According to Izvestia, Russia has operationally deployed a new counter-battery radar that is significantly superior to the Zoopark systems currently in service.
A counter-battery radar, also known as a weapon locating radar (WLR), detects hostile artillery, mortars, and rocket launchers. Once the launch point is identified, the radar crew transmits the enemy’s coordinates to the unit responsible for counter-battery fire, which then executes an artillery or MLRS strike.
A WLR can also track friendly artillery fire to pinpoint impact points and assist in fire correction.
Why Is It A Big Deal?
The new Russian counter-battery radar can accurately locate the source of artillery fire at approximately five times the range of the best Zoopark system in service.
The Zoopark-1 (1L219) system, developed in the late Soviet era and later modernized by Russia, uses a phased array radar capable of tracking large MLRS rockets at distances of up to 35 km and 82-120 mm mortars at up to 17 km. It is mounted on a tracked MT-LB chassis, allowing mobility in rugged terrain.
The Zoopark-1M (1L260) is a modernized version with enhanced range, accuracy, and the ability to track multiple projectiles simultaneously.
The new system, however, detects large MLRS rockets at distances of up to 150 km—nearly five times greater than its predecessor. Despite its extended range, it maintains accuracy within a few meters. It can also detect barrel artillery and mortars at 70 km!
Additionally, the system is highly resistant to electronic warfare (EW) systems.
This new radar will greatly enhance Russia’s counter-battery capabilities and, more critically, pose a serious threat to Ukrainian HIMARS launchers.
The Izvestia report identifies the new system as 96L6 and confirms that it is based on the 96L6 air defense radar system. The use of an AD radar for weapon launch locating is a sensational first!
96L6-AP Radar System
The 96L6 radar is a critical component of Russian air defense systems, such as the S-350 Vityaz, S-400, and S-300 series.
The Almaz-Antey-developed radar is designed for all altitude detection and tracking of a wide range of aerial targets, including ballistic missiles.
The Russian 96L6-AP radar system comprises two primary components:
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96L6-TsP acquisition radar
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96L6-VP mast-mounted passive sensors, which double as data links
The 96L6-TsP (active component) & up to 3 96L6-VP (passive component) form the 96L6-AP active-passive radio location system.
The 96L6-TsP radar is a hybrid system that uses AESA on receive and PESA on transmit.
The 96L6-TsP is a mobile radar that operates in the C-band (centimetric wavelength) and employs a phased-array antenna with electronic beam steering. This enables rapid scanning and precise target detection across a wide range of altitudes, from low-flying threats to high-altitude targets up to 100 km.
As mentioned earlier, up to three passive 96L6-VP modules can operate in conjunction with the 96L6-TsP. These modules are mounted on truss towers elevated to heights of 15–20 meters, enhancing their ability to detect and triangulate radio-emitting and radar-contrast air targets. The passive nature of these modules allows for covert operations, as they do not emit signals that could reveal their position
The 96L6 provides 360-degree coverage and can track up to 100 targets simultaneously at speeds between 30 and 2,750 m/s, with a maximum range of 300 km.
The 96L6’s capabilities include autonomous operation and seamless integration with command posts and missile launchers, enhancing situational awareness and responsiveness.
The 96L6 excels in cluttered environments, filtering out interference using advanced digital signal processing, and offers target classification (e.g., aircraft, missiles, or UAVs) with “friend or foe” identification.
Russia Finally Finds A Counter To HIMARS?
The U.S.-supplied HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) has been one of the biggest challenges for Russian forces in Ukraine due to its long-range precision and shoot-and-scoot capability.
Russian troops have suffered heavy losses from HIMARS strikes, forcing them to adopt defensive tactics that have slowed their advances.
With a range of up to 80 km (50 miles) using standard munitions, HIMARS can launch guided rockets while remaining beyond the position-locating range of Russia’s Zoopark weapon locating radar (WLR).
Russia has struggled to counter this threat, as its air defenses and electronic warfare (EW) systems have not been fully effective against HIMARS-guided rockets.
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While Russia’s Tornado-S MLRS can fire 300 mm SATNAV- and INS-guided rockets with unitary or cluster warheads to a range of over 100 km, its effectiveness in counter-battery operations has been hindered by the lack of a long-range WLR to quickly locate and strike HIMARS positions.
HIMARS vs. Tornado-S
On an aside, although Tornado-S has a comparable range to HIMARS, its operational agility is limited by its tube-based rocket launch system, which requires each tube to be manually reloaded using a specialized vehicle.
In contrast, HIMARS uses a modular reload system with a replaceable pod that holds six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile. This pod-based reloading allows for faster rearmament, giving HIMARS an edge in rapid, repeated strikes.
Adding to the challenge, the GMLRS and ATACMS pods look identical, making it difficult for Russian forces to determine whether a HIMARS launcher is carrying short-range GMLRS rockets or a long-range ATACMS missile.
This increases the system’s psychological and strategic impact.
Conclusion
Russia’s ability to repurpose a highly capable air defense (AD) radar for counter-battery operations could be a game changer. With existing production facilities for the 96L6 radar, its integration into counter-battery warfare is expected to significantly enhance Russian capabilities.
With a detection range of up to 150 km, this modern radar will redefine counter-battery warfare, giving Russia a substantial advantage in the days ahead.
Counter-battery radars are typically vulnerable, as they continuously emit RF signals, making them easy to detect and destroy. However, the 96L6’s extended detection range mitigates this risk, allowing Russian forces to position it beyond the reach of HIMARS and tactical drones while operating it safely and effectively.
The 96L6 radar, combined with the Tornado-S MLRS, will severely threaten Ukrainian HIMARS launchers, reinforcing Russian logistics and battlefield maneuverability.
- Vijainder K Thakur is a retired IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur, and military analyst.
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