Khmeimim airbase

Khmeimim airbase
(Latakia Air Base)
Bassel Al-Assad International Airport
Near Latakia in Syria

A Russian Su-24 bomber at Khmeimim airbase, Syria
Khmeimim airbase
(Latakia Air Base)
Position in Syria
Coordinates 35°24′42″N 35°56′42″E / 35.41167°N 35.94500°E / 35.41167; 35.94500
Site information
Owner Russian military forces in Syria
Operator Russian Air Force
Site history
Built 2015 (2015)
In use 2015-present
Airfield information
Elevation 48 metres (157 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
17/35 2,797 metres (9,177 ft) Asphalt

Khmeimim airbase, also Hmeimim airbase is a Russian airbase south-east of the city of Latakia in Latakia Governorate, Syria. While the air base shares some airfield facilities with Bassel Al-Assad International Airport, it is only accessible to Russian personnel.[1]

History

During 2015 the military part of the airport was converted into "the strategic center of Russia's military operation against Islamic State".[2] The existence of the Russian strategic base was revealed by the United States in early September and concern was raised over the effect on the overall situation in Syria; the airbase became operational on 30 September 2015.[3][4][5]

During September 2015 the air base came under rocket attack by local Syrian rebels apparently using Grad missiles.[1]

At the end of September 2015, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe, General Philip Breedlove, said that the kind of military infrastructure that Russia had installed in Syria, which included anti-aircraft defence systems, was a de facto no-fly zone: “As we see the very capable air defense [systems] beginning to show up in Syria, we’re a little worried about another A2/AD [anti-access/area denial] bubble being created in the eastern Mediterranean.” (Russia’s third denial zone around Europe)[6][7]

The Su-24 shoot-down by Turkish fighters on 24 November 2015 was reported to be on its way to return to Khmeimim.[8]

Operation

The new infrastructure was erected "from scratch".[2] Air-conditioned accommodations were built within a few months in 2015 for about 1,000 people.[2][5] Other new structures include an air traffic control tower,[5] runway extensions,[1] storage facilities, field kitchens, and refuelling stations.[9] Supplies are flown in from Russia[2] or shipped via Tartus harbour 50 km (31 mi) away.[9]

The base can handle Antonov An-124 Ruslan and Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft and can accommodate more than 50 military aircraft including Sukhoi Su-24s, Sukhoi Su-25s, and Sukhoi Su-34s.[2][9] In addition, the base is home to T-90 tanks, BTR-82 vehicles, artillery, with Mil Mi-24 gunships and Mil Mi-8 support helicopters.

After the November 24 shootdown of a Su-24, a S-400 defensive missile system has been installed, allowing Russia to defend the air space from Southern Turkey to Northern Israel.[10][11][11]

At the end of January 2016, Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets started to be deployed.[12] Ready to take off in 60 seconds, their radars can cover a range of 400km.

In February 2016, one Tupolev Tu-214R was reported to have been deployed.[13][14]

At the end of February 2016 and in response to developments at the Geneva peace talks, a truce coordination center had been established at the airbase to coordinate activities of warring parties and "render maximum assistance" to all parties participating in recent ceasefire agreements; the center will not support ISIL, Al-Nusra, and terrorists groups so designated by the UN Security Council.[15]

March 14, 2016 Putin announced the start of a withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria, Khmeimin, however, will continue to be used as a Russian airbase. By this time, over 9,000 sorties had been conducted since September 2015.[16]

Name

The name of the air base Хмеймим has been transliterated also in other ways, namely Hemeimeem, Hmeymin, [17][18] all based on the local Arabic name.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Syria rebels target airport used by Russia". NOW. September 29, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Russian airbase in Syria: RT checks out everyday life at Latakia airfield". RT. October 3, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  3. ↑ Johnlee Varghese (November 11, 2015). "Russia in Syria: 50 journalists from 12 countries visit Russian base in Latakia". International Business Times. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  4. ↑ Luis Martinez (September 9, 2015). "Russian Build-Up Continues at Base in Syria, Causing Concern Among US Officials". ABC News. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Rob Crilly (September 5, 2015). "Russia 'is building military base in Syria'". The Telegraph. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Top NATO general: Russians starting to build air defense bubble over Syria". The Washington Post. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Putin Has His Own No-Fly Zone in Syria". Bloomberg. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "Минобороны РФ: российский Су-24 сбили при возвращении на авиабазу в Сирии" (in Russian). Russian News Agency TASS. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 "Report from the Syria Frontline". South Front. October 3, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Moscow to deploy S-400 defence missile system to Khmeimim airbase in Syria". RT. November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  11. 1 2 John J. Xenakias (November 29, 2015). "World View: Russia’s Military Buildup a Game-Changer in Syria". Breitbart. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Russia’s cutting edge Su-35 fighters to be on 24-hour alert at Latakia base". RT. February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  13. ↑ Аналитики обнаружили в Сирии секретный российский самолет-разведчик NEWSru, 16 Feb 2016.
  14. ↑ Russia has just deployed its most advanced spyplane to Syria
  15. ↑ "Syria truce center launched at Khmeimim airbase, Russia hands over hotline contact to US". RT. February 23, 2016.
  16. ↑ "9,000 sorties, 400 localities freed: What Russia has achieved during its 5-month Syria operation". RT. March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Press-tour of the Russian and foreign Media representatives to the Hmeymim airbase in Syria". Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. November 11, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  18. ↑ John Wight (November 24, 2015). "'Turkey good example of West’s duplicity towards ISIS'". RT. Retrieved November 24, 2015.

External links

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