Captured Russian Radar in Syria Could Expose Air Defense Secrets to Western Intelligence
A highly advanced Russian radar system abandoned during recent fighting in Syria may provide Western intelligence agencies with critical insights into Moscow's air defense capabilities. The Podlet-K1 surveillance radar, valued at approximately $5 million, was captured intact by Syrian opposition forces at a military base near Hama.
The sophisticated system, designed to detect low-flying aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles, is a crucial component of Russia's S-300 and S-400 air defense networks. Military analysts say examining the captured radar could reveal vulnerabilities in Russian air defenses and help Western forces develop more effective countermeasures.
"This is the first time a fully intact Podlet-K1 has been captured," said Thomas Newdick, a defense analyst. "Even in Ukraine, where several of these systems have been destroyed, none have been seized in operational condition."
The radar was reportedly stationed at the base of Assad regime's 25th Special Forces Brigade before being abandoned during a hasty retreat. Photos shared on social media show the system's antenna in its lowered transport position, suggesting Russian forces were attempting to evacuate the equipment but ran out of time.
The system's potential transfer to Western hands could follow a similar path to a 2020 operation where U.S. forces, working with Turkish intelligence, extracted a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system from Libya. However, Russian forces may attempt to destroy the radar through airstrikes to prevent its secrets from being revealed.
The Podlet-K1's advanced capabilities include:
- Detection range of up to 300 kilometers
- Ability to track 200 targets simultaneously
- Specialized design for identifying low-altitude threats
- Integration with Russia's most advanced air defense systems
As Syrian opposition forces continue their advance southward, the capture of this sophisticated radar system highlights the broader challenges facing both Russian and Assad regime forces in maintaining control of their military assets in the region.
About the Video
As they retreat, units of the Russian army and Bashar al-Assad's regime are leaving behind significant amounts of military equipment, much of which is being seized by the Syrian opposition who are backed by Turkey. Captured platforms include T-90 tanks and BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launchers. The spotlight, however, should fall on the most valuable of these captures: the rare Russian Podlet-K1 low-altitude surveillance radar system. A photo of the captured Podlet-K1 radar system, mounted on a KamAZ-6350 8×8 truck chassis, recently surfaced on social media. The Podlet-K1, also designated as 48Ya6-K1, is among the more advanced pieces of equipment in Russia's arsenal. It could provide a substantial intelligence advantage if it were to fall into Western hands. Reports indicate that this radar system was stationed at the base of Bashar al-Assad’s 25th Special Forces Brigade. Viewers may note that on 30 September 2015, Russia launched a military intervention in Syria after a request by the government of Bashar al-Assad for military support in its fight against the Syrian opposition and Islamic State (IS) in the Syrian civil war. Since then about 3000 Russian troops along with equipment have been stationed in Syria. In this video, Defense Updates analyzes why the capture of Podlet-K1 radar in Syria is a big problem for Russia ?
The Radar 48Ya6-K1 “Podlet K1” (Cyrillic: 48Я6-К1 «Подлет-К1»; translated: “Approach”) is a mobile three-coordinate S band (IEEE designation) or E/F band (NATO designation) radar of low-altitude, a circular scan of a combat mode and inter-service application. It uses a phased array antenna (the upper big array) for detecting and tracking of low-altitude aims. The lower two back-to-back arrays are secondary radar, the thinner array for international standard (SIF Mark Ⅻ), the larger for the national Russian IFF. The narrow antenna next to the big array is a compensation antenna for protection against jamming.
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Russia's Advanced Podlet-1K Radar Captured By Anti-Assad Forces In Syria
An advanced Russian air defense radar system is among the equipment captured by anti-regime forces in Syria as they continue their rapid push south, a development that has the potential for serious repercussions in the wider region. The Podlet-K1 radar system, also known by the designation 48Ya6-K1, is one of the more modern pieces of equipment in the Russian inventory, has been employed in the war in Ukraine, and would be a significant intelligence windfall if it were to possibly find its way into Western hands.
