Russia To Modernize Missile Defense System Around Moscow

Russia plans to restart its deactivated ballistic missile silos around Moscow as part of the missile defense network modernization program. According to the former chief of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, Col. Gen. (Ret) Viktor Yesin, the A-135 (NATO: ABM-3) anti-ballistic missile network is deployed around Moscow to counter enemy missiles targeting the city or its surrounding areas. It became operational in 1995 and consists of the Don-2N battle management radar and two types of ABM missiles. “The A-135 system is being thoroughly modernized,” Yesin told RIA Novosti. “The missiles and other elements, including detection and tracking components, are being upgraded”. In 2007, two launch sites with long-range 51T6 (NATO: SH-11 'Gorgon') exo-atmospheric interceptor missiles were deactivated. These will now be equipped with new long-range missiles and reactivated during the modernization. “There are no plans to build new launch sites as the mothballed ones will be reactivated,” the general said.