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
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.

History

During 2015 the military part of the airport was converted into "the strategic center of Russia's military operation against Islamic State". 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.

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

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)

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

Operation

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

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. 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.

At the end of January 2016, Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets started to be deployed. 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.

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.

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.

Name

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

External links

• Russian Aerospace Forces: Photo Gallery