AirDefense Academy · Contents · Chapter 5 · Nederlandse versie
Chapter 5: Air defence & IADS
The ADD/PVO layer: the integrated air defence system. Layered SAM belts, the radar network, combat control and the four branches (RTV, fighters, ZRV, REB) with their unit structure — the defensive heart of the VKS.
5.1The ADD component
Besides flying, the ground-based air and space defence is the second pillar of the VKS.
Read §5.1 →5.2Layered defence
The fundamental design principle: mutually overlapping SAM belts from very long to very short range.
Read §5.2 →5.3The IADS and combat control (GCI)
How radar, combat control, fighters and SAMs are linked into one system.
Read §5.3 →5.4Radar network & missile defence
The radio-technical troops are the eyes of the system. A mix of early-warning radars (e.g. Nebo series, low-band against stealth), area radars and fire-control radars builds a continuous air picture. Low-band VHF radars are used to detect…
Read §5.4 →5.5Command: the four branches as one system
What makes the air defence an IADS is not the weapon but the automated command that links radar, fighters, missiles and EW.
Read §5.5 →5.6Radio-Technical Troops (RTV)
The eyes of the system: the permanent radar field that provides detection, identification and early warning.
Read §5.6 →5.7Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops (ZRV)
The fist of the system: the SAM brigades and regiments that form the layered belts.
Read §5.7 →5.8Air-defence fighters (aviation)
The mobile, far-reaching part of the air defence: ground-controlled interceptors.
Read §5.8 →5.9Electronic Warfare Troops (REB)
The invisible shield and sword: jamming, deception and protection of the air defence.
Read §5.9 →5.10Ground Forces air defence (PVO-SV)
Besides the territorial VKS air defence there is a second, mobile air defence: that of the Ground Forces themselves.
Read §5.10 →5.11Network-enabled targeting & third-party engagement
Modern air defence no longer fires only at what its own radar sees — the network shares the fire control.
Read §5.11 →5.12Counter-UAS: the bottom layer of the IADS
The layered SAM belts (§5.1) are built against aircraft and cruise missiles — not against swarms of cheap drones flying beneath them. Russia is therefore hastily building a separate counter-drone layer.
Read §5.12 →5.13The top layer: anti-ballistic, anti-hypersonic & near-space
Above the SAM belts against aircraft sits a strategic shield against ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons and objects at the edge of space.
Read §5.13 →