MiG-23, S-400/S-300 PMU-2 시스템용 레이다, BM-30 Smerch MLRS 등을 노획하며 진격중인 시리아 반군

[위종민]

터키의 지원을 받고 있는 시리아 반군이 알레포를 함락시키고 하마로 진격중인 것으로 알려져 있는데, 현재까지 MiG-23 전투기, S-400/S-300 PMU-2 레이더 시스템의 48Ya-K1 'Podlet-K1" 레이다, BM-30 중MLRS 등의 무기들이 반군에 노획됐다고 하네요. 

플로거는 알레포 근교 Neyrab 공군기지에서 최소 4기가 수량 미상의 L-39 훈련기 및 Mi-8 헬기와 함께 노획됐다고 합니다. 

시리아 정부군은 이란의 지원을 받는 이라크 민병대의 지원을 받고 있다고 합니다. 

Syrian Rebels "Seize" MiG-23 Aircraft, The First Soviet Jet To Be Armed With Look Down, Shoot Down Radar: Media

Syrian Rebels "Seize" MiG-23 Aircraft, The First Soviet Jet To Be Armed With Look Down, Shoot Down Radar: Media

Syrian Rebels “Seize” MiG-23 Aircraft, The First Soviet Jet To Be Armed With Look Down, Shoot Down Radar: Media

By

 Sakshi Tiwari

 -

December 4, 2024

Syrian rebels have purportedly captured multiple Syrian Air Force’s MiG-23 fighter jets along with other air and ground-based equipment belonging to the Syrian military, days after they launched a surprise offensive against the Bashar al-Assad government and reignited the 13-year-old Civil War.

The rebels, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have allegedly captured several MiG-23 stationed at the Neyrab airbase in Aleppo, according to claims swirling on social media.

The rebel forces, reorganized under the banner of “Military Operations Command,” ran over the largest Syrian city of Aleppo and seized multiple combat aircraft, including the MiG-23 Flogger fighter jet and the L-39 Albatross Light Attack Aircraft.

Several photos and videos of the rebels occupying the airbase were posted to the social media site X (formerly Twitter). In one such video, a rebel fighter could be seen climbing a dilapidated MiG-23. The aircraft did not seem to be operational, and it was probably meant for spare parts. 

Some war-tracking and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) accounts stated that at least four of these aircraft, along with an unknown number of L-39 and Mi-8 helicopters, had been captured, whereas others went on to say that the rebels had seized about seven MiG-23s at multiple air bases. EurAsian Times could not independently verify these claims. 

These claims come days after the HTS, in coalition with other small Syrian rebel groups (some of them backed by neighboring Turkey), launched a lightning offensive against Bashar al-Assad’s forces on November 27.

The HTS has its roots in Al-Qaeda and has been banned by the United Nations, the United States, and other Western states. Though different splinter rebel groups have different ideologies, their collaboration is based on the common agenda of deposing Assad from power.

Just two days into the fighting, the rebels managed to capture Aleppo and have since been advancing to the central city of Hama. Rebels and a war monitor stated on December 3 that the rebels had captured villages, including Maar Shahur, a few miles north of the city, in a bid to mount pressure on Assad.

Nonetheless, Bashar al-Assad’s forces are reportedly flooding into the Hama region to establish a defensive line against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) offensive. Additionally, hundreds of Iraqi militia soldiers sponsored by Iran have crossed the border to fight with the regime. The Syrian Air Force, along with its ally, Russia, has intensified aerial strikes on the rebel strongholds in Idlib province, which borders Turkey. Moreover, Assad is also receiving support from Iranian-backed militias crossing over from Iraq.

While Assad’s forces are holding out, the rebels have made significant gains. In the past week, the rebels have allegedly seized a variety of military equipment from the Syrian military in Aleppo, including Pantsir S-1 anti-aircraft system, S-200 air defense system, T-72A tank, BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, BTR-80 armored personnel carrier, and more recently, the BM-30 Smerch Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). According to unverified sources, an abandoned 9A310M1 Buk SAM launcher manufactured in Russia and equipped with a minimum of one surface-to-air missile was also captured.

However, of all the equipment seized by the rebels, the MiG-23 is one of the most significant since it has played a key role in air strikes on the rebels since the initial days of the Civil War. It was the first fixed-wing aircraft of the Syrian Air Force to bomb the rebels in the ongoing Civil War.

What Is The MiG-23?

