The Russian Ministry of Defence has decided for S-400 Triumph upgrade air defence systems reported Izvestia, citing sources in the military department.

Currently, the S-300 and S-400 can be equipped with only one type of missile, however, after the modification process, the launchers will be able to hit targets simultaneously with several types of missiles – both ultra-long-range and short-range missiles with high manoeuvrability stated the newspaper report.

After the modification, the choice of ammunition will be based on the tactical situation. According to the report, “the improved systems will radically increase the capabilities of the domestic air defence and will allow the creation of echeloned defence to defeat any targets.”

The more advanced S-500 known as 55R6M ‘‘Triumfator-M’’ is expected to join the Russian defence forces in 2021. 

The S-300 and S-400 are the most lethal Surface to Air Missile (SAM) systems and are designed to operate in integration, with both serving together to increase effectiveness as part of a much wider integrated Air Defense System (IADS).

The IADS consists of layers of SAMs, ranging from very short-range missiles to very long-range missiles to enhance Russia’s defence. It also incorporates different radars and sensors to detect different kinds of enemy targets.

Lieut. Gen. (ret.) Aytech Bizhev, former deputy commander of the Joint Commonwealth of Independent States Air Defence System, talking to Izvestia said that combining different missiles from one launcher will result in the more rational use of the missiles.

It is also desirable to have different means to destroy a light aircraft or a strategic bomber. Well, when there is a massive raid, missiles of all ranges will come in handy. Technically, such a project is not difficult to implement. The control system is the same, only the cruise engines and warheads are different.”

Source: eurasiantimes

Shahzad Masood Roomi

Shahzad Masood Roomi is founding member and, editor security and geopolitics at GCW. He is IT graduate and has more than 10 years experience of being a  geopolitics and defense affairs analyst. He focuses on IR, geopolitics, strategic studies, maritime security, cybersecurity issues, military aviation, history and geography. His work has published in national and international media outlets.