Sapphire (electronic warfare complex)

2023

Order from Southeast Asian countries

Several Southeast Asian countries have purchased electronic warfare (electronic warfare) systems from Russia, successfully tested during the hostilities in Ukraine, to provide protection against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This became known in August 2023.

According to TASS, referring to an insider in the field of the military-industrial complex, it is planned to supply electronic warfare systems, such as Krasukha and Sapphir, to several states in the Southeast Asian region. In addition, there is an order for Russian electronic warfare systems from Eastern Europe.

Sapphir electronic warfare system

The Sapphire complex is designed to protect objects from various types of unmanned aerial vehicles. Target detection range is up to 30 km, counteraction is carried out at a distance of up to 5 km. Sapphire is also capable of suppressing UAV ground control stations.

"Krasukha," in turn, is able to detect sources of all types of air targets, including those moving at a minimum altitude. The main purpose of the complex is to cover command posts and industrial facilities. One complex consists of two cars, the range exceeds 300 km. The wheel base of "Krasukha" is the four-axle all-terrain vehicle "Kamaz," so that a mobile complex can work in any area, at temperatures from minus to plus 50 degrees. Under the influence of the radiation "Krasukha" enemy aircraft lose navigation and communication. If they fly at low altitude, they are forced to rise higher, becoming targets for air defense systems.

Vladimir Artyakov, First Deputy General Director of Rostec State Corporation, spoke about the effectiveness of Russian electronic warfare systems in July 2023.

This is what our system is set up against: it is impossible to control drones when we turn on the electronic warfare system, they already become uncontrollable, they fall without completing their main combat mission, "he said on the air of the Russia 24 TV channel[1]

The beginning of use as part of a military special operation in Ukraine

Russia began to use the new Sapphir electronic warfare complex. This was reported on July 31, 2023 by the TASS news agency, citing a source in the military-industrial complex. He clarified that the military used the electronic warfare system to cover the units that were building engineering structures from the drone raid.

The complex showed itself very well, without it the guys did not go to perform tasks, - said the interlocutor of the publication

Russia began to use the new Sapphir electronic warfare complex. It detects targets within a 30km radius

Sapphire is used to counter drones of various types. The complex automatically classifies devices, gives an alarm signal and affects the electronic systems of the drone. Targets are detected at a range of up to 30 km, counteraction is carried out 5 km and closer. Sapphire can also suppress ground-based drone control stations, TASS reports.

At the end of July 2023, the former adviser to the head of the Pentagon, Colonel Douglas McGregor, said that Russian electronic warfare equipment prevents the Ukrainian army from conducting military operations. According to him, the use of electronic warfare equipment by Russian troops greatly affects the ability of the enemy to fight.

When Russians move their air defense systems, they also transfer electronic warfare installations, which have tremendous capabilities, "he said in his blog on YouTube.

The press secretary of the eastern group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Sergey Cherevaty in July 2023 admitted that the Russian electronic warfare system is more powerful than the Ukrainian one. He also called the electronic warfare of Russia "the number one goal."

Earlier, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov recognized the effectiveness of Russian electronic warfare systems. In his opinion, ammunition with GPS artillery, as well as multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) HIMARS , were "very accurate," but powerful Russian systems are able to suppress them.^[2]

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