S-300/400

And the debate continues. To answer a few questions, the current S-300PMU-1 and the Patriot have similar max ranges in the realm of 80 NM. The S-400 can engage targets at 400km, but these would usually be HVA’s, such as AWACS or J-STARS, which have no realistic hope of outmaneuvering a SAM to begin with. A fighter on the other hand would easily be able to outmaneuver the SAM at that range, as there wouldn’t be sufficient kinetic energy available to deal with a highly maneuvering target. Not to mention that an AWACS can’t turn and run away at Mach 2 if the need arises.

Keep in mind, the Patriot also is based on -80’s technology, and both the Patriot and the S-300 have been continuously upgraded during their careers.

The S-300 is a true “umbrella” SAM system, capable of engaging anything from cruise missiles to TBMs. The Patriot only now has a true ATBM capability in its PAC-3 form now, and surely the latest S-300/400 SAMs have had their ATBM capability upgraded.

Any more questions?