New, Fifth-Generation Russian Missile Defense Systems by 2012
January 27, 2004 :: News
The Russian news agency, Voyennykh Novostey, reports that the government owned Almaz missile defense company and others have developed a new concept for a “fifth-generation” air and missile defense system. “This concept will allow a new air defense system and a new theater missile defense to be established by 2012, employing contemporary technologies and equipment. This is the very conclusion participants in the meeting of the expert council on airspace defense, held in Moscow, have arrived at,” Vladimir Aldoshin, the expert council’s secretary, told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The deputy designer general of Almaz is cited as sayin gthat the draft of the new system was capable of intercepting “fifth-generation missiles,” and furthermore had already been adopted by the Russian Defense Ministry commission.
By comparison, the Russian Triumf S-400 is considered to be “fourth generation.” (Link)
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
Russia Upgrading Missile for S-300 System
January 14, 2004 :: RIA-Novosti :: News
According to a report by the Russian Information Agency cited by the American Foreign Policy Council, Russia plans to upgrade the missile interceptor for its S-300 “theatre” missile defense system. Vladimir Mikhailov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, is cited as saying that Russian specialists are working on an extended range interceptors. Russia’s marketing of the S-300 has included the Mideast, China and India.
Geostrategy-direct also reports the January 14 story of RIA Novisti, clarifying that the new upgrades would be to better equip the dual-purpose system for missile defense. More importantly, however, Mikhailov is quoted as saying that Russia has accelerated development of the more advanced S-400 missile defense system, offered to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and will be “a complete anti-aircraft and missile defense system.” (Article, Link)
» Sep. 3, 2003: Russian S-300s to go to Vietnam
» Dec. 2, 2003: Russia’s S-300 and S-400 for Europe?
» Geostrategy Direct on S-300, S-400 upgrade plans
» Sep. 16, 2003: Iran interested in Russian S-400
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Russian Missile Defenses for Europe?
December 2, 2003 :: AFPC :: News
During years of complaining about American movements toward missile defense, Russia has both maintained a missile defense system stationed around Moscow and, in recent years, begun to sell its S-300 and S-400 systems to other countries. Quoting the Russian ITAR-Tass news agency from November 28, an AFPC summary notes that Russia may be attempting to sell its own missile defenses for the protection of Europe from Iranian and other rogue states. Specifically, Russian defense firms may offer the more advanced “Triumf” S-400 defense system to members of NATO. The Triumf is, in terms of capability, a rival to the U.S. PAC-2 and PAC-3 “Patriot” dual-use anti-aircraft and theatre missile defense systems. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses, Technology
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant), S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Iran Looks to Buy Russian S-400 System
September 16, 2003 :: Geostrategy-Direct :: News
Iran is looking to buy an air and missile defense system from Russia, perhaps the more advanced S-400, reports Geostrategy Direct. Russia previously offered a similar system for purchase by Abu Dhabi, in 2002. (subscription required) (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Russian S-300 to go to Vietnam
September 3, 2003 :: Asia Times :: News
Russia appears to have negotiated a deal with Vietnam to purchase its most recent version of the S-300 air and missile defense system, the S300 PMU2. Other sales of the S-300 have included Cyprus and China; although India recently expressed interest as well, they now appear to be favoring the US PAC systems. According to the Asian Times:
The S300 PMU2 uses new 48N6E2 missiles, which weigh 1,800 kilograms and are 7.5 meters long. After a catapult “cold” start in the upright position, the 48N6E2 accelerates up to 1,900 meters a second in 12 seconds, and then hits the target from above. The 48N6E2 differs from the older 48N6E in having a new warhead designed for destroying ballistic missiles, with a warhead weight of 145 kilograms versus 70-100 kilograms. The S300 PMU2 can engage targets flying at altitudes ranging from 10 meters to 27 kilometers at a speed of up to 10,000 kilometers per hour.
(Article, Link)
» More stories on: Proliferation, Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
Russian General on the Extent of Russian Missile Defenses Instructive of US Policy
September 2, 2003 :: Pravda :: News
Why should one be concerned that the United States is not doing enough on missile defense? Because the Russians are not, either. A story in Pravda cites Lieutenant-General Vladimir Grigorkin as lamenting that the Russian missile defense system now covers “only” thirty percent, as compared to the Soviet days when it protected substantially all of Soviet territory. Grigorkin is praised for his own work on the now old SS-18 “Satan” ballistic missile which was designed to overcome then-potential American defense efforts. The same general is also cited as not being “anxious” about American ballistic missile defenses for the simple fact that they do not pose any threat to Russia’s own offensive deterrent. Critics of President Bush sometimes complain that he is abandoning the policy of mutually assured destruction, and that this is a bad thing, and dangerous to “strategic stability.” In fact, these critics have nothing to complain about, as this does not seem to be the case.
