OTR-21 Tochka explained

Is Vehicle:Yes
Is Missile:yes
OTR-21 Tochka
SS-21 Scarab
Origin:Soviet Union
Type:Tactical ballistic missile
Used By:See Operators
Wars:Yemeni Civil War (1994)
First Chechen War
Second Chechen War
Syrian Civil War
Russo-Ukrainian War
Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Manufacturer:KBM (Kolomna)
Unit Cost:$300,000[1]
Production Date:1973
Service:1976–present (Scarab A)
1989–present (Scarab B)
Primary Armament:1 × OTR 21/9K79 Tactical Ballistic Missile
Engine:Single-stage solid-propellant rocket
Engine Power:96kN[2]
Weight:2000kg (4,000lb) Scarab A
2010kg (4,430lb) Scarab B
Length:6400mm
Diameter:650mm
Accuracy:150 m (Tochka)
95 m (Tochka-U)
Speed:1.8km/s
Max Range:70km (40miles) Scarab A
120km (80miles) Scarab B
Filling:Chemical, 100 kt nuclear warhead, EMP, or fragmentation filling
Guidance:Inertial guidance, Tochka-R added passive radar against radar installations
Launch Platform: Mobile TEL
Is Explosive:yes
Crew:3
Is Ranged:yes

OTR-21 Tochka (ru|оперативно-тактический ракетный комплекс (ОТР) «Точка»|operativno-takticheskiy raketnyy kompleks (OTR) "Tochka"|Tactical Operational Missile Complex "Point") is a Soviet tactical ballistic missile. Its GRAU designation is 9K79. Its NATO reporting name is the SS-21 Scarab. One missile is transported per 9P129 vehicle and raised prior to launch. It uses an inertial guidance system.[3] [4]

The OTR-21 forward deployment to East Germany began in 1981, replacing the earlier Luna-M series of unguided artillery rockets. The system was scheduled to be decommissioned by the Russian Armed Forces in 2020 in favour of the 9K720 Iskander,[5] but they have been observed in use against Ukrainian targets during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[6] [7]

Description

The OTR-21 is a mobile missile launch system, designed to be deployed along with other land combat units on the battlefield. While the 9K52 Luna-M is large and relatively inaccurate, the OTR-21 is much smaller. The missile itself can be used for precise strikes on enemy tactical targets, such as control posts, bridges, storage facilities, troop concentrations and airfields. The fragmentation warhead can be replaced with a nuclear, biological or chemical warhead. The solid propellant makes the missile easy to maintain and deploy.

OTR-21 units are usually managed in a brigade structure. There are 18 launchers in a brigade. Each launcher is provided with two or three missiles.

The vehicle is amphibious, with a maximum road speed of 60km/h and 8km/h in water. The vehicle is NBC-protected. The system began development in 1968. Three variants were developed.

Tochka

The initial version, Tochka, NATO reporting name Scarab A, entered service with the Soviet Army in 1975. It carried one of four types of warhead:

The minimum range was about 15km (09miles), maximum range was 70km (40miles). Its circular error probable (CEP) is estimated to be about 150m (490feet).

Tochka-U

The improved Tochka-U, NATO reporting name Scarab B, passed state tests from 1986 to 1988, and was introduced in 1989.

A new motor propellant increased the range to 120km (80miles). The CEP significantly improved, to 95m (312feet). Six warhead options have been reported, a unitary high explosive warhead, an anti-personnel submunition dispenser, an anti-radar warhead, an EMP warhead and two nuclear warheads.

Scarab C

An unconfirmed[8] third variant, designated Scarab C by NATO, may have been developed in the 1990s, but was likely never operational. Range increased to 185km (115miles), and the CEP decreased to less than 70 m (229 ft). Scarab C weighed 1800kg (4,000lb).

