The Russian satellite jamming system Tirada-2.3 – Starlink

As the VChK-OGPU has learned, the Russian satellite jamming system Tirada-2.3, widely advertised in the media and almost credited with disabling Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications terminals in Ukraine in 2022, was actually delivered to the military only in the summer of 2023 in two samples. The manufacturer, the Vladimir plant Elektropribor, with which a contract worth 496 million rubles was signed, was two and a half years behind schedule.

The Russian Ministry of Defense filed a lawsuit to recover a penalty from November 11, 2020 (the date of delivery under the contract) to June 27, 2023 (the actual date of delivery) in the amount of 119 million rubles. “In objecting to the satisfaction of the claim, the defendant pointed out the lack of fault of the supplier, who is the developer of the supplied products, citing the fact that the timing of the work was affected by the adjustment of the design documentation made in relation to serial samples of products after the conclusion of the contract,” the court decision says.

The military’s claim against Elektropribor was partially satisfied in the amount of 96 million rubles. The period of the penalty did not include the moratorium period established by the Russian government from April 1 to October 1, 2022. While Shoigu’s department was slipping fakes to the bribed media, the previously praised system of electronic destruction of communications satellites had not even been produced yet.

RUSSIAN WEAPONS

Satellite Communication Killers: What is Known About the Tirada and Rudolf Complexes

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are facing a serious internet connection crisis. American businessman and engineer Elon Musk refused to finance the work of the global Starlink system in Ukraine, and in addition, he also stated that Russia is trying to “kill” satellite internet. The RG: Guns project tried to understand what kind of Russian weapons are capable of performing this task.

Electronic warfare “Tirade”. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense

The Defense Ministry website says that the Tirada-2S communications suppression system is capable of electronically suppressing satellite communications with complete incapacitation. In this case, the satellites can be disabled directly from the Earth’s surface.

The contract between the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Vladimir plant “Elektropribor” for the supply of the automated satellite communications jamming station “Tirada 2.3” was concluded 4 years ago. The cost and quantity of the systems were not specified.

So, if Musk’s satellites were disabled by the Russian complex, it is logical to assume that its testing has only just begun.