Confidence from above

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force told how the defense of Moscow and the Central Federal District will change

Colonel General Alexander Zelin promised on Saturday that the Russian capital and the center of the country will soon be protected by a “significant number” of anti-aircraft guns. missile S-400 and S-500 systems. He also stated that the Russian fifth-generation aircraft will surpass “all the best world analogues” and commented on the deployment of the Russian Air Force in Abkhazia.

In priority order

The air defense of Moscow and the Central industrial region of the Russian Federation is rearming with new types weapons, including on C-400 anti-aircraft missile systems and in the future C-500, Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said on Saturday.

“We have a system Defense Moscow and the Central Industrial Region (CIR), which functions, fulfilling its tasks, naturally undergoes changes, is re-equipped with new types of weapons,” RIA quotes him as saying.News».

Alexander Zelin emphasized that all issues related to the air defense of the Russian capital and the central missile defense are resolved within the established time frame - how aviation, and directly by the air defense forces. And to improve this protection, the Russian army will acquire modern equipment.

“Before 2020, we will purchase a very significant amount of C-400. This is not about a few anti-aircraft shelves, but about a significantly larger number. It is also about the C-500 anti-aircraft missile systems, ”the Air Force Commander stressed.

He is convinced that the delivery schedule will be maintained: "All plans that we have proposed, reviewed and approved, since the development of air defense, aerospace defense and missile defense are a priority in the construction of the Russian Armed Forces," he explained earlier to ITAR -TASS

It should be noted that now there are three divisions of the C-400 “Triumph” anti-aircraft missile systems (ZRK) in service with the Russian army. The first division was put on combat duty in 2007 year in Elektrostal near Moscow.

The Triumph SAM system is designed to destroy aircraft made using Stealth technology, small-sized cruise and tactical missiles, as well as ballistic missile warheads flying at speeds up to 4,8 km. C-400 can simultaneously replace three C-400 systems.

As for the C-500 system being developed, Major-General Sergei Popov, head of the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Air Force, said a month ago that she would be able to destroy even prospective air targets. “Those modern airplanes that our probable adversary has and are currently developing are not a big problem even for satisfactorily prepared calculations of anti-aircraft missile forces,” he explained.

“The new system, which is currently being developed, C-500, has taken the next next step, at least advancing our likely adversary by 15-20 years,” said Sergei Popov.

Also the best

“To surpass all the best world analogues” will be the newest fifth-generation Russian aircraft - a promising front-line aviation complex (PAK FA) T-50, which is being built by Sukhoi, said Alexander Zelin, commander-in-chief of the air force, on Saturday.

He particularly noted that there are currently no organizational or technical problems to solve this task: "Everything is going according to plan, within the established deadlines. In 2013, we should receive a preliminary conclusion that will allow us to begin purchasing new aircraft. From 2015, the aircraft will begin to enter service," the commander-in-chief said, adding that the Air Force command plans to purchase more than 60 T-50 aircraft.

Earlier, First Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin said: “With this machine, the sequence is as follows: For the time being, we are testing one machine. By the end of this year, another aircraft should appear. During 2011 – 2012, we plan to complete all tests of the PAK FA glider. And in 2013, we will conclude a contract for an installation batch of ten aircraft to test the entire aircraft armament range.

To confirm its tactical and technical characteristics, you need to perform about 3 thousand flights. If the work went only with two cars, it would have taken ten years. ”

“We hope to complete the first phase of testing by the end of 2013. And with the 2016, we will start the mass purchase of fully tested machines, along with aviation weapons and ground-based technological equipment, ”he concluded. At the moment, the needs of the Air Force in aircraft of this type are estimated at 50 – 100 machines. “It’s hard to say how much you can get. Everything will depend on funding. But in any case, such orders are registered in the new program, ”said Popovkin.

No threats

Commenting on the bases of the Russian air force in Abkhazia, Zelin said on the air of Ekho Moskvy radio station: “We don’t seek to threaten anyone, we simply solve the tasks we have set.” The high-ranking military officer reminded that there are relevant agreements between the Russian Federation and Abkhazia. He also noted that the flights of the Russian Air Force from the Babushar airfield in Sukhum will be resumed.

“I do not see any problems with the presence of the Russian Air Force in Abkhazia. We, together with the leadership of Abkhazia, should reanimate and ensure regular flights from the airfield in Sukhumi so that Abkhazia can communicate with the whole world, no matter what, ”the commander of the Air Force emphasized.

Recall, after the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force announced that Russia had deployed the C-300 system on the territory of Abkhazia, on Wednesday, Georgian State Minister for Reintegration Temur Yakobashvili described it as “an inadequate step of Russia towards Georgia”.


At the same time, in his opinion, the deployment of the Russian C-300 system on the territory of Abkhazia is directed more against NATO and the US, which deploy their missile defense systems in Eastern Europe, rather than against Georgia.