Russia’s ‘Rubezh-ME’ Coastal Defense System Makes International Debut in Vietnam

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Russia’s arms export agency, Rosoboronexport is set to showcase the Rubezh-ME coastal defense missile system at the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, which will be held at Gia Lam Airport, Hanoi, from December 19 to 22.

This marks the first time Russia is presenting the Rubezh-ME coastal defense missile system to the international community.

The presence of the Russian-made Rubezh-ME at the defense exhibition in Southeast Asia is seen as Moscow’s attempt to attract Vietnam’s interest in acquiring the system.

Currently, India is actively promoting its BrahMos coastal anti-ship missile system to Vietnam but has yet to secure any deals.

The Vietnamese Armed Forces already operate the Russian-made Bastion-P coastal defense system. The Rubezh-ME is Russia’s latest coastal defense missile system, specifically developed for the export market.

As its name suggests, it is considered the successor to the Rubezh (Western designation: SSC-3 or Stryx) coastal defense system. The Rubezh-ME employs Kh-35UE anti-ship missiles with a firing range of up to 260 km.

The launcher vehicle is based on the KamAZ-6350 military truck chassis and can carry four containerized Kh-35UE missiles.

The Rubezh-ME system, mounted on the KamAZ truck chassis, includes a launcher unit (PU), a control post (KP), and several radars integrated onto the same platform.

Its active radar can detect targets up to 500 km away, while the passive radar can detect targets up to 250 km.

The missile system’s firing range is up to 260 km for export versions and up to 500 km for models designed for the Russian Navy.

The Kh-35UE missile, the primary weapon of the Rubezh-ME, is a subsonic anti-ship cruise missile (RCC) measuring 4.4 meters in length and carrying a 145 kg warhead.

It can target surface ships with a displacement of up to 5,000 tons using guidance systems that combine inertial navigation, satellite guidance, and airborne radar.

Flying at low altitudes—approximately 10 meters above water, dropping to 3–4 meters during its final approach—the missile is challenging to detect and intercept.

Its versatility allows it to strike strategic ground targets such as bridges and military installations.

The Rubezh-ME system’s high level of automation enables missiles to be prepared for launch in under a minute, with a single operator managing the entire system.

Compared to its predecessor, the Bal system, the Rubezh-ME offers a lighter design, reduced costs, and improved modularity. Unlike the Bal, which relies on separate platforms for radar, control, and launchers, the Rubezh-ME integrates all components into a single platform. – DSA