Reconnaissance plane shot down in Ukraine: this is how valuable the Beriev A-50 early warning radar plane is to the Russians

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It is a major blow in the liberation struggle of the Ukrainians against the Russian occupiers: According to army chief Valery Zalushni (50), the Ukrainian army destroyed a Russian Beriev A-50 radar early warning aircraft on Sunday evening. The shooting took place over the Sea of ​​Azov. In a statement on Telegram, Salushni celebrated the air force for the “perfectly planned and executed operation in the Pryasovia region.” A Russian Ilyushin Il-22, which apparently served as a flying command center, was also damaged in the attack.

The loss of the radar plane represents a significant weakening for the Russians, comparable to the sinking of the Russian missile cruiser Moskva. The A-50 is crucial for aerial surveillance and coordination of Russian units. It has a top speed of 765 kilometers per hour, a wingspan of about 50 meters and a range of more than 7,000 kilometers. According to the Military Today portal, one model should cost about half a billion dollars, the equivalent of 420 million francs.

That’s how many A-50 jets Russia has

The 15 crew members continuously monitor the battlefield. They can detect air targets at a distance of 150 to 230 kilometers and ships at a distance of up to 400 kilometers. Simultaneously observing up to 300 targets is easy with the A-50. Detecting air defense systems, guiding missiles and coordinating targets for Russian fighter jets were all done from the A-50.

Unlike ground-based radar equipment, for which hills, bumps and mountains pose a challenge, the Russian aircraft can also locate low-flying enemy aircraft using so-called look-down surveillance. The detection of long-range drones and cruise missiles is also possible without any problems.

When will the Beriev A-100 arrive?

Ukraine committed a coup by shooting down Sunday, but the destroyed plane is not the only one in Russian possession. According to Forbes, the Russian Air Force has nine other A-50 reconnaissance aircraft, but not all of them are likely to be operational. An A-50 aircraft is said to be in use in Syria, and another was attacked with drones by a Belarusian resistance group in late February 2023.

The A-50 is also so valuable to Russia because its successor is not yet ready. The Beriev A-100, a more modern version of the surveillance aircraft, has been in development since early 2010.

It is unclear how the plane was shot down on Sunday evening. The heart of the Russian air force generally operates outside the reach of Ukrainian air defenses. A plausible explanation is given by a 2022 report from the London Royal United Services Institute. In it, authors Justin Bronk, Nick Reynolds and Jack Watling point out that the A-50 aircraft can be compromised relatively easily by electronic attacks.

Source: Blick