The Russian Media recently revealed an interview of Fanil Ziyautdinov, the Kupol Plant CEO. The plant is the Almaz-Antey Air-Defense Concern subsidiary based in the city of Izhevsk in the eastern part of the European Russia.
The plant has not just a production line but also a design bureau being able to develop its products simultaneously increasing production range and improving its characteristics. According to Mr. Ziyautdinov the plant production in 2024 increased by 1.6 times. Simultaneously, the plant main product - Tor SHORADS vehicle has received 60 modifications of the radio-technical equipment and 25 modifications to the tracked vehicle. Additional armor protection has been mass-produced and installed. An individual electronic warfare system has been developed and is being implemented on a combat vehicle.
As a result, the survivability of the air defense system and the safety of crews have increased. About a third of the modifications have been implemented on serial models.
At the same time, combat statistics have confirmed the effectiveness of the Tor air defense systems when working against all types of targets with the actual coefficient of their effectiveness is 0.9.
Apart from the self-propelled version two more versions were developed: a bunker and a naval variants. Both versions made international debut at IDEX-2025 within the Russian national pavilion.
A totally new combat vehicle- anti-aircraft gun-equipped the Typhoon-PVO MANPADS successfully completed state tests to enter serial production to improve mobility and security of the crews. Equipped with secure communication systems, the vehicle receives target designation from higher command posts, ensuring coordinated air defense operations. MANPADS operators can fire from within the vehicle or dismount for combat, providing flexible engagement options in both static and dynamic battlefield scenarios.
The plant Kupol has successfully implemented not only the State Russian orders but also the export ones being contracted till 2027.
The Tor-E2 short-range SAM system is designed to counter a variety of airborne threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles. One of its key advantages is its record-breaking short deployment time of just three minutes, allowing it to rapidly respond to sudden aerial attacks. The system also boasts a high-speed air surveillance capability of one antenna revolution per second, enabling rapid target acquisition and tracking. Each Tor-E2 combat vehicle carries 16 ready-to-launch missiles, significantly increasing its firepower compared to similar air defense systems. It can engage targets traveling at speeds exceeding 700 m/s, with detection capabilities for objects as small as 0.1 m² radar cross-section (RCS). The system has an effective engagement range of 16 km, an altitude coverage of 12 km, and a horizontal coverage of ±9.5 km, making it a highly capable SHORAD solution.
The Tor-A and Tor-M2KM vehicles form up a family of air defense systems being manufactured by the Kupol plant. The Tor-A system is based on a two-link tracked chassis, enabling it to operate in extreme off-road conditions, including swamps, sand dunes, icy terrains, and deep snow. With an ultra-low ground pressure of just 0.3 kg/cm², it can maneuver in difficult environments where traditional wheeled platforms would struggle. The system is available in two configurations: a standard version with a crew life-support cabin, allowing extended operational endurance in harsh environments, and an enhanced ammunition version, increasing missile capacity with an additional 16 missiles stored within the chassis, effectively doubling its firepower.
The Tor-M2KM, in contrast, is a self-contained combat module that can be deployed on various platforms, reducing procurement and operational costs. Unlike traditional self-propelled SAMs, this version lacks an integrated chassis, allowing for installation on trucks, buildings, or naval vessels, making it an adaptable solution for both fixed-site and mobile air defense. The modular nature of the system enables it to be transported by helicopters for rapid deployment in remote locations, and it can also be integrated onto warships or even civilian vessels, providing air defense coverage in maritime environments.
The Kupol plant is also highlighting its Adjutant versatile target training system, a next-generation multi-target training platform for air defense forces. This system can simulate multiple aerial threats simultaneously, offering realistic training conditions for operators. It features reusable target drones capable of executing varied flight paths, improving air defense crew training efficiency. (Text & Photo © LAGUK-Media)
