Russian and Syrian Air Force conduct joint air patrols over Syria

The Russian Defence Ministry has reported that the Russian Aerospace Force (VKS) and the Syrian Air Force (SyAF) conducted joint air patrols in Syria.

The aircraft took off from the bases of Hmeymim, Seykal and Dumar, flying over the Goland Heights and the southern frontier. VKS deployed Su-34, Su-35 and an A-50 AWACS aircraft, while SyAF fielded MiG-23 and MiG-29. Note that one of the Syrian Fulcrum could be a 9.13 version donated by Russia in May 2020.

Su-34 with Syrian MiG-29s (1).

MiG-29 as seen in the joint patrol and flying following donation.

Su-34 with MiG-29 sirios (2).

Su-34 with MiG-29 sirios (3).

View from the SyAF (Syrian Ministry of Defense).

MiG-29SMT in T-4 base, located in Tysas

 

On top of that, MiG-29SMTs were seen in SyAF base T-4, located in Tiyas. This could be evidence that the aircraft have been donated, as VKS already deployed them in Syria and has no further interest in acquiring more.

References:

- https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/13504197
- https://twitter.com/DimasqS
- Entrada blog: Más MiG-29 y Su-24 para Siria (19-5-2020)

Syrian Army contingent during the Gulf War

As part of the 1991 coalition against Iraq, Syria sent 9th Armored Division together with a regiment of special forces. Below are some photos. Tanks are T-62s without any modifications. On the IR sight it is possible to see the image of Hafiz al Assad, father of Bashar and Syrian leader during almost 30 years.

Syrian support was more political than practical. It was part of the Arab Joint Forces Command North reserve and saw little action. There was also the risk of friendly fire, one USMC officer suggested to paint the turrets orange, but it was turned down.

According to an Egyptian officer who was in a nearby camp, the only time they fired their guns was to celebrate that Scud missiles were hitting Israel.

References:

- https://vk.com/id391321244?w=wall391321244_541%2Fall
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Tlass
- http://www.hollilla.com/reader.php?action=thread&thread=2982830&offset=300
- https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Forces_Command-North#cite_note-1
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Syrian MiG-29 with RVV-AE missile

7-7-2018: New photos

This photo was just published in twitter. Behind the pilot being interviewed there is MiG-29 with a RVV-AE BVR missile. The image is significant because it confirms the modernisation received a few years ago. Syrian MiG-29s have not been so used as MiG-21/23 or Su-22. They are the most modern type and have an advanced air to air capability. It is likely that the Syrian Air Force does not want to risk loosing them.

The last 2 appeared -as to mu knowledge- in July 2018. Note that the aircraft is in much better condition than MiG-21s or MiG-23s.

9-10-2016.

23-9-2017.

 23-9-2017. 

References:

- Photo from twitter.
- http://alejandro-8.blogspot.co.uk/modernizacion-rusa-para-los-mig-29.html

Sukhoi Su-57 in Syria?

It seems that the Russian Aerospace Force (VKS) has deployed it's latest fighter in Syria. A couple of the prototypes were seen arriving at Hmeymin escorted by a Su-35. The Sukhoi Su-57, fifth generation fighter, has not even entered service. It has not been officialy confirmed, and in the past there were fake news on similar stores (MiG-31s in Syria). Perhaps it is better to take the information with a pinch of salt.

It does not make much sense to deploy the type in Syria. Perhaps the company wants to get the label "deployed in combat conditions". Some of the prototypes should be able to carry out combat missionss as they already have the combat equipment.

It would not be the first time that a combat aircraft enters combat before officialy entering into  service. The Su-25 was deployed in Afghanistan before completing the testing.

References:

- https://twitter.com/

Israeli F-16 shot down over Syria (10-2-2018)

Last night an Israeli F-16 was shot down when carrying out a mission over Syria. The aircraft was subjected to" massive AAA fire" and hit. Both pilots ejected and are safe, one of them suffered light injuries while the other suffered heavy injuries.

F-16 remains (Jack Guez/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images).

 S-200 SAM remains.

The sequence so far is as follow. An Iranian UAV took off from Palmyra and penetrated Israeli airspace to collect information. The Israel Air Defence had detected the incoming UAV and sent an Apache helicopter to shoot it down, which it did. Following prototcol an attackwas launched against the location where the UAV had taken off, and this is when the F-16 was hit. Later several attacks were carried out against Syrian and Iranian targets.

References:

- https://www.nytimes.com/
- http://www.iaf.org.il/4470-49981-en/IAF.aspx

YPG attack on a Turkish M60 (5-2-2018)

One of my blog's readers (:yomismo_ ) sent me this video showing a YPG attack on a Turkish M60 Patton. The vehicle is in a static position providing overwatch, and is probably hit by a Konkurs or Fagot AT missile. The attack was filmed in Buka, Barbul district.

References:

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvvgkVpiIYI

T-90 tank destroyed in Syria (16-11-2017)

This T-90 was totally destroyed in the fighting around Abu Kamal. The causes of it's destruction are not known. some sources state that the tank was destroyed to prevent it from falling to the enemy. Others point out that it was the one captured a few weeks ago by ISIS.

