Video Shows Russian S-400 Missile Hitting Its Own Launcher

Eurasian Times: New Viral Video Shows Russian S-400 Missile Hitting Its Own Launcher – Watch Now

The Russian military along with six other militaries have been engaged in intense combat exercises in Russia’s southern military district, named the Kavkaz-2020. However, an interesting video has surfaced over social media, showing the firing of the S-400 Missile Defence System.

The video shows the firing of two missiles under an air defence simulation scenario, where the first missile successfully fired and completed its boost phase. While, the problem starts with the second missile, which successfully separated from the launcher fails to initiate its boost phase and the missile, fell back to the ground over the launch vehicle itself.

After the missile falls over the vehicle, soldiers are seen running to take cover behind military trucks, while black smoke rising in the background.

While the video’s location and details cannot be independently authenticated by the EurAsian Times, it indeed has increased anxieties in the potential buyers of the lethal systems.

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WNU Editor: Not a good video to have out there if you are trying to sell this missile system.

Russia Says Turkey Tested Its S-400s On US F-16 Jets

First parts of a Russian S-400 missile defense system are unloaded from a Russian plane at Murted Airport, known as Akinci Air Base, near Ankara, Turkey, July 12, 2019. (photo credit: REUTERS)

Jerusalem Post: Russia says Turkey tested its S-400s on US F-16 jets

The tests last year were already known, so Russia’s agenda of discussing them again may be linked to a wider one.

Turkey, a member of NATO, tested the Russian-made S-400 air defense system on US-made F-16 jets during a drill in November 2019, Russia’s state media TASS has reported. The use of the S-400 against the F-16s was already reported last year, but the new details from Russian media appear to cement the claim and infer that something more was going on in those tests.

Russia has an interest in knowing how well its air defense performs against US warplanes. Russia’s S-400 is the top tier of its numerous air defense systems. Some of these systems have been called into question due to mistakes. S-200s used by the Syrian regime shot down a Russian airplane by mistake in 2018. Iranian models of Russian systems have scored big in 2019 with the shoot-down of a US drone, but the Iranians also shot down a civilian jetliner in January.

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Update: Ankara Testing Russian-Bought S-400s on US-Made Fighter Jets in Turkey, Report Says (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: This is actually old news. It also reinforces the decision of the U.S. in not selling the F-35 to Turkey.

Russia’s S-400 Air Defense System In Action (Video)

RT: Targets destroyed: Spectacular VIDEO shows Russia’s S-400 air defense system in action

Russia’s S-400 is a hot commodity, with the likes of India and Turkey braving US sanctions to get the anti-aircraft missile system. Moscow is keen to reveal its impressive capabilities in freshly released field test footage.

Eight out of eight high-maneuverability target missiles were shot out of the sky as anti-aircraft units trained at the Kapustin Yar range, in the southern Russian Astrakhan Region.

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WNU Editor: It seems everyone wants this air defense system.

Turkey Expects Delivery Of Russia's S-400 Missile System By Next Week

The Trump administration intends to impose sanctions on Turkey and pull it from the F-35 fighter jet program if it takes delivery of the Russian S-400 system. (File photo: Reuters)

Ahval: Turkish defence official says Russian missiles to arrive next week

Turkey’s top defence industry official said on Thursday that Russian S-400 air defence missiles would arrive in the country next week, a move likely to raise the prospect of U.S. sanctions.

The Pentagon set July 31 as a deadline for Turkey to drop its plan to acquire the Russian missiles or be expelled from a programme to build and operate F-35 stealth fighter jets. NATO leaders say Turkey’s deployment of the S-400s would allow Russia to glean sensitive information on the advanced fighter jets.

There is also bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress to impose sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) that would hurt Turkey’s already struggling economy.

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WNU Editor: There will be an American response .... US considering new sanctions, F-35 exit for Turkey over Russian S-400s (Al Arabiya).

More News On Turkey Expecting Delivery Of Russia's S-400 Missile System By Next Week

Turkey to acquire S-400 system, put it into active use soon: Pres Spox Kalın -- Daily Sabah
S-400 systems could be delivered to Turkey next week: Defense industries head -- Hurriyet Daily News
What happens the day after Turkey deploys Russian S-400s -- Ahval

Turkey's Erdogan Says There Will Be No Backtracking On S-400 Deal With Russia. U.S. Offer Is Not As Good

Daily Hurriyet News: Erdoğan says no step back from Russian S-400 deal

Turkey will not take a step back from S-400 missile deal with Russia, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on June 4.

