Footage released on Wednesday shows new anti-aircraft S-400 Triumph systems participating in drills at the Kapustin Yar test range in the Astrakhan region, Russia. The acceptance into service was preceded by a last round of user trials that included the successful interception of multiple aerial targets. The S-400 systems practiced destroying low-flying, high-speed, highly maneuverable targets; relocation after completing combat missions; countering diversion groups and moving through contaminated areas.
Russian state-owned arms maker Almaz-Antey has delivered its last S-400 Triumf long-range air defense (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) regiment for 2018 to the Russian armed forces ahead of schedule. The new unit brings the total number of deployed S-400 regiments currently in service with the Russian armed forces to 27. Overall, the Russian Ministry of Defense accepted a total of four S-400 regiments into service in 2o18. The military last took delivery of an S-400 regiment in October; previous deliveries took place in August and July.
In a boost to the military’s anti-access/aerial denial capabilities, the Russian MOD expects to deploy at least 56 S-400 battalions or 28 regiments by 2020. The S-400 has not been deployed in actual combat but is considered to be one of the most advanced interceptor-based long-range air defense systems in the world. It reportedly is capable of engaging up to 36 targets simultaneously and can be armed with a host of different missiles. The S-400 can reportedly fire missiles at a rate 2.5 times faster the S-300 and be used against a wide array of aerial targets, including stand-off jammer aircraft, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles.