A photo of the captured Podlet-K1, which is mounted on a KamAZ-6350
8×8 truck chassis, appeared recently on social media, although when it
was taken remains unclear. Furthermore, there’s no confirmation of its
exact location, although some have suggested that it was captured during fighting around the city of Hama, in west-central Syria.
A logo that appears in the corner of the photo suggests that the rebels responsible for capturing the system were from the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). They have a long and involved history in the Syrian conflict, which includes spearheading the current assault toward the south.
The photo shows the vehicle carrying the radar antenna in its lowered position. The complete system also includes another two trucks — an operator control station and an energy support vehicle — which may or may not also now be in rebel hands.
In promotional material, the Podlet-K1 is described as being optimized to detect aerial targets flying at low and very low altitudes. It does this using a phased-array radar antenna, operating in the S-band and reportedly able to track up to 200 targets simultaneously. The main antenna is complemented by a pair of other radars used for identification friend or foe (IFF) functions.
Introduced to service around 2018, the Podlet-K1 can be used alongside the S-300PMU-2 and S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, complementing their own detection radars and other sensors. The reported maximum detection range of the Podlet-K1 is 200-300 kilometers (124-186 miles), although this would vary greatly in real-world situations, depending on many factors, including target type, altitude, and more.
According to Ukrainian media reports, the complete system is worth around $5 million.
It’s not clear if the Podlet-K1 was formally part of the Syrian Armed Forces, or if it belonged to a Russian unit operating in the country, although Syrian and Russian air defenses are already closely aligned in some respects. There are unconfirmed reports it was captured from the Syrian 25th Special Forces Division, although that doesn’t preclude it from being a Russian-operated system co-located with this unit.
Already, Syrian rebels have captured significant quantities of military equipment as they advance south, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, rocket launchers, and even aircraft.
The Podlet-K1 would seem to be the most interesting item identified so far, however, on account of its modernity and the fact that, as far as we know, Ukraine has not managed to capture an intact one from Russian forces fighting there.
At least two Podlet-K1 systems, or parts of them, have been destroyed by Ukrainian forces. One of these was within Russian territory when it was hit, by a long-range drone strike in September of this year.
Before that, as TWZ reported in July of 2022, another Podlet-K1 was apparently targeted by an M31A1 guided multiple-launch rocket system (GMLRS) in the Kherson region of Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine has already provided plenty of examples of high-end Russian military equipment being captured and then being subject to extensive analysis. This has even included some items being transported to the United States for a technical evaluation.
Equipment captured in Ukraine has, in particular, provided insights into Russian electronic warfare capabilities, including containerized components of vehicle-borne systems, among them signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems, as well as airborne jamming pods.
Like these, the Podlet-K1 would be of significant interest to military intelligence agencies, especially those of the United States and NATO, providing insight into the capabilities of one of Russia’s more modern air defense radars.
Knowledge of the Russian military’s ability to detect low-flying aerial targets over the battlefield — including drones and cruise missiles, but also helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft — would be especially useful when it comes to fielding countermeasures.
Having insight into the workings of the Podlet-K1 could allow the West to develop means not only of blunting its capabilities but also of feeding it false signals and devising tactics to exploit its weaknesses, both in terms of operations and in the cyber realm.
While the United States is well known for its extensive so-called foreign materiel exploitation (FME) programs, dating back to the earliest years of the Cold War, actually getting the Podlet-K1 into the hands of U.S. or other NATO analysts is another matter. The situation on the ground in Syria is confused and it’s possible that the Podlet-K1 is no longer in anti-Assad forces’ hands, although we have seen no proof of that being the case. There is also a possibility that it might have been destroyed by now, perhaps even being targeted by a Russian airstrike to prevent it from yielding any sensitive information.
Bringing Russian-made equipment out of an active war zone outside of Ukraine is not impossible, however. In this case, one possible route out of Syria might involve the system being handed over via Turkish intelligence.
