According to a TASS source close to the Russian Defense Ministry, state tests of the new S-550 anti-aircraft missile system have been completed. The complex went on combat duty.
According to an informed TASS source, the first C-550 brigade has taken up combat duty. We are talking about a completely new mobile strategic missile defense system. It is designed, in particular, to destroy spacecraft and combat units of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The novelty will significantly strengthen the deep-echeloned air defense-missile defense system, which includes such complexes as Pantsir, S-350, S-400 and S-500.
The creation of a new anti-aircraft missile system was first reported in November. It cannot be considered as a "reanimation" of the Soviet missile defense system. At the same time, the development of the complex took into account the experience of the USSR.
The S-550 air defense system does not act as an alternative to the S-500 and does not exceed its predecessor in terms of the sum of indicators. The new complex is positioned as a lightweight version of the S-500. The combat tasks facing the anti-aircraft missile system are also somewhat different. It is known that both complexes are considered as platforms that can form the basis of a new air defense system.
Recall that in July it became known about the purchase of the first S-500 air defense systems for the needs of the Russian Ministry of Defense. As a TASS source reported at the time, Almaz-Antey will supply more than ten complexes of this type.
In August, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said that the S-500 is mass-produced. A month later, he also noted that anti-aircraft missile systems began to arrive in the Armed Forces.
S-500
Image source: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In the future, they allow the supply of anti-aircraft missile systems to other countries, in particular China and India. However, this will begin only after they satisfy the needs of their own army.
In addition to creating new air defense systems, Russia is actively working to improve those already in service. A few years ago, it became known about the completion of tests of the 40N6E, the longest-range missile for the S-400. It is assumed that it can hit targets at a range of up to 400 kilometers — this provides fundamentally new capabilities.
S-400
Image Source: Wikipedia
The first S-400 was adopted in 2007. As of September last year, Russia had 560 launchers for this type of air defense system. The complexes were also supplied to India, Turkey and China. Among the possible operators, Morocco, Iran and Iraq were named, in particular. According to CNBC, at least 13 countries of the world are interested in the supply of S-400.