MOSCOW, January 28 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia will start supplying S-400 Triumf air defence systems to Belarus and Kazakhstan after 2015 when its own new plants launch serial production of Almaz-Antey-designed S-400 and S-500 systems for the Space Defence Troops, a source in the government’s Military-Industrial Commission said.
“Once serial production of these systems begin, we will have to rearm up to 30 air defence regiments with S-400 systems and supply about ten S-500 squadrons to the Space Defence Troops by 2020 under the governmental armament programme,” the source told Itar-Tass on Saturday.
“As we meet the needs of the Space Defence Troops, we will be able to start supplying S-400 systems to Belarus and Kazakhstan after 2015,” the source added.
In February 2011, Vladimir Popovkin, who was first deputy defence minister at that time, said that regular S-400 supplies to the army were scheduled until 2020 to arm 28 air defence regiments.
He also said that Almaz-Antey was designing the unique long-range S-500 air defence system capable of intercepting ballistic targets at high altitudes.
“They plan to finish all design work in 2013 and start regular supplies to the army in 2015. A total of ten S-500 squadrons will be supplied,” Popovkin said.