Back in June 2020, the U.S. military reportedly spirited a Russian-made Pantsir-S1 out of Libya, after it was captured from forces aligned with rogue general Khalifa Haftar. Turkey was also involved here as an intermediary. The operation was ostensibly aimed at preventing the system from falling into the hands of any number of militant and terrorist groups in that country, but there would also be clear intelligence benefits, too, as you can read about here.
Reportedly, a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft flew into Zuwarah International Airport, to the west of Tripoli, picked up the Pantsir-S1, and then flew it to Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Whatever happens next with the captured Podlet-K1 vehicle, its fate is emblematic of the dramatic progress made by the Syrian rebels in a short amount of time. The vehicle’s loss is symptomatic of the regime forces — and their Russian backers — having been caught by surprise. As long as the rebel push continues, they are likely to get their hands on more equipment, and the capture of further high-end Russian items shouldn’t be ruled out.
Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Syrian Rebels Capture Fully Intact Russian Podlet-K1 Radar System In Syria; A 'Treasure Trove' For Rivals?
eurasiantimes.comSyrian rebel forces have reportedly captured a fully intact advanced Russian-built Podlet-K1 low-altitude surveillance radar system, also known as 48Ya6-K1. This modern radar, valued at approximately US$5 million, could provide major intelligence advantages if it falls into the hands of Western nations.
An image of the seized Podlet-K1 radar surfaced on social media on December 4. The timing and circumstances of its capture remain unclear, but the photograph shows the radar antenna in its lowered position.
The Podlet-K1 is a state-of-the-art 3D radar operating in the S-band (2-4 GHz). The Russian defense industry has specifically highlighted that this system is optimized for detecting aerial targets flying at low and very low altitudes.
It is designed to detect targets such as drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles at distances of up to 200-300 kilometers (124-186 miles).
Its mobility and advanced detection capabilities make it a crucial asset for air defense operations. The system comprises three KamAZ-6350 vehicles: an antenna vehicle, an operator control station, and an energy support vehicle.
The Podlet-K1 was introduced into service around 2018 and has since been integrated into Russia’s broader air defense network. It is engineered to complement the effectiveness of the S-300PMU-2 and S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, which are among the most advanced in the world.
By working alongside these systems, the Podlet-K1 helps to fill in gaps in detection coverage, especially for low-altitude targets.
Whether all three components are now under rebel control or just the radar-carrying vehicle remains unclear. Reports suggest that the system was seized by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist militant group operating in Syria.
This is not the first instance of Syrian rebels capturing advanced military systems. Rebel forces, including HTS, have been advancing south and allegedly captured a range of military equipment, from tanks, fighter jets, and infantry fighting vehicles to rocket launchers and even a Russian-made Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense system.
It is unknown whether the radar was part of the Syrian Armed Forces or a Russian unit deployed in the region. Some accounts speculate the system was captured from the Syrian 25th Special Forces Division.
Seized Radar Opens Valuable Intelligence Pathway For The West
The capture of a fully intact Russian-built Podlet-K1 low-altitude surveillance radar system by Syrian rebels is drawing global attention due to its strategic implications.
While the radar has already seen deployment in the ongoing war in Ukraine, this instance is particularly notable as it marks the first time such a system has been seized in good condition.
Despite its extensive use in Ukraine, no Ukrainian forces have reportedly managed to capture an intact Podlet-K1 from Russian troops.
According to the open-source investigative group Oryx, at least five Podlet-K1 radars and one command vehicle have been destroyed or damaged in Ukraine. One of these was hit by a long-range drone strike in Russian territory in September 2024.
As a result, this recent capture by Syrian rebels presents a unique opportunity for US and NATO intelligence agencies. Access to an undamaged Podlet-K1 could provide unparalleled insights into one of Russia’s more advanced air defense radar systems, aiding the West in countering its operational capabilities.
Military experts believe this knowledge could enable the development of tactics to jam its signals or exploit its vulnerabilities in both physical and cyber domains.
