Russia to begin testing modern S-500 missiles in 2020

Moscow, Dec 28 (Prensa Latina) Russia will begin testing the S-500 missile system in 2020, while the new Sirena-M command missile system is expected to reach the rocket forces next year, Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said on Saturday.

The first serial model of the S-500 will go into production in 2025, Krivourchko was quoted as saying by the Kraasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) newspaper.

According to the journal, the S-500 is composed of several elements, including remote sensing radars, components for tracking and destroying aircraft or similar objects and other elements for tracking and destroying missiles.

The objective of the anti-aircraft system is to eliminate intercontinental ballistic missiles in their medium or final phase of flight, devices in special near-Earth orbits, medium- and short-range hypersonic missiles, drones and other targets.

Krivoruchko also clarified that the Sirena-M mobile ramps will also be tested in 2020 and go into series production from 2025.

In addition, the Russian Navy will receive new atomic submarines from the Borei-A project, two from the Yasen-M project, two frigates from the 22350 project and two universal landing ships, the deputy minister said.

The Russian general also referred to a three-year contract with the companies of the military industrial complex to produce Yars missiles for three mobile regiments, as well as the Sirena-M mobile command systems.

The entry of the new armaments to the rocket forces brings the level of their modernization to 76 percent, while it is expected to reach 92 percent by 2022, Krivoruchko said.