Russia intends to acquire the S