Re: Lethality of SAMs
I generally prefer something with AAA radar, and lots of ammo to throw about. So guns tend to win out there - missiles usually have low supply.
So - ZSU-23-4 (and these appear in 1968 or so - quite early!), Gepards etc are my favourites, and in the early years then I will make do with 40mm radar or 57mm Soviet (if available with AAA radar FC), on a hill in the deployment zone and some trucks to move at least some of them about.
If I use a missile system, it has to have the range to intercept as they arrive (so SP-rapiers, later model Geckos etc) with radar FC and >4 missiles, and ammo vehicles to hand.
The advantage of the missile system is that if it has enough range, it fires just before the plane arrives often enough, and can possibly intercept a PGM launcher. So it's worth having a section or 2 of such, but SP-AAA with radar is my close cover to my armoured columns. Longer ranged shoulder SAMs can have enough range to fire at approachers, but generally lack the sights to see through smoke etc so can have LOS blocked - a radar guided SP-SAM is a better bet IMHO.
I don't rely much on shoulder fired SAMs, though a few are a useful insurance policy. It is too much bother to keep them supplied (uses up ammo units that I'd rather use on ATGM more often than not). Can be nasty little things when there is not much ECM on the planes - e.g. 1968-72 or so. Also good if you are doing something 'commando' - if dropping a desant of infantry in his rear, add some shoulder SAM and you then have something to bother any nasty attack helos he may try to use on your commando raid. (Take in an ammo crate or 2 if possible as well)
Plus as noted above - a gun system, if no air shows up at the party can be used to bother ground targets whereas a SAM (unless it is an ADATS, which of course is usable as an ATGM if needed) - has no useful application.
Cheers
Andy
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