The MiG-23 Flogger is a third-generation, swing-wing fighter jet produced during the Soviet era. It was among the first Soviet fighters equipped with beyond-visual-range missiles and the first to deploy the RP-23 Sapfir, a look-down/shoot-down radar.

It was conceived in the 1960s as an answer to the US F-4 Phantom II, which was a rage at the time.

The Flogger was based on an effective design concept: a light, single-engine, variable-geometry wing jet fighter that added modern avionics, enhanced handling, increased range, a wider range of weapons, and more powerful targeting capabilities while maintaining the agility of its predecessor, the MiG-21.

The MiG-23 has a maximum range of 1,150 kilometers and is intended for air superiority and short-range interception missions. Its small size, particularly its 4.82-meter height, makes deploying from airbases with inadequate facilities easier.

The MiG-23 was a popular choice for many air forces globally due to its sturdy design and adaptable weaponry, especially in wars requiring aircraft that combine performance, endurance, and reliability.

However, the aircraft had its fair share of troubles. For instance, the fighter was prone to instability problems at a high angle of attack, and test pilots often reported yaw instability at higher speeds and trouble landing in bad weather.

Additionally, the fuel tank system of early variants of the aircraft was hindered by design defects that were only addressed on subsequent MiG-23 models, and its R-29 engine had a short lifespan and a tendency to overheat. 

Despite the troubles, though, the aircraft made its way to Syria and was deployed in the subsequent fighting with Israel. The MiG-23MS that Syria acquired used the same weapons system as the previous MiG-21S. Still, its radar was especially susceptible to electronic countermeasures (ECM), something the Israelis were particularly good at.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 – Wikipedia

So, according to the reports from the 1973 war, Israeli F-15s and F-16s shot down more than a dozen Syrian MiG-23 jets through the course of the war. However, the aircraft fought well and caused casualties for Israel as well.

While conducting a weapons test trip in a MiG-23MS on April 19, 1974, Syria’s Captain al-Masry saw a group of Israeli F-4Es and fired three missiles, bringing down two of them. He was ready to use cannon fire to target another F-4 when a SAM battery’s friendly fire shot him down.

Based on this accomplishment, Syria received 24 more MiG-23MS interceptors and a comparable quantity of MiG-23BN strike variants the next year. Later, Syria purchased 28 more MiG-23MFs in 1977, and deliveries began in 1978.

Between 1981 and 1985, Syria employed the MiG-23MF, MiG-23MS, and MiG-23BN in combat over Lebanon. In April 1981, it reported that MiG-23MSs shot down two Israeli A-4 Skyhawks that were targeting a camp in Sidon—a claim that was denied by Israel. 

The aircraft was also employed in the Civil War to attack the rebels. On July 24, 2012, Syrian MiG-23BNs dropped a bomb on Aleppo, marking the first time it was used in the civil conflict in Syria. Soon after, however, rebel and jihadist forces shot down a MiG-23 using anti-aircraft guns, capturing its pilot near Deir ez-Zor.

Since the initial days of the Civil War, Syrian Air Force MiG-23s have been frequently observed conducting aerial strikes on Syrian insurgents, with the latter claiming that many MiGs have been shot down or destroyed on the ground on various occasions.

With the capture of MiG-23 fighters by rebels, these geriatric Soviet-era aircraft are back in focus. However, it would not be a cakewalk for the rebels to repair and operate these jets without spare parts, adequate infrastructure, and trained fighter pilots who could fly them.

Russian fears of tech leak mount after rebels seize Podlet radar in Syria

Russian fears of tech leak mount after rebels seize Podlet radar in Syria

NewsArmy

ByDylan Malyasov

Dec 4, 2024

Modified date: Dec 4, 2024

Captures via X

Russian analysts and defense experts are expressing concern over reports that an advanced Russian radar system, the 48Ya6-K1 “Podlet-K1”, has been captured by Syrian rebels.

The radar, which is typically used alongside the S-400 and S-300PMU-2 air defense systems, is a critical asset in Russia’s air defense infrastructure.

According to local sources and confirmed by various reports from rebel factions, the radar system was seized during the recent advance of Syrian opposition forces. This development has sparked anxiety among Russian defense commentators, who fear that the technology could eventually find its way to Ukraine or Western nations, potentially compromising key elements of Russia’s defense strategy.

Previously, similar radar systems had been destroyed by Ukrainian soldiers, although they were not captured intact.

