The Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has released new information on the design and components of Russian ballistic weapons, including the RM-48U missile. The relevant data and a technical analysis were published on the War&Sanctions portal, according to Defence Intelligence.
“As part of implementing the President of Ukraine’s instructions to counter Russia’s ballistic missile programme, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has published on the War&Sanctions portal an interactive 3D model, information on the components and electronic component base of the RM-48U missile used with the S-400 Triumf air defence system, the companies involved in its production, their key employees, as well as foreign equipment used by these enterprises,” Defence Intelligence said on Telegram.
According to the agency, Russia is seeking to expand the range of missiles available for strikes against Ukraine by restoring decommissioned surface-to-air guided missiles and target missiles for the S-400 system and converting them into strike weapons.
The new Russian ballistic “Frankenstein” combines a solid-fuel engine from the 48N6DM surface-to-air missile used by the S-400, a tail section from the export version of the 48N6E2 surface-to-air missile used with the S-300 PMU1/2 and S-400 systems, while the RM-48U’s instrument section incorporates components from the 9M96 and 48N6E2 missiles.
“The RM-48U is a single-stage missile with a solid-fuel engine that follows a ballistic trajectory at speeds of Mach 4–6 and has an operational range of up to 400 km. The missile carries a 199 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead containing pre-formed fragmentation elements in the form of cubes. Navigation and guidance are provided by an autonomous strapdown inertial navigation system and a satellite navigation system based on Kometa-R12 receivers,” Defence Intelligence said.
Russia has also created dedicated units to use surface-to-air missiles for strikes against ground targets at tactical and operational depth. These include a Special Tactical Missile Group equipped with radio-command-guided RM-48U missiles and a Special Operational Missile Group operating RM-48U missiles with satellite guidance.
The range of missiles used by the Special Tactical Missile Group is limited by the radio horizon and the capabilities of the S-400’s target illumination and guidance radar. For this reason, Russia in most cases uses autonomous RM-48U missiles equipped with satellite navigation as part of its Special Operational Missile Groups.
According to Defence Intelligence, the electronic components found in the missile reflect a pattern typical of Russian weapons.
“The largest number — 95 out of 117 — come from the United States, four from Taiwan, three from Switzerland, and two each from Germany, the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea. Among the newly identified components is a laser diode manufactured by the French company 3SP Technologies,” the agency said.
The War&Sanctions portal has also been updated with information on 63 Russian companies involved in the missile’s production chain, officials and employees of the main enterprises, as well as foreign equipment used by these companies.
“The aggressor state continues to expand its range of weapons for war and terror. The experience gained from their use against Ukraine could be applied in future wars and conflicts, not only by Russia but also by its allies, Iran and North Korea. The efforts of the civilised world must be consolidated to deprive aggressors of access to technology,” Defence Intelligence concluded.
