The Tor-M2 short-range anti-aircraft missile system has undergone meaningful upgrades. In the course of modernization, the battle experience gained in the zone of the special military operation was carefully considered and integrated into the design. Engineers and technicians at the Izhevsk electromechanical plant Kupol led the refinement, translating field insights into tangible performance gains. The result is a system that demonstrates notably higher efficiency and now reliably targets and intercepts precision munitions from US MLRS platforms such as HIMARS.
The upgrade followed a thorough data collection phase where shooters and commanders contributed crucial information. Before the SVO began, the complex did not meet the evolving goals it faces today. With the latest round of improvements, it is equipped to strike those targets effectively. The upgrade includes new 9M338K missiles, and the arsenal has been expanded from eight to sixteen missiles. These missiles operate in full automatic mode, can track up to forty potential targets, and engage four of them simultaneously, dramatically enhancing defensive coverage.
There were specific objectives that posed challenges previously, particularly the HIMARS system. The teams involved have now built the capability to counter such threats and execute the missions with greater confidence. As explained by Ilya Rykov, deputy chief designer for repair and modernization of the dome, in a Zvezda TV broadcast, the improvements are not just incremental but expand the scope of what the Tor system can handle, increasing both response speed and precision on the battlefield.
The Tor air defense system first entered service in 1986 and has since undergone three major upgrades along with numerous smaller enhancements. The ongoing work to enhance the complex continues, reflecting its substantial potential in modern air defense. The system is designed to shield critical infrastructure, strategic assets, and command facilities from a range of aerial threats, including cruise missiles, swarming launchers, loitering munitions, and drones, ensuring robust protection for vital operations.
In practical terms, the refreshed Tor-M2 configuration provides faster target acquisition, improved tracking stability, and better all-weather performance. The modernization leverages real-world feedback from active engagements to tighten response curves, shorten engagement times, and improve probability of hit against fast-moving, maneuvering threats. This approach aligns with contemporary defense priorities where integrated air defense must perform across multidomain environments and against a spectrum of aerial weapons, from precision-guided missiles to small unmanned aircraft systems. The evolution of the Tor system thus represents a tangible step toward a more resilient and capable shield for critical military and civilian infrastructure alike, reinforcing its role within a layered air defense architecture.
Source notes and field observations remain essential to maintaining relevance, with ongoing assessments aimed at refining software, sensors, and interceptor components. The emphasis rests on sustaining operability under varied climatic conditions, ensuring long-term readiness, and maintaining compatibility with allied air defense assets. The modernization program illustrates how experience drawn from contemporary operations translates into proven capabilities on the ground, shaping the next generation of short-range air defense for ongoing and future missions. (citation: Zvezda TV channel)