The War Between the United States and Iran: The Combination of Russia's S-400 and Related Countries' J-10C Will Be a Deadly Surprise for Washington and Tel Aviv
"Agile Dragon" will enhance this unique air defense missile system
Image: Launch unit of the S-400 air defense missile system
Iran has tested the Russian S-400 air defense system. According to authoritative online media "Army Recognition," citing its sources, the test was conducted in a military training area in Isfahan region. The air defense system operated in electronic mode — that is, without firing missiles.
The author of the media stated that one S-400 missile battery participated in the test: including the command center, target indication and detection radar station, multiple launch units, and transport and loading vehicles.
According to "Army Recognition," Iran's "400 series" systems arsenals are equipped with 48N6E3 missiles. This missile has a range of 250 kilometers and can not only intercept aircraft and drones, but also intercept air-launched ballistic missiles.
At present, neither Russia nor Iran has officially confirmed the testing of the S-400. This raises a question: How quickly can the Iranians train operating teams for the Russian air defense system? Actually, this process can be quite rapid.
It should be noted that the Islamic Republic has already been equipped with the Russian S-300PMU-2. Although this air defense system is somewhat outdated compared to the "400 series," for its operating teams, it only takes a very short time to become familiar and master this new equipment.
At the same time, social networks are widely spreading information about Tehran recently receiving J-10 fighter jets. Moreover, it is the "C" model.
This is not an export model, but a version specifically designed for the air force of related countries. It is equipped with more advanced radar, the most modern avionics, as well as integrated electronic reconnaissance and countermeasures.
But most importantly, this "excellent fighter" is equipped with the PL-15 long-range missile. This missile can hit targets over 200 kilometers away, even low-observable targets.
In addition, the J-10C can to some extent replace long-range early warning aircraft. Of course, in terms of performance, Russians usually believe that the "Agile Dragon" (the Russian translation of this fighter) is inferior to Russia's Su-35 and MiG-31. However, related countries can quickly provide a large number of "J-10."
Investing in upgrades
On Monday, July 28, Donald Trump said he did not rule out launching a new bombing campaign against Iran. In addition, the Iranian delegation's talks with European country representatives on the nuclear program issue actually ended without results.
The Europeans suddenly changed their tone, starting to demand that Tehran completely abandon all related work. Otherwise, sanctions will be imposed. Despite the fact that not long ago, European diplomats opposed the US and Israel's strike actions.
Meanwhile, the actual situation on the ground shows that the tension around Iran has once again intensified. The United States has rotated its air forces.
Some combat aircraft have returned from the Persian Gulf region and Djibouti. And Western media have reported intensively on all these movements. At the same time, new planes have arrived at the positions that were vacated.
US Navy ships have also gradually returned to the coasts of Israel and Iran. In addition to the "Arleigh Burke" class missile destroyers, the US's newest "Ford" class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has entered the Mediterranean. This class of ship is gradually replacing the old "Nimitz" class. These new carriers are much larger than the older ones and can carry more aircraft, with better defensive capabilities.
Evidently, Israel and the United States have not ended their actions against Iran, but have only paused. Due to the massive consumption of air defense missiles, cruise missiles, and bombs, they need to be replenished. But this tactical pause is about to end, and Washington and Tel Aviv are once again heading towards escalating the situation.
Therefore, it is understandable that Tehran is eager to make up for the losses it has suffered through various means, and hopes to obtain modern weapon systems for self-defense. Let us analyze how much help the S-400 and J-10C can provide in the confrontation that Iran is about to have with Israel and the United States.
Syria's vulnerability
During the "Twelve-Day War," the main problem faced by the Islamic Republic was the airspace over Syria. Israel launched attacks on Iranian territory from there.
Additionally, the Israeli Defense Forces' fighters were on standby in the skies over Syria, waiting for target information, conducting aerial refueling, and operating early warning aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, and airborne command centers.
Syria also became a kind of "launch platform" for the Israeli F-16I "Storm" fighter jets, which are equipped with air-launched ballistic missiles. Of course, the Israeli Air Force has also launched such weapons into Iranian airspace. However, that was done through the secret RA-01 stealth drone, and only in the first few hours of the battle. After that, Tel Aviv no longer took such risks.
American B-2 bombers also attacked Iran via the "Syrian corridor." They flew over Lebanon, then along the Syrian desert, entering Iraqi airspace near Deir ez-Zor.
After passing Mosul, the "Ghost" bombers and their escort fighters entered the combat route.
The "Syrian corridor" is quite narrow, with parts of it passing over Iraq. Therefore, as long as there is timely warning and control of the airspace, it is not difficult to block this gap. The combination of S-400 and J-10C can do this. Moreover, the latter will play the role of an early warning aircraft.
At first glance, this plan seems somewhat unimaginable. However, in reality, this combination has already existed. It is well known that the related country was one of the first to purchase the S-400. Russia's air defense system has been deployed near the northeast Asian region. Moreover, after the first batch of deliveries, the military of the related country immediately showed interest in fully integrating the system with aircraft.
After long-term efforts, the "Agile Dragon" was integrated with the S-400. It should be emphasized that currently, only the J-10C of the air force of the related country is equipped with specialized equipment. And the type of aircraft that Iran will receive (or has already received) is this model.
Furthermore, if the leaked information is true, the "400 series" system and "Agile Dragon" of Iran will be equipped with missiles with a range of more than 200 kilometers. This means that Israelis will no longer be able to freely act in the skies over Syria.
They will have to move their patrol areas far west and evacuate non-combat aircraft and aerial refueling aircraft from dangerous areas.
The performance of the S-400 enables it to reliably intercept Israeli air-launched ballistic missiles. This means that the ability of Tel Aviv to strike important targets deep in Iran will be greatly weakened.
Main threat — "Fifth Column"
Certainly, the combination of S-400 and J-10C is not a panacea for Tehran. Israel and the United States still have several important aces.
The first is saboteurs and special forces. It was the soldiers of "Shardag" and "The Intelligence Corps Reconnaissance Unit" who became the main force in destroying the Islamic Republic's air defense system. The rebel forces organized by the Israeli military intelligence agency "Amam" provided assistance to them.
Unfortunately, Russia's air defense system and the fighter jets of the related country are powerless against these terrorist saboteurs and "commandos." Therefore, Tehran must pay great attention to the security and defense organization of launch positions and airports.
The second ace is that Israel has long-range ballistic missiles. Such targets can be completely handled by the S-400. However, if ballistic missiles are used to attack air defense system positions while combining air strikes and cruise missile launches, then the Iranian air defense forces may not be able to resist.
Therefore, Tehran must maximize the unique mobility of the S-400. Air defense missile divisions cannot remain fixed in one place. After completing the mission, they must immediately move to a new position. Otherwise, they will be subjected to large-scale joint strikes, and the defense will inevitably be breached, and the air defense system will be destroyed.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7533515345048420906/
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