Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
July 7, 2008
IWG Report 2007
Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
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Home :: Missile Defense Systems
S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
| Alternate Name: | SA-20 Triumf |
|---|---|
| Country: | Russia |
| Basing: | Land |
Details
The S-400, also known by its NATO designation, SA-20 Triumf, is an advanced Russian surface-to-air missile system. Once operational, it will be able to destroy aircraft, cruise missiles, and short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at ranges of up to 400 kilometers. The Russians eventually plan to phase out their existing S-200 (NATO: SA-5 Gammon) and S-300P (NATO: SA-10 Grumble) systems and replace them with S-400 complexes.(1)
By the late 1990s, it was widely acknowledged that Russia had fallen behind the U.S. in missile defense. Not wanting to let its technology and expertise go to waste, Moscow decided to build a new air-defense missile system, one that would surpass even the U.S. Patriot. According to Vladimir Simonov, General Director of the Russian Agency for Control Systems, the main focus was on getting Russia’s lagging programs “back on their feet.”(2) From the beginning, the project was shrouded in secrecy: neither its purpose, nor its parameters, nor even its name were disclosed to the public, although speculation was rampant.(3)
In January 1999, the Russian Air Force formally announced that it had developed a new air defense system known as the S-400.(4) Designed by the Russian Almaz Central Design Bureau, the S-400 was a thoroughly modernized version of the older S-300P system, versions of which dated back to the late 1960s.(5) The S-400 was reportedly capable of destroying a wide range of targets, including tactical and strategic aircraft, radar observation and targeting planes, cruise missiles, and short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.(6) According to Aleksandr Lemanskiy, Director-General of Almaz, the new system had “no parallels.”(7)
Most of the excitement surrounding the S-400 announcement centered on its new long-range missile, which the Fakel Machine Building Design Bureau was still in the final stages of developing. According to the Russians, the new missile featured an advanced seeker head capable of tracking targets well beyond the horizon line. It had a range of up to 400 kilometers, giving it approximately 2.5 times the range of the S-300P and twice the range of the U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) system, thus making it the superior missile. Once operational, the Russians claimed, the new S-400 missile would be able to home in on short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, as well as reconnaissance aircraft, stealth bombers, and other high-flying, fast-moving targets.(8)
In addition to the new long-range missile, the Russians revealed that the S-400 would be armed with lightweight 9M96 missiles to counter low-flying targets. Each 9M96 interceptor would have a range of approximately 120 kilometers and feature a gas-dynamic control system that would allow it to perform intricate low-altitude maneuvers. The Russians claimed that, in order to hasten the S-400’s deployment, the 9M96 interceptors would be made compatible with the existing S-300P launchers. Thus, a standard S-300P launcher originally designed to carry four 5V55 or 48N6 missiles would now be used to transport up to 16 9M96 missiles. In addition, the S-400 would use the S-300P control complex and multifunctional radar, thus allowing for a smooth, cost-efficient transition between the two systems.(9)
In February 1999, initial tests of the S-400 began at the Kapustin Yar site in Astrakhan.(10) Reports indicate that these tests were largely successful. In early 2001, Moscow announced that the S-400 would be deployed that year by the Russian military, and would also be made available for export on the world arms market.(11) Shortly thereafter, however, the S-400 program began to encounter a series of financial difficulties and technical problems that caused it to fall behind schedule, a trend that continued over the next two years.(12)
In mid-2003, after numerous delays and considerable bureaucratic infighting, it began to look as if the S-400 was nearing completion. That August, however, two high-ranking Russian military officials, Colonel General Alexei Moskovsky, Chief of the Armament Department of the Armed Forces, and General Anatoly Kvashnin, Chief of the General Staff, expressed their concerns that the S-400 was being tested using “obsolete” interceptors from the S-300P (such as the 48N6 missile). They concluded that the system was still not yet ready for production.(13) Moscow once again decided to delay the S-400’s scheduled deployment, this time until 2005 or 2006.(14)
In February 2004, the Russian Air Force announced that state tests of the S-400 had been completed and that the system was finally ready for production.(15) Two months later, Interfax-Military News Agency reported that an upgraded 48N6DM long-range interceptor had successfully destroyed a test ballistic missile. An Almaz-Antey official stated that “the system launched the upgraded 48N6DM long-range missile. The missile was guided to the target with precision, while the tasks set have been fulfilled.”(16) Despite these recent successes, it remains unclear when the S-400 will begin mass production.
