From the various types of air-to-surface missiles launched from Russian fighter jets and bombers in special operations in Ukraine, the question arises, which type of missile gets the best predicate in terms of destructive power and precision? Answering the question will certainly depend a lot on Russia's claims. Indirectly, apparently someone has made an answer to that question.
Quoted from eurasiantimes.com (10/25/2022), Russia appears to rely heavily on Kh-29 missiles for precision strikes in Ukraine, especially along the front lines, where Russia has until recently dominated the skies, with the Kh-29 missiles many times. (which is also owned by the Indonesian Air Force), is seen in video footage of air operations released by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The massive and continuous use of air missiles since the start of Russian Special Military Operations on February 24, 2022, coupled with western sanctions on Russian industry, has caused the Russian military to be rumored to have run out of stock of precision guided munitions (PGM).
Responding to the news, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council, claimed on October 24 that the production of weapons and special equipment in Russia had increased several times.
In a post on his Telegram account, Medvedev wrote, “Reading the analysis of the enemy, I have repeatedly come across statements that the military equipment and weapons needed in Russia will be running out soon. Like everything has been spent. But don't expect. Production of weapons and special equipment has increased many times over on all fronts, from tanks to high-precision missiles and drones. Just wait!"
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A video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on October 24, 2022 shows a Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback fighter-bomber striking a target from medium altitude with a Kh-29 missile, possibly a Kh-29TE type with passive TV guidance. "High-precision air-to-surface missiles are designed to destroy the enemy's strong points of defense," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
In the short video above, the Su-34 is seen carrying 2 Kh-29 missiles on the inner hardpoint and 2 air-to-air missiles near the Vympel RVV-MD on the outer hardpoint. The Vympel RVV MD is the most advanced variant of the R-73 missile, which is claimed to have brought down Pakistani F-16s in the Air War in Kashmir.
Russia's Dependence on the Kh-29
In the early phase of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, they had established air dominance over all of Ukraine by disabling Ukrainian radar and missile systems; and place their combat bases out of the area of operation. However, Ukrainian ground forces did not collapse under the onslaught, and gradually with the help of the US and NATO, Ukrainian air defenses were again lethal in Western and Central Ukraine.
Russian forces then switched almost exclusively to relying on long-range surface, air and sea-launched cruise missiles to strike targets in Central and Western Ukraine. Until recently, Russia also started using long-range kamikaze drones to attack infrastructure targets in Western and Central Ukraine.
On the Eastern Ukraine barrier, Russia continues to dominate the airspace, but only at moderate altitudes. At low altitudes, Ukrainian MANPADS pose a risk to many Russian fighter jets.
In such situations, the Kh-29 is the perfect weapon for striking visually observable ground targets, such as railroads and highway bridges, industrial installations, concrete runways, aircraft in bunkers, and fortified defense positions. By using the Kh-29, Russian warplanes can avoid the sting of Ukrainian MANPADS hanud missiles.
The Kh-29 in NATO code is called the AS-14 Kedge, traced from its history it is not a very recent output missile. The first Kh-29 variant (Kh-29L) was built during the Soviet Union era. The initial design of the Kh-29 began in the late 1970s, when the Kh-29 was designed by the Molniya design bureau in Ukraine.
Only later, development was transferred to Vympel (Tactical Missile Corporation) in Russia. The first successful test-firing was carried out in 1976, and the missile officially entered production in 1980.
The Kh-29 is offered in TV guidance, IR (infra red) guidance, and laser guidance options. The Kh-29L uses semi-active laser guidance, the Kh-29T/TE uses passive TV guidance, the Kh-29D uses infrared guidance, and the Kh-29MP uses active radar homing guidance.
As launched from the Su-34, is the Kh-29TE weighing 690 kg. Its large weight is certainly not without reason, this missile has an HE (high explosive) armor piercing warhead with a weight of 320 kg. The warhead with an impact target sensor detonator is designed to be able to hit targets that are not arbitrary.
Kh-29TE is expected to be capable If you destroy strategic targets, the food for this missile is the main bridge, factory installations, runways, aircraft shelters, bunkers, even this missile can also sink surface ships with a tonnage of 10,000 tons.
The Kh-29TE belongs to the category of medium range missile with a firing range of 20-30 km. While the minimum shooting distance is 3 km. This missile cannot be launched haphazardly, the minimum height limit for missile release is 200 meters above sea level, while the maximum height limit for missile release is 10,000 meters.
The Kh-29TE also has a more advanced version, the Kh-29D, which is touted as a fourth-generation missile, taking the Kh-29TE platform but with the replacement of the infrared imaging guide, so the missile can be fired in fire and forget mode.
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