Russian Military Will Receive "S-500 Prometey" Air Defense System Very Soon

The Russian Armed Forces could soon receive the first preproduction prototypes of the next-generation S-500 air defense system, defense expert Igor Korotchenko asserted.

Russia is paying particular attention to developing aerospace defense systems, he noted.

"We heard figures indicating that the Russian Aerospace Forces will soon receive more S-400 systems. The S-500 will soon finish state tests and enter service," Korotchenko said following the board meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry on Friday.

The Russian army, according to Korotchenko, has achieved significant progress and is one of the best globally. "It is fully capable of defending our country for decades to come."

The S-500 Prometey, also known as 55R6M Triumfator-M, is a cutting-edge anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic missile system currently under development in Russia.

The long-range system, designed by Almaz Antey, is said to have a range of 600 kilometers (more than 370 miles). The system could simultaneously intercept up to ten ballistic missiles traveling at a speed of 5 kilometers per second.

"The S-500 missiles will be used only against the most important targets, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles, AWACS and jamming aircraft," Military Today noted.

Earlier reports suggested that the S-500 surface-to-air missile system will enter service in 2017. The Russian Armed Forces are expected to purchase ten S-500 battalions.

New Air-to-Surface Missiles to Arm Russian PAK FA Fighter Jet

Images of several types of new air-to-surface missiles designed to arm Russian jets have emerged recently. The missiles are planned to equip Russian aircraft, including the PAK FA.

The missiles are known as X-59MK2 and X-58USHKE.

The first projectile is designed to destroy located stationary ground targets. The targeting system is combined: inertial and satellite gps/glonass. A self-targeting optical-electronic device is activated on the last stage of the flight trajectory. The missile flies at an altitude of 50-300 meters. The missile can carry warheads of two types: penetrating and cluster.

The second missile is equipped with self-directing navigational gear. It can fly three times faster than the speed of sound for a distance of 250 kilometers while carrying a 150-kilogram explosive warhead.

Both missiles are being tested on board the PAK FA. According to Commander Viktor Bondarev, the T-50 equipped with weapons is showing excellent results.

Russia-India FGFA Development Near Closing

During the upcoming annual Indo-Russian summit, an agreement is expected to be inked on the delivery of Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fighter jets to India under the joint FGFA initiative, The Financial Express reported citing a senior military official.

The fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) programme is based on the Russian-made Sukhoi T-50 aircraft. It involves Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

According to the source, the agreement will include a fixed order for 154 jets, work share and a commitment to the number of single-seat and double-seat aircraft.

"Given the current situation, where the Indian Air Force (IAF) is in deep trouble due to its fast depleting force structure, the Indian government will need to take well thought out decision with long-term and strategic foresight. There is no doubt that the PAK-FA (Sukhoi Design Proposal) will be emerge as a major FGFA in the world. Hence, it would be better for India to take a reality check on the FGFA and recalibrate its position," the source told The Financial Times.

In January, it was reported that Russia and India agreed on the project of the FGFA jet fighter. In February, Russia’s Rosoboronexport said all technical details had been settled, and the commercial part of the deal was in discussion.

The Sukhoi/HAL project is meant to radically upgrade India's air strength through the combination of Russian expertise and Indian financing.

Russia’s fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA fighter jet, known in India as FGFA, is equipped with an advanced defense system that can neutralize an enemy plane’s stealth capability.

According to Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, the two countries have already injected about 230 million dollars into the FGFA project, which is based on the development of the T-50 aircraft.

The FGFA, which is expected to be armed with weapons of Indian origin, will fly at a speed of 2,300 kilometers per hour and will have a range of 3,800 kilometers.

Russia, India May Conclude Up to $3Bln-Worth in New Arms Contracts

The value of a new package of contracts to supply Russian arms and military equipment to India may reach $3 billion, the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade said Friday.Earlier, India's Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said his country could sign an agreement with Russia next month for the delivery of Russian S-400 Triumf air defense systems. The two sides are also discussing the purchase of two Russian Kilo-class diesel-powered submarines.

India will acquire 48 Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters and, on Thursday, the Indian Defense Ministry cleared a proposal to upgrade the country's fleet of Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76 transport planes and Il-78 aerial tankers.

"The recent statements by the military leadership of India about large-scale purchases of Russian arms shows that India is still the most important partner of Russia in the sphere of military-technical cooperation. I believe that here we can talk about $1.5-2 billion-worth contracts, maybe even about $3 billion," a spokesman for the Moscow-based think tank said.

He added that the contracts could be executed in 3-5 years.

Since the Soviet era, Russia and India have enjoyed mutually beneficial strategic relations, especially in defense and military cooperation.

In 2014, the value of weapons and military hardware delivered by Russia to India reached some $4.7 billion, according to the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.