Russia developing most advanced S-500 missile defence system

Astrakhan:  Already boasting formidable air and missile defence systems such as the venerable S-300 Favorit, for long regarded as the most potent anti-air and missile defence system in the world, and the recently introduced S-400 Triumf, Russian officials have said that an even more advanced S-500 air defence system could well be developed over the next few years. The system is expected to be capable of destroying hypersonic and ballistic targets.

The S-400 Triumf

The S-500, currently at the blueprint stage at the Almaz-Antei company, is expected to be rolled out by 2012. Russian air force commander, Col Gen Alexander Zelin, said, "This work is in progress...I think this system will appear in the near future."

The new system is expected to outperform even the most advanced S-400 along with other Western systems.

The S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) is capable of intercepting and destroying airborne targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles), and can simultaneously engage up to six targets.

The S-500 is expected to have an extended range of up to 600 km (over 370 miles) and simultaneously engage up to 10 targets.

Gen Zelin said Russia's defence ministry considers the delivery of S-400 air defence missile systems to the Russian armed forces a priority at present, although exports of these systems to other countries of the Commonwealth of the Independent States (CIS) could be considered.

Russia has already deployed two S-400 regiments to protect the airspace around Moscow and industrial regions in the central part of the country, and an S-400 battalion in Russia's Far East.