Russia To Begin ‘Sosna’ Short Range Air Defense System Trials This Summer

Russia will start trials of its new short range air defense system, Sosna capable of eliminating all types of air threats including high-precision weapons such as Cruise missiles and guided aircraft missiles in summer 2015.

The defense system is expected to replace Strela-10M air defense systems, Sputnik reported Tuesday.

“Last year, we successfully completed the preliminary tests of this system. In summer, the state trials of the system at testing grounds of the Land forces will begin,” Tochmash Managing Director Vladimir Slobodchikov was quoted as saying by the News daily.

“The outcome of the trials will determine whether this system will be put in service with the Russian Army,” he said.

Sosna system can destroy cruise missiles and guided aircraft missiles which are within the range of up to 10 km and altitude of up to 5 km.”