Russia has delivered its S-300P defense missile systems to Kazakhstan free of charge with the aim of strengthening regional airspace. This is what was read in a joint statement by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and his Kazakh counterpart Imangali Tasmagambetov.
The S-300 line of defense will be operational by the end of the year.
"We are paying particular attention to the development of ties between the two countries in the field of missile defense. We delivered the S-300P systems for free with the aim of strengthening the regional air defense capabilities. Our priority is to create a reliable common defense, able to respond to any challenge and threat".
It is the first step for the future Collective Security Treaty Organization which provides for the unification of regional air defenses. The delivery of the S-300 systems is part of the first phase of the program.
Phase two involves the unification of the systems and their adaptation to standard operations. This will allow the creation of an air defense system on the entire CSTO space that includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
The S-300 is a defense system based on the 9M82M / 9M83M interceptor, designed for tactical defense against broad-spectrum targets such as ballistic missiles, aircraft and helicopters. The missiles rely on an inertial system with half-way radio updates, while in the terminal phase on a semi-active radar.
S-300 are considered immune to most Western ECM countermeasures. Once online, they do not require maintenance for at least ten years.
(photo: MoD Russian Federation)