Nevertheless, Moscow has been aggressively marketing the S-400 throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Many believe that China will be Russia’s main customer. Between 2003 and 2004, China spent approximately $500 million on future S-400 systems, which accounts for the 7 percent increase in China’s foreign weapons acquisitions during that period.(17) In addition to China, Russia has offered the S-400 to the United Arab Emirates, once in 2002 and again in 2004.(18) There is also speculation that Iran, a potential nuclear power, is currently seeking to acquire its own batch of S-400 missiles.(19)
It is evident that, once the S-400 completes its final tests and enters production, it will quickly become one of the most sought after missile defense systems in the world.
Footnotes
- “Russia Completes Preliminary Development Of Air Defence Launcher,” BBC Monitoring, 13 December 2001; Anatoly Yurkin, “Russia Air Defence Missile System Unmatched In The World,” ITAR-TASS, 14 April 2002; “Russia Ready To Mass-Produce Triumph Surface-to-Air Missile Complex,” RIA Novosty, 18 February 2004.
- “Russia Moves To Upgrade Missile Defence System This Year,” Izvestiya, 9 Apr 2002.
- “Russia’s Missile ‘Triumph,’” Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 5 February 1999, p. 2.
- “New Russian ‘Triumf’ SAM Nearly Ready For Domestic Use, Export,” Aerospace Daily, 12 February 1999.
- Hal Gershanoff, “Russia Claims New SAM System Defeats Stealth,” Journal of Electronic Defense, 1 June 1999; “Russia Trumpets New S-400 Missile System,” BBC Monitoring, 23 March 2001.
- “Russia Trumpets New S-400 Missile System,” BBC Monitoring, 23 March 2001; Russia About To Complete Designing, Testing Of Unique Missile System,” ITAR-TASS, 27 June 2001.
- “Russia About To Complete Designing, Testing Of Unique Missile System,” ITAR-TASS, 27 June 2001.
- “Russia Trumpets New S-400 Missile System,” BBC Monitoring, 23 March 2001; Russia About To Complete Designing, Testing Of Unique Missile System,” ITAR-TASS, 27 June 2001; Federation of American Scientists.
- “Russia Completes Preliminary Development Of Air Defence Launcher,” BBC Monitoring, 13 December 2001; Federation of American Scientists.
- “Russia: Tests of the S-400 Triumf Missile Complex Were Held at the Kapustin Yar Site in Astrakhan Region,” Izvestiya, 18 May 1999; “Russia Trumpets New S-400 Missile System,” BBC Monitoring, 23 March 2001.
- “Russia: New S-400 Air Defense System Coming Soon,” Periscope Daily Defense News Capsules, 4 April 2001; “Russia Trumpets New S-400 Missile System,” BBC Monitoring, 23 March 2001.
- “Russia Completes Preliminary Development Of Air Defence Launcher,” BBC Monitoring, 13 December 2001; “Russia Finally Begins Production of S-400,” Forecast International Press Releases, 21 October 2003.
- Valery Baberdin, “The Defense Ministry Cannot Launch Serial Production of the S-400 Anti-Aircraft Complex,” Russkii Kuryer, 20 August 2003, p. 2.
- “Russia Delays S-400’s Service Entry,” Forecast International Press Releases, 31 December 2003.
- “Russia Accomplishes Tests of New Missile System,” RosBusinessConsulting, 18 February 2004.
- Almaz had by then merged with the Antey Industrial Corporation, another Russian defense company. “Russian Triumf S-400 Intercept Test Successful,” Interfax-Military News Agency, 3 May 2004.
- “China Spending More on Defense,” Forecast International Defense Intelligence Newsletters, 3 June 2004; Robert Wall, “Threat Assessment: Increasing Sophistication Seen in Chinese Military Might,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, 7 June 2004.
- “Russia Markets New Versions of S-400 and SA-11 in Mideast,” Geostrategy-Direct, 27 May 2004.
- “Iran Looks to Buy Russian S-400 System,” Geostrategy-Direct, 16 September 2003.
