See Russian Army reconnaissance force in Syria

The use of diverse reconnaissance forces has helped the Russian Army operate extremely effectively at low cost on the Syrian battlefield.

To help the firepower combat force achieve the highest combat efficiency, Russia has used many reconnaissance forces to participate in the war in Syria. Accordingly, the reconnaissance forces of the Russian Army include: Krasuka-4 reconnaissance system; unmanned and manned reconnaissance aircraft (Ilyushin Il-20/Tu-214R early warning reconnaissance aircraft; ZALA 421-08/Yakovlev Pchela-1T/Orlan-10/Dozor 600 class small unmanned reconnaissance aircraft); electronic warfare reconnaissance ship (Vasily Nikititch Tatischev ship) deployed on land, in the air and at sea.

Krasuka-4 reconnaissance system. Photo: Wikipedia.org

Ground Reconnaissance Force

The Krasukha-4 complex is a multi-purpose modular ground-based electronic warfare station, capable of reconnaissance and strong jamming over a wide frequency range. A Krasukha-4 complex consists of two signal receiving and transmitting antennas. The antenna mount is firmly attached to the Kamaz 4x4 wheeled chassis. Meanwhile, the multi-purpose ground-based jamming module is used to protect fixed structures and counter enemy early warning aircraft radars. The Krasukha-4 is capable of working well in temperatures from -500C to 500C.

With the ability to conduct reconnaissance and create strong sound jamming at different frequencies, Krasukha-4 is capable of detecting aircraft targets from a distance of 280 - 350km while hiding the target from enemy radar detection at a distance of 150 - 300km; paralyzing the operation of radar on low-orbit satellites while disabling radio equipment, communication means and electronic warfare equipment of the enemy.

Air reconnaissance force

In Syria, Russia has deployed 3 layers of airborne reconnaissance and early warning:

- The first layer is responsible for protecting Russian military bases in Syria, including the Hmeymim airbase and the Tartus naval base. This defensive reconnaissance layer is responsible for observing and gathering information, helping to prevent any risk of sudden armed attacks by IS. The force in charge of this reconnaissance layer is the ZALA 421-08 class small unmanned reconnaissance aircraft using electric motors, making no noise with a reconnaissance range of about 30km.

- The second layer has the mission of reconnaissance and detection of IS mobile targets, including 36 Yakovlev Pchela-1T, Orlan and Dozor 600 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft operating continuously day and night at an altitude of 2,500 - 3,600m, with a reconnaissance range of about 60km.

Ilyushin Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft. Photo: Wikipedia.org

- The third reconnaissance layer is carried out by Ilyushin Il-20 and Tu-214R early warning reconnaissance aircraft.

The Ilyushin Il-20 early warning reconnaissance aircraft is equipped with many antennas, infrared and optical sensors, along with a radar system that observes both sides of the aircraft and a satellite communication system that allows real-time data sharing. The main intelligence gathering component of the Ilyushin Il-20 is the Igla-1 phased array radar located on the front of the fuselage, along with many A-87P LOROP cameras and 4 Romb 4 electronic signal collection systems. In addition, 2 antennas of the Vishnaya communication system are also mounted right on the top of the aircraft.

The Tu-214R is equipped with the MRK-411 multi-frequency radio signal collection complex, which includes many types of radars capable of operating in active and passive modes; electro-optical intelligence sensor radar; and SA synthetic aperture radar. These devices enable the Tu-214R to take high-resolution photos and videos, displayed in real time on the operator's screen. It is also capable of intercepting signals from other enemy radar systems and signal transmission means, thereby analyzing and making accurate judgments about the enemy's combat plans and positions.

Marine reconnaissance force

Not only conducting aerial reconnaissance, Russia also sent the reconnaissance ship Vasiliy Nikititch Tatischev to Syria (Eastern Mediterranean region) to support air strikes.

The Vasiliy Nikititch Tatischev reconnaissance ship is equipped with MR-212/201 “Vaygach-U” navigation radar, MG-349 “Ros-K” sonar, MGP-303 sonar along with a special electronic intelligence system including: Signal intelligence system; communications intelligence system and a number of intelligence gathering devices “Profil-M”, “Rotor-S”, “Prokhlada”, “Vizir”, “Konus”, “Zarya-1”. With these modern intelligence gathering systems, the sailors on the Vasiliy Nikititch Tatischev ship can monitor all developments in the Syrian sky as well as the situation in neighboring airspace and seas.

Reconnaissance ship Vasiliy Nikititch Tatischev. Photo: 38brrzk.ru

Thus, with such a powerful reconnaissance force, Russia has quickly grasped all developments and locations of targets that need to be destroyed on the Syrian battlefield. Thanks to timely reconnaissance and intelligence information, the combat force including: Bombers; tactical attack aircraft; strike aircraft; cruise missiles; tactical ballistic missiles of Russia quickly destroyed IS targets accurately and effectively. In addition, the information obtained by these forces also helps Russia proactively prevent and minimize the rate of soldiers and bases attacked by IS.

According to Kienthuc