S-400 Triumph (SA-21 Growler)

   The S-400 Triumph (NATO Designation SA-21 Growler) air defense missile system is an upgrade of the S-300 family. Development began in the late 1990s. It is believed that funding of the development was provided in part by China. The first tests were performed in 1999. Development was finally completed in 2004. Deployment of this air defense missile system has begun on a small scale in 2007. It is expected to replace the ageing S-200 and S-300 systems with the Russian military. The S-400 is also aimed at the export customers.

   The S-400 is a further development of the S-300PMU2 Favorit. This missile system is intended to engage aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles. It is claimed that the S-400 is capable of detecting and engaging targets to a range of 400 km, depending on the missile variant used. It is also claimed that this air defense missile system is capable of engaging stealth aircraft.

   The S-400 air defense missile system features new missiles. Four new missile types were added. It can also launch missiles of the S-300PMU2. A single TEL vehicle can carry a mix of four missiles, depending on specific threat environment.

   The first missile added to the system is the 48N6E3. It is improved variant of the 48N6E2 with a maximum range of 230 km. The second missile added is the 40N6. It has a claimed range of 400 km. This missile has active radar homing and is intended to be used against AWACS, J-STARS, EA-6B support jammers and other high value targets.

   The third and forth missiles are the 9M96E and 9M96E2 interceptor missiles, designed for direct impact. These are similar to the US Patriot PAC3 design and are intended to provide point defense against precision attacks and defense suppression weapons.

   The latter version is fitted with a larger booster. A claimed range is 40 and 120 km respectively. The 9M96 missile is 4.75 m long and has a launch weight of 333 kg. It's warhead weights 24 kg. It has internal guidance with command updates and active radar seeker. It's claimed kill probability is 90% against aircraft and 70% against Harpoon missile. A single TEL can deploy up to 16 of these missiles.

   Radar and software were further refined. A new acquisition radar is employed. Radar of the S-400 Triumph is carried by the MZKT-7930 8x8 truck. Battery acquisition radar is also carried by the same vehicle. Command post is based on the Ural-532301 8x8 truck. The TEL semitrailer is towed by a BAZ-64022 6x6 tractor truck. An improved mobile TEL was demonstrated on the MZKT-7910 8x8 chassis. Reloading vehicle is based on the Ural-532301 8x8 chassis. It is also used to reload S-300PMU2 missile systems.

Variants

   S-500 anti-ballistic missile system. Currently it exists solely on paper due to the lack of funding. It is described as an upgraded version of the S-400;

   Cheolmae-2, a simplified version of the S-400, under development in South Korea.