One prominent Russian military blogger, who goes by the name “Voennyi Osvedomitel,” highlighted the potential fallout of such a scenario. “Considering that the ‘Podlet’ is one of our primary tools for detecting fast, low-flying targets like Storm Shadow missiles and Neptune cruise missiles, its possible transfer to Ukraine or Western countries for examination poses extremely serious consequences in the long term,” he wrote.

The Podlet radar is capable of detecting targets from a range of 10 to 300 kilometers and altitudes up to 10 kilometers, functioning effectively in low-altitude, high-altitude, extended-range, and mountainous operational modes. It is a key part of the early warning and target designation system for sophisticated surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems like the S-400 and S-300, which Russia uses to protect its airspace from both cruise missiles and hostile aircraft.

The capture of the Podlet-K1 is a major development, given its importance in the layered air defense strategy employed by Russian and Syrian forces. Experts in Moscow are concerned that the radar, if thoroughly studied by Ukraine or NATO, could reveal significant weaknesses in Russia’s air defense systems. Such knowledge could undermine the effectiveness of these systems in intercepting Western-designed missiles currently used by Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russian forces.

Syrian rebels capture heavy rocket launcher systems

Syrian rebels capture heavy rocket launcher systems

NewsArmy

ByDylan Malyasov

Dec 4, 2024

Modified date: Dec 4, 2024

Captures via Telegram

Syrian rebel groups have captured two BM-30 Smerch multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) abandoned by government forces near Safira, as their offensive in northwest Syria presses closer to Russian-held territories.

The capture of these powerful rocket systems, which boast significant firepower and range, represents a major boost for rebel forces led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

According to rebel sources, the capture came alongside a previous seizure of a 9T234-2 reloading vehicle for the Smerch system, suggesting a more comprehensive acquisition of the MLRS capability. The Smerch, a heavy 300mm rocket system developed by Russia, is known for its ability to deliver devastating barrages over long distances, targeting both personnel and fortifications.

The proximity of rebel forces to the Russian Khmeimim Air Base has raised concerns among military analysts. The base, which lies just 20 miles from the current frontlines, could potentially fall within the range of these newly captured weapons. This comes as the opposition continues its rapid push through the Hama and Aleppo regions, capturing key assets and routing regime troops who were supported by both Russian and Iranian forces.

Military experts say that the possession of these rocket systems by rebel forces now adds an additional layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict in Syria. “With the BM-30 Smerch systems in rebel hands, strategic assets in the region, including Khmeimim, could theoretically be threatened,” said an analyst with knowledge of the conflict. Such a development could have far-reaching implications, particularly for Russian forces, who rely heavily on Khmeimim as a logistical hub for their operations in the region.

The situation around Safira has been volatile as Syrian government forces have been forced into a hasty retreat, abandoning critical pieces of military hardware. Earlier, the rebels also captured 220mm Uragan MLRS systems, significantly increasing their firepower capabilities as they close in on Latakia.

시리아의 주요 도시와 교통망 ( https://st4.depositphotos.com/37530512/38657/v/1600/depositphotos_386574522-stock-illustration-syria-highly-detailed-vector-map.jpg )

알레포 근교 Al Neyrab의 알레포 국제공항

[Minowski(김유철)]

아무리 러시아의 힘의 공백이라도 상항이 너무 급격히 진행되네요. 작년 중순까지만해도 정부군이 정리한것 같았는데, 뭔 쿠데타 정황도 있고..

[위종민]

저도 시리아 내전은 거의 뭐 종전된 거 아님? 그랬었는데 갑자기 이러네요. 미국은 A-10 띄워서 공중지원 제공해주고 있고..

[백선호]

MiG-23은 과연 비행 가능한 상태였을라나요?

[위종민]

트위터에 공개된 비디오에 나오는 기체는 일단 비행불가 상태일 것 같습니다. ( https://x.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1863630707697779084)

비행 가능한 상태라도, 기사 말대로 반군이 저 기체를 굴릴 능력도 없을 것 같고요.

[위종민]

https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2024/12/05/massive-haul-10-russian-aircraft-and-154-tanks-captured-in-days/

트위터 등에 올라오는 자료에 따르면 플로거 9기, L-39 24기를 포함한 항공기 35기, T-72 51대, T-90 5대를 포함한 전차 145대, IFV/APC 96대가 노획됐다고 하네요.