Russia deploys most advanced air defences at army drills

Russia showcased its most sophisticated air defence system on 12 September, using it to repel a mock attack from the sky as part of what it describes as its largest-ever military drills.

The wargames involved its S-400, Russia's latest generation surface-to-air defence system, which is considered by NATO countries to pose a threat to their aircraft.

The exercise on the Telemba military training ground – about 130kms north of the city of Chita in Siberia – involved over 1,000 troops and over 500 pieces of military equipment.

Russia's defence ministry hailed the drills as successful.

Sergei Kuryshkin, a high-ranking officer in the Russian Aerospace Forces, told journalists: ‘The troops have completed their mission with total efficiency.’

The exercise simulated a ‘massive missile attack’ by an ‘unnamed enemy,’ another military official Sergei Tikhonov said.

In 2017, Moscow signed a contract to sell the systems to Turkey, raising criticism from Ankara's NATO allies, notably Washington, which has threatened to block delivery of its F-35 stealth aircraft to Turkey.

Negotiations to sell the S-400 to Qatar and India are ongoing. In late August 2018 a senior Pentagon official said that sanctions against India would come under consideration if its purchase goes through.

Russia has said the Vostok-2018 manoeuvres are the largest in its history and involve nearly 300,000 men and all types of military equipment.

The exercises involve Chinese and Mongolian armies and will continue until 17 September.