Enhancing India's Air Defence: The Role of Russia's Viking (Buk-M3) and Tor-M2U Systems

India's pursuit of a robust and multi-layered air defence network is vital for safeguarding its airspace against diverse aerial threats. Incorporating advanced systems like Russia's Viking (Buk-M3) and Tor-M2U can significantly enhance India's defensive capabilities.

Buk-M3 Viking: Medium-Range Air Defence

The Buk-M3 Viking is an advanced medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to counter various aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. Key specifications include:

• Target Engagement: Capable of tracking and engaging up to 36 targets simultaneously.

• Missile Capacity: Each launcher can carry up to six missiles, an improvement over previous versions.

• Range and Altitude: Effective against targets at distances up to 70 km and altitudes ranging from 15 meters to 35 km.

• Target Speed: Can engage targets moving at speeds up to 3,000 meters per second.

The Buk-M3's enhanced capabilities make it particularly effective against specialized electronic attack and anti-radiation missiles, which are designed to neutralize long-range systems like the S-400. Integrating the Buk-M3 with the S-400 would create a robust defence perimeter, enhancing India's ability to counter a wide range of aerial threats.

Tor-M2U: Short-Range Air Defence

The Tor-M2U is a short-range air defence missile system designed to engage targets at low altitudes, including aircraft, helicopters, and precision-guided munitions. Its notable features are:

• Simultaneous Engagement: Can engage up to four targets simultaneously at altitudes up to 10 km.

• Missile Capacity: Each system carries 16 missiles, doubling the capacity of earlier models.

• Mobility: Highly mobile and capable of operating on the move, with a reaction time of 3 minutes from standby to full alert.

• Operational Flexibility: Designed to function effectively in various environments, including Arctic conditions, and can be mounted on different platforms.

The Tor-M2U's ability to operate in challenging environments with minimal operator intervention makes it an attractive option for bolstering India's air defence capabilities at the tactical level.

Strategic Integration and Indigenous Development

Integrating the Buk-M3 and Tor-M2U systems with India's existing S-400 units would establish a comprehensive, layered air defence network capable of addressing threats at varying ranges and altitudes. This integration aligns with India's goal of enhancing its air defence infrastructure while fostering local manufacturing capabilities through initiatives like 'Make in India'.

Furthermore, India's indigenous efforts, such as Project Kusha, aim to develop long-range surface-to-air missile systems with ranges of 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km, supplementing existing defences and reducing reliance on foreign technology. The project is expected to be operational by 2028–2029 and will enhance India's ability to counter diverse aerial threats.

Russia's willingness to engage in joint production and technology transfer further supports India's strategic ambitions, offering a cost-effective and technologically advanced solution to its defence needs.