Accessibility links

Breaking News

Russia: New Air-Defense Missile System Unveiled


Moscow, 21 August 1997 (RFE/RL) - Russia has unveiled a new anti-aircraft missile that its designer said today was the world's best air defense missile system.

Vladimir Svetlov, head of the Fakel designer bureau, told Itar-Tass that the system known as Favorit was superior to the U.S.-built Patriot system that was used to shoot down Iraqi Scud missiles during the 1991 Gulf War.

Svetlov also said that the missile, with a range of 200 kilometers and a more powerful warhead than its earlier versions, was designed to defend against attacks by modern aircraft, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles.

The Favorit missile was unveiled at an International Air Show outside Moscow that opened earlier this week. Svetlov said that the Russian government had given permission for the system to be displayed just last week.
XS
SM
MD
LG