The US and its allies have already been studying Russian weapons captured in Ukraine. But, the potential transfer of this radar system from Syria to a location where Western powers can analyze it is a cause of worry for Russia.
Some analysts suggest that Turkish intelligence agencies could facilitate its transfer. Turkey, which possesses Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, might have a strategic interest in examining the Podlet-K1.
Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi suggested that the radar might be handed over to the Turkish military for study.
Regardless of how or if it ultimately reaches Western hands, the capture of the Podlet-K1 highlights the challenges faced by Syrian regime forces and their Russian allies, who appear to have been caught off guard by the rebels’ rapid advances.
This development also signals that more high-value Russian military assets could fall into rebel hands if their momentum continues.
For now, the fate of the Podlet-K1 remains uncertain. However, its seizure is a major blow for regime forces and a potentially valuable prize for those opposing Russia’s military strategy.
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First capture of intact Podlet-K1 radar by Syrian rebels could threaten Russia's air defense effectiveness
As reported by Clash Report on December 4, 2024, Syrian rebels have achieved the first recorded capture of an intact Russian 48Ya6-K1 Podlet-K1
low-altitude surveillance radar system, taken during an offensive near
Hama at the headquarters of the Assad regime's 25th Special Forces
Division. The system, valued at approximately $5 million and integral to
the S-300PMU-2 and S-400 air defense networks, could pose a significant
threat to Russian air defense effectiveness if its technology is
analyzed by adversaries.
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Examining its hardware and software might provide insights into Russian radar technology, including detection capabilities, signal processing methods, and electronic counter-countermeasure strategies. (Picture source: Clash Report)
Similar systems lost in Ukraine, such as those destroyed in Kherson and Crimea, were not seized intact. While operational use by the rebels is unlikely due to technical complexity, the most effective way to exploit its capabilities would be through detailed analysis, which could reveal vulnerabilities in Russian air defense systems, an eventuality which raises concerns among Russian analysts about its potential transfer to entities like NATO or Ukraine.
Examining its hardware and software might provide insights into Russian radar technology, including detection capabilities, signal processing methods, and electronic counter-countermeasure strategies. This information could advance the development of countermeasures, refine electronic warfare tactics, and highlight weaknesses in Russian air defense systems. The Podlet-K1's ability to detect low-altitude cruise missiles, such as the Storm Shadow and R-360 Neptune, underscores its strategic importance.
The capture occurred during a broader offensive by opposition forces in Hama province, following their takeover of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city. This offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), marked the first opposition control of Aleppo since 2016. After capturing several military installations, including the 87th Brigade base and a tank school, HTS forces advanced toward Hama. Although they temporarily breached the city's defenses, counterattacks by pro-Assad forces, supported by Russian airstrikes and Iranian militias, forced the rebels to retreat.
The offensive resulted in significant equipment losses for both sides. Rebels reportedly seized 31 Russian-made tanks, including T-72 and T-90 models, 20 BMP armored personnel carriers, and 12 122mm artillery pieces. Additionally, they captured a Pantsir-S1, a Strela-10, and an S-125 air defense system. These acquisitions have enabled expanded drone and missile attacks on regime targets. However, intense fighting led to the destruction of other equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery, though specific figures remain unverified. Among the abandoned systems was a ZSU-23-4M "Mahmia" equipped with Sarab-2 countermeasures, left by the regime’s 4th Armored Division on the Khanasir-Ithrya road. This system, one of two upgraded in the Adra workshop, was filmed after its abandonment.
At Neyrab Air Base near Aleppo, rebels captured eight L-39 Albatros light training and attack jets and three MiG-23 fighter aircraft. The MiG-23, powered by a Tumansky R-29B turbojet engine, can reach speeds of up to 2,500 km/h and is designed for interception and air-to-ground missions. While these aircraft represent strategic assets, their operational potential is constrained by maintenance needs, a lack of skilled pilots, and vulnerability to airstrikes. Ground tests were attempted, but technical issues and attacks on captured bases hindered further use.
