Russia's defence sector has been heavily
reliant on export revenues since the
collapse of the USSR and as a result
from the 1990s the policy of refraining
from exporting the best air defense
systems was dropped. It has this long been speculated that
like the S-400 before it, the S-500 will
be marketed for export even before the
russian military's own needs are met
with Algeria, china and India expected to
be the leading potential clients.
After multiple delays russia's S-500
long-range air defense system is
expected to enter service before the end
of 2021 with serial production of
missiles for the system having begun in
the second week of august.
The system is prized for a number of
advanced features including its very
high degree of situational awareness. Its
600 kilometres engagement range. Its
ability to intercept hypersonic and
space targets including satellites and ICBMS and its ability to network with
older air defense systems such as the S-400 to maximize situational awareness.
Alexander Mckeeve the head of Russia's
state arms exporter Rosober 1 export
stated the 24th of august regarding
system's possible export, we plan to
introduce the S-500 air defense missile
system on the global market by 2030.
It was previously uncertain whether
russia would offer the S-500 for export
considering that it can be considered a
strategic weapon due to its focus on
ballistic missile defense including
against intercontinental range attacks.
With the u.s developing hypersonic space
aircraft and a range of hypersonic
weapons, the S-500 could be considered a
valuable asset by a number of potential
nato adversaries. The two leading
potential clients are thought to be China and Algeria, although India, Belarus
and possibly even Vietnam or Iran could
potentially show an interest in the
system.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan
also expressed his country's interest in
the system, although Ankara's intentions
in acquiring high-end russian weapons
and the nature of its interests have
been repeatedly brought to question.
