Photo: S-400 Triumph air defense system.




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Baltic Fleet Receives S-400 Air Defense Missile Systems
04/09/2012![]() |
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S-400 battalion was delivered to Baltic Fleet in Feb 2012, but has been only prepared for deployment up to now. As was reported in mid-March, Russian Armed Forces would receive three S-400 battalions with eight launchers in each. According to Chief of Russian Air Force Staff Gen Maj Viktor Bondarev, one battalion will be stationed in Nakhodka (Far East), the second - in Moscow region, and the third – in 1-st Air Force/Air Defense Command.
Late in March, Russian Defense Ministry and Avangard Moscow Machinery Plant signed a contract on new surface-to-air guided missiles for S-400 systems. The missiles will be produced throughout 3 years. Presently, S-400 systems use missiles 48N6E, 48N6E2, and 48N6E3 standard for S-300PM-1 and S-300PM-2 air defense systems, as well as upgraded missiles 48N6DM. In addition, designing of 9M96E and 9M96E2 missiles for S-400 system is at final stage, as well as 40N6E long-range missile.
According to State Arms Program 2011-2020, Russian Armed Forces are supposed to form twenty eight S-400 regiments with two battalions in each. Defense ministry plans to deploy those systems primarily in coastal and border areas. To produce sufficient amount of S-400 systems, it is planned to build three new plants in Russia. In prospect, S-400 and currently developed S-500 systems will constitute the core of Russian missile defenses.