The new Russian surface-to-air missile system S-500 is almost operational, considered a serious threat to the F-35.
The Russian Minister of Industry and Trade, Manturov, announced last month that the S-500 system was entering the mass production phase, and that it would enter service in the 2020.
It would seem that the new missile is able to offer significantly higher performance than previously adopted weapon systems, such as the S-400 TRIUMPH (photo) which, with the 40N6 radar-guided missile active, would reach a range of 400 km.
The S-500, which represents an evolution of the previous system, should have a range of around 600 km and would be able to engage supersonic targets, as well as low-orbit satellites as well as some models of spacecraft.
Military analysts warn that the S-500 may be able to bring down even aircraft with technology stealth, like the US F-22 and F-35.
Photo: MoD Russian Fed / US DoD