“There is an agreement. We have determination. It is out of the question to take a step back from it [S-400 deal],” Erdoğan told reporters in Istanbul.

Turkey decided in 2017 to purchase the S-400 system following protracted efforts to purchase air defense systems from the U.S. with no success.

However, U.S. officials have advised Turkey to buy the Patriot missile system rather than the S-400 system from Moscow, arguing it is incompatible with NATO systems.

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More News On Turkey's Erdogan Saying That There Will Be No Backtracking On S-400 Deal With Russia

Erdogan says Turkey committed to Russian missile defense deal -- Reuters
Turkey won’t step back from S-400 deal with Russia, Erdoğan says -- Daily Sabah
US offer not ‘as good as S-400’: Turkey says no turning back on missile deal with Russia -- RT
Erdogan: Turkey has no plans to drop out of S-400 deal with Russia -- TASS
Erdogan: No step back from S-400 deal with Russia -- Al Jazeera
Turkey's Erdogan says no backtracking on S-400 deal with Russia -- AFP
Erdogan: Turkey committed to Russian missile deal, US offer not 'as good' -- Middle East Eye

Did Russia Lose A Batch Of Top-Of-The-Line S-400 Surface-To-Air Missile Systems When The Ship That Was Carrying Them Lost Them In A Storm?

I asked Rostec CEO Chemezov about S-400 deliveries to China and if it included 40N6 interceptors. He said it did, but a storm struck the ship that was delivering the missiles and destroyed all of them. Almaz-Antey, Rostec’s S-400 producer, is now making replacements for China. pic.twitter.com/Iy8YKzzRCx

— Steve Trimble (@TheDEWLine) February 18, 2019

Warzone/The Drive: Is A Batch Of Russia's Most Advanced Surface To Air Missiles Sitting On The Sea Floor?

A Russian official confirmed an entire shipment of top-of-the-line interceptors for the S-400 surface-to-air missile system never made it to China.

Russia has confirmed that it did indeed sell long-range 40N6 surface-to-air missiles to China as part of a sale of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. At the same time, the Russians have revealed that none of those interceptors ever reached their destination after the ship carrying them got caught in a storm that resulted in the loss of the entire shipment, possibly with some of the missiles physically going overboard into the sea.

On Feb. 18, 2019, Sergei Chemezov, the CEO of the state-owned industrial conglomerate Rostec, which includes the state-run arms broker Rosoboronexport, offered up the new information at a press conference at the 2019 International Defense Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) in the United Arab Emirates. Aviation Week’s Defense Editor and our good friend Steve Trimble Tweeted out a full transcript of the exchange.

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WNU Editor: There is huge global demand for these missiles, with orders backed-up till 2025 (see link here).

China’s S-400 Air Defense System Successfully Intercepts A ‘Ballistic Target’

Russian Defense Ministry

The Diplomat: China’s S-400 Air Defense System Intercepts ‘Ballistic Target’ 250 Kilometers Away

This constitutes the first time that China tested one of its recently acquired S-400 air defense systems.

The People’s Liberation Army’s Rocket Force (PLARF) has conducts its first live fire drill of its newly acquired first regimental set of Russian-made S-400 Triumf long-range interceptor-based air defense systems (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler), according to Russian media reports.

The test purportedly took place in November at an undisclosed location. According to the report, the S-400 air defense systems intercepted a “simulated ballistic target” around 250 kilometers (155 miles) away. According to the report, the PLARF actively used jamming equipment to test the S-400’s ability to operate in an electronic warfare environment.

None of the information above could be independently verified.

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More News On China’s S-400 Air Defense System Successfully Intercepting A ‘Ballistic Target’

China has put its new Russian-made missile-defense system to the test -- Business Insider/SCMP
China successfully tests Russia's S-400 missile air defence system -- Economic Times
China has tested S400 missile in Taiwan Strait -- Taiwan News
China has conducted firing test of S-400 air defense missile system -- Army Recognition

Is Russia's S-400 Surface-To-Air Missile System At A Fraction Of The Cost Of U.S. Competitors A Better Missile System?

