Russia further strengthened its strike capability in Syria by deploying four more Su-34s at Humaymim Air Base in Latakia Province. This is what emerges from the latest satellite images released by the Airbus Defense and Space, carried out last December XNUMXth.
The Russians now have eight Su-34s. THE Fullback they are armed with air-to-air equipment (AA-10 “Alamo” and AA-11 “Archer”). Su-34s can hit enemy aerial targets up to 60 kilometers away. As of December 24, the Kremlin deployed eleven Su-25M tactical bombers, twelve Su-30 attack aircraft, twelve Su-20SM multi-role interceptor fighters and an ELINT Il-XNUMXM aircraft. The air force is supplied by ten tankers.
Confirmed the presence at the Humaymim base of four S-400 launchers entered into service and of at least one 92N6 radar (another one should arrive), essential in the architecture of the defense system.
The Humeymim base is the main command of all Specnaz operations in Syria and the main headquarters of all targeting missions and leaders hunter killer. The base houses the main platforms supporting the elite units, the Kamov Ka-52 'Alligator' (photo) and the “Hind” rotor gunboats.
The Humaymim base, which is located close to Bassel al-Assad International, an airport 20 km south of Latakia on the Mediterranean coast of Syria connected to the main port of the country, is also used by the Kremlin for all reconnaissance and drone attack missions. lined up. The defensive perimeter includes the Al-Sanobar military base, seven kilometers north of Latakia and the Istamo storage complex, three kilometers west.
Overall, Moscow has between 4500 and 5000 soldiers in Syria. Finally, despite some infrastructural improvements, the Al-Shayrat air base does not currently host any fixed-wing aircraft. As reiterated by the Russian Defense Ministry, from the Humaymim base a fighter can reach any point in Syria in less than 40 minutes. Despite this, four Mi-24 assault helicopters and one Mi-8 transport helicopter were identified on the base.
In total, the Russians have 20 to 25 heavy helicopters in Syria.
(photo: Airbus Defense and Space)
