A New Era in Air Defence: Russia’s S-500 System - Hype, hope or harbinger of high-tech arms race?

Russia has begun using its experimental S-500 air defence system with an impressive range of 370 miles (600 km) for targeting ballistic missiles and 310 miles (500 km) for air defences. The weapon is said to have a response time of 4 seconds and can target satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Developed by Almaz-Antey, this system is currently deployed to protect the Kerch Bridge, a crucial supply route for Russia into southern Ukraine.

The weapon system has a quick response time of 4 seconds and is claimed to be capable of targeting objects in low-Earth orbit (LEO), such as satellites.

The S-500 system has six main parts that work together:1.       77P6 Launch Vehicle: It is a specialized vehicle used to transport and launch missiles. It carries missiles to their launch sites and helps position them for firing, playing a crucial role in missile deployment

2.       55K6MA and 85Zh6-2 Command Posts: These are command posts used in military operations. They serve as control centres for managing and coordinating air defence systems. They process information from radars and other sensors to make strategic decisions and issue commands to intercept aerial threats

3.       91N6A(M) Acquisition and Battle Management Radar: It's a radar system that finds and tracks targets, detecting such objects as enemy aircraft or missiles and helps control the battle, providing information to manage and coordinate defence efforts

It's a high-tech radar that spots threats and helps direct the action to deal with them.

4.       96L6-TsP Acquisition Radar: This is a type of radar system used for detecting and tracking aerial targets. In other words, it is a high-tech radar that helps military forces spot, and follow, aircraft, missiles and other flying objects to protect airspace

5.       76T6 Multimode Radar: It is a flexible radar system that detects, and tracks, aerial targets. It can operate in different modes, allowing it to more effectively identify and monitor aircraft, missiles and other flying objects, thereby enhancing airspace security

6.       77T6 ABM Engagement Radar: A powerful radar system designed for Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) defence. It is used to detect, track and engage incoming ballistic missiles, helping protect against missile attacks

According to reports from the Kyiv Post and Interesting Engineering, these components are mounted on BAZ multi-wheeled trucks or trailers. However, the exact natur of the S-500’s capabilities are not yet proven. Its deployment followed the destruction of several S-300 and S-400 systems by Ukraine, which used American-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATacMS) rockets.

Capable of Firing Anti-Ballistic, Anti-Satellite Missiles

The S-500, also called Prometheus, has been in development for over 10 years. Launching the 40N6M missile for air defence or 77N6/77N6-N1 missile for anti-ballistic and anti-satellite purposes is its forte. For the first time, public footage surfaced of a live-fire test of the S-500 anti-ballistic missile system at Kapustin Yar, the name of a Russian rocket launch and development site for testing missiles and other aerospace technologies. The question remains whether this test involved the 40N6 missile, which is also used by the S-400, or one of the 77N6-series missiles. According to Interesting Engineering, it was, possibly, the 40N6 missile.

In April, Russia’s former defence minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the S-500 would start service this year. He mentioned that there would be two types of systems deployed—one for anti-missile defence and another for anti-aircraft defence.

Weapon Hits Target During Testing

In the 2018 testing, the weapon reportedly hit an airborne target at a range of 300 miles (482 km). Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s defence intelligence directorate (HUR) went on record saying that this would, basically, be an experimental application. The Kerch Bridge was always in use and would keep on being used as long as it stood, he added.

The Kerch Bridge, also known as the Crimean Bridge, is a significant structure that connects the Crimean Peninsula to mainland Russia. It spans the Kerch Strait and includes both a road and a rail bridge, facilitating transport and trade between the two regions.

Russia has faced difficulties in obtaining the precision electronics needed to produce missiles. Budanov said the move was “not surprising” since the Kremlin had been adding more air defence systems to the peninsula to compensate for the losses caused by Ukrainian long-range ATACMS missile attacks, according to Kyiv Post.

The Russian industries have had a hard time finding the precise electronics required to make hit-to-kill missiles. The prototype S-500 currently carries a warhead, although it has tested at least one 77N6 missile. According to Defense News, it is not a hit-to-kill missile and, so, is not the specialized anti-missile interceptor that the Kremlin had promised to provide according to Defence News.

(INSTC), a diverse transport route that connects the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea through Iran. From there, it extends to northern Europe via Saint Petersburg, in Russia.

Consequently, Chabahar Port is viewed as a key access point that could enhance India’s trade opportunities with Europe by offering a quicker route. According to industry estimates, shipping via the INSTC route could reduce transit time by 15 days compared to the traditional Suez Canal route.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own and do not reflect those of DNA.)

(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmai.com)