The S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) is designed to intercept and destroy airborne targets at a distance of up to 400 km, twice the range of the US MIM-104 Patriot, and 2 1/2 times that of Russia's S-300PMU-2.

The system is also believed to be able to destroy stealth aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, and is effective at ranges up to 3,500 km and speeds up to 4.8 km per second.

Russia's Defence Ministry considers the delivery of S-400 air defence missile systems to the Russian Armed Forces a priority, and wants the defence industry to increase the production of these systems despite the current economic crisis.

The fifth-generation S-500 air defence system, which is currently in the blueprint stage and is expected to be rolled out by 2012, would outperform the S-400 as well as the US Patriot Advanced Capability-3 system.

'The S-500 system is being developed under a unique design...and will be capable of destroying hypersonic and ballistic targets,' the general said.

Meanwhile, the Soviet-era MiG-31 Foxhound supersonic interceptor aircraft will most likely be used as part of the new air-space defence network, as was intended when it was designed.

'We are upgrading this system to be able to accomplish the same (air-space defence) tasks,' Zelin said.

According to some sources, Russia has over 280 MiG-31 aircraft in active service and about 100 aircraft in reserve.

--RIA Novosti

skp/vt