Russia has introduced a new counter-battery 96L6 radar system that significantly enhances its ability to track and neutralize Ukrainian artillery, including the U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket systems.
A Powerful New Counter-Measure
This new system is not only a major upgrade from the older Zoopark radars but also a strategic move amid ongoing international sanctions that continue to pressure Russia’s military capabilities.
A counter-battery radar plays a crucial role in modern warfare by detecting enemy artillery fire, calculating its point of origin, and relaying coordinates to friendly units for a rapid counterstrike. The system can also track friendly artillery to improve targeting accuracy.
The Zoopark-1 and its upgraded variant, Zoopark-1M, have long served as Russia’s primary counter-battery radars. The Zoopark-1M is capable of detecting large multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) rockets at distances of up to 35 km, while it can track mortar fire within a 17 km range. Mounted on a tracked MT-LB chassis, it provides mobility across challenging terrain.
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However, the new 96L6 system boasts a detection range nearly five times that of the Zoopark-1M. It can track large MLRS rockets at a range of 150 km and detect standard artillery and mortars at distances up to 70 km. This increased range significantly enhances Russia’s ability to target and destroy Ukrainian artillery before it can reposition.
Technical Superiority of 96L6
The 96L6 radar is a key component of Russian air defense systems, such as the S-350 Vityaz, S-400, and S-300 series. It is designed to detect aerial threats, including ballistic missiles, but has now been repurposed for counter-battery warfare.
The system consists of two primary components:
- 96L6-TsP acquisition radar: An active phased-array system capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets at long ranges.
- 96L6-VP passive sensors: These modules enhance detection capabilities by triangulating enemy positions without emitting detectable signals, reducing the risk of counterattacks.
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Operating in the C-band frequency, the 96L6 radar can detect low- and high-altitude targets up to 100 km away. It offers 360-degree coverage and can track up to 100 targets simultaneously at speeds between 30 and 2,750 m/s, with a maximum range of 300 km.
Unlike traditional counter-battery radars, which are vulnerable due to their constant radio frequency emissions, the 96L6 system incorporates passive sensors that make it harder to locate and neutralize. Additionally, its advanced electronic warfare (EW) resistance allows it to function effectively even in contested environments.
HIMARS Under Threat?
Since the beginning of the conflict, Ukraine’s HIMARS rocket systems have posed a significant challenge to Russian forces. With a range of up to 80 km, HIMARS can launch precision-guided rockets from a distance beyond the detection capabilities of older Russian radars. The system’s “shoot-and-scoot” tactics allow it to fire and reposition before enemy forces can retaliate.
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Russia has struggled to counter this threat due to limitations in its counter-battery capabilities. While the Tornado-S MLRS, Russia’s closest equivalent to HIMARS, can fire guided rockets over 100 km, its effectiveness has been hampered by the lack of a long-range radar system capable of swiftly detecting and targeting enemy launchers.
The introduction of the 96L6 radar changes this equation. With its extended range and improved tracking capabilities, Russian forces now have a greater ability to detect and engage HIMARS units before they can reposition.
This could force Ukraine to alter its tactics and reduce the frequency of long-range strikes.
Despite these advancements, HIMARS retains certain advantages. Unlike the Tornado-S, which requires manual reloading of individual tubes, HIMARS uses a modular system with replaceable rocket pods. This allows for faster rearmament, enabling rapid repeated strikes.
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Additionally, the similarity between HIMARS’ GMLRS and ATACMS missile pods creates uncertainty for Russian forces, as they cannot easily determine whether an approaching strike is a short-range or long-range attack.
The effectiveness of the 96L6 radar in combat conditions remains to be seen, but its deployment marks a significant development in Russia’s counter-battery capabilities.
With the potential to neutralize one of Ukraine’s most effective artillery assets, the battlefield dynamics could shift in ways that impact the ongoing conflict.
