MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. Modernization potential of the S-400 Triumph air defense system allows it to quickly neutralize emerging threats in the zone of the special military operation. As a result, the anti-aircraft missile system has acquired new capabilities and features uncharacteristic of air defense systems, CEO of Russia’s arms manufacturing concern Almaz-Antey Yan Novikov has told TASS.
"The world today is experiencing a rapidly evolving scientific and technological revolution, with the defense industry being one of its hottest spots. The speed of change leaves us no room for delay in responding to new challenges. One such response is the enormous modernization potential of the S-400 air defense missile system, which allows us to quickly mitigate emerging threats during the special military operation. Owing to this potential, the Triumph has acquired new capabilities and properties that are generally uncharacteristic of air defense systems," he said.
The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly reported the successful use of the S-400 air defense system. For instance, on November 19, 2024, the Ukrainian army delivered a strike on a target in the Bryansk Region with six US-made ATACMS missiles. Combat crews of the S-400 air defense system and short-range air defense missile systems intercepted five missiles and damaged one. There were no casualties or damage.
On November 23-25, 2024, Ukrainian forces launched two strikes with long-range Western weapons on targets in the Kursk Region, including eight ATACMS missiles targeting the Kursk Vostochny airfield in the settlement of Khalino. Seven missiles were intercepted by S-400 air defense missile systems and short-range air defense missile systems, however one missile hit the target, causing minor damage to infrastructure.
On December 18, 2024, Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Combine in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles. These missiles were also intercepted thanks to the combined efforts of the S-400 system and medium-and short-range air defense missile systems.
Most recently, on November 18, Kiev attempted a missile strike against civilian targets deep inside Russia, firing four ATACMS missiles on Voronezh. During the anti-missile engagement, crews of Russia’s S-400 system and Pantsir short-range air defense missile ang gun system intercepted all enemy missiles.
A Russian defense industry source told TASS in August that the S-400 was demonstrating the highest interception efficiency against Ukrainian missiles. According to the source, since late 2023, the enemy has been actively attempting to use anti-aircraft missile systems against Russia’s Su-34 and Su-35 fighters. Over the past 18 months, Russian air defense crews have intercepted nearly two dozen Western-made surface-to-air missiles attacking Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft at supersonic speeds. Over the past 18 months, Russian air defense crews have intercepted nearly two dozen Western-made anti-aircraft guided missiles attacking Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft, about half of them were MIM-104D missiles of the US-made Patriot surface-to-air missile system.
Operation Sindoor
The S-400 Triumph system has proven effective abroad. Following the April 22 terrorist attack in the tourist town of Pahalgam (Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir), New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking terrorist-linked targets in Pakistan. Russian-made military equipment in service with the Indian Armed Forces was deployed in the operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi subsequently stated that India's air defense, reinforced with the S-400 system, was the decisive factor in the operation. He then visited the Adampur Air Force Station (in the state of Punjab in northwestern India), where he posed for a photo with an S-400.