References:

- Photos found in twitter.

Ammunition used by ISIS tanks

Jim Warford has uploaded this graphic at tank-net forum. It shows the different ammunition used by T-55s/ and T-72s operated by ISIS. The round on the left is probably a BM-8 APDS. It was retired in the late 70s due to obsolesence. The one in the middle is a Belgian M1000A1 APFDSD, exported to Syria in the 1980s. The one on the right is the hardest to identify. The nose is quite long, thus it could be a 3BM-42

References:

- http://www.tank-net.com/forums/

- http://www.mecar.be/data/1156859729100mmM1000.pdf

- http://www.kotsch88.de/m_100mmmun.htm#br

- http://fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/ARM/apfsds/ammo.html 

MiG-23 shot down in Syria

A Syrian MiG-23 was shot down Nort-East of Damascus by the Free Syrian Army. The pilot has been killed. The Flogger has been identified as MiG-23 "2797. There are no details on the type of weapons used to bring down the aircraft.

References:

- https://twitter.com/EsslamOmar/status/871785822353281024

Syrian MiG-29 with R-73 missile

Analyst @LuftwaffeAS has published in his twitter account a  photo of a Syrian MiG-29 equipped with a R-73 missile. It is the first time this missile is seen in a Syrian Fulcrum. Up to now only R-77 and R-60 had been seen.

References:

- @LuftwaffeAS

Captured T-90 used against Syrian Army

24-3-2017

More photos of the same vehicle. Note large bags placed around the turret. These will provide little protection and encumber the turret rotation. Perhaps this is a confirmation that the turret traverse mechanism is damaged, as some sources stated.

 

22-3-2017

Syrian rebels have put to use a captured T-90. A video and several photos surfaced yesterday of an attack against Syrian Army positions. The vehicle could belong to the Jihadist  group "Tahrir Al-Sham", an amalgamation of several groups that include the al-Nusra Front.

Previously the Syrian opposition showed 2 captured T-90s, one in April and the other one in July. However, the damage in the Shtora projector does not match...

References:

- http://www.tank-net.com/forums/index.php

Syrian T-72 hit by AT missile

4-2-2017

More photos of the tank. According to the blog WithinSyriaBlog the crew was ok but the vehicle sustained heavy damage in the driver's area, and will be used as a source of spares.

28-2-2017

A rebel group in Syria has published this video showing a Syrian Army T-72 getting hit by an AT missile, probable a Fagot or Konkurs. It is not clear if the vehicle was manoeuvring or getting into a position. The crew seems to have detected a threat before the impact. As the video stops suddenly it is assumed that the tank did not detonate.

References:

- Youtube.

Photos of Syrian Su-22M4

I had never seen these photos before. This Fitter looks in mint condition, which I find very remarakble because some other aircraft seen before (MiG-21) looked extremely "tired". Maybe it just went through an overhaul. It could also be an aircraft donated by Iran but the camouflage is different.

References:

- Copyrigth can be seen in the photos.

Su-24M in Syria being flown back to Russia

This photo shows a Su-24M being prepared for transport back to Russia in an An-124. The number of stars in the front section shows that it has carried out +700 missions in Syria. This very same aircraft was shown in Charly015's blog back in March 2016. By then it had ~330 missions.

Some have wondered why the Fencer is being flown instead of flying by itself. In my opinion it could be because it has exhausted its number of flight hours/landings. It could also be caused by a technical problem.

References:

- https://vk.com/military_aircraft
- http://charly015.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/su-24m-en-hmeymim-con-al-menos-330.html

Knocked out T-90 in Khanazer, Syria

24-1-2017

A version on the T-90 loss was provided at @SyrianMilitary, who quotes a Republican Guard captain. The T-90 was being operated the Al Fatemeyoon shia militia. The vehicle was far inside enemy territory -controlled by ISIS-, but the Shtora was not on. The most dangerous threat was supposed to be 23 mm guns.

The crew was surprised bu an AT missile that hit the upper part of the turret, knocking out sights and the MG. Another AT missile hit the side, injuring the driver. Gunner and commander abandoned vehicle. The driver was rescued 1 hour later. After a few hours the fire reached the ammunition because the hatches were left opened.

  
23-1-2017

These photos have just been published in twitter, and show a T-90 knocked out T-90 in Khanazer, Syria. The most likely cause was an AT missile. Note the turret in the "6 position". The yellow flag probably belongs to Hezbollah. The fire is only visible in one of the hatches, and could be caused by the 12.7 mm ammunition (see video)

References:

- https://twitter.com/bjoernstritzel

Tanks and BMPs delivered to Syria

22-1-2017

More photos have surfaced. The tanks are definitely T-62Ms. So far they are being used to secure T-4 airbase.

16-1-2017

The blog diana-mihailova has published these photos. Supposedly they were taken at Tartus, a naval base used by the Russian Navy. The tanks seem to be T-55 or T-62 and they have been recently refurbished because there are no traces of damage or even dirt. These vehicles would be for the Syrian Army. Russia retired the T-55 and T-62 back in 2011.

References:

- http://diana-mihailova.livejournal.com
- Blog article: T-55/62 retirement in Russia (2011)