New advanced missile system enters service in Moscow Region

Russia's Air Defence Forces (RIA Novosti / Pavel Lisitsyn)

18 February, 2011, 18:30 Russia Today

Russia’s air defense regiments are completing the deployment of new advanced S-400 Triumf missile system to cover the Russian capital’s area. In mid-March, a division in Dmitrov, a town located 65 kilometers to the north of Moscow, will be deployed in addition to units in Electrostal. Later, an air-defense regiment in the Far East will also receive the system. The immediate task is to strengthen a non-strategic ballistic missile defense of Moscow, the commander of the Air and Space Defense Operational-Strategic Command, Lieutenant-General Valery Ivanov told reporters. Within the next three months, new short-range missiles, the Pantsir-S and machine gun systems will be put on combat duty in the Moscow Region. Pantsir-S systems, capable of hitting four targets simultaneously, will operate alongside S-400 Triumph advanced complexes. Triumf has been developed for effective protection from air strikes, and strategic and tactical missiles. It has a range of fire in 250 km and could destroy 36 aims simultaneously. The new S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile system has great upgrade potential, designers say. Modernization will broaden its combat capabilities, Acting First Deputy General Director at Almaz-Anter, Valery Garbuz told reporters. The Triumph can destroy virtually the entire class of aerospace weapon systems, he said.