The P-20 development was started in 1946 when State Federal Order of the Red Banner Research Institute Number 20 (now called All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Radio Engineering or VNIIRT) was given the task of developing stationary and mobile early warning ground control and interception radar for the Soviet Air Force.
Pembangunan P-20 Soviet dimulai pada tahun 1946 ketika State Federal Order of the Red Banner Research Institute Number 20 (sekarang disebut All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Radio Engineering atau VNIIRT) diberi tugas mengembangkan stasioner dan kontrol tanah peringatan dini mobile dan intersepsi radar untuk Angkatan Udara Soviet.