidance. |
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| While the Tor-M2 is a short-range air defense system, the Buk-M2 is considered a very powerful medium-range air defense system developed from the Buk variant, officially accepted into service in 2008. The Buk-M2 is capable of intercepting most aerodynamic targets, including ballistic missiles. The system is equipped with missiles with a range of 3-50 km, targeting altitudes from 10 m to 25 km, and can engage 24 targets simultaneously. (Image: Tor-M2 system firing.) |
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| To accomplish this mission, the Buk-M2 system is designed with both a target search radar and a fire control radar equipped with phased array antennas, a microprocessor, and a digital control computer, giving the Buk-M2 very high combat efficiency. Specifically, the probability of destroying F-15 fighter jets is 90-95%, ground-attack cruise missiles is 70-80%, ballistic missiles is 60-70%, and helicopters and UAVs is over 90%. |
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| In addition to the aforementioned short- and medium-range air defense systems, Vietnam is currently equipped with the S-300PMU1 missile system, considered one of the most powerful long-range air defense missile systems in the world, capable of simultaneously destroying 24 aircraft within a 200 km radius or intercepting 16 short- to medium-range ballistic missiles. |
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| Each target can be destroyed with a single missile or in a salvo of two missiles. When firing a salvo, the first missile is launched manually by the operator, while the second is launched automatically. |
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| Compared to the American Patriot missile, the S-300PMU1 is superior in three key aspects: shorter combat deployment time (5 minutes compared to 15 minutes), launch method (vertical versus inclined), and the ability to simultaneously control two missiles to a single target (Patriot can only control one). In particular, the S-300PMU1 consistently boasts a very high target kill rate. |
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| If the information published by Sputnik is accurate, then Vietnam's air defense forces have been significantly strengthened with a multi-layered missile system: short-range, medium-range, and high-altitude. (Pictured: Buk-M2 system.) |
According to Baodatviet