Configuration

Educational means:

Operational history

Syrian civil war (2011–present)

Yemeni civil war (2014–present)

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war

Russo-Ukrainian War

Operators

Current operators

3+ launchers as of 2024
  • 4 Tochka-U launchers as of 2024
  • Unknown number of launchers as of 2024
  • 12 launchers as of 2024
  • Unknown numbers of KN-02 Toksa variant as of 2024
  • In 2022, it was estimated that Russia had 200 missiles in service, despite being largely replaced by the Iskander. 50 launchers as of 2024
  • In 2022, it was estimated that Ukraine had 90 launchers and 500 missiles. Unknown number of launchers as of 2024, possibly no longer operational
  • Unknown number of launchers as of 2024
  • Former operators

    36 Tochka-U launchers in 2022, split in three brigades with 12 launchers each according to the International Institute of Strategic Studies, while the Belarusian order of battle only lists the 465th Missile Brigade.[48] None in service in 2024
  • 8 launchers in 1989. Passed on to successor states.
  • Inherited from Czechoslovakia, remained in service as late as 2004
  • 8 launchers in 1989, scrapped after the German reunification
  • Ordered 12 launchers and around 100 missiles. Declared operational in 1988.[49] They were used during the 1994 civil war,[50] and were passed on to unified Yemen after.[51]
  • 4 launchers and 40 missiles delivered in 1987,[52] remained in service as late as 2008
  • Inherited a small number from Czechoslovakia, remained in service as late as 2001
  • 300 launchers in 1991, passed on to successor states
  • Inherited from North Yemen.[53] Used during the 1994 civil war and the ongoing civil war.[54] None in service in 2024
  • References