The Podlet-K1 system can detect aerial targets at ranges of 10 to 300 kilometers and altitudes up to 10 kilometers, tracking up to 200 targets simultaneously. Its modular design comprises three components mounted on a KamAZ-6350 8x8 chassis: an antenna post, a mobile command post, and a power generator. It employs a phased-array S-band radar and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) technology, enabling operations against low-flying and high-speed targets. The system's deployment and pack-up can be completed within approximately 20 minutes.
The capture of the Podlet-K1 radar system has drawn comparisons to a 2020 operation in Libya, where U.S. forces, in cooperation with Türkiye, extracted a Russian Pantsir-S1 system. Speculation suggests the radar could be transferred to Türkiye, given its use of Russian S-400 systems. Alternatively, Russian airstrikes might target the radar to prevent its analysis, similar to actions taken in Ukraine following the loss of a Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B UAV. Despite logistical challenges, the radar’s intact condition could facilitate technical study and aid in developing countermeasures against similar systems.
If We Are to Request Abandoned russian Trophies in Syria, It Should Be the Rare Podlet-K1 Radar for the S-400 | Defense Express
During their retreat, units of the russian army and Bashar al-Assad’s regime forces are abandoning countless pieces of military equipment, which are subsequently captured by the Syrian opposition. These are not only T-90 tanks but even air defense systems and BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launchers.
Against this backdrop, Ukrainian social media users are suggesting, quite logically at first glance, that Ukraine should negotiate with the Syrian opposition to acquire all these captured trophies. However, if we are to focus on the captured equipment, attention should first be directed to the most valuable asset — the rare russian Podlet-K1 (48Ya6-K1) low-altitude surveillance radar system.
Read more: Polish-Made Drones Destroy Rare russian Kasta-2E2, Podlet-K1 and R-330Zh Zhitel Systems in Ukraine (Video Compilation)
The fact that the Syrian opposition captured the russian Podlet-K1 radar system as a trophy was reported by the Turkish monitoring resource, Clash Report.
The report provides details, stating that this radar system was located at the base of the 25th Special Forces Brigade of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. One can only speculate how this radar ended up there.
As we can judge from the photo, this radar station was captured in a folded position, suggesting that the russians and/or their Syrian "colleagues" were preparing to evacuate the Podlet-K1. Therefore, even if they intended to, they did not manage to inflict significant damage on this radar system.
It is also important to specify that the Podlet-K1 is designed to work with the S-400 and S-300PMU-2 systems. The declared characteristics of this radar are as follows: it has a target detection range of 10 to 200 kilometers, a target detection altitude of up to 10 kilometers, and can simultaneously detect up to 200 targets. Its deployment/pack-up time is 20 minutes.
By the summer of 2024, according to Oryx’s estimates, russia had lost at least three destroyed and one damaged Podlet-K1 radar systems during the full-scale war against Ukraine. This fact may particularly highlight the rarity of the enemy’s use of such radar systems during combat operations.
It is also significant that, up to this point, no complete Podlet-K1 radar system has fallen into the hands of Ukraine’s Defense Forces as a trophy. There is only a public mention that the remains of a destroyed radar of this type were found by our forces in Chornobaivka during the liberation of the right-bank part of the Kherson region in November 2022.
If we return directly to the topic of Syrian trophies, it is important to understand the following. No matter how attractive all the abandoned columns of russian and Bashar al-Assad’s military equipment may seem, extracting all or even part of them may be extremely difficult due to logistical challenges.
In such conditions, priorities must be set, and the focus should be on hunting for the most valuable samples. In our case, the Podlet-K1 is exactly that, so it is better to concentrate efforts on acquiring this radar system first. Moreover, materials from studying it could later help make missile strikes on russian military targets even more effective.
Read more: russian Forces in Syria Face Decline Amidst Opposition Gains
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