Russian Military Receives Second Batch of New S-300V4 Air Defense Systems

Russia's Air Defense Forces have received their second batch of a new modification of the S-300 surface-to-air system, with expanded anti-aircraft, anti-cruise and anti-ballistic missile capabilities.

Almaz-Antei Air Defense Concern has delivered three batteries of the new S-300V4 system to the Russian military, which expects to deploy the new system in the Western Military District, according to a source in the Ministry of Defense.

The new system, designed between 2012-2014, is a modernized version of the S-300V3, with elements from versions of the S-300V Antei-2500 which were produced for export. It includes new, more advance computational components, which have expanded its range by 100 km (to 400 km), as well as its anti-missile defensive umbrella's effectiveness.

The new system, designed between 2012-2014, is a modernized version of the S-300V3, with elements from versions of the S-300V Antei-2500 which were produced for export. It includes new, more advance computational components, which have expanded its range by 100 km (to 400 km), as well as its anti-missile defensive umbrella's effectiveness. The Air Defense Forces received their first S-300V4 brigade in December 2014; the military had conducted successful testing of the new systems before that.

Military specialists estimate that the new system is 1.5-2.3 times more effective in its anti-missile defense capabilities. In addition to offering cruise and short-range tactical ballistic missile defense, the defensive system is capable of targeting medium-range ballistic missiles launched from a distance of up to 2,500 km away.

The military's contract with Almaz-Antei calls for the provision of nine S-300V4 brigades by 2020.