A few months ago, the Russian defense industry for the first time presented the promising anti-aircraft missile system "Krona-E". This product is intended for use in territorial air defense and must fight targets in the near zone. Now the new air defense system is being shown at exhibitions in order to find potential foreign buyers.
The promising short-range air defense system "Krona-E" was developed by enterprises from the Kalashnikov concern. This project is based on developments from previous projects of similar equipment, as well as several finished products. By now, the development organizations have prepared the necessary documentation, and have also been able to produce experimental equipment.
The general public first learned about the Krona-E product in early February 2025. Then the Kalashnikov concern announced that it would show its new air defense system for the first time at the upcoming IDEX-2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi (UAE). As part of the announcement, the main features of the complex were also revealed and its exterior was shown.
The IDEX-2025 exhibition opened on February 17 and lasted for several days. As promised, a new air defense system was introduced for the first time. The Kalashnikov stand featured a mock-up of this product, as well as various materials on it. Potential buyers had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with this development and draw their first conclusions.
The curious news came in the middle of March. The Kalashnikov Concern presented the components of the Krona-E product to an unnamed customer. Full-featured mock-ups of the combat module, radar complex and control center were demonstrated. Photos of real equipment were attached to the publication on this topic.
On the twentieth of May, Kalashnikov took part in the Belarusian MILEX-2025 exhibition and this time showed a new version of the export Crown-E. A combat vehicle based on the BMP-2 chassis with an already well-known combat module and other equipment was presented as a mock-up.
The management of the concern said that such a variant of the "Crown" is offered to the Belarusian armed forces. Such an air defense system should show high combat characteristics and be distinguished by good mobility, due to which it may be of interest to the Belarusian military. In addition, it became known that Kalashnikov is ready to develop other versions of the new complex on other chassis.
Thus, by now, the leading organization of the Russian defense industry has developed a new air defense system and produced mock-up samples of fixed assets. In addition, an advertising campaign aimed at finding potential buyers was launched a few months ago.
At least one foreign army has already become interested in the Krona-E product, and a demonstration of full-size models has been organized for it. In addition, an individual proposal providing for the revision of the project was received by the Army of Belarus.
It can be expected that Kalashnikov will continue to show its new Krona-E air defense system at domestic and foreign exhibitions. As the project develops, new versions of such a complex will be demonstrated. In addition, a full-fledged prototype will be available at exhibitions in the near future.
Mockups and prototypes will attract the attention of exhibition visitors, and the first orders should be the result. It is still unknown how soon they will be able to receive them, and who will wish to purchase the Krona-E. However, this issue may become clearer in the coming months.
It should be noted that the Krona air defense system in its current form may be of interest to the Russian army. Such complexes can find a place in the existing territorial air defense system and complement existing systems and facilities. For example, the "Crown" can guard the near zone together with the "Shells". Due to the significant difference in basic characteristics, the two complexes will create additional defense echelons.
The Krona-E is a short—range self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system designed for use in territorial air defense. It should work together with longer-range systems and ensure the protection of important areas and facilities.
In order to simplify the development, production and operation, ready-made components are widely used in the design of the new air defense system. It provides for the use of available landing gear, existing missile systems, etc. Curiously, the main source of components were military air defense systems, previously developed by Kalashnikov.
The basis of the complex is a combat module proposed for installation on different chassis. In fact, it is a pivoting tower of a specific shape, on which two launchers are mounted for containers with missiles and other equipment. In addition, the air defense system includes an automated operator's workplace, which is mounted inside the chassis.
Krona-E uses optoelectronic and radar systems for detecting and tracking targets. It is also possible to receive target designation from other detection systems. After that, the automation processes the data and provides a shooting solution.
The new air defense system should use two types of guided missiles. The 9M340 missile system, previously developed for the Sosna complex, is designed to destroy air targets at ranges up to 10 km and altitudes up to 5 km. Six such products are placed on the combat module in transport and launch containers. The guidance system is a laser beam with a rocket flying in the direction set by the automation of the complex.
The 9M333 rocket, borrowed from the later Strela-10 series complexes, is also used. It has a range of 5 km and a comparable height of destruction. Such a missile system is equipped with a thermal homing head with anti-interference protection. Due to its large size, only four TPCs with such missiles can be placed on the Krona launcher.
The Krona-E combat module and control system are compatible with various chassis. Early materials of the project demonstrated a combat vehicle based on the BTR-80/82 armored personnel carrier. Recently, a mock-up of a similar air defense system based on the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle was shown. The use of other basic machines with suitable dimensions and load capacity is not excluded.
By now, the developer concern has revealed the main features of the promising Krona-E, and the available information allows us to draw the first conclusions. In general, this air defense system looks quite interesting and has a number of obvious advantages that should attract the attention of potential buyers.
The Krona-E retains all the advantages inherent in self-propelled air defense systems. He can be on duty at one position for a long time and, if necessary, move to a new one, including over rough terrain. The complex can operate independently or as part of multi-component air defense systems.
The competitive advantage is the modular architecture. The customer can choose the chassis for the installation of the combat module and get the desired level of all the main characteristics. Two variants of air defense systems on different chassis have already been presented. In addition, the materials of the development organization mentioned the possibility of creating a stationary complex.
The Krona-E module was created using modern systems and components that provide high technical and operational characteristics. In addition, he must use new models of rockets that have obvious advantages.
The Krona air defense system includes missiles developed for other modern complexes. The 9M333 and 9M340 missiles have different characteristics and guidance principles, and also carry different warheads. This will increase the flexibility of the complex's combat operation and its ability to effectively intercept various targets.
There may be modernization opportunities in the Krona project. In this case, in the future, the complex will receive new optoelectronic or radio-electronic equipment, as well as new missiles. All this will lead to an additional increase in technical characteristics, combat capabilities and commercial potential.
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