Russian Troops to Receive S-500 Air Defense System this Year

Russia's most modern air defense system, the S-500, will be delivered to its troops for the first time this year.

“This year, the troops will receive the first samples of the new generation S-500 anti-aircraft missile system in two modifications – long-range anti-aircraft missile systems and missile defense systems,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said today at a meeting of the board of the defense department.

In addition to the S-500, this year, the troops will receive the S-400, S-300V4, Buk-M3, and Tor-M2U air defense systems.

The S-500 Prometheus air defense system, overseen by the Russian Armed Forces, underwent testing in February 2024 to assess its ability against hypersonic targets, as announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense to Izvestia. Sources within the military department confirmed that the S-500 successfully tracked and intercepted various hypersonic targets, including Russia's Avangard hypersonic aircraft and simpler missile forms. The system's capabilities extend to engaging intercontinental ballistic missile warheads, guided warheads, and shorter-range systems, effectively neutralizing airborne and aerospace threats when combined with other defense systems.

Experts attribute the S-500's effectiveness against hypersonic targets to advanced radars integrated with a sophisticated computational matrix. This setup enables real-time data processing, delivering precise guidance to launchers. Experts highlight the necessity for agile, high-speed missiles to engage hypersonic threats successfully. Hypersonic targets pose a unique challenge due to their lower detection range (300-500 kilometers) and rapid movement, requiring rapid computation and multiple missile launches for effective interception.

The S-500 Prometheus is a highly secretive defense system, first revealed in 2009 despite development starting much earlier. Details about its specifications remain undisclosed. The system can be rapidly deployed via military transport aircraft and complements existing air defense systems like the S-400. It features a diverse missile arsenal, including the 40N6 for aerodynamic targets and the 77N6 for ballistic missiles in near space.

Designed to protect vital national centers, the S-500 operates alongside the S-400, utilizing its long-range ammunition to engage targets beyond 400 kilometers. Key components of the S-500 system include a combat control station, long-range detection radar, anti-aircraft mechanisms, aviation division, anti-missile unit, and launcher.