Officially In Service, Russian Military Places First Regiment of S-500 Air Defense Systems to Guard Moscow

S 500 air defense system. (Source: Russian Ministry of Defense Press Office via TASS)

JAKARTA - The first regiment of Russia's S-500 advanced air defense system has been sent to a military unit guarding the airspace of the Russian capital, Moscow, a source close to the Russian Defense Ministry told TASS.

"The first regiment of the S-500 air defense system has entered service with a unit, whose combat duty is to guard and defend the airspace over the nation's capital," he said, without specifying the military unit and the date when the system entered service, citing TASS October 13.

The airspace over the Russian capital and the Central Industrial District is guarded by the Air Defense Forces of the 15th Army (Special Purpose).

The source also added that the second regiment of S-500 air defense systems will be handed over to Russian troops in the first half of 2022. The source added that this is a 'long-term contract.'

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said on September 16 the latest S-500 Prometey air defense system had completed trials and the first launchers were supplied to the Russian armed forces.

On July 20, the Defense Ministry reported that the weapon system had been tested against high-speed ballistic targets at the Kapustin Yar testing range in southern Russia.

To note, manufactured by Almaz-Antey Concern, the S-500 air defense system is designed to defeat all possible air and space attacks by potential adversaries across the entire altitude and speed range. Specialist training to work with this system has been carried out since 2017. The S-500 will replace the S-400 Triumph air defense system.