Recognition of superiority: analysts of the US Congress evaluated the Russian S-400 air defense system

The Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system poses serious challenges to the US Armed Forces, according to a report by the US Congressional Research Service (ISK).

RT got acquainted with the text of the document, which analyzes the capabilities of the air defense systems of the States and other countries.

“One of the elements of an integrated air defense system that may pose the most serious challenge for the US Armed Forces is the Russian-developed S-400 anti-aircraft missile system.

It is equipped with radars with a range of up to 400 km, as well as missiles of comparable range.

It is not a fact that the enemy will launch a missile to a target located at the maximum distance, but such a reserve provides additional maneuverability within a radius of 400 km for more effective destruction of the target, ”the ISK stressed.

According to analysts, potential "opponents" of the United States - Russia, China and Iran - see the air force as the main advantage of the United States in conducting military operations.

As a result, some of these countries began developing integrated air defense systems "to counter US military capabilities."

Thus, Moscow and Beijing have been working on anti-access / area denial, or A2 / AD systems for more than ten years in an attempt to “prevent the US Armed Forces from gaining access to certain territories and regions,” the Research Service said. ...

"The potential of A2 / AD systems, including integrated air defense systems, continues to grow, and as a result, the distance from which the US military must operate in order to avoid detection and possible damage is increasing," the report says.

As noted, modern air defense systems pose a problem for the American military, because they represent a distributed network, and not a specific sensor or missile that needs to be neutralized.

Nevertheless, according to analysts, the Pentagon already has a number of developments capable of countering such air defense.

For example, stealth technologies, long-range missiles and radar suppression equipment.

The carriers of such systems are the F-35 fighter, the EA-19G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, the B-2 Spirit strategic bomber, and the AGM-158 JASSM and AGM-88E AARGM missiles are among the weapons equipped with new technologies, the document says.

In addition, the US Department of Defense is working on the creation of long-range high-precision fire systems, in particular, a strategic long-range cannon and a high-precision strike missile, the ISK emphasizes.

However, according to the service, the military department may be limited in its ability to conduct tests and exercises at ranges using modern integrated air defense systems.

The report clarifies that the Pentagon has asked Congress for additional landfill space.

In connection with this application, analysts advised parliamentarians to consider options for real estate transactions, including the transfer or exchange of federal lands, as well as establish conditions for their withdrawal.

In addition, it was advised there to invite the Pentagon to explore the possibility of replacing physical space with virtual space for training in the use of weapons.

• Pentagon

• AFP

"Trying to hide your fiasco"

The findings of the Congressional Research Service testify to the recognition of the superiority of Russian air defense systems and confirm the fact that the United States still does not have full-fledged weapons capable of overcoming them, says Andrei Koshkin, a member of the Academy of Military Sciences.

“This is a recognition of the success of our military community and enterprises of the military-industrial complex.

American experts make it clear that the Russian air defense system has been tested in hostilities, and the United States so far does not even have the opportunity to test weapons at its test site, "he said in an interview with RT.

Meanwhile, military expert Alexei Leonkov clarified that Russia has gone far ahead in the development of air defense systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, interspecific radar stations and other means of protecting airspace.

In his opinion, the United States has been working on an analogue of the S-400 for several years, and statements about the lack of space are just an excuse for unsuccessful attempts.

“The Americans have been trying to uncover the secrets of the S-400 since the days of the Syrian campaign.

After Russia deployed an air defense system near the Khmeimim air base to protect it from air attacks, attempts to open the complex did not stop for a day.

Reconnaissance flights were carried out, provocations were carried out with the participation of a B-52 bomber, but all to no avail.

And now, in order to somehow cover up their fiasco, the United States said that there is not enough space for testing at proving grounds, ”Leonkov added.

"Triumph" in the arms market

The S-400 anti-aircraft missile system is capable of striking all known aircraft, including drones, fifth-generation fighters with stealth technology and reconnaissance aircraft, as well as operational-tactical missiles.

"Triumph" is designed to protect the most important strategic objects and can destroy aerodynamic targets flying at speeds up to 4.8 km / s.

The S-400 is equipped with radar systems that are capable of detecting a target at a distance of up to 600 km.

In this case, the range of damage is from 1 to 200-250 km.

The potential of the complex was previously positively commented on by various American publications.

So, in the private intelligence agency Stratfor "Triumph" was called one of the most effective in the world.

And The National Interest has suggested that the S-400 will remain in use for decades due to its versatility, despite the emergence of the next generation air defense system.

• Unloading the Russian S-400 air defense system from a cargo plane in Ankara

• AFP

• © TURKISH DEFENCE MINISTRY

Thanks to these properties, the Russian complex is still in demand on the international arms market.

Contracts for the supply of air defense systems have been signed with China, Turkey and India.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, Algeria, Iraq and other countries also showed interest in weapons.

In January, it became known about the plans of Belarus to equip its anti-aircraft missile forces with Russian S-400s.

However, the export of "Triumph", apparently, does not suit the authorities of the United States.

Last year, Washington imposed sanctions on Ankara for the purchase of the Russian complex.

The country's Defense Industry Directorate and four Turkish officials fell under the restrictions.

As explained in the United States, the restrictions were introduced in accordance with the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Turkey condemned such pressure from the Western partner and did not refuse to cooperate with the Russian Federation within the framework of the contract.

The Russian Foreign Ministry, in turn, said that Washington's decision does not add credibility to the United States in the international arena.

“This, of course, is another manifestation of an arrogant attitude towards international law, a manifestation of illegitimate, unilateral, coercive measures that the United States has been using for many years (already decades) left and right,” commented the head of the department, Sergei Lavrov.

According to military expert Andrei Koshkin, the American authorities are fighting for an expensive arms market.

However, instead of offering a competitive product, they use mostly dishonest methods.

“The United States imposes sanctions on those who acquire high-tech weapons.

Thus, they want to stop the process as much as possible and, probably, will continue to resist, using all possible forms of intimidation, pressure and blackmail, "the interlocutor of RT concluded.