Russia To Deploy S-400 Defense Missile System to Khmeimim Airbase in Syria - Defense Minister

The Russian Air Force base in Latakia will be reinforced with S-400 SAM system, which will soon be deployed there, Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Wednesday.

"S-400 will be deployed on Khmeimim airbase in Syria," Shoigu said at a Defense Ministry meeting.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Su-24 was shot down by a Turkish F-16 fighter jet near the Turkish-Syrian border. One pilot died in the incident. The second one was rescued and brought to the Russian airbase in Latakia.

Moscow maintains the jet did not violate Turkey's airspace. It ditched on Syria's territory four kilometers from the border.

Shortly afterwards, the MoD announced three steps to be taken following the attack on the Russian Su-24 bomber, including providing aerial cover by fighter jets for every airstrike, boosting air defense by deploying guided missile cruisers off the Latakia coast, and suspending all military-to-military contacts with Turkey.

The S-400 is Russia's most advanced anti-aircraft defense system. It is as an upgrade of the S-300 Growler family, designed and developed by Almaz Antei. The S-400 is employed to ensure air defense using long- and medium-range missiles that can hit aerial targets at ranges up to 400 kilometers. The S-400 is capable of hitting tactical and strategic aircraft as well as ballistic and cruise missiles. The system includes a set of radars, missile launchers and command posts, and is operated solely by the Russian military.

Khmeimim airbase in Latakia, Syria, accommodates Russian Air Force squadrons of Su-27SM and Su-30 fighter jets, Su-34 and Su-24 tactical bombers, which are all taking part in airstrikes on Islamic State positions. The airbase is protected by state-of-the-art air defense systems and radars. Khmeimim also has a fully operational unit for maintaining fixed- and rotor-wing aircraft and providing logistical assistance to pilots.

India Hopes to Buy Russian S-400 Air Defense Systems to Boost Security

Former Indian Wing Commander Prafulla Bakshi called Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system the "world's most successful defense system."

New Delhi intends to sign an agreement with Moscow on the delivery of Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to strengthen the country’s security, former Indian Wing Commander Prafulla Bakshi told Sputnik on Saturday.

On Friday, India's Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar arrived in Moscow to discuss military and technical cooperation within the framework of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) meeting on November 2.

"Indian air defense system is weak and the defense ministry is planning to strengthen it. Accordingly, Indian Air Force has chalked a plan to add four more regional headquarters apart from the present five. So the Russian S-400 Missile System will be very important for India. This missile system is the world's most successful defense system,” Bakshi said.

India and Russia have enjoyed good relations since the 1960s, underpinned by Russia's position as New Delhi’s foremost military supplier, particularly in the post-Cold War era.

IRIGC-MTC was established in 2000 to enhance bilateral cooperation in the military sphere. It is co-chaired by Parrikar and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu.

The S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) is Russia's next-generation anti-aircraft system, carrying three different types of missiles capable of destroying aerial targets at short-to-extremely long range.

Source: Sputnik News

Next Gen. S-350 Vityaz Mobile SAM Systems: It Seems Russian Air Defense Immpenetrable

Russian air defense is getting ready to deploy S-350 Vityaz mobile SAMs to replace outgoing versions of S-300 anti-aircraft systems. The core of the new system features missiles with state-of-the-art active radar-homing warheads.
Everything is ready for the production of Russia’s brand-new medium to short range mobile S-350 Vityazanti-aircraft missile complex. The system will replace S-300ps SAMs, which are armed with outdated V55R missiles due for decommissioning by the end of the year.
“The next generation S-350 systems will be operational in the nearest possible future,” General-Major Sergey Babakov, the Commander of Russia’s anti-aircraft missile troops, told journalists in early July. “Deployment is expected to comply with the schedule, no failures on delivery are expected,” the general added.
The S-350 Vityaz system consists of a launcher vehicle, all-aspect radar for scanning airspace and a command vehicle. The maximum number of launchers operating with one radar and command center is classified, as well as the maximum quantity of simultaneously tracked targets.
S-350 Vityaz launcher (Image from Igor Korotchenko's Military Diary http://i-korotchenko.livejournal.com)The S-350 Vityaz is armed with two types of missiles. One is medium range also employed by anti-aircraft S-400 Triumph systems. The other interceptor missile is a brand-new modern projectile with an active homing head, which means it has its own radar station.
The tec The S-350 Vityaz is armed with two types of missiles. One is medium range also employed by anti-aircraft S-400 Triumph systems. The other interceptor missile is a brand-new modern projectile with an active homing head, which means it has its own radar station.
The technical characteristics of this new missile “outperform missiles of previous generation systems,” Colonel Igor Klimov, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, told journalists.
The new missile is smaller, lighter and more maneuverable, General Babakov said last weekend in an interview with Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine. “Though it is smaller, its characteristics are better than that of S-300ps. It is agile, does better at ultra-low and maximum heights and has longer range,” the general said.
“I believe the new system is going to be die-hard,” Babakov said in an interview with the Russian News Service radio station.
The S-350 Vityaz was unveiled to the public at the MAKS-2013 International Aviation and Space Show.
Initially, the complex was expected to enter production in 2014, but the final tests of the new missile took more time than was expected.
The S-400 Triumph and S-350 Vityaz complexes are replacing those of the outdated S-300 family systems.
The principal difference between S-350 Vityaz and S-300 is the number of missiles ready for use: the S-350 launcher vehicle carries 12 missiles, whereas the S-300 has just four. This is due to modern missiles being more powerful, and so missiles become either smaller or achieve longer ranges with the same size.

Source: RT News