The Ministry of Defense hints at the production of a new “Coral” air defense system, whose missiles are likely to shoot down ballistic missiles (photo)
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Strategic Industries, will increase the production of air defense systems, from MANPADS to SAMs with a range of more than 100 km, such as the Coral SAM.
This was reported by the press service of the department.
It is noted that in 2024, the production of missiles, ammunition, weapons and military equipment will be increased. The main attention will also be paid to air defense systems. They will produce both portable air defense systems and systems with a range of more than 100 km. The name of the Coral air defense system developed by the Luch State Design Bureau was given in parentheses.
SAM “Coral” – what is known about the development
The Luch State Design Bureau in Kyiv was offered to develop an air defense system based on the Coral missile. As of 2021, the complex was said to be about 70% complete. The problem on the way to development was the lack of funding. At the time, Oleg Korostelev, the general designer and CEO, said that it was impossible to complete the complex with working capital. However, almost everything for the system has already been developed: the detection and targeting station, the main components of the anti-aircraft missile, programs and algorithms for the system’s operation, the command vehicle platform and launchers.
“All tests, all technical requirements must be determined by the customer, and only then does this complex have the right to live. That is why we were not going to do anything on our own, as amateurs. We defended the advance project for this complex, the customer (the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine) recognized it as positive and signed the act. That’s why we hope to continue our work,” said Oleg Korostelev.
However, at the time, it was said that the SAM would intercept targets within a radius of up to 30 km and at an altitude of up to 10 km. It was claimed that the missile could hit various targets: helicopters, airplanes, UAVs, and even ballistic missiles. If necessary, the Coral could operate against land or surface targets.
Earlier, Minister of Strategic Industry Oleksandr Kamyshin said that two SAM projects are being developed in Ukraine. “Militarnyi assumed that it was about the Coral and RK-10 SAMs. It is not yet known whether the Ministry of Defense named the Coral SAM as an example or whether the missile will now have a range of more than 100 km, which will require changes in design.
