The Russian Tor-M2DT, often called the “Artic Tor,” or Tor-A for export is a mobile air defense system designed for the Arctic but appears well-suited for African terrains like deserts and swamps, according to the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT).
This assessment, shared via CAWAT’s official Telegram channel last week, positions the system as a potential game-changer and could be a good fit for African countries dealing with local conflicts, offering protection in challenging environments.
The Tor-A is a tracked surface-to-air missile system with high cross-country ability, and is adaptable meaning it can navigate through difficult terrains to such as sand dunes and swampy areas, which are common in Africa.
It’s built to operate in extreme temperatures, from -50°C to +50°C, making it adaptable to Africa’s diverse climates, from hot deserts to tropical regions. Its mobility is impressive, with speeds up to 43 km/h on hard surfaces, 30 km/h on dirt roads, and 15 km/h on rough terrain, plus it can move at 4 km/h on water, ensuring versatility across varied landscapes.
CAWAT’s report emphasized, “Tor-M2DT air defence missile system, created for the Arctic, can be successfully used in any other difficult climatic conditions, in a situation of complete impassability, on sand dunes and in swampy areas.”
This capability was demonstrated during its deployment in Ukraine’s special military operation, particularly during the seasonal thaw, where it showcased its ability to navigate muddy and rough terrains, a scenario that mirrors challenges in Africa’s wet seasons or arid regions.
The air defence system has been greatly praised by Russian operators and has celebrated its 35th anniversary since its induction into the Russian Armed Forces.
This mobility is crucial for African countries where road infrastructure is often limited, and military operations require flexibility in remote or undeveloped areas.
This system is designed for quick response, deploying from marching to combat order in just 3 minutes and launching missiles 5-10 seconds after detecting a target. It can detect threats up to 32 km away, with a destruction zone reaching 16 km in range and 12 km in altitude, and a low limit of 10 m, making it effective against low-flying aircraft and drones. It carries 16 9M338K missiles, which travel at 1000 m/sec and have a manoeuvrability of up to 35 g, ensuring it can handle multiple attacks, and can traverse the varied landscapes found across the continent.
Another critical factor is the Tor-A’s climate adaptability, designed to function in a wide range of ambient temperatures from -50°C to +50°C. This range is particularly relevant for Africa, which spans hot desert regions like the Sahara and cooler, swampy areas in Central Africa. The system’s climate control system ensures comfortable conditions for the crew, enhancing operational efficiency in extreme heat or humidity, which are common in African operational theatres.
To contextualize its suitability, a comparison with Western counterparts is instructive. CAWAT’s analysis noted that the Tor-A outperforms systems like Germany’s Diehl 98 and Sweden’s RBS 98 in the subclass of high-cross-country short-range SAMs.
The Diehl 98, demonstrated at the 2018 Berlin Air Show, is based on the BV 410 two-link tracked transporter and carries four IRIS-T SLS short-range SAMs with a kill zone of 10-12 km in range and 6 km in altitude. However, its missiles are mounted openly, raising doubts about performance in extreme conditions.
The Swedish RBS 98, presented in 2019 and tested by 2022, uses a spaced layout with a separate radar platform, increasing deployment time and making firing on the move impossible, and relies on the same IRIS-T SLS SAMs, which are considered weaker.
In contrast, the Tor-A integrates all components into a single platform, offering a more compact and efficient solution. Its ability to fire on the move, combined with superior cross-country ability, makes it head and shoulders above these Western analogues, particularly for African terrains where mobility and adaptability are paramount.
Compared to Western systems like Germany’s Diehl 98 and Sweden’s RBS 98, the Tor-A is more compact and efficient, with better performance in extreme conditions. This makes it particularly appealing for African militaries facing insurgencies and small-scale conflicts rather than advanced warfare, as it provides mobile protection and flexibility.
An unexpected detail is its proven use during Ukraine’s seasonal thaw, showing it can handle muddy, impassable conditions, which could mirror challenges in African wet seasons.
Relevance to African Security Needs
The Tor-A’s design aligns with the security needs of many African nations, which often face insurgencies, armed militias, and small-scale conflicts rather than advanced aerial threats like cruise missiles or ballistic missiles.
Its focus on protecting troops on the move, with capabilities to engage low-tech threats such as drones and small arms, is highly relevant in regions like the Sahel, Central Africa, and parts of East Africa, where asymmetrical warfare tactics dominate. The system’s ability to operate where an infantryman can go dramatically increases military planning freedom, allowing for unexpected operational and tactical maneuvers, which could be crucial in countering insurgent hit-and-run tactics.
This system’s adaptability and cost-effectiveness could help African nations enhance their defense capabilities, especially in regions with limited resources for high-end systems, but its reliance on Russian technology might raise maintenance and geopolitical considerations.
Russia has a long history of providing military hardware to African countries, offering alternatives to Western-made weapons systems. Russia’s defense industry has been making inroads into Africa with both weapons systems and military training programs that are seen as more adaptable to the region’s specific needs.
For African countries with limited defense budgets, the Tor-A offers a relatively affordable option compared to high-end Western systems, allowing resource allocation to other areas like infrastructure or social services. Regions like the Sahel, where nations such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso face ongoing insurgencies, could benefit.
Mali’s recent shift toward Russian military support indicates a broader trend of turning to Moscow for defense solutions.
However, the system’s effectiveness will depend on Russia’s ability to provide after-sales support, spare parts, and training, which are critical for sustained operations in diverse African environments. The choice of this system could also signal a shift in regional defense strategies, prioritizing mobile, low-level air defense over more expensive, high-end solutions.
Meanwhile, the Russian Typhoon-PVO, a mobile air defense system designed for local conflicts, is attracting interest from African militaries facing insurgencies and less sophisticated threats, as stated by Vyacheslav Dzerkaln of Almaz-Antey.
The system is not suited for high-end warfare but offers mobility and protection, including firing a machine gun at up to 20 km/h and supporting man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) for low-flying threats.