TASS Russian news agency
The source told TASS:
“The trials of the new missile of the Bal system confirmed that its flight range exceeded 500 km [311 mi] and its new guidance system allowed it to hit ground targets,”
According to the source, the new capabilities of the Bal system make it comparable in terms of its firing range and the capability to hit ground targets to the Bastion (SSC-5 Stooge) coastal missile system that uses the Onyx (SS-N-26 Strobile) supersonic missile. The Bastion system and the missile have been developed by the Research and Production Association of Machine-Building (NPO Mashinostroeniya).
The Tactical Missiles Corporation that has developed and produces the Bal system declined to comment on this information.
The Russian armed forces use Bal systems in conjunction with Bastion complexes. It was reported earlier that the Bastion system had been used against ground targets during the combat operation in Syria.
The Bal coastal missile system can launch 32 missiles in a salvo and has another 32 missiles in its ammunition load. It can disrupt a combat task of the enemy’s large surface action group or its amphibious assault force or convoy.
