Model Collect MCUA72030 1/72 Russian Bal-E mobile coastal defense missile launcher with Kh-35 anti-ship cruise missiles MZKT chassis

Bał-E is a modern Russian surface-to-water missile system. The first prototypes of the components of this system were created in the early 1980s, but the system entered the line in the armed forces of the Russian Federation in 2008. Very often, the system is built on a wheeled chassis based on the chassis of heavy MZKT or MAZ tractor units.

The Bał-E system was created to combat enemy surface ships with a displacement of more than 5,000 tons. It was based on the Kh-35 and Kh-35E missiles. These are subsonic missiles (speed 0.85-0.9 Ma) with a range of 130 to 300 kilometers, capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to 145 kilograms. The missiles can attack surface targets in storms down to 5-6 on the Beaufort scale. One vehicle with a single launcher carries up to 8 missiles. The first units of the Bał-E system entered service in 2003, proving to be a very successful structure, which was also purchased by the armed forces of India and Vietnam. The latter country is considering the licensed production of this weapon system.