Article Posted on : - Apr 09, 2009

A file photo of S-400 Triumf SAM system

MINSK (BNS): Russia will deliver S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) surface-to-air missile systems to Belarus under an integrated air-defence agreement.

According to Ria Novosti, Igor Azarenok, commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, said the countries' defence ministries were currently discussing delivery terms.

Moscow and Minsk signed an agreement in February on the joint protection of the Russia-Belarus Union State's airspace and the creation of an integrated regional air defense network.

Azarenok said Belarus would modernise its Air Force by buying new warplanes from Russia and upgrading others. Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces also had plans to conduct over 200 various drills, exercises, and field training sessions.

The Triumf S-400, initially known as the S-300PMU3, is a new generation of air defence and theater anti-missile weapon developed by the Almaz Central Design. It is designed to intercept and destroy airborne targets at a distance of up to 250 miles, including aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and those with a range of 3,500 km and a speed of 4.5 km/s. S-400 is also capable of detecting and engaging stealth aircraft.