Context:
PM of India and President of Russia to meet during the India–Russia Summit. Defence ministers expected to discuss India’s potential acquisition of Russia’s next-generation S-500 air defence system.
S-500 Prometey Air Defence System
Purpose:
- Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air and anti-space defence system.
- Capable of intercepting:
- Aircraft
- Ballistic missiles
- Hypersonic weapons
- Low-orbit satellites
Key Features
- Ultra-long Range: Intercepts targets up to 600 km away.
- Near-Space Interception: Operates at altitudes up to 200 km, including low-Earth-orbit objects.
- Hypersonic Interceptors: Missiles 77N6-N / 77N6-N1 travel at Mach 5–7 using hit-to-kill accuracy.
- Multi-Target Engagement: Can neutralize stealth jets, ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, and drones.
- Advanced Radar Suite: 91N6A(M) & 96L6-TsP radars detect threats up to 800 km, including stealth aircraft.
