By IDI

At a time when the world is hotly debating the geopolitical repercussions of the S-400 long-range-air-defence-system, Russia is ready with a new medium-range surface-to-air-missile system capable of intercepting aerial targets up to 120km. Based on the S-300PS, the S-350 Vityaz, armed with 9M96E/E2 missiles, can intercept aerial targets in all direction, said a Russian expert in an interview to Red Star, the Russian defence ministry’s mouthpiece.

In May, after exhaustive test, the Russian military accepted the S-350 missile system. The system is now ready for mass production which is expected to commence soon. 

Speaking on S-350 Colonel Yuri MURAVKIN, deputy head of the Air Force's anti-aircraft missile force, said that the development of the system began in 2010 to replace the S-300PS medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems which are in service since over three decades.

Armed with highly manoeuvrable 9M96E/E2 missiles, with a top speed of around 5 mach, the S-350 can intercept any kind of aerial targets between 5 m to 30 km of heights. This makes it one of the most suitable anti-cruise missile systems.

Talking on the S-350 role in Russian aerial defence, Col MURAVKIN informed that it will be deployed with the border and coastal anti-aircraft missile regiments of the Aerospace Forces.

At present, the air defence training centre, located in the Leningrad region, is preparing the training manuals and trainers are being trained with the help of the developing agency. Training of the first batch of S-350 troops is expected to commence in 2020.

The S-350 missile system consists of 1/2 50N6A multifunctional passively electronically scanned array radar systems which provide 360 coverage, 50K6A  command post, 50P6 launchers with 12 9M96E missiles. It can also fire 9M100 a short-range, IR-passive missile with a maximum range of 10 km.

The system is mounted on BAZ-6909 8x8 chassis.