The newest example of Russian weapons, the S-500 Triumfator-M anti-aircraft missile system (SAM), due to its characteristics, will occupy a unique niche, creating a barrier to the most modern threats that Russia may face in the coming decades, in particular, hypersonic weapons and advanced fighters. deep penetration invisible F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor. The American magazine The National Interest (NI) writes about this.
“Russia will soon have a new-generation S-500 Triumfator-M anti-aircraft missile system, ready to fight the most advanced stealth aircraft of the United States and NATO”, – says military expert Mark Episkopos in his article. – The S-500 air defense system is not only more perfect than its predecessor S-400 in almost all respects, but also has a whole range of new capabilities, which makes this system special and different from all the others. Equipped with modernized 77N6 series missiles, the S-500 is capable of intercepting hypersonic cruise missiles and other aircraft at speeds in excess of Mach five”.
He draws attention to the fact that the S-500 can fight ballistic missiles at a distance of up to 600 kilometers, while simultaneously striking up to 10 warheads flying at speeds of up to seven kilometers per second. According to data released by the developer of the complex, the Almaz-Antey concern, the S-500 can also pose a threat to certain types of LEO satellites, although its capabilities at very high altitudes are not fully disclosed.
“It is not yet known how many S-500 complexes are planned to be manufactured and how soon”, – the expert points out. – The S-500 is not a direct replacement for the S-400, but rather an additional layer of Russia’s deeply echeloned air defense system. This complex will serve alongside less modern anti-aircraft missile systems such as the S-400, S-300, and numerous medium-range surface-to-air systems.
Almaz-Antey and Russian military observers say with confidence that, with a powerful targeting system and modern network capabilities, the S-500 can withstand stealth aircraft, the article says.
“The S-500 is a blow to American prestige. Our system neutralizes American offensive weapons and surpasses all the heavily advertised anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems in America”, – Episkopos quotes a comment by Pavel Sozinov, chief engineer of Almaz-Antey.
As EADaily reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking this week at a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Defense Ministry, stated that “the latest weapons and military equipment are being supplied to the army and navy with high dynamics, the potential of the nuclear triad has been seriously strengthened. In addition, he noted, “the combat capabilities of the Russian Navy have been expanded, including through combat ships with Caliber cruise missiles”. Putin also stressed that in the Russian Aerospace Forces, 70% of anti-aircraft missile regiments were re-equipped with modern S-400 Triumph systems. According to the Russian leader, “the next step is the delivery of S-500 Triumfator-M complexes to the troops, the tests of which are already being successfully completed”.
Earlier there were reports that the Yenisei radar station was adopted in Russia, which may be part of the S-500 complex.
Recall that in December 2020, Deputy Defense Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Krivoruchko informed that the S-500 will enter service by the end of 2021.
“Next year it is planned to complete tests and adopt the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system and the Voronezh meter-range radar”, – he said at the time.