An S-400 "Triumf" antiaircraft missile system. © Kirill Kallinikov / Sputnik

CNBC: Russia is luring international arms buyers with a missile system that costs much less than models made by American companies

* Russia’s S-400, a mobile long-range surface-to-air missile system, costs approximately $500 million, whereas a Patriot Pac-2 battery costs $1 billion and a THAAD battery rings in at about $3 billion, according to people with first-hand knowledge of a U.S. intelligence assessment.
* Lockheed Martin makes the THAAD, or terminal high altitude area defense, system, while Raytheon makes the Patriot system.
* Nearly 13 countries have expressed interest in buying Russia’s S-400, a move that could trigger potential U.S. sanctions

WASHINGTON — The Russian S-400 missile system costs a fraction of rival platforms made by U.S. companies, one of the major reasons several countries are interested in dealing with the Kremlin despite the potential for blowback.

Russia’s S-400, a mobile long-range surface-to-air missile system, costs approximately $500 million, whereas a Patriot Pac-2 battery costs $1 billion and a THAAD battery rings in at about $3 billion, according to people with first-hand knowledge of a U.S. intelligence assessment.

Lockheed Martin makes the THAAD, or terminal high altitude area defense, system, while Raytheon makes the Patriot system.

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Update: Russia Lures International Arms Buyers With Half-Priced, More Effective Missile System (Zero Hedge)

WNU Editor: Even with the threat of U.S. sanctions, there are still 13 major countries that want to buy the system. It looks like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon may need to re-examine their product and its costs.

China's First S-400 Rgiment Will Soon Be Operational

© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

Business Insider: China now reportedly has a full set of Russia's advanced S-400 air-defense missile system

* China became the first foreign buyer of Russia's advanced S-400 air-defense system in late 2014.
* The components of Beijing's first S-400 regiment arrived in China this month.
* The system could give the Chinese military broader coverage of the South China Sea, where it has made a number of disputed territorial and maritime claims.

The first regimental set of the Russian-made advanced air-defense system known as the S-400 has arrived in China, a military-diplomatic source told Russia's official news agency Tass this week.

China became the first foreign buyer of the S-400 when it signed a contract in late 2014, and the first two ships carrying S-400 components from Russia arrived in China at the beginning of April.

According to the Tass report, cited by The Diplomat, a third and final ship carrying support equipment arrived this month.

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Update #1: Russia completes delivery of first regimental set of S-400 to China — source (TASS)
Update #2: Russia Completes Delivery of 1st S-400 Missile Defense Regiment to China (The Diplomat)

WNU Editor:  I expect this S-400 regiment will be deployed near the South China Sea.

Iraq Wants To To Buy Russia's S-400 Air Defense System

An S-400 air defence missile system is deployed for a combat duty at the Hmeymim airbase to provide security of the Russian air group's flights in Syria. © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik

The Warzone/The Drive: Iraq Looking To Buy Russia's S-400 Air Defense System: Report

Such a deal would have serious geopolitical and strategic consequences, but it really it isn't that unexpected.

The Iraqi MP who heads the country's security and defense committee, Hakim Al Zamili, has been quoted as making the case for Baghdad to pursue a modern integrated air defense and surface to air missile system—namely Russia's much touted S-400 system.

Al Zamili stated the following according to Russia's TASS News Agency:

"Iraq has the right to own cutting-edge weapons to defend its territory and air space from air attacks... Terrorism targets our country abundant in places sacred for every Iraqi. There are signs and warnings that extremists might use aircraft for attacks on those shrines, which cause lots of worries and anxiety in the country... America is a developed country, not less than any other. However, the World Trade Center was attacked by planes... So Iraq intends to possess such a system as S-400 to defend the land, shrines and air space. We are serious about that.... [The U.S.] is unwilling to equip Iraq with arms and to supply it with systems that will ensure comprehensive protection in its territory and air space...but wants Iraq to be an open arena for realization of [US] plans. That is why, Iraq needs to have own [anti-aircraft] systems, it is our right to obtain them."

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WNU Editor: Iraq will be opened to sanctions from the U.S. should they proceed with this purchase .... which is why this deal will not happen now. But in the future .... I would not be surprised if they do purchase these weapon systems from Russia.

More News On Iraq Wanting To To Buy Russia's S-400 Air Defense System

US warns Iraq on purchase of Russian arms -- Kurdistan 24
Russia ready to provide Iraq with S-400 anti-aircraft system: ambassador -- Iraqi News
Iraq needs S-400 air defense systems to defend against air attacks — MP -- TASS
Iraqi Analyst Explains Why Baghdad Needs Russian Air Defense System -- Sputnik

Russian S-400 Missile Defense System Got Damaged By A Storm En Route To China

S-400 Russian Ministry of Defense

Business Insider/Reuters: A Russian S-400 missile defense system got damaged by a storm en route to China

* A storm has damaged parts of a Russian S-400 missile defense system as it was being shipped to China.
* The damaged components will be transported back to Russia for evaluation before being delivered to China at a later date.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A storm has damaged parts of a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system while it was being shipped to China, RIA news agency said on Friday, quoting a Russian official.