Syria Wants Russian S-400
Syria is negotiating the purchase of the Russian S-400 air and missile defense system, said to be comparable or superior to U.S. Patriot PAC-3 interceptors. Middle East Newsline quotes “Russian industry sources” as saying that Syrian President Bashar Assad sought to acquire the system during his recent visit to Moscow. “Assad is very interested in the S-400 and apparently Syria has the money to buy this,” an industry source is quoted as saying.
Recent news reports have confirmed that Russia will be deploying the S-400 for its own defenses in 2005.
» More stories on: Israel, Russia, Syria
» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Russia to Deploy S-400 Missile Defenses
Russian news agencies have widely reported that Russia will begun to upgrade its missile defenses in 2005, as expected, replacing older systems with the newer and widely touted S-400 interceptors. Interfax and Itar-Tass quoted deputy defense minister Belousov as saying that the military would purchase six S-400 systems this year, but did not specify the price, or where they would be deployed. Russia has previously indicated that the S-400 may be offered for export.
RIA Novosti notes that, in addition, Russia’s navy will add two new strategic nuclear submarines, the Yury Dolgoruky and the Dmitry Donskoy, each armed with Russia’s most advanced submarine launched ballistic missile, the Bulava SS-N-30. Belousov added that, “Allegations that all our technology is outdated do not hold water. The performance of our technology is not inferior to that in any other industrialized country.” Other systems to be added in 2005 include a battalion of new T-90 tanks, two TU-160 strategic bombers, and a host of other systems.
» Defense News description of Russia’s 2005 acquisitions
» RIA Novosti on Belousov report
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile details: SS-NX-30
» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Profile of Underground Russian Control Center
Moscow television, Ren TV, yesterday carried a report on an underground command center or situation room from which a decision to shoot down terrorist-hijacked planes could take place. The piece describes how the control center is designed to withstand a nuclear blast, and how it also has the capability to direct air and missile defense efforts. An excerpt:
[Correspondent] The air defence protects not only the sky but also the lower regions of outer space. Its missiles can hit targets - various spacecraft and ballistic missiles - at an altitude of up to 30 km.
The Russian air defence force was created 90 years ago, at the beginning of World War I, when it was equipped with anti-aircraft guns like the one you see here. It has been continuously developing since then. S-200 and S-300 missile systems are now being replaced by advanced S-400 complexes able to destroy any enemy target.
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-200 (SA-5 Gammon), S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant), S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Fifth-Generation S-400 to Incorporate S-300V Interceptor
Russia’s newest missile defense system, the Samoderzhets, a variant of the S-400, may incorporate an interceptor which is currently used by the proven S-300V system, according to the Vremya Novostei Russian newspaper, cited by Jane’s Missiles and Rockets. The Samoderzhets or “Autocrat” system is said to be “fifth-generation,” one step beyond the “fourth-generation,” and currently state-of-the-art S-400 interceptor. The Samoderzhets is apparently not Russia’s most advanced system coming—another system is expected in 2012—but may rather be for export.
Specifically, the Samoderzherts system may use the same 9M96 and 9M96/2 missile interceptors currently deployed on the S-400, as well as the logner range 9M82M interceptor used by the S-300VM. The 9M82M interceptor is said to have a maximum range of 200km and can intercept ballistic missiles with a reentry speed of 4.5km per second.
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant), S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Russia Set to Deploy S-400 in 2005; Upgrades in Response to U.S. Defenses
Colonel General Yuriy Solovyev, commander of the Moscow’s air defense, told a news conference on August 18 of plans to upgrade and reorganize the Moscow air and missile defense systems, notably remarking that Russia’s most advanced system, the S-400, would be deployed in 2005.
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
New Russian Missile Interceptor Announced
Russia’s newest air and missile defense system, called the Samoderzhets (Emperor), is “unbeatable” and surpasses the American Patriot system dramatically, boasts Russian designers at the Almaz and Antei defense companies, reports the Russian newspaper, Vremya Novostei.
The Samoderzhets apparently combines the longer range of the S-300VM system and the advanced technology of the S-400.
The Samoderzhets system could be the same “fifth generation” system as that referenced in a January report in Voyennykh Novostey, which quoted Antei designers saying that the new system would be available by 2012.
