Original title: Is the world‘s first hypersonic weapon defense system in service? Russian media: Russian military purchases the first 10 sets of S-500
[环球网报道 记者 张海潮]A source at the Russian company Almaz-Antey said that the Russian Ministry of Defense signed the contract with the company for the first batch of S-500 air defense and anti-missile systems, and mass deliveries will begin in the first half of 2022. Earlier on July 20, S-500 successfully intercepted a ballistic missile target during a test fire. Russian media have mentioned that S-500 has the ability to intercept hypersonic missiles. If it is true, it will be the world‘s first hypersonic weapon defense system to be put into service. The first set will be deployed in the Moscow region.
According to TASS News Agency’s report on July 29, the source said that the Russian Ministry of Defense and the “Diamond-Antai” company signed a contract to deliver more than 10 sets of S-500 “Prometheus” air defense systems to the Russian Aerospace Forces. . Volume shipments will begin in the first half of 2022.
The source also revealed that “the national test of S-500 is currently being carried out at a test site in southern Russia” and the test is expected to end by the end of 2021. The current S-500 air defense systems are all land-based models, “if necessary, it can be used on naval vessels.”
The TASS news agency reported earlier that the Russian Ministry of Defense stated on July 20 that the new-generation air defense and anti-missile system S-500 had undergone a combat launch test at the Kapustin Yar range and successfully hit a fast-moving ballistic (missile) target. After the entire test cycle is completed, the first S-500 system will be distributed to the air defense and anti-missile forces in the Moscow region.
The Russian Defense Minister has previously stated that the Russian army will start purchasing the S-500 system in 2020.
According to reports, there is currently no air defense and anti-missile system similar to the S-500 in the world, and the S-500 will replace the active S-400 in the future.
It has been mentioned in relevant Russian media reports that the S-500 has the ability to intercept hypersonic missiles. If it is true, it will be the first hypersonic weapon defense system put into use in the world.
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