Capable Of Intercepting Multiple Targets, Russia Delivers S-550 Strategic Missile Defense System To Military Before 2025

Test firing of the Russian S-500 missile defense system. (Source: Russian Ministry of Defense Press Office)

JAKARTA - Not yet finished the service life and glory of the S-400 and S-500 defense systems, Russia is targeting the delivery of their newest missile defense system, the S-550 within the next three years.

A Russian Defense Ministry source said the Russian Armed Forces would receive the first deliveries of the S-550 strategic missile defense system before 2025.

"Hardware for the S-550 has already been built. The first S-550 will be delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces before 2025. Its delivery is part of a national armament program that lasts until 2027," the source told TASS on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow. November.

The S-550 is first planned to be delivered in a brigade configuration, using mobile launchers with hypersonic missiles, the source said. However, no option by sea is envisaged.

TASS has no official confirmation of this information.

The source commented on a statement by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu who said at a Defense Ministry meeting on November 9, President Vladimir Putin had pushed for the delivery of S-350, S-500 and S-550 air defense systems to the armed forces, as he met with top military and military officials. head of the defense industry earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov said Russia's newest S-550 missile defense system will feature target detection and extended missile range, which will be capable of intercepting any target.

"This is work that never stops and will continue to be carried out, to increase the detection range and range of missiles with the ability to intercept any target. That is the focus of work on the S-550," he explained.

To note, the S-550 short-range missile interception system was developed in the Soviet Union in 1981-1988 by a company now known as NPO Almaz.

The project, along with several other projects, was discontinued as part of the Soviet-US defense treaty of that period. Some of the system equipment was dismantled after 1992. The foundation of the project was destroyed after the collapse of the Soviet Union.