Global Air Defence...
...continued from page 11 uty Defence Minister Yuri Borisov “Work is underway to create a new fifth-generation air defence system S-500 which can destroy aerodynamic and ballistic targets of all types at all altitudes used in combat.”
The S-400 systems would continue to be supplied to the Aerospace Defence Troops this year. The system “is about 2-2.5 times better than existing systems in terms of cost efficiency.”S-400 Triumf air defence systems were put on combat duty in Russia’s Southern Military District at the end of last year to replace S-300PM missiles. Supplies of new air defence systems to the 4th Air Force and Air Defence Command in the District started in 2009. Since then, more than 60 pieces of new military hardware have been delivered and put into operation. The Triumf system is about two times more effective that previous systems. Each system can attack 10 targets with up to 20 missiles. The S-400 uses three different missiles to cover its entire performance envelope. The Russian Ministry of Defence has stated that the S-400 is for the Russian armed forces only; it will not be exported to other countries.
China’s Capabilities
The People’s Liberation Army of China has developed the KT series of anti ballistic missiles and also have adopted limited anti ballistic capabilities on the HQ-9, KS series, and HQ-16. China successfully tested its exoatmospheric interception capability in a test in 2010 and also in a test in 2013, being the second of two countries able to do so.
Turkey’s Contribution
Roketsan of Turkey was founded on June 14, 1988, to enable the Defense Industries Executive Committee to meet the rocket and missile requirements of the Turkish armed forces (TSK). Roketsan has the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) project; trigger control system of Patriot missile and its integration; low altitude air defence (LAAD) missile project and the medium altitude air defence (MAAD) missile system project. Under an agreement concluded between ASELSAN and Roketsan, a LAAD missile system with an infrared sensor head and which can be launched vertically is being developed against airborne targets (helicopter, combat aircraft, UAV etc.) A MAAD missile system, with infrared seeker head and vertical launch capability against airborne targets (helicopters, fighter aircraft, UAV’s, etc.) is also being developed under the scope of the contract between ASELSAN and Roketsan.
ESSM is a semi-active, guided missilefired against guided missiles from sea surface platforms for defence purposes. The requesting authority in ESSM project is NATO Sea-Sparrow Guided Missile System Consortium. Roketsan currently functions in the programme as the party responsible from the work package containing various mechanical and composite parts.