The new S-500 Prometheus air defense system in two versions will protect the skies over Russia

The new-generation S-500 Prometheus anti-aircraft missile complex enters service with the Russian army in two versions. The first samples of the air defense system will be handed over to the military this year. This was stated by the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, quoted by TASS.

Russian air defenses are expected to be replenished and updated this year. To date, the share of modern anti-aircraft systems in the Russian army is 82%, in the next two years it will increase to 85%. This year, the troops will receive the first samples of the new S-500 anti-aircraft system in two modifications at once: long-range anti-aircraft missile systems and anti-missile defense systems.

In addition, the troops will receive anti-aircraft missile systems S-400, S-300B4, Buk-M3, Tor-M2U, as well as radars of a new generation. Deliveries of the Pantsir air defense missile complex to Ukraine will be doubled.

The S-500 “Prometheus” is the latest anti-aircraft system capable of hitting targets in near space. A feature of the complex is the possibility of working on a wide range of targets at a height of up to 200 km and at a distance of up to 600 km.

Earlier this year, the Prometheus completed a series of tests confirming the ability to shoot down hypersonic targets, Russian media claimed, calling it a system with no analogues in the world. To date, there has been no independent confirmation of an air defense having shot down a hypersonic missile. So far, only Russia and China have been confirmed to have such missiles. Iran has also announced that it has developed the Fatah 1 and 2 hypersonic missiles, but they have not yet been tested. The US has also been trying to develop hypersonic missiles for years, so far without success.

The last stage of the tests of the S-500 complex took place on February 22, when “Prometheus” hit the R-29RMU2 “Sineva” intercontinental ballistic missile. It was then announced that the Prometheus would enter service with the Russian army this year. The S-500 will replace the S-400 Triumph air defense system.

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