Russia possesses an extraordinary air defense weapon that is unmatched in the world, according to the American magazine Military Watch. The country also produces more ammunition for air defense than all NATO countries combined.
The missile in question is the 40N6, used by the S-400 systems to target distances of up to 400 kilometers. Its unique trajectory, which ascends to extreme heights in near-space before descending towards its target, provides unprecedented capabilities to engage targets beyond the horizon. It also allows for the neutralization of targets near the missile’s range at a height of just 5 meters above the ground. This enables S-400 units to effectively engage low-flying aircraft and long-range cruise missiles, a feat that no foreign air defense system can achieve due to the limitations imposed by the Earth’s curvature on surface-to-air ammunition following conventional trajectories.
The article highlights that Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials have stated that the country produces ground-to-air missiles in larger quantities than all other countries combined. While the exact scale of Chinese and North Korean production remains uncertain, it is evident that Russia holds a comfortable lead over the collective production capacities of all NATO countries.
The magazine emphasizes that these production capabilities have enabled Russia to supply S-400 systems to Belarus and India, thereby bolstering its own defenses while replenishing missiles depleted during operations in Ukraine.
According to Military Watch, this level of production capacity has been largely achieved through the construction of three major new facilities: the new wing of the Obukhov Plant in St. Petersburg, the extensively modernized Avitek plant in Kirov, and the NMP factory in Nizhny Novgorod.
In October, Russia announced the adaptability of its air defense systems to counter ATACMS.
Previously, the commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that Russia has an advantage in the use of FPV drones.
