Counter-missile launched successfully as part of improvement of Russian missile defense system - Defense Ministry
MOSCOW. June 16 (Interfax-AVN) - A successful counter-missile launch was conducted on Friday as part of ongoing work to improve the Russian missile defense system, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"In the course of the tests, the counter-missile of the missile defense system successfully achieved its task and hit a hypothetical target," Col. Andrei Prikhodko, deputy commander of the air defense and missile defense unit of the Aerospace Forces, said.
The launch was conducted by the combat crew of the Sary-Shagan firing range (Russian Strategic Rocket Forces) of the Air Defense and Missile Defense Troops of the Aerospace Forces and industry representatives, the report said.
The missile defense system is deployed by the missile defense unit of the Aerospace Forces and protects Moscow and the Central Industrial District from attacks by ballistic missile warheads. It also fulfils tasks within missile attack warning and space control systems.
According to earlier reports, several dozens 53T6 short-range counter-missiles that are deployed at five sites in the Moscow region are the core of the A135 'Amur' anti-ballistic missile system intended for protection of Moscow and the Central Industrial District.
There was also a report regarding development in Russia of the Nudol far-range interception missile.
There is no precise information on the Nudol counter-missile due to its secrecy.