The state-run Zvezda channel of the Russian Ministry of Defense shared with the public footage showing the Tor-M2DT anti-aircraft system.
The missile launcher has the letter “V” written on it, one of the symbols on vehicles and military systems taking part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian state media said the air defense system could intercept massive enemy airstrikes, even when the enemy extensively uses electronic warfare countermeasures to counter the Russian system.
The Arctic version of the Tor system was first publicly revealed in 2017. The system was adopted by the Russian military, with the first batches being delivered in 2018.
It is worth noting that this is the first time that Russia – apparently – has been forced to use vehicles designed specifically for arctic environments. Other examples include the rare GAZ-3344-20 articulated crawler transporter and the DT-30 articulated transporter. There is material confirming that the Ukrainians have destroyed vehicles of both of these types in the war.
What Is Tor-M2DT?
The Tor-M2DT is a Russian air defense system, which is an improved version of the original Tor system adopted in 1986. The special feature of the Tor-M2DT is that it was specifically designed for operation in harsh arctic environments. It is very interesting, since its role is to protect some of the northernmost military bases, ports, airports, storage centers, command centers and other critical elements of the Russians.
The system can operate in environments with no roads at all. It is modular and consists of two sections. The front section is the control cabin for the driver and operators, while the rear section carries the missile and radar launchers.
A total of 16 9M3387 missiles are carried, which demonstrate a maximum range of 16 km and can fly to a maximum range of 10 km, depending on the speed of the target.
The system is said to operate with a crew of three, like all previous Tors. The crew includes the commander, operator and driver. All of Tor-M2DT’s systems are fairly automated, so the crew doesn’t have to do much.
The Tor-M2DT is not armored and carries no defensive weapons, except of course its anti-aircraft missiles.