» Jan. 27, 2004: Fifth generation Russian interceptors by 2012
» Russian defense budget to increase 40% in 2005
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant), S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Bendersky: “Keep a Watchful Eye on Russia’s Military Technology”
Writing for the “Power and Interest News Report,” Yevgeny Bendersky denies the typical characterization of the Russian military as backward and ill equipped, and points out that in fact,
even in the current dire circumstances, Russia never stopped being a powerful entity that produced state-of-the-art military technologies — a trend that continued from its inception as a modern state. While its army, navy and air force are in dangerously derelict conditions, every part of the formula for Russia’s resurgence as a military powerhouse is still in place. In spite of financial and economic difficulties, Russia still produces state-of-the-art military technologies that continue to impress the world.
Bendersky notes that Russia’s current state of the art systems include their S-300, and especially their S-400 air and missile defense systems, believed to be superior to their American counterparts.
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Russia Markets New Versions of S-400 and SA-11 in Mideast
Russia continues to market two new forms of missile defense systems to the Mideast, the S-400 Triumf, and the Buk-1M1-2 (SA-11), reports Geostrategy-direct.
The S-400, previously offered to several other countries, is claimed by its manufacturer, Almaz, to be the most effective missile defense system in the world, superior to the United States’ own PAC-3 system. The S-400 has a range of 400km, and its early warning radar is said to relay data to the interceptors in electromagnetic silence, which is useful to avoid itself being targeted. Russia is now offering the S-400 to the United Arab Emirates.
A version of the Buk defense system (also known as SA-11 or Gadfly) is capable of intercepting aircraft, cruise missiles, and some short range ballistic missiles. In a statement by Buk’s manufacturer, the Russian Rosoboronexport company, said that
This is the only anti-aircraft missile system of medium range in the world, which is capable of destroying in unfriendly environment of radio and fire countermeasures not only aircraft of strategic and tactical aviation, helicopters and cruise missiles, but also tactical ballistic and aircraft missiles, including antiradar, destroying elements of high-precision weapons as well as surface and ground targets”
The Buk is also marketed in Europe.
» Rosoboronexport company’s list of exports
» April 30: successful test of S-400
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Russian Triumf S-400 Intercept Test Successful
Interfax reports that the Russian Triumf air and missile defense system successfully intercepted its target, apparently a ballistic missile, using an upgraded interceptor on April 30.
The Triumf, or S-400, system is designed by the Almaz Raspletin Research and Production Association. Triumf is described as a “new-generation” system which is “is second to none.” By comparison the less advanced S-300 system is said to be superior to the American PAC-3 (Patriot) interceptor.
Interfax quotes a source in the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Consortium, speaking about the test, as saying that, “The system launched the upgraded 48N6DM long-range missile. The missile was guided to the target with precision, while the tasks set have been fulfilled.”
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Russian Air Defenses Said “Deplorable,” But Russian BMD Still in Good Shape
Former commander of the Russian Air Force Anatoly Kornukov declared that Russian defenses against air attack are “in deplorable condition,” and comparing their capabilities to those of several decades ago. He cited the S-50 air defense system as one example, whose effectiveness has been halved. But whatever the condition of Russian defenses against aircraft, however, Russia’s missile defense system is still in reasonably good shape.
After denegrating the air defense systems, Kornukov immediately added that the whole situation “is not hopeless,” and went on to describe Russia’s missile defense system as operating effectively.
Kornukov also spoke of the need for Russia to employ space: “Russia needs an inexpensive but reliable space defense system, capable of protecting it from air and space strikes,” and added that “Space defense should become a vital part of a system to deter possible aggression against Russia.” The Russian press reports that Kornukov goes on to describe Russia’s missile defense system as “capable of hitting orbital vehicles.”
Kornukov specifically spoke of Russia’s newer S-400 air and missile defense system, which uses the Triumf interceptor, as having been tested successfully and was ready for serial production.
The Triumf interceptor is reported to have a range of 400km, and is to be used against both ballistic and cruise missiles such as the American Tomahawk—as well as against early warning, tactical, and strategic aircraft. In terms of its ballistic missile defense capabilities, it is said to be able to intercept warheads traveling at a speed of 4,800 km per hour (1.3km/sec).
» RBC News on Triumf capability
» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
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