China became the first foreign buyer of the system from Russia under a contract signed in 2014.

The vessel has brought back the damaged components to Russia's port of Ust-Luga for evaluation, Mariya Vorobyova, spokeswoman for the military and technical cooperation service told RIA.

They would be delivered to China at a later date, she said.

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Update #1: Components for Russian S-400 Defense Systems Damaged on Way to China - Moscow (Sputnik)
Update #2: Part of S-400 shipment to China damaged by storm (TASS)

WNU Editor:  Damaged during transit? And from a storm? Hmmmmm .....

Russia's S-400 Air Defence Missile System Is One Very Dangerous Weapons Platform

An S-400 air defence missile system is deployed for a combat duty at the Hmeymim airbase to provide security of the Russian air group's flights in Syria. © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik

National Interest: Russia's S-400 Is Way More Dangerous Than You Think

One use of the S-400 long-range missile is against stand-off systems including flying command posts and aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry AWACS. These aircraft, which are used by the US and its NATO allies with a squadron stationed in Japan at Kadena AFB and in the UAE at al-Dhafra, are vulnerable to S-400 interceptors and lose their stand-off range protection. We may be reaching the end of the AWACS capability, which were originally designed in the 1960s.

Saudi Arabia’s agreement to purchase the S-400 anti-aircraft Triumf anti-missile system from Russia is a major blow to the United States and its European allies.

The deal follows Turkey’s $2.5 billion agreement to buy the S-400, and ongoing negotiations with Egypt for the S-400. Egypt already has the S-300VM system (also known as the Antey 2500) which can engage short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, precision guided weapons, strategic and tactical aircraft, as well as early warning and electronic warfare aircraft. (Originally the S-400 was called the S-300 PMU-3.)

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WNU Editor: Russia's S-500 is suppose to be even more advanced .... Russia Will Soon Be Fielding The Powerful S-500 Integrated Air And Missile Defense System (December 17, 2015)

Report: Saudi Arabia Has Agreed To Buy Russia's S-400 Air Defense System

S-400 air defense systems © Sergey Pivovarov / Sputnik

Al Arabiya: Saudi Arabia agrees deal for Russian S400 missile defense systems

Saudia Arabia have agreed a deal to purchase S400 missile defense systems from Russia on Thursday during the state visit of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz to Moscow.

The deal will allow the kingdom to acquire one of the most advanced missile defense platforms in the world.

The S-400 Triumf is an anti aircraft, anti ballistic missile and anti cruise missile defense system that has been in service with the Russian Army since 2007.

The system uses four missiles, a very-long-range 400 km missile, a long-range 250 km missile, a medium-range 120 km missile and a short-range 40 km missile.

The System gives Saudi Arabia a multi-layer defense ability against aerial threats.

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WNU Editor: This is not what European and American defense contractors, defense experts, military and foreign policy officials want to hear right now.

More News On Reports That Saudi Arabia Has Agreed To Buy Russia's S-400 Air Defense System

Saudi Arabia agrees to buy Russian S-400 air defense system - al-Arabiya TV -- RT

Saudi Arabia agrees to buy Russian S-400 air defense system: Arabiya TV -- Reuters

Saudi Arabia says to buy S-400 defence system from Russia -- AFP
Saudi Arabia Agrees to Buy Russian S-400 Air Defense System -- Novinite

Russia's Sale Of It's S-400 Air Defense System To China Will Dramatically Alter The Military Balance In Asia

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Timothy R. Heath, War On The Rocks: How China's New Russian Air Defense System Could Change Asia

The Russian S-400 TRIUMF (NATO designation SA-21) surface to air missile (SAM) entered the global media spotlight late in 2015 when Moscow deployed the system after Turkey’s shoot-down of a Russian Su-24 FENCER airplane near the Syria border on Thanksgiving Day. The Russian deployment compelled Turkey to pause its air operations and reportedly impacted the execution of U.S. and coalition air operations in the region, demonstrating the considerable reach and influence of this advanced air defense system.

This episode demonstrated the S-400’s potential as a weapon with strategic effects, a role that China, the first export recipient of the system, may seek to exploit in future crises. In April 2015, Russia announced the sale of four to six S-400 battalions to China. It remains unclear where China will deploy the assets. However, deployment of the system could influence the regional security order and dramatically impact the ability of the United States and its allies to respond to crises related to Taiwan, the Koreas, and the East and South China Seas.

