November 29, 2004 :: Itar-Tass :: News
Russia today conducted a successful test of an upgraded version of its A-135 ballistic missile defense system. The test took place at the Sary Shagan Missile Range, located in Kazakhstan. Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov described the test as flawless: “The missile accurately hit the training target.” Putin was reported as having responded to the test, saying “Good, congratulations.” According to RIA Novosti, Ivanov also said that “We intend to upgrade and modernize the anti-ballistic missile defense system further.”
The A-135 system, based around and designed to defend Moscow and the surrounding areas, consists of two interceptor missiles, the short range “Gazelle” and the long range “Gorgon.”
Pavel Podvig cites one Russian source indicating that today’s test was of the shorter range 53T6 “Gazelle” missile, a report he terms “quite likely.” According to Podvig, the Gazelle was last tested on November 2, 1999; and the Gorgon was last tested on October 2, 2002.
Update: Dec. 1: The following is an excerpt from a Russian television broadcast on November 30, Ren TV in Moscow, which reported on the recent missile interceptor test. The report confirmed that the test was of the 53T6 or Gazelle interceptor, and furthermore indicated that tests of the Russian missile defenses will henceforth be conducted at Sary Shagan at least twice a year. Text of the report:
Presenter] Russian army combat crews have launched an interceptor missile on the Sary-Shagan testing range. The missile was one of those used by the missile defence system of Moscow. Thus, Russia has demonstrated combat capabilities of interceptor missiles that are on combat duty in Moscow Region, as well as the work of a modernized ground system with new guidance systems.
A camera crew was admitted to the test for the first time. Here is an exclusive report by Alevtina Polyakova.
[Correspondent] The Sary-Shagan testing range was silent for a number of years. Semi-destroyed facilities and abandoned barracks, post-Soviet surrealism in the middle of Kazakh plains.
It seems that this missile silo was last opened during the Star Wars [the 1980s]. The lid is being lifted manually to doleful gnashing of its protective mechanisms. A load of earth is put on it so that it was not thrown away by the shock wave.
A one-hour standby is announced.
[Voice from a loudspeaker] Combat programme started.
[Another voice] Affirmative.
[Correspondent] The silo is 30 m deep. It contains a 53-T6 short-range interceptor missile, or Gazelle by Western classification.
A short instruction before the launch makes it clear why the missile was named after the quick animal. You’ll have only three seconds to film, they told us.
We are the first to film an interceptor missile test with a professional TV camera. Only the military could make amateur shots for their personal archives.
[Voice from a loudspeaker] Lift off!
[Another voice] Yes!
[Correspondent] Missile’s speed is so high that one cannot see it leaving a silo - just a column of light which disappears in a few seconds. It’s a trace from a combustion chamber filled with a special powder. A controlled blast takes place at the moment of launch.
Six seconds later, we hear that the target is hit. In reality this would mean that a ballistic missile aimed at the Russian capital has been destroyed at an altitude of 30 km.
About 100 intercepting missiles of various types are deployed in four areas around Moscow. In the event of an attack all components of the Russian missile defence - satellites, radar installations and computers - work as a single system. Just a minute is given to identify the real warhead among false ones, set the course of the interceptor missile, load a program and intercept the target.
If the test in Sary-Shagan had failed, the anti-missile missiles would have to be decommissioned. Now their service life can be extended.
[Vladimir Polyakov, captioned as chief armaments officer of the anti-missile division of Russian Space Troops] The item was made in 1988, so we were a little bit nervous. It’s not the end of our work, it’s just the beginning. It’s good that we have a future.
[Correspondent] After abrogating the 1972 [ABM] Treaty, the USA immediately started creating a basis for a global missile defence. The Pentagon is planning to test its elements almost every month, though every test launch costs hundreds of millions of dollars. Negotiations are held with former Warsaw Pact member countries on the creation of radar stations and positions for intercepting missiles on their territory. America intends to spend more than 70bn dollars on the national ABM programme in the period until 2015. The Chinese have dubbed it Star Wars’ Son.
Russia cannot participate in this race for economic reasons and is looking for a response by reviewing its old stocks. [Col-Gen Aleksandr Belousov, captioned as first deputy defence minister] Copying the USA and creating a national ABM system would require colossal spending, and there is always the risk that some new scientific and technological solutions will be erroneous. We think that the existing missile defence is quite satisfactory, and able, after some improvements, to accomplish the task of nuclear deterrence.
[Correspondent] To substitute expensive new technologies with modernization [of old ones] is the only way to win time until new weapons can be developed. Generals say that the structure of the Russian missile defence will remain the same, but its contents will change.
Some new elements are already being tested. Old hardware is being replaced with new electronic equipment at the experimental radar station. Advanced combat algorithms are being loaded in intercepting missiles.
At the same time Russia is negotiating a single anti-missile umbrella with Europe. The main problem is who will hold the master key.
From now on, the silence at Sary-Shagan will be broken at least twice a year, Space Troops commanders say. (Article)
» Nov. 29: UPI analysis: Cold War Has Never Been Colder
» Podvig on Russian ABM test
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: System A-135, Gazelle (SH-08/ABM-3), Gorgon (SH-11/ABM-4)
