Bastion: New Russian Antiship Weapon

The new Russian antiship missile systems “Bastion” that may hit any point of the Black Sea have become the key weapon of coastal defence for Russia.

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“Bastion” came to replace another antiship missile system called “Redut”. “Redut” was put into service in 1966, it was shooting with supersonic missiles P-35B at a distance of 270 km. Development of “Bastion” began in the 80s but it was officially accepted only in 2010.

The system is made in two modifications – fixed (Bastion-S) and mobile one (Bastion-P). They are intended to destroy all types of surface ships from surface and carrier strike groups, assault forces, escort convoys, single vessels and ground radiocontrast targets in the conditions of intense electronic and firing countermeasures of an enemy.

Every system like this can protect 600 km of coastal area from possible enemy landing operations.

It takes only five minutes to put “Bastion-P” system on an alert. Besides, it can be in the condition of a combat alert independantly for a period of five days.

The basic modification of the system is equipped with four self-propelled launchers K-340P based on a wheeled motor-traction vehicle “Astrolog” with an endurance distance of up to 1000 km, command and control vehicle K-380P based on KamAZ-43101, up to four transport loading vehicles K-342 and launch-associated support vehicles – for transportation and accomodation of military personnel.

Additionally the system may include a self-propelled over-the-horizon radar station for detection of air and surface targets “Monolot-B”, though target designation can be executed from a helicopter.

The missile “Bastion” shoots with is called P-800 “Onyx”, its export modification is called “Yahont” (“Ruby”) or SS-N-26 Strobile according to the NATO classification. Probably today it’s the most popular Russian tactical cruise anti-ship missile. Its length, depending on modification, may range from 6 to 8,6 meters. Launching mass – three tons. Maximum speed – 750 m/s. Flying height – from 10 meters to 14 kilometers. Weight of the missile warhead – 200 kg. High-altitude firing distance – up to 300 km. Low-altitude firing distance (close to water surface) – 120 km. Today “Onyx/Yahont” may compare to the most formidable cruise missiles in the world.