Long before the Buran project, Vladimir Grigorkin participated in construction of launchig pads for different rockets. “I worked for a year in Siberia as the head of a department building silos for the world’s most powerful ballistic rockets. NATO called the rockets “Satans”. They could challenge the US’ most modern anti-missile defense system. One rocket of this type carries up to ten self-guided high-power warheads. On board, the rocket has a considerable number of false targets to mislead the enemy. It’s a pity that it was realized too late; it was important to keep the weapon in operation. The majority of rockets of the type were liquidated. even though they were still operable.”
When Vladimir Grigorkin became the head of the special construction department of the Defense Ministry, the silos were being built across the Soviet Union. Now, we have such rockets in Russia only.
The general is not that anxious about the disputes concerning the so-called anti-missile defense. Some time ago, Vladimir Grigorkin participated in creation of an anti-missile shield around Moscow. He says that nowadays only 30 per cent of Russia is protected from attacks of aerospace vehicles, while in the Soviet era the missile shield covered the whole territory of the country. The general is indignant at the fact that the national defense has such large breaches that we may notice attacks of an enemy on some territories only when we see nuclear explosions over these territories.
Update: The January 23, 2004 edition of Itar-Tass quotes a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry that The United States and Russia “are ready to cooperate in non-destabilizing missile defense.” This is entirely keeping with the non-threatening nature largely characteristic of those American missile defense systems proposed since the fall of the Soviet Union. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Policy, Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
Russian Trimf (S-400) Missile Defense Interceptor Testing Complete, Ready for Service
May 22, 2003 :: Pravda :: News
Pravda cites the RIA Novosti news service that the newer Russian missile defense interceptor, the Triumf or S-400, has completed state testing at the Kapustin Yar range, and is now ready for service. The Triumf is said to belong to a new generation of air and missile defense systems called “four plus.”
As for the capabilities of the Triumf interceptor, “The tests have confirmed that the Triumf features a higher rate of fire, longer range and the greater number of engaged targets,” it was noted at the Almaz research and production center. Moreover,
“In its technical characteristics and specifications the system is superior to the modernised American Patriot anti-aircraft missile system. Russia’s Defence Ministry believes that as early as the end of this year the Triumf may be adopted for service with the country’s air-defence forces.”
Almaz is the missile defense company which also produces teh S-300 air/missile defense system which Russia exports. Almaz is 100% owned by the Russian government, after a 2002 decree seized control of the company.
The report comes in addition to earlier reports, however, suggesting that the S-400 has already been deployed. (Article, Link)
» Aug. 19, 2003: Russia selects new head of BMD company, Almaz
» S-400 showcased in August 2003
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Pravda Commemorates 1961 Test: A Time When Ballistic Missiles Were Thought “Absolute”
March 3, 2001 :: Pravda :: News
Pravda commemorates “an important date,” the fortieth anniversary of the Soviet Union’s first interception of a ballistic missile. Indeed, Pravda describes it as “the world’s first.”
On March 4, 1961 a medium-range missile was launched from the Kapustin Yar rocket test range (Lower Volga). After a short interval its front section was detected by tracking systems and then hit by an anti-missile. This system was deployed at the Sary-Shagan range in Kazakhstan (a former Soviet republic), according to RIA Novosti. The direct hit of the missile front section was not only of military and technical, but also of political significance, since in those days the ballistic missile was considered to be an “unputdownable” weapon, or absolute. It was stressed at the press-service that it was a landmark event, one which opened a new page in global confrontation between the two superpowers - the USSR and the US.
Worth noting is that ballistic missiles are referred to as having been perceived “in those days” as “unputdownable,” or “absolute.” Pravda indicates that the Soviets and Russia moved beyond such superstition—which was subsequently followed by the deployment of their operational missile defense system around Moscow.
Unfortunately, many elites in America today are still wed to the idea that ballistic missiles are impossible to defend against. It is this mistaken notion which has long provided a primary impediment to the political will to provide for the common defense (More »»»)
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
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