Focus: Russia claims that new S-500 air defense system can intercept Western hypersonic missiles.

According to Russian military expert Mikhail Khodarenok, the S-500 Prometheus air defense missile system, developed by Almaz-Antey, is capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles, including those developed by Western nations with characteristics comparable to Russia's Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile. The system, also known as the 55R6M Triumfator-M, entered service with the Russian Air Defense Forces in May 2021 and, in early January 2025, Russia announced plans to deploy up to twelve S-500 systems to defend the Crimean Bridge against potential Ukrainian strikes, with production set to increase to meet operational needs.
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The new S-500 Triumfator-M air defense missile system is designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, including stealth aircraft, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), hypersonic missiles, and even low-orbit satellites. (Picture source: Russian social media)

Several Western nations are currently developing hypersonic missile systems with capabilities comparable to Russia's Oreshnik. The United States is advancing multiple projects, including the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as "Dark Eagle," a surface-to-surface boost-glide weapon with a range of up to approximately 2,776 km; the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC), an air-launched cruise missile capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5; and the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), designed to reach speeds over Mach 7. France is developing the ASN4G (Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4ème Génération), a nuclear-armed, air-launched hypersonic cruise missile expected to replace the ASMPA missile by 2035. Lockheed Martin is also working on the Mako hypersonic missile, intended for use with modern stealth fighters such as the F-35 and F-22.

To counter these emerging hypersonic threats from Western nations, the S-500 system is designed to address a wide range of aerial threats, including stealth aircraft, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), hypersonic missiles, and even low-orbit satellites. It offers a maximum operational range of 600 kilometers and an altitude capability of 200 kilometers, surpassing the capabilities of the S-300 and S-400 systems. The S-500 uses the 77N6-N and 77N6-N1 missiles, which support high-speed kinetic interception, including hypersonic targets. Its capacity to engage low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites could potentially disrupt NATO's surveillance and communication capabilities near Crimea. Russia has proposed joint production of the S-500 with India, but no final decision has been announced by India.

Despite the capabilities of the Oreshnik, interception of such a hypersonic missile by the S-500 is considered feasible primarily during its initial flight phase, before reaching hypersonic speeds, according to Khodarenok. The S-500 Prometheus may have this capability, while Western systems, including the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), may encounter challenges in intercepting such high-speed targets. The THAAD system has demonstrated capabilities against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase, either inside or just outside the atmosphere, but its effectiveness against hypersonic missiles remains limited. Hypersonic missiles, which travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and can maneuver unpredictably, present challenges that THAAD was not originally designed to address.

However, contrary to Mikhail Khodarenok's assertions, it seems that the S-500 is not the only air defense system that has either demonstrated or is developing the capability to intercept hypersonic missiles. The U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) system has reportedly intercepted maneuvering hypersonic missiles, including a Russian Kinzhal during engagements in Ukraine in May 2023. The U.S. Navy's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, utilizing the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor, intercepted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) target in November 2020, indicating potential applicability against high-speed threats. Israel's Arrow 3 system, operational since 2017, is designed for exo-atmospheric interception of ballistic missiles and has engaged hypersonic targets, including Iran's Kheibar Shekan missiles. Additionally, the U.S. Navy is progressing with plans to integrate PAC-3 MSE interceptors onto its ships to enhance defenses against hypersonic threats.

In parallel, the United States, in collaboration with Japan, is developing the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) to engage hypersonic missiles during their glide phase. The GPI is intended for deployment on Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense destroyers and Aegis Ashore systems. The Aegis Sea-Based Terminal (SBT) system offers limited capability against certain hypersonic missile threats, focusing on specific trajectory phases. Germany is developing the IRIS-T SLX, an upgraded IRIS-T surface-to-air missile system with an operational range of 80 km and a ceiling of 30 km, aimed at addressing advanced aerial threats, including hypersonic missiles. Despite advancements in these systems, achieving fully reliable interception of hypersonic threats remains a technological challenge, as no current system has demonstrated complete effectiveness against all hypersonic threats.