Russia has reportedly transferred some elements of its formidable S-500 air defense system to Crimea. Ukraine’s successful attack on the S-400 missile system has raised questions about whether Russia is bringing it within range of Ukraine and exposing cutting-edge resources that have not yet been combat tested. It is occurring.
It is known that Russia currently has only one active S-500 regiment, consisting of just two battalions with two air defense units each. Details of which elements were moved are unknown. This type of air defense system has several operational components such as a command post, radar, and launcher.
Was the system put in place to protect the important Kerch Bridge in Crimea? Were there no other options? Is this just a story building on either side? The S-500 is still in the experimental stage, and Moscow has indicated that it plans to mass-produce the system by 2025. However, Russian media reported in 2021 that the first S-500s were already deployed around Moscow.
Ukraine regularly targets Crimea
Ukraine is making it increasingly difficult for Russia to maintain control of Crimea through attacks on its air defenses, bridges, railway networks, and electricity and water supply networks.
Ukraine damaged Russian oil depots. The Tuapse refinery in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region was damaged and required several months of repairs. The joint operation by Ukraine’s navy and army also damaged a ferry crossing and an oil terminal at the Caucasus port on the Russian side of the Kerch Strait, which separates Crimea and Russia.
Earlier, they crashed into the Crimean side of the Kerch ferry crossing, damaging two rail ferries crucial to Russia’s ability to maintain supplies to Crimea.
The Kerch Strait Bridge was heavily damaged after Ukrainian attacks in 2022 and 2023, which affected military logistics and its ability to transport large amounts of train traffic, including heavy armored vehicles.
This forced Russia to use occupied areas of mainland Ukraine for road and rail connections, which were much easier to attack by Ukraine. Maritime logistics were also affected after Ukraine destroyed four Russian amphibious ships and damaged five others. Ukraine used drones and missiles to destroy or damage at least 27 Russian warships and one submarine. The peninsula’s air defense capabilities have also been weakened by constant attacks.
AD capabilities against drones and missiles have also been tested elsewhere, including during the Red Sea crisis and the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
S-500 Prometheus Air Defense System
The S-500 Prometheus is a Russian surface-to-air missile/anti-ballistic missile system that complements the S-400 and A-235 ABM missile systems. This air defense system is the most advanced advancement in Russian military technology, designed to meet the evolving threats posed by modern air warfare. Theater ballistic missile defense system.
As with previous generations, the S-500’s adaptability is its core feature. The system can launch different types of missiles tailored to specific threats and operational requirements, increasing versatility and effectiveness in countering evolving airborne hazards.
The S-500’s radar and targeting system is one of the most advanced in the world, providing an engagement range of up to 600 kilometers. One of its most notable features is its ability to engage a variety of targets, including stealth aircraft, hypersonic missiles, and low-orbit satellites, significantly strengthening Russia’s defense posture.
The sophisticated radar complex consists of four radar vehicles per battery. These include the 91N6E(M) S-band acquisition radar, 96L6-TsP C-band acquisition radar, 76T6 multimode engagement radar, and 77T6 anti-ballistic missile engagement radar.
Using multiple radar frequencies and advanced signal processing, the S-500 is able to 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 system can attack 10 targets simultaneously and has a response time of 3-4 seconds, which is shorter than the S-400. More powerful anti-jamming radars can detect “near space” targets.
These state-of-the-art radar systems allow the S-500 to detect both ballistic and air targets at incredible distances, extending its capabilities to up to 2,000 kilometers for ballistic targets and 800 kilometers for air threats. will be done.
This long-range capability provides a significant tactical advantage as the system can identify and track targets well before they enter the engagement zone. The radar operates in multiple modes, including tracking and engaging simultaneously, ensuring continuous coverage and rapid response to emerging threats.
The S-500 has several missile types tailored to different targets and engagement ranges. These missiles can reach altitudes of up to 200 kilometers, allowing the S-500 to intercept ballistic missiles and engage low-orbit satellites during the mid-flight phase.
The S-500 consists of four 40N6M long-range surface-to-air missiles or two 77N6 interceptor missiles mounted on a launch vehicle. The 40N6M long-range missile has a range of up to 400 kilometers, and the 77N6 series interceptor missile has a range of about 600 kilometers. The targets engaged were said to be at altitudes of 180 to 200 km.
Deployment is subject to rigorous testing. The S-500 has rapid firing capabilities and high rate of fire, allowing it to attack multiple targets simultaneously. This makes it highly effective in threat-saturated environments where large numbers of incoming threats need to be dealt with quickly and efficiently.
