Counter-battery is a very important part of modern warfare. Artillery is used all the time, which means that the enemy’s howitzers are very important targets. Therefore, counter-battery radars are being developed to be more precise and quick to deploy. Russia has just announced that it sent its latest counter-battery radar called Yastreb-AV to fight in Ukraine. And now it’s been confirmed, because Ukraine just destroyed it.
Yastreb-AV in a place of its destruction somewhere in Ukraine. (Screenshot)
On January 2, 2024, the Ministry of Defense of Russia revealed publicly that its counter-battery radar 1K148 Yastreb-AV had been sent to Ukraine. This system is supposedly highly advanced and its characteristics are not disclosed. Back in 2017 it was announced that it was almost finished. Then in 2022 it was publicly showcased at the Army-2022 forum.
The Yastreb-AV started its service with the Russian Army very recently – tests were completed only at the end of 2021 or at the beginning of 2022. And now it is definitely in Ukraine.
Although we cannot say what special features does the Yastreb-AV possess, it is still just a large weapon tracking radar. Its job is still just target acquisition. Basically, it looks for incoming artillery shells, mortar bombs, or some ballistic missiles, follows their trajectory for a bit and uses this data to determine the location of the launcher (howitzer, mortar, etc.) Then counter-battery fire can be arranged.
The Yastreb-AV is particularly large, mounted on an 8×8 chassis. It most definitely can track multiple targets at the same time. And is obviously built to be highly mobile to avoid detection.
Did Russia really deploy this system in Ukraine? Yes! On January 2, 2024 – the same day when Russia announced it being in Ukraine – a video was shared online of a destruction of a Yastreb-AV:
A Russian 1K148 “Yastreb-AV” counterbattery complex was destroyed with the use of GMLRS.
Funny fact, the Russian MoD today announced they were put to work in the ”SVO” 🥳https://t.co/rgEZSuPMth pic.twitter.com/HbYOUe1Xpf
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) January 2, 2024
Obviously, this Yastreb-AV radar was spotted by a drone, which recorded its coordinates and directed HIMARS fire towards it. The radar in question was then destroyed by a GMLRS missile. It may not look like it was eliminated, because you’re used to videos of equipment blowing up in huge mushrooms of smoke and fire.
However, remember that the Yastreb-AV is not really a weapon – there is no ammunition in it. It was shredded by hundreds of tungsten balls and is definitely not operational.
Also, an interesting thing to note – defenders of Ukraine have said that they’ve destroyed a Yastreb-AV radar before. It might have been a second one. One such counter-battery radar is estimated to cost around 250 million dollars.
Sources: Mil.in.ua, NOELreports Twitter