Article Posted on : - May 13, 2011

S-400 Triumf air defence system

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia will deploy a second S-400 regiment to strengthen the air and missile defense network around Moscow.

The Defence Ministry has said a second regiment equipped with advanced S-400 Triumf air defence systems will be put on combat duty near the capital on Sunday. The first S-400 regiment is deployed in Electrostal, also near the Russian capital.

The S-400 (SA-21 Growler) is designed to intercept and destroy airborne targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles). The system is expected to form the cornerstone of Russia's theater air and missile defences up to 2020, a Ria Novosti report said.

The S-400 system can engage targets at a maximum range of up to 400 km at an altitude of 40,000-50,000 meters and uses a range of missiles, optimized for engaging ballistic and cruise missiles. A regular S-400 battalion comprises at least eight launchers with 32 missiles and a mobile command post, it said.