Riding the crest

The Russian Armed Forces will continue to procure new S-400 surface-to-air missile systems in 2012, First Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov revealed in mid-October. The troops are set to receive their third and fourth regiments of S-400’s, manufactured by Almaz-Antey Concern. Russia’s Aerospace Defense Tactical and Strategic Command currently operates two such regiments; the first one was put on combat duty in 2007-08, and the second was added earlier this year. According to Sukhorukov, the military has already signed two new long-term contracts with Almaz-Antey through 2020.

Almaz-Antey is one of Russia’s leading defense companies. It was set up in 2002 through a merger of two historically rival missile houses - NPO Almaz (used to cater to the Air Defense Troops, was most known for its S-300P SAM system) and Antey Concern (specialized in air defense systems for the Ground Troops, including the S-300V). Almaz-Antey is the designated integrator of all air defence missile manufacturers in Russia, for the exception of MANPADS and some short-range specimens. Its current models include the S-400 Triumf, S-300PMU2 Favorit and S-300V long-range ground-based SAM systems; the medium-range Buk series and short-range Tor series. The company is developing the new S-500 long-range, Vityaz medium-range, and Morfey short-range SAM systems. It also offers mid-life upgrade solutions for Soviet-made SAMs, and assists a number of counties in developing their own air defense systems.