The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided to supply the S-300 surface-to-air missile (SAM) defence system to Kazakhstan, a senior Russian military official has revealed.
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Russia Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying during a visit to the Central Asian state that approximately five battalions of S-300PS systems are expected to be supplied free-of-cost from the inventory of the Russian Army.
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The S-300 delivery will enhance protection of Kazakhstan’s airspace and also strengthen the air defence network of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) military alliance, Antonov added.
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Kazakhstan reportedly has several S-300 systems deployed, primarily around the capital city Astana.
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Russia also signed an agreement to establish an integrated regional air defence network with Kazakhstan in January 2013, according to the news agency.
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The S-300 variant to be supplied to Kazakhstan includes the S-300PS, which was introduced to the Soviet armed forces in 1985, and has an operational range of 90km.
Code-named SA-10 Grumble, the system features 5V55R missiles, and is designed to lock in on a target following launch using an active detection system that steers the missile directly at the target.
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Developed by NPO Almaz Bureau, the S-300 is a mobile, long-range air defence system designed to detect, track and destroy incoming cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and high and low-flying strike aircraft.
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The high-precision missile system is capable of tracking up to 100 simultaneous targets from a distance of 150km, and requires no maintenance over its lifetime.
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Different S-300 variants featuring different missiles and improved radars are currently operational with Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Russia, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam.
Image: A S-300 anti-aircraft missile system at the Victory Parade at Red Square in Russia. Photo: courtesy of kremlin.ru.