    Bibliography

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. News: Over the weekend, Russia launched missiles worth about $200 million over Ukraine., Росія за вихідні випустила по Україні ракет вартістю близько $200 млн.. Volodymyr . Landa. Konstantin. Gnenny . uk. Forbes. 19 September 2022.
    2. http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets/Specials/RT-Missiles/index.htm#9M79 Some important Soviet solid fuel missiles
    3. News: Dullum . Ove . The Rocket Artillery Reference Book . Norwegian Defence Research Establishment . 30 June 2010.
    4. News: Technikkatalog - Taktische Rakete (TR) 9M79B, F, K . 16 March 2023 . Rocket and Weapons Technical Service, Leipzig.
    5. Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . Russia's Military Modernisation: An Assessment . 2020 . Routledge . 978-1-000-34451-6 . 14 . en.
    6. Book: Williams . Ian . Putin's Missile War: Russia's Strike Campaign in Ukraine . 16 August 2023 . Rowman & Littlefield . 978-1-5381-7067-0 . 31 . en.
    7. Web site: Alberque . William . What has the war revealed about Russia's non-strategic missiles? . 6 March 2023 . Online Analysis . International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) . 10 September 2023 . en.
    8. Web site: OTR-21 Tochka. 2022-03-31. 2022-12-04.
    9. Zaloga, Steven J. Scud Ballistic Missile and Launch Systems 1955-2005, page 39.
    10. News: It Was No Spontaneous, But Planned War. Novaya Gazeta. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080930101732/http://en.novayagazeta.ru/data/2008/59/01.html. 2008-09-30.
    11. News: David A. . Fulghum . Douglas Barrie . Robert Wall . Andy Nativi . Georgian Military Folds Under Russian Attack . https://web.archive.org/web/20110521070941/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news%2Faw081808p2.xml&headline=Georgian%20Military%20Folds%20Under%20Russian%20Attack . dead . 2011-05-21 . . 2008-08-15 . 2008-11-09.
    12. News: Ukraine denies using ballistic missiles . Deutsche Welle . 2 August 2014 . 2 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006104650/http://www.dw.de/ukraine-denies-using-ballistic-missiles/a-17827342 . 6 October 2014 . live.
    13. News: Wrecked tanks, deserted playgrounds: Inside the kill zone of eastern Ukraine . Tim Lister . CNN . 3 September 2014 . 2 October 2014 . In a burned field south of Ilovaisk, on what was the frontline of combat a few days ago, we found a large green tube amid bushes and trees. Military experts have identified it as the rocket motor section of a Russian-made SS-21 "Scarab" ballistic missile. But both the Ukrainian and Russian militaries have the SS-21. . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006173233/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/03/world/europe/ukraine-kill-zone-lister/ . 6 October 2014 . live.
    14. Web site: (+) -. 2014-12-15. 2014-12-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20141217130607/http://www.aksalser.com/?page=view_articles&id=ef75454e424b20770be9b3f3fdae7fe1. 2014-12-17. live.
    15. Web site: Tochka-U fired by regime in West Aleppo. Map of Syrian Civil war/ Global conflict in Syria - liveuamap.com. 2016-04-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20160530140733/http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/26-april-tochkau-fired-by-regime-in-west-aleppo. 2016-05-30. live.
    16. News: Fadel . Leith . 16 June 2016 . Islamist offensive in the East Ghouta turns disastrous . Al Masdar News . 16 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160807173051/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebel-offensive-turns-disastrous-east-ghouta/ . 7 August 2016 . live .
    17. Web site: SAA has fired a Tochka Ballistic missile at open area of Turkish town of Yayladagi/Antioch. No casualties. Hatay . 2018-03-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180320171125/https://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2018/20-march-saa-has-fired-a-tochka-ballistic-missile-at-open . 2018-03-20 . live.
    18. Web site: Russian-made OTR-21 Tochka missile that has fallen in Yayladağı district of Hatay Hatay . 2019-02-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190225162251/https://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2018/20-march-russianmade-otr21-tochka-missile-that-has-fallen . 2019-02-25 . live .
    19. https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Second-Davids-Sling-missile-fell-in-Syria-without-hitting-target-563338 "Second David's Sling-missile fell in Syria without hitting target"
    20. Web site: 2 Syrian missiles with half-ton warheads trigger Israel's anti-missile system . . 2018-07-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180723140821/https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-missiles-with-half-ton-warheads-triggered-anti-missile-system-army-says/ . 2018-07-23 . live.
    21. Web site: Missile strikes hit oil refineries in northern Syria, killing one. 2021-03-08. Al Jazeera. en. 2021-03-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20210308035656/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/5/missile-strikes-hit-oil-refineries-in-north-syria-killing-one. live.
    22. Web site: Toll From Yemen Rebel Attack Rises as 10 Saudi Troops Killed . . 2015-09-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150913080326/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/toll-yemen-rebel-attack-rises-10-saudi-troops-33555915 . 2015-09-13 . live.
    23. Web site: UAE soldier deaths in Yemen rise to 52 . Al Bawaba . 2017-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170904110028/https://www.albawaba.com/news/uae-soldier-deaths-yemen-rise-52-742716 . 2017-09-04 . live.
    24. Web site: TSG IntelBrief: The Endless Fight for Yemen . 9 September 2015 . The Soufan Group . 2017-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170614063834/http://www.soufangroup.com/tsg-intelbrief-the-endless-fight-for-yemen/ . 2017-06-14 . live.
    25. Web site: Gould . Joe . united-arab-emirates . Defensenews.com . 2015-12-14 . 2017-03-02 . 2022-06-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220619103155/https://www.defensenews.com/home/2015/12/14/152-feared-dead-in-yemen-ballistic-missle-strike/ . live .
    26. Web site: Yemen conflict: Gulf commanders 'killed in missile strike' . BBC News . 2015-12-14 . 2017-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170422142527/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35091675 . 2017-04-22 . live.
    27. Web site: Cease-fire in Yemen Ushers In Talks to End War . Wall Street Journal . 2015-12-14 . 2017-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170613101402/https://www.wsj.com/articles/senior-saudi-military-commander-killed-in-yemen-1450100887 . 2017-06-13 . live.
