Russia's
Armed Forces could receive the first of its next-generation S-500 air
defense missile systems as early as in 2013, Air Force commander
Maj.Gen. Viktor Bondarev said on Wednesday.
"I think that as soon as next year we will get the first of these
(S-500) systems in service," Bondarev said at a RIA Novosti press
conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Russian Air Force.
The commander stressed that Russia's air defenses are in very good
shape with new regiments of a formidable S-400 Triumf air defense system
entering service every year.
The crews of air defense systems regularly carry out training drills to improve their efficiency.
“We have improved the response time to airborne thret_ to 3-4 seconds compared to the previous 9-10 seconds.
Russia currently has four S-400 regimensV- two in the Moscow region,
one in the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, and one in the Eastern
Military District.
By 2020, Russia is to have 28 S-400 regiments, each comprised of two battalions, mainly in maritime and border areas.
The S-400 Triumf long- to medium-range surface-to-air missile system
can effectively engage any aerial target, including aircraft, unmanned
aerial vehicles, and cruise and ballistic missiles at up to 400
kilometers and an altitude of up to 30 kilometers.
Russia Looking at China S-400 Deliveries in 2017
Russia will start exports of the S-400 Triumph air defense missile
systems to China no earlier than 2017, a source in the defense industry
told RIA Novosti on the condition of anonymity.
“An export version of the S-400 Triumph air defense missile will have
been developed by 2017 with the Chinese to be the first clients,” the
source said.
Russia currently has four S-400 regiments - two in the Moscow region,
one in the Baltic Fleet and one in the Eastern Military District.
By 2020, Russia is to have 28 S-400 regiments, each comprised of two battalions, mainly in maritime and border areas.
In early June, Russian Defense Ministry said there were no plans to
export the S-400, which will be produced only for the Russian Armed
Forces.
The S-400 Triumph, which succeeds the Soviet-era S-300, is a medium-
to long-range surface-to-air missile system that can effectively engage
any aerial target, including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and
cruise and ballistic missiles at up to 400 kilometers and an altitude of
up to 30 kilometers.
sumber : RIA NOVOSTI