The Russian military is about to form the first regiment of the “state-of-the-art” S-500 “Prometheus” air defense system.
The announcement was made by General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, during a briefing for foreign attachés on December 18.
Geraismov said the new S-500 system can address strategic missile defense challenges, underscoring its importance in Russia’s broader defense strategy.
“We are completing the formation of the first regiment equipped with the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system, which can solve the task of strategic missile defense,” he said. said.
This development marks a major milestone in the rollout of Russia’s latest mobile air and missile defense system, which has been in development for several years.
The S-500 system, also known as Prometheus, is designed to target a wide range of threats, including intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), early warning aircraft, and satellites operating in low Earth orbit. It is also capable of intercepting hypersonic targets, a capability Russia has worked hard to develop in response to emerging global threats.
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Earlier this year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the long-awaited S-500 system will be delivered to the Russian military by the end of 2024.
This system is offered in two configurations. This includes long-range air defense missile systems and anti-missile defense complexes. However, Gerasimov did not provide details on the number of S-500 units delivered so far.
In addition to discussing the S-500, General Gerasimov also highlighted NATO’s increased activity near Russia’s borders. He revealed that the number of NATO military exercises in the region has soared to 40 a year.
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Gerasimov noted that NATO’s growing presence near Russian territory is accompanied by the permanent deployment of military contingents and the expansion of the alliance’s membership, with Finland and Sweden recently becoming full members.
This expansion of NATO, coupled with large-scale military exercises such as Operation Steadfast Defender, has fueled concerns within Russia.
Gerasimov pointed to the alliance’s anti-Russian rhetoric and continued military buildup in Europe, given NATO’s “open door” policy, which has encouraged new members, particularly from Eastern Europe.
S-500 Prometheus Air Defense System
The S-500 system is touted as one of the most advanced air defense systems capable of attacking multiple targets at unprecedented distances. This advanced air defense technology serves as a theater ballistic missile defense system to combat the increasing complexity of modern air threats.
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A key feature of the S-500, like its predecessor, is its adaptability. The system is capable of launching a variety of missile types tailored to specific threats and mission needs, making it highly versatile and effective in countering a wide range of airborne hazards.
The S-500 employs the new 77N6 family of interceptor missiles, which are designed to more effectively target ballistic missiles.
These interceptors use a kinetic energy hit-to-kill mechanism to provide increased protection against ballistic missiles compared to the explosive fragmentation warheads used on older S-400 and S-300 systems. I am.
Equipped with the world’s most advanced radar and targeting system, the S-500 can attack targets up to 600 kilometers away.
In particular, it is known for its reported ability to target a variety of objects, including stealth aircraft, hypersonic missiles, and low-orbit satellites, significantly increasing Russia’s defense capabilities.
The radar complex consists of four radar vehicles per battery, including a 91N6E(M) S-band acquisition radar, a 96L6-TsP C-band acquisition radar, a 76T6 multimode engagement radar, and a 77T6 anti-ballistic radar. Contains. Missile engagement radar.
These radar systems allow the S-500 to track both ballistic and air targets at impressive distances of up to 2,000 kilometers for ballistic targets and 800 kilometers for airborne threats.
Mr. Anil Chopra, retired Indian Air Force Air Marshal, pointed out“Using multiple radar frequencies and advanced signal processing, the S-500 can identify and track stealth aircraft, reducing their efficiency in penetrating protected airspace. ”The S-500 therefore poses a potential threat to America’s F-22 Raptor and F-35 stealth fighters. ”
The S-500 can engage up to 10 targets at once and has a response time of just 3-4 seconds, which is faster than the previous generation S-400. More powerful and jam-resistant radars also have the ability to detect objects in “near space.”
These radar technology upgrades give the S-500 a tactical advantage in detecting and tracking targets before they reach the engagement zone.
