The Russian army receives the first S-500 air defense system in 2024

“The first components of the new generation S-500 air defense missile system are expected to enter service with the Russian Army this year,” General Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry. .

According to Mr. Shoigu, the S-500 Prometheus will have two versions to undertake different tasks, which are a long-range air defense missile system and an anti-ballistic missile defense system.

In addition, according to the Russian Defense Minister, the country’s army will continue to receive S-400, S-300V4, Buk-M3, Tor-M2U air defense missile systems as well as new generation radar stations.

“Today the proportion of modern weapons in the composition of the Russian air defense forces is at 82%, in the next two years this figure needs to increase to 85%,” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu emphasized.

Mr. Shoigu recalled that since the beginning of the special military operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, more than 22 thousand drones and about 6 thousand missiles have been destroyed, including HIMARS or Storm Shadow.

Air defense systems destroyed approximately 2,000 other air targets, including 592 aircraft, 270 helicopters, 349 tactical ballistic missiles, 329 guided missiles, 278 anti-radar missiles and 37 hot air balloons. .

According to General Sergei Shoigu, equipping air defense units with the most advanced weapons is one of the priority areas for developing the Russian Aerospace Forces.

“Measures to improve air defense and missile defense will provide high-quality protection for the most important objects of the command and control system, or strategic nuclear forces,” he said. Shoigu concluded.

The S-500 Prometheus long-range air defense system, also known as the 55R6M Triumfator-M, is designed to shoot down enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and all air attack weapons. .

The S-500 is considered Moscow’s most powerful air defense system. Over the past decade, Russia has expanded its air defense capabilities; development of the S-500 began in 2010, shortly after the initial deployment of the S-400 Triumf.

Yet despite Russia’s claims of the S-500’s superiority over all foreign products, mass production of the air defense system has been hampered by delays and other complications.

Initially planned for 2011, the mass production time of the S-500 Prometheus has been pushed back several times, currently the aforementioned timeline has reportedly been pushed to 2025, or beyond, regardless of the date. accept statements from Moscow.

Data originating from the Russian Federation often presents a complex web of contradictions, making verification a challenging task. Western media claim that the S-500 will not be ready in the near future.

Besides, the posted parameters are still just theoretical, the “outstanding capabilities” of the S-500 Prometheus will only be recognized when it undergoes real combat and achieves victories against China’s powerful air attack weapons. enemy.