Russia Forms First Full Regiment of S-500 Long Range Air Defence Systems

<p >The Russian Armed Forces have formed their first full regiment equipped with <a href=" >S-500 long range air defence systems</a>, marking an important milestone in plans to deploy the advanced space warfare assets across the country. The deployment was confirmed by Chief of General Staff General Valery Gerasimov, although he did not elaborate on the number of batteries and radar systems in service. While each regiment of the older <a href=" target="_blank">S-400 air defence system</a> deploys 16 surface to air missile launchers alongside associated mobile radars and command centres, the number of launchers under each S-500 regiment remains unknown. Launchers for the S-500 system deploy two rather than four surface to air missiles, with their longest ranged missiles being able to engage targets up to 600 kilometres away, compared to 400km for the S-400 and 200km for the rival American THAAD and Patriot systems. Each S-400 regiment is made up of two battalions of eight launchers, although this may differ for the S-500. The new air defence system was notably not developed as a replacement for any pre-existing system, but rather to provide a new layer to Russia’s air defence network in between the more tactical level S-300 and S-400s, and the strategic level A-235 system which was designed for defence against ICBM attacks. </p><p ><img src=" title="Engagement Range of S-400 Systems Deployed in Russia and Crimea" ></p><p >Preceding the formation of the first full regiment, the S-500 has seen many deployments reported in the past for both testing and operational purposes. These are thought to have occurred at the battalion level. In June the head of the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence Directorate Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov reported that the Russian Armed Forces had <a href=" >deployed</a> in Kerch City near the disputed Crimean Peninsula, primarily to protect the Kerch Strait Bridge which links the territory to the Russian mainland. Preceding this, in December 2021 the systems were reported to have been <a href=" >operationalised</a> in the Arctic. While the S-400 system has the capability to intercept short, medium and intermediate range ballistic missiles, the S-500 system is capable of engaging targets at far higher speeds and altitudes, and is considered capable of targeting satellites, space aircraft and intercontinental range ballistic missiles. Pairing this capability with a high level of mobility makes the system entirely unique worldwide. The system’s very long engagement range allows it to pose a serious <a href=" target="_blank">threat to force multiplier assets</a> such as tankers and AEW&Cs that are vital to the functioning of NATO air power. The system is not optimised for engaging fighter sized targets, although its powerful sensors can network within those of other systems such as S-400s to help them engage stealth targets at longer ranges. </p>