It is reported that complications have arisen with the armament of the Aerospace Defense Forces of the Russian Federation. This is evidenced by the fact that the development of the new Russian air defense system (anti-aircraft missile system) S-500 has been postponed for another 2 years. Thus, this air defense system will enter service with the Russian army only by 2017 (and not in 2015). Although initially it was reported about the supply of this type of weapon by 2012-2013.
The S-500 anti-aircraft missile system, which is being developed by JSC GSKB Almaz-Antey, will perform both anti-missile and air defense missions. It is capable of operating at an altitude of over two hundred kilometers. Compared to the previous generation (S-400 Triumph air defense system), the S-500 air defense system is distinguished by a more advanced radar capable of identifying targets at a distance of 800 kilometers, as well as an interceptor missile that strikes targets flying at a speed of 7 km / s. In addition, the S-500 system is distinguished by very good maneuverability, which is achieved due to its compactness. It is planned to put 10 S-500 divisions into service with the VKO troops.
Now on the territory of the Russian Federation - near Moscow and in the Far East - new S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems are being installed instead of the S-300, which have long depleted their resource. However, in the field of the combat capability of the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces, the stake was placed on the S-500 complexes, and not on the S-400. Experts warn that in the current situation associated with the delay in the development of the S-500, the Russian missile defense system is in fact in a very vulnerable position. The postponement is associated with the development of a large number of new technologies (this takes time), as well as with the organizational problems of the manufacturer.
Thus, Igor Ashurbeyli was dismissed from the post of General Director of Almaz for disrupting the tasks of the 2010 state defense order related to the supply of the S-400 systems and the delay in the creation of the S-500. Ashurbeyli himself sees the reason for his resignation in the outbreak of the war for the financial resources of the state defense order and in exports on the subject of VKO. According to him, the Ministry of Defense opposed his resignation. Ashurbeyli also said that everything was going according to the plan, and the work on the technical design of the S-500 system was completed by the beginning of 2011.
According to Vitaly Neskorodov, the new general director of GSKB Almaz-Antey, the company has moved the development date of the S-500 to 2015 due to organizational problems, rather than technological or technical ones. Such problems are largely due to the fact that after the death of Alexander Lemansky, who was the creator of the S-400, for a year and a half the general designer was absent from the enterprise.
Neskorodov confirmed that the technical design work that defines the appearance of the system was indeed completed in 2011. However, it was necessary to work on the technical project for 1, 5-2 years (and they worked for 3 years), since the plan for the development of the S-500 air defense system involves the creation of the complex in 6 years. In this regard, the head of the enterprise believes that so far there is nothing to be proud of, because in half the time allotted for the creation of the complex, the specialists of the enterprise managed to complete only the technical design stage. And this is only a small part of the huge amount of work that needs to be done before the system is put into service.
According to the general director of the enterprise, the first samples of individual means of the C-500 air defense system in hardware can be seen at the end of 2012, after which the system will be tested.
Vitaly Neskorodov, referring to the secrecy of the information, did not talk about the features that distinguish the S-500 complex, but noted that this system is completely new, in no way resembling the S-400 system, due to the latest technical solutions used in its development. They allow solving problems at a more qualitative and quantitative level. According to Neskorodov, the S-500 system is not a typical air defense system in its usual form. It will represent something more. According to the project, the system will in no way be inferior to the best analogs in the world.
The head of Almaz-Antey does not share the concerns expressed about the vulnerability of the Russian missile defense system in the absence of the S-500. Neskorodov noted that a program is currently underway that involves overhaul and modernization of the S-300 of previous generations to the level of the Favorit system, which is the pinnacle of the development of this complex.
Vitaly Neskorodov assured that the technical solutions that are used in "Favorite" are fully up to date. The specialist argues that there is a strict logical relationship between the delivery times of new generation systems and the procedure for modernizing old complexes, so there is no reason for concern.
The general director of the enterprise said that GSKB Almaz-Antey had completely eliminated all overdue obligations to the RF Ministry of Defense under the state defense order. The company is now working on a normal delivery schedule. In addition, the fulfillment of all deliveries of the S-400 air defense system was ensured: the enterprise handed over and installed the third set of the system in the Kaliningrad region.
Recall that VKO was created in 2001 and is associated with the formation of the Space Forces in Russia. In 2010, by order of President Dmitry Medvedev, the Aerospace Defense Forces were created. In his Address to the Federal Assembly, the President made a proposal to unite the air defense and missile defense systems, space control and missile attack warning under a single strategic command.
In an ultimatum to the Americans over the stalled talks on missile defense systems, Dmitry Medvedev ordered measures to be taken to strengthen Russia's anti-missile shield. According to this order, from December 1, the Aerospace Defense Forces took up combat duty.
Last week, during a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who is responsible for the development of the military-industrial complex, Medvedev announced the start of production of the missile destruction system of the East Kazakhstan region in the very near future. Such systems will be in demand not only in Russia, but also abroad.
Rogozin, in turn, reported to the president about the start of construction in Russia of new plants, where the production of air defense and missile defense systems will take place. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, a similar enterprise in Nizhny Novgorod will produce weapons worth 6 billion rubles every year and will provide jobs for 5 thousand people. The military plant in Kirov will provide 3,000 more jobs.
