Russia Tests New Modernized Anti-missile System

Russia has tested a new modernized missile defense system at the Sary-Shagan training ground in Kazakhstan.

"The new modernized anti-missile system of the missile defense system successfully accomplished the task and struck a contingent target at the set time," Major-General Andrei Prikhodko, deputy commander of the air defense and anti-missile defense association was quoted as saying by the official publication of the Ministry of Defense of Russia "Red Star" on Monday.

The test appears to take place on April 1, 2018. The new interceptor is often referred to as 53T6M. The first time description of a test included mentions of improvement of the Moscow missile defense system was the June 2017 test. It is possible that it was the first test of the new interceptor, but it is more likely that it was a regular annual test of the old 53T6 (these traditionally take place in June). This is probably the third test of the 53T6M.

The missile defense system is in service with the Russian Federation Air Force and is intended to protect Moscow from an aerospace attack. In addition, the missile is intended to carry out tasks in the interests of missile attack warning systems and control of outer space.