S-400 Triumf ready for service

Russia begins production of new missile
October 17, 2003 Posted: 13:47 Moscow time (09:47 GMT)

MOSCOW – The Triumf anti-aircraft missile system has been approved for service use and serial production, Igor Ashurbeili, General Director of the Almaz research and production group, told reporters on Thursday.

According to him, a government commission tested the missile system last summer, and the tests were successful. Mr. Ashurbeili said that so far, old missiles would be used in Triumf systems, and new missiles would be supplied as old stockpiles ran out. At the same time, he did not specify the date when the new missile system would be deployed, saying that this was classified information.

The Triumf system has a range of 400km. It can be used both against high-flying strategic and ballistic missiles and against cruise missiles like the Tomahawk, which fly low and are effective against targets in woodland and rugged terrain.

The new system is capable of detecting and destroying early-warning aircraft and tactical and strategic aircraft. It can also intercept warheads flying at a speed of 4,800 km per hour.

(trials were conducted last year, including deployment of the first system around Moscow).