China has purchased advanced Russian-made S-400 air defense systems, the CEO of Russia's arms export agency Anatoly Isaikin said in an interview published Monday by newspaper Kommersant.
Purchases of the S-400 have previously been restricted to Russia's Defense Ministry, which gets first rights on all new hardware before manufacturers can hawk it on the global market.
“That [China was the first foreign buyer] can only emphasize the strategic level of our relationship,” Isaikin said.
The S-400, manufactured by Almaz-Antey, is an upgrade of the popular S-300 air defense system, which is capable of targeting up to 36 airplanes at a range of 150 kilometers. The S-400 has the ability to not only shoot down airplanes, but also ballistic missiles, according to Russian reports.
Though Isaikin would not elaborate on the terms of the deal with China, newspaper Vedomosti reported in November that Beijing had signed a $3 billion contract for at least six S-400 divisions, which have about eight missile launchers each.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
