Article Posted on : - Feb 14, 2012

A file photo.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has said it will deploy "several new" S-400 Triumf air defence missiles near its borders this year.

"The Russian Armed Forces will receive several S-400 Triumf air defence systems this year. This time they will be deployed in air defense units guarding (Russia's) border regions," Russian Air Force chief Alexander Zelin was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti.

The country's strategic forces have presently deployed two units of the S-400 system near capital Moscow.

The Air Force chief did not specify the exact locations where the new units of the surface-to-air missile system will be placed, but "some of them will most likely be placed in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad as part of the response to the planned European missile shield initiative, which Moscow considers as a threat to its national security," the news agency reported.

The S-400 is a new generation of air defence and theater anti-missile weapon system having a maximum range of up to 400 km and an altitude of 40,000-50,000 meters. The system uses a range of missiles, optimized for engaging ballistic and cruise missiles and hypersonic vehicles.

An S-400 air defence regiment consists of two or three battalions equipped with four systems each.

Russia is planning to arm 56 battalions with S-400 systems by 2020, the news report said.

Moscow has voiced its concern over Washington's plans to deploy missile shield components around Europe which the US says is aimed at countering potential threats from Iran.