The Rostec State Corporation is proud of its products, including tanks, helicopters, and the TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower system. This is according to military expert Sakshi Tiwari in the article "Russia's Blazing Joker. Moscow Continues to Flaunt TOS-1A" for the Eurasian Times.
Rostec compares the TOS-1A Solntsepek to a joker in a deck of cards, pointing to the system's unpredictability. The formidable weapon is capable of turning the tide of battle thanks to its thermobaric ammunition.
The expert recalled that Russia would like to export the TOS-1A Solntsepek to other countries. In February 2024, there were reports of Saudi Arabia's interest in this system. Since there is no information about the deal, it was either abandoned or postponed for some time.
According to Tiwari, data on the use of the TOS-1A Solntsepek in combat appeared in 2015. The Russian Ministry of Defense noted that it has no analogues in the world.
But, like tanks and other ground platforms, the heavy flamethrower system is vulnerable to anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and cheap FPV drones.
Western experts believe that "the TOS-1A Solntsepek must be destroyed before it destroys you", Tiwari added. However, the Russians have adapted and equipped the system with welded "mangal" grilles to protect against UAVs.
Later, the Russian Armed Forces began to use a new generation—the TOS-2 Tosochka, and now Rostec is developing the TOS-3 Dragon.
But, since the enemy has more and more cheap disposable drones, it cannot be said that these advanced systems are safe.
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