    28. Web site: "توشكا" جديد يقصم ظهر "التحالف" | الأخبار . New "shakes" break the back of the "alliance" | news. Al-akhbar.com . 2017-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170529140111/http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/250124 . 2017-05-29 . live .
    29. Web site: Dozens of Saudi-led Forces Killed in Yemen New Tochka Attack- Al Manar TV Website Archive . Almanar.com.lb . 2016-01-18 . 2017-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160127104152/http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?fromval=1&cid=23&frid=23&eid=250292 . 2016-01-27 . live .
    30. Web site: Leith Fadel . Over 200 Saudi-led Coalition fighters killed in Tochka missile strike . . 2017-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161118035515/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/26597 . 2016-11-18 . live .
    31. Web site: Yemen's Tochka Attack Kills Blackwater Commander, Saudi Mercenaries- Al Manar TV Website Archive . Almanar.com.lb . 2016-01-31 . 2017-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160213232710/http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=252844&frid=23&seccatid=31&cid=23&fromval=1 . 2016-02-13 . live .
    32. Web site: Defense Digest on Twitter: "Updated #Tochka strike damage in Al Anad in #Yemen, 120 Sudanese dead out of the 145 killed & more than 250 injured" . 31 January 2016 . postskriptum.org.com . 2019-08-22 . 2019-08-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822215156/https://postskriptum.org/2016/01/31/alanad/ . live .
    33. https://tass.com/world/1207013 Yerevan debunks reports of Tochka-U missile system use in Nagorno-Karabakh
    34. Web site: Ukrainian forces launch missile attack on Russia's military airfield. 25 February 2022 . EuroMaidan Press. 25 February 2022. 26 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220226121004/https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/02/25/ukrainian-forces-launch-missile-attack-on-russias-military-airfield/. live.
    35. Web site: Jennings . Gareth . 25 February 2022 . Ukraine reportedly strikes Russian airbase . 2022-03-19 . Janes.com . en . 2022-02-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220226181351/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraine-reportedly-strikes-russian-airbase . live .
    36. Web site: 2022-02-25 . Russia commits indiscriminate attacks during the invasion of Ukraine . 2022-02-28 . Amnesty International . en . 2022-02-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220227213655/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/russian-military-commits-indiscriminate-attacks-during-the-invasion-of-ukraine/ . live .
    37. News: Tondo . Lorenzo . 2022-03-14 . Russia accuses Kyiv of deadly missile attack on Donetsk . . 2022-03-15 . 2022-03-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220323132125/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/14/russia-accuses-kyiv-of-deadly-missile-attack-on-donetsk . live .
    38. News: 2022-03-30. Tochka: The Missile Ukraine Could Use To Attack Russia?. 19fortyfive. 2022-04-09. 2022-04-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20220409212105/https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/03/tochka-the-missile-ukraine-could-use-to-attack-russia/. live.
    39. Web site: Russian Landing Ship Destroyed In Massive Explosion In Captured Ukrainian Port City. The Drive. 24 March 2022. 27 March 2022. 13 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141126/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44904/russian-landing-ship-destroyed-in-massive-explosion-in-captured-ukrainian-port-city. live.
    40. News: Russia dredges up landing ship hit by Ukraine missile fire . 4 July 2022 . BBC . 3 July 2022 . en .
    41. Digital Forensic Research Lab, Russian War Report: Russia makes false claims while blaming Ukraine for Kramatorsk railway station attack. Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, April 8, 2022 .
    42. News: Harding . Luke . Walker . Shaun . Russia accused of 'monstrous' war crime in Kramatorsk station attack . 8 April 2022 . The Guardian . 8 April 2022 . en . 14 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220414055821/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/08/kramatorsk-train-station-ukraine-russia-rockets . live .
    43. Web site: Ukraine seeks tough reply after missile kills 52 at station . 8 April 2022 . ABCNEWS . en . 9 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220409060309/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ukraine-seeks-tough-reply-missile-kills-52-station-83977967 . live .
    44. News: Kramatorsk station attack: What we know so far . 9 April 2022 . BBC . 9 April 2022 . en . 8 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220408174230/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61036740 . live .
    45. 1539427449397813250. Osinttechnical. Footage on the ground from Krasnyi Luch near the Russian ammunition depot that was hit by a Ukrainian OTR-21 Tochka-…. 22 June 2022.
    46. Web site: Ukraine claims to have killed more than 100 Russians in missile strike . 12 January 2023 . news.com.au . 13 January 2023.
    47. Web site: Ukraine strikes Russian apartment building killing 15 people . 13 May 2024 . abcnews.go.com . 20 June 2024.
    48. Web site: Wright . Timothy . Alberque . William . The credibility and implications of Russia's missile and nuclear proposal to Belarus . Online Analysis . International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) . 15 November 2024 . en . 21 July 2022.
    49. Book: Cooper . Tom . Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 1: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1962-1994 . 2017 . Helion & Company Publishing . Solihull, UK . 978-1-912174-23-2. 44.
    50. Book: Cooper . Tom . Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 1: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1962-1994 . 2017 . Helion & Company Publishing . Solihull, UK . 978-1-912174-23-2. 51.
    51. Book: Cooper . Tom . Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 2: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1994-2017 . 2018 . Helion & Company Publishing . Warwick, UK . 978-1-911628-18-7. 15.
    52. Web site: Arms transfer database . SIPRI . Stockholm International Peace Research Institute . 15 November 2024.
    53. Book: Cooper . Tom . Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 2: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1994-2017 . 2018 . Helion & Company Publishing . Warwick, UK . 978-1-911628-18-7. 15.
    54. Book: Cooper . Tom . Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 2: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1994-2017 . 2018 . Helion & Company Publishing . Warwick, UK . 978-1-911628-18-7. 56.