The Tor-M2DT anti-aircraft missile system crews have started practicing in order to prepare for potential battles in the Arctic,according to a Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.
Russia is setting up a special unit armed with an advanced version of Tor-family autonomous short-range anti-aircraft missile system, called the Tor-M2DT, ready to fight in the Arctic as tensions over the region’s allegedly vast oil and gas wealth reserves grow.
At the technical, special and tactical training sessions, the Tor-M2DT crews master the capabilities of the new air defense systems, after which they will have to carry out combat shooting at high-speed air targets. They will be held at one of the specialized training grounds in the Astrakhan region in early June.
The Tor-M2DT autonomous short-range anti-aircraft missile system adapted to severe climatic conditions is intended to operate at extremely low temperature and difficult terrain.
The weapon defends important administrative facilities, the first echelons of ground forces from air strikes by antiradar and cruise missiles, gliding air bombs, aircraft, helicopters and drones. It can operate automatically and in a manual regime. Tor controls the airspace and downs all air targets unidentified by friend-or-foe system.
The new Arctic configuration of the Tor-family system stays operational at air temperatures as low as 50 degrees below freezing and would hit the target within seconds after identification.