Russia plans to complete the development of the advanced S-500 air defence system by 2015-2016, Almaz-Antei design bureau deputy general director Yury Solovyev has said.

The delay is due to a lack of reliable and efficient electronic components.

The S-500 long-range missile system is expected to become the backbone of Russia’s unified aerospace defense system, which is currently being formed.

The missile system will have an extended range of up to 600km and is capable of engaging ten targets simultaneously.

The system is also expected to be capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and hypersonic cruise missiles, according to RIA Novosti.