Russian air forces will acquire state-of-the-art electronic warfare system able to shut down enemy radars and control systems of UAVs without jamming friendly communications, Izvestiya reports. The flight development tests of the new equipment (code name Porubshik) were completed in early May by Gromov Flight Research Institute (Zhukovsky, Moscow Region).
 
It is expected that the new system will be efficient against US AWACS aircraft, Patriot air defense systems and UAVs operated by NATO countries.  

Porubshik was mounted on Il-22 aircraft manufactured in 1979. As reported by the Ministry of Defense, the Air Force Command wanted to replace Il-22 aircraft due to its age, but they were unable to find any advanced aircraft having required characteristics (flight speed and duration of flight).

At present the aircraft and the electronic warfare system are undergoing state testing. It will be delivered to the air forces in 2013. «Even after the extension of Il-22’s service life we must put it out of operation in 10 years. So we will have to find another platform for Porubshik», - representative of the air forces noted.

The development of Porubshik was started in 2009 after signing the contract between Ministry of Defense and Myasishchev Design Bureau. The value of this contract exceeds 200 million rubles.