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WNU Editor: This paragraph sums up why the S-400 is a game changer ....

.... A single S-400 missile that costs a few million dollars could bring down an asset worth hundreds of millions of dollars, such as the RQ-4 unmanned intelligence aircraft, F-22 or F-35 fighters, or worse, a B-2 bomber worth over $2 billion per plane. And it could do so from farther away than any adversary SAM has yet been capable of. The S-400 thus offers a favorable cost ratio that could influence decision-making at strategic levels.

Russia's Deployment Of S-400 Missile Batteries In Kaliningrad Will Make The Baltics A No-Go Zone In The Event Of War

Foxtrot-Alpha: Russia's Buildup Of S-400 Missile Batteries In Kaliningrad Is Freaking Out NATO

The same air defense system that has seemingly kept coalition fighters out of western Syria is now being installed in the heart of Europe, at Russia’s Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad. Russia’s setting up surface-to-air missile systems in their territory is nothing new, but the S-400's long-range and effectiveness is.

The S-400 (NATO code name SA-21 Growler) is very much a wide-area, anti-access, area-denial (A2/AD) system. It has the ability threaten enemy aircraft within a 250 mile radius of its location. Because of the small territorial size of Kaliningrad, this means the S-400's engagement envelope expands well into surrounding NATO countries, such a Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, as well as far over the Baltic Sea.

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WNU Editor: NATO commanders are using this Russian deployment as tehir reason on why they should have more resources .... Putin's Next Potential Target: The Baltic States (Atlantic Council).

Russia Parades New Missile Defense System

From Voice Of America:

Russia has celebrated the 64th anniversary of its World War Two victory over Nazi Germany with its second show of military force on Red Square since the Soviet collapse nearly 18 years ago. The parade featured 1,000 more troops than last year and mostly the same Soviet-era tanks, missiles, and aircraft. But a new exhibit this year and a recent addition to the Russian arsenal was the S-400 missile defense system, which some experts said has advantages over its American counterpart, the Patriot.

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Belarus Denies Plans To Sell Syria, Iran Weapons

From RIA Novosti:

The Belarusian president denied on Friday the country had any plans to sell weapons to Syria or Iran.

Earlier this month some Russian and foreign media reported Belarus was planning to sell S-300 surface-to-air missiles and Iskander tactical missile systems to Iran, and said that Tehran had arranged to transfer some of the systems to Syria.

"As far as S-300 and Iskander [missiles] are concerned, these complexes cannot be exported without my approval. There is not a single contract or project related to these systems that I have been asked to approve. This is utter nonsense," Alexander Lukashenko said.

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My Comment: International arms sells always bring about controversy and alarm. The selling of advanced anti-aircraft weapons systems to either Syria or Iran is no exception to this rule.

There have been numerous reports that Russia has promised the advanced S-400 system to Iran. But these rumors have not be substantiated by any official announcement (with the exception of some denials from the foreign ministry), and some news reports. Western sources have been mute on the subject, with the exception of the odd report critical of any transfer of such military technology.

My guess .... there will be no transfer of such tech to either Syria or Iran this year. If relations with NATO or the U.S. start to sour .... I then predict that all bets will be off.

Russia's S-400 Gets Better

S-400 Triumf / SA-21 Growler battery on the move (Russian MoD)
(Photo from Air Power Australia)

From Strategy Page:

December 31, 2008: Russia continues to develop and test new versions of its most powerful anti-aircraft missile, the S-400 (also known as the SA-20, Growler or Triumf). Particular attention is being paid to electronic countermeasures that the Americans might have, or be developing. Eighteen months ago, Russia put its first S-400a into service when a S-400 battalion (eight launchers, each with four missiles, plus a control center and radar) officially became operational outside Moscow. A second battalion was deployed in the same area this year.

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Russia Testing New Missile For S-400 Air Defense System

From RIA Novosti:

CHKALOVSKY (Moscow Region), December 26 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Air Force is testing a new missile for the S-400 Triumf air defense system, the Air Force commander said on Friday.

The S-400 (SA-21 Growler) is designed to intercept and destroy airborne targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles), twice the range of the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot, and 2.5 times that of the S-300PMU-2.

The system is expected to form the cornerstone of Russia's theater air and missile defenses up to 2020 or even 2025.

"The S-400 system is being successfully deployed with air defense units. At present, we are testing a new missile for this system," Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said.

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