russia's defense industry has completed development of an updated autonomous combat module based on the Tor-M2KM short-range air defense system. At first glance, one might assume it is intended to strengthen air defenses around Moscow, but in reality the system appears aimed primarily at improving the protection of russian naval assets.
According to developers from the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant, the module is designed for installation on vessels with a displacement of at least 500 tons. This category includes not only warships but also auxiliary vessels, including civilian ships requisitioned for wartime service.
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For smaller vessels, a single module can be mounted either at the bow or stern. Medium-sized ships could reportedly accommodate two modules positioned on both sides of the upper deck.
russian developers claim that the system has already undergone combat testing during the war against Ukraine. Deliveries to the fleet are expected to begin before the end of this year. The main difference from the land-based version is a so-called "marine filter" designed to reduce interference caused by the maritime environment.
The Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant also states that the first systems were delivered to the military as early as 2022 and demonstrated good results. However, this claim appears questionable. In June 2022, the Ukrainian Navy successfully struck and sank the russian Vasiliy Bekh tugboat, which was carrying a Tor-M2KM air defense module.
In reality, the concept itself dates back years. russia has been attempting to deploy Tor-M2KM modules aboard ships since at least 2016. The idea became particularly visible in 2022 when similar systems appeared on Project 22160 patrol ships operated by the Black Sea Fleet.
It is also worth noting that one of the primary threats facing russian naval vessels today comes from Ukrainian strike drones, including systems such as the FP-1 and FP-2. Many of these drones are deployed from platforms too small to accommodate a Tor-M2KM module. However, larger vessels, including Project 22460 Okhotnik-class patrol ships, could potentially receive such upgrades.
Whether that would significantly improve their survivability remains an open question. On land, Tor air defense systems have frequently become targets of drone strikes themselves, even when attempting to engage incoming threats with their own missiles. There is therefore no guarantee that the naval version will prove any more effective against modern drone attacks.
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