Russia puts new S-500 air defense missile system into mass production

Russia has put its next-generation version of the S-500 mobile air defense system into mass production.

The announcement came from Yan Novikov, who heads state-owned Almaz-Antey.

In an interview with Russian National Defense Magazine on Monday, Novikov stressed that the advanced weapons would be supplied to the Russian armed forces within the time frame determined by the state defense order.

“Currently, mass production of the S-500 system has been launched based on the latest achievements of domestic science and technology,” RIA Novosti quoted Novikov as saying.

“The combat capabilities of the system significantly exceed the capabilities of previously created anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes. The S-500 is capable of becoming the basis of the Russian aerospace defense system,” he added.

The Russian S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems, nicknamed Prometheus, are by far the most advanced anti-missile system in Russia. Considered a miracle solution against stealth fighters in general and the F-35 in particular, the S-500 would be capable of destroying low-orbit satellites and fifth-generation aircraft in addition to its main targets – cruise missiles and ballistics, which could already be supported by existing S-300 and S-400 units.

The range of the new Russian air defense system created on the basis of the S-400 should significantly exceed its predecessors. The S-500 will likely use a variety of missiles in addition to the 77N6 series of missiles as a hit-to-kill interceptor for ballistic missile targets. With a widely expected maximum operating range of 600 km (373 miles) and a system response time of three to four seconds, the S-500 achieves 200 km (124 miles) more and is around six seconds faster to respond. than its predecessor. .

Earlier, Dmitry Shugaev, who heads Russia’s Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service (FSMTC), said India and China could become the first foreign buyers of the S-500 once the national armed forces receive it. enough.

The reinforcement of Russia’s defense comes at the time of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

After Russia launched what it calls a “special military operation” on the territory of its western neighbor on February 24, Western allies rushed to send billions of dollars worth of arms and military equipment to the ‘Ukraine. However, for some countries, such as Germany and Finland, it was a significant reversal of their previous defense policies which prohibited the export of arms to war zones.

Over $3 billion in military aid has been sent to Ukraine since the invasion began. The latest $800 million package, announced last week by US President Joe Biden, includes heavy artillery, howitzers and tactical drones for use in the plains of eastern Ukraine. Other armaments sent so far include drones that can be upgraded into flying bombs and anti-aircraft weapons.