Moscow has announced that the first S-500-equipped air and missile defense regiment has been placed on active combat duty, marking a major milestone in Russia’s strategic air defense modernization.
The S-500 Prometheus, fielded by the Russian Aerospace Forces, is engineered to neutralize advanced aerial and missile threats, ranging from stealth aircraft and cruise missiles to ballistic missiles and low-orbit space assets.
Work on the S-500 began in 2010, soon after Russia inducted the S-400 into service in 2007. As reported by the state-run TASS news agency, the system was developed to operate alongside the S-400, filling the operational gap between battlefield air defenses and national-level strategic missile defense systems.
Designed by Almaz-Antey, the mobile S-500 launcher can carry either four 40N6M long-range missiles or two 77N6 hit-to-kill interceptors. The 40N6M missile offers an engagement range of about 400 kilometers, while the 77N6 interceptor series is believed to reach targets at distances of up to 600 kilometers.
The S-500’s radar architecture combines wide-area search radars with dedicated fire-control and engagement radars, enabling precise tracking of fast-moving, high-altitude threats. CSIS notes that each battery incorporates four distinct radar vehicles, providing detection ranges of up to 2,000 kilometers for ballistic targets and approximately 800 kilometers for airborne threats.
