Russia: Successful test launch of new anti-ballistic missile.

Russian Aerospace Forces have performed a successful test launch of new anti-ballistic missile (ABM) at the Sary-Shagan testing range in Kazakhstan, according a statement published on the official website of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.

The test fire of new Russian anti-ballistic missile ABM (Picture source Russian MoD)

According to Colonel Andrey Prikhodko, the deputy commander of Aerospace Forces’ air and missile defence formation, the new modernized antiballistic missile had successfully engaged the assigned target”.

"We have performed another successful test launch of the upgraded missile of the ballistic missile defense system. The missile passed its trials," the newspaper quoted Test Commission Chairman and Deputy Commander of the Aerospace Force’s Air and Ballistic Missile Defense Large Unit Colonel Andrei Prikhodko as saying.

"Its operational capabilities, including the range, accuracy and service life, considerably surpass those of weapons operational today," Prikhodko added.

The interceptor missile can repel both individual and multiple strikes, including the attacks delivered by new-generation intercontinental ballistic missiles, he added.

The ABM system is in service with the Aerospace Forces’ air and missile defence formation. It is intended to defend the city of Moscow from aerospace threat as well as to function in the interests of missile alert and space control. An anti-ballistic missile (ABM) is a surface-to-air missile designed to counter ballistic missiles.

The Moscow ABM defense system was designed with the aim of being able to intercept the ICBM warheads aimed at Moscow and other important industrial regions, and is based on different types of missiles including ABM-1 Galosh(decommissioned, A-135 anti-ballistic missile system, ABM-3 Gazelle, ABM-4 Gorgon, 53T6 and A–235 Nudol.