The system is claimed to be highly resistant to electronic interference, ensuring effectiveness even in the face of advanced electronic warfare attacks.
In theory, the S-500 battery contains three radars, two of which are the same ones that signal the S-400. The third radar, the 77T6 ABM engagement radar, is optimized to detect fast-moving ballistic missiles and rockets. The 77N6 was originally intended to be a “hit” missile without a warhead. It literally hits and destroys the target. By removing the warhead, the missile becomes lighter, more maneuverable and more accurate. The details of the system are still shrouded in mystery.
The Kremlin claims the S-500 is the only weapon capable of intercepting Russia’s air-launched Kinzhal “hypersonic” ballistic missile. According to Russian reports, the S-500 successfully tracked and intercepted a hypersonic target in early 2024.
The S-500 system could be delivered in two separate AD complexes: a long-range air defense missile system and an anti-missile defense complex. The S-400 system’s commissioning schedule continues to be extended. The S-500 has been in development for over 10 years. Full-scale deployment is currently planned for 2025.
According to the original plan, 10 S-500 battalions were to be purchased for the Russian Aerospace Defense (VKO). Production on the series is about five years behind schedule. It is highly likely that a naval version of the armament for the new Rider-class destroyer is also under development.
S-500 in Crimea
The S-500 was reportedly deployed to protect the Russian-built Kerch Bridge, which was unveiled by President Vladimir Putin in 2018. The bridge is a 20 km long bridge that connects Crimea with mainland Russia. It is critical to keeping Russian forces supplied on the peninsula and the Russian-controlled mainland of Ukraine. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted the bridge. Protecting the bridge is a priority for Russia.
The S-500 air defense missile system is considered a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the S-400, and is located in key strategic locations.
The move comes after Russia lost some of its S-300 and S-400 air defense batteries to Ukrainian American-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets, highlighting the vulnerability of its existing air defense infrastructure. It was done. According to reports, the S-500 is currently in operation, guarding the Kerch Strait from strongholds in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Russia has only one S-500 air defense system. The fact that part of the complete system was deployed into combat emphasizes the importance of defending Crimea. It is also possible to perform operational tests on these subparts. However, it is questionable to put the only system at risk of artillery or cruise missile attack.
conclusion
The S-500’s capabilities are due to its powerful radar, powerful ballistic computer, and highly maneuverable interceptor. The system, designed and manufactured by Almaz-Antey, reportedly has a unit cost of approximately $2.5 billion.
Ukraine is concerned about Russian air defense assets and wants to degrade its forward-based air defense assets before introducing F-16 jets.
Defending against large-scale coordinated rocket attacks by drones is not easy. The S-500 has some improvements over the older S-400. Ukrainian rocket attacks are already degrading the S-300 and S-400’s AD batteries.
The 1,500 kg precision-guided ATACMS rocket is capable of dispersing hundreds of deadly submunitions over a wide area. Hitting sensitive areas of the S-500 elements can result in suboptimal system performance. This is a reality that all AD operators must consider and deal with.
While the Crimea deployment marks the S-500’s first known combat role, Russia’s ultimate plan is to completely surround the Moscow region with these formidable systems by 2025. . Amid rising tensions with the West, Russia is busy perfecting its “Doomsday” missile defense system.
Typically designed to “kill” stealth fighters, missiles and satellites, the S-500’s ability to live up to the game-changing expectations of defense powers remains questionable.
In September 2021, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said India could become the first customer for the S-500. China may also be interested in this system. Prior to this, China was the first customer for the S-400, acquiring six batteries. India has received three batteries and two more are expected to be introduced by 2026.
China will support extensive defenses in the East and South China Seas to counter threats emanating from aircraft carriers from Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. It also plans to release more S-400s for the Himalayan border with India.
Similarly, if India acquires the S-500, it will take the PLA Air Force away from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and complement its ABM systems. Clearly, this is a wait-and-see time for both, who need to evaluate how the S-500 performs against unconventional attacks.
India will draw lessons from the S-400 attack by Ukraine and plan for appropriate dispersion and camouflage. Active defense against drones and small high-velocity projectiles must be taken into account and redundant systems must be built.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retired) is a veteran fighter test pilot in the Indian Air Force and former director of the Air Power Research Center in New Delhi. He served in the IAF for 40 years and was awarded the Bravery and Distinguished Service Medal. He tweets @Chopsyturvey
