Jul 08, 2014 brahmand.com

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has successfully carried out test launch of a long-range interceptor missile which will be part of a new fifth generation air defence system S-500, according to a news report.

Russian news agency Itar-Tass quoting a source in the Defence and Industrial Complex, said the test launches were conducted in late June.

"All goals and tasks set within this event were fulfilled completely," the source was quoted as saying.

As part of Russia's defence modernisation programme through 2020, Joint Stock Company Almaz-Antey is developing a new generation air defence missile system S-500.

The surface-to-air missile system is designed for intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles and for defence against airborne early warning and control, airborne warning and control system, and jamming aircraft.

The S-500 is being developed to surpass air defence missile system S-400 Triumf currently in combat service and its US rival - a defence missile system RAS-3, reports said.

15/11/2013 by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

Russian defence firm Almaz-Antey has upgraded the Tor-M2 air defence system to give it increased range, higher precision and the ability to carry more weapons.

Now equipped with 9M331 surface to air missiles, the redeveloped Tor-M2E was put through its paces last month, as a company representative explained.

"We can say now that a unique air defense system in its class with an astounding precision and range has been created", Almaz-Antey's R&D head, Sergei Druzin, told news agency RIA Novosti. "Its performance surpasses all planned parameters."

He continued: "We carried out five launches targeting highly manoeuvrable drones. Three of the targets were hit head-on, while the other two were destroyed by shrapnel from exploding warheads. It is an excellent result, astounding precision."

Tor Air Defence System

The Tor air defence system has been in service since 1986. An all-weather capable surface to air missile launch platform, it is designed to counter aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, precision-guided bombs, cruise missiles and other airborne threats.

A large number of upgraded models have been developed from the original Tor, namely the Tor-M, Tor-M1, Tor-M1T, Tor-M2, Tor-MTA and Tor-MTB. Various Tor versions are in service with numerous nations, including Egypt, Iran, Venezuela, Cyprus, China and Russia itself. Presently, Tor-M1 and Tor-M2s equip the Russian Army. These are armed with 9M331 missiles but it's the more capable 9M338s that have been involved in the Tor upgrade missile launch trials.

Upgraded Tor-M2

According to Druzin, the upgraded Tor-M2s and 9M331 missiles are now approved to enter series production. "We can now start producing these missiles in quantities that would meet the demand of the Russian army", he confirmed.

Next to come for the Tor air defence system is a firepower upgrade, allowing it to launch a constant missile stream. "The [mobile] launcher currently stops for two or three seconds to launch a missile, but it could be done on a move, without stopping", Druzin concluded.