In June 2013 Russian President Vladimir Putin talked of sending significant numbers of advanced weapon systems to Syria. These were to include an unspecified number of TOS-1A MLRS thermobaric rocket launchers into the theater. These MLRS systems proved pretty effective in the Balkans, and their use against massed troops with light mechanized weapons (machine-gun equipped trucks) in the desert should prove pretty devastating. While not the be all, end all of artillery, it would seem likely to dramatically blunt any IS offensive in any given area -- such as the protection of an air base.
Since that announcement I haven't spotted any clear indication that the TOS-1A system was in fact mobilized in Syria, or that it has been used. It would seem that use of such a system could be very damaging to any Islamic State military advance and certainly if Assad had these one would think he would use them. Assad has never been squeamish about such things.
Anybody have better intel on whether they are in place in Syria or have been used? With IS pressing in on their the next Syrian airbase, the TOS system could stop the assault in its tracks.
Since that announcement I haven't spotted any clear indication that the TOS-1A system was in fact mobilized in Syria, or that it has been used. It would seem that use of such a system could be very damaging to any Islamic State military advance and certainly if Assad had these one would think he would use them. Assad has never been squeamish about such things.
Anybody have better intel on whether they are in place in Syria or have been used? With IS pressing in on their the next Syrian airbase, the TOS system could stop the assault in its tracks.
Last edited: