Russia To Test Ship-Based Air Defense Missile System This Year

Russia will further boost its armed forces this year by testing the new Poliment-Redut ship-based air defense missile system. Almaz Antei, the Russian air defense systems maker, plans to complete testing of its new defense missile system by the end of this year, according to the company’s General Director Vladislav Menshikov. The Poliment-Redut is a derivation of the land-based Vityaz air defense system that uses the 9M96 medium-range air defense missile. “Work on the system is at a preliminary test stage. But to complete testing we need a ship at sea. This year, by all estimates, testing should be complete. The missiles are ready, we are waiting to go to sea,” Menshikov was quoted as saying by Vedomosti newspaper published on Saturday. The project which was reportedly shelved because of high costs will now valued at$5 billion.