Russia Activates New Moscow Missile Defenses

Russia today activated its medium-range S-400 Triumph air-defense system around Moscow, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, July 17).

“The new antiaircraft rocket system will defend Moscow's sky,” said Russian air force chief Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin.

A second regiment of the S-400 Triumph rockets are scheduled to be deployed in 2008, said Igor Ashurbeily, director of the Almaz facility that designed the weapons.

Russia last month conducted a successful test of the S-400 Triumph.

The S-400 Triumph missiles were originally due for deployment in 2001.  They have a range of 250 miles — twice the range of the U.S. Patriot missile — and are intended to destroy medium-range ballistic missiles and aircraft (Agence France-Presse/Philippine Star, Aug. 6).

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