The creation in Russia of a new S-550 anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) is a movement towards space, since the Russian Federation must think about anti-satellite defense. On Wednesday, November 10, the military expert Vladislav Shurygin told Izvestia about this.
“Nowadays the air defense systems are changing rapidly. Space and hypersonic weapons are demanding more and more attention. At the same time, there are more weapons such as drones and cruise missiles. To solve these problems, new air defense systems are required, ”he said.
According to the expert, on the one hand, the complexes should be as mobile and cheap as possible in order to deal with drones. On the other hand, they need to reach at least targets in near space, Shurygin added. He also noted that currently there is a merger of air defense and anti-missile defense (ABM).
“The S-550 is, most likely, a movement towards space. The Americans withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. Therefore, we, in turn, must think about anti-satellite defense. By clearing space, we will deprive the Americans of space reconnaissance, navigation and communications equipment. Their army depends heavily on these systems and, of course, will seriously go blind and deaf, ”the military expert concluded.
On the eve, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, at a conference call with the leadership of the country’s Armed Forces, said that work was underway in the Russian Federation to create a new S-550 air defense system.
It was also announced at the meeting that in the near future the first production model of the S-500 Prometheus will be delivered to the troops.
On October 13, the S-500 air defense systems entered service with the 15th Special Forces Army of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which covers Moscow and the Central Industrial Region of the country.
Test firing of the S-500 air defense system was carried out by the Russian military in July. According to the Ministry of Defense, the tests confirmed the tactical and technical characteristics and reliability of the air defense of Russia.
The S-500 Prometheus (ROC Triumfator-M) is a long-range and high-altitude intercept complex with a high anti-missile defense potential, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. The system hits not only ballistic, but also aerodynamic targets and cruise missiles within a radius of about 600 km.