Russia Test Fires Short Range Anti-missile System

Russia has successfully test-launched a short range anti-missile system destroying a simulated target, Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

"The launch was aimed at confirming the performance characteristics of missile defense shield anti-missiles operational in the Aerospace Defense Forces," the ministry said.

Aerospace Defense Forces Deputy Commander, Lieu.Gen. Sergey Lobov said, "An anti-missile of the missile defense shield successfully accomplished its task and destroyed a simulated target at the designated time."

The launch was carried out by a joint crew of the Sary-Shagan test site, Aerospace Defense Force and manufacturer’s specialists at 11:32 Moscow time, the Defense Ministry said.

"Within the framework of developing and perfecting Russian missile defense components the system’s information means undergo upgrade. Simultaneously, research and development work is in progress to create new generation anti-missile weapons, which would allow for considerably expanding the Aerospace Defense Forces' combat capabilities," the ministry’s press-service said.

The ministry also said that the Russian aerospace defense system ensured guaranteed protection from strategic missiles of a new generation with post-boost vehicles and a large number of warheads, the newest penetration means, including chaff containers, active jamming stations and heavy and light deception targets of different classes.

Russian ground based defense against ballistic and cruise missiles are centered on the in-service S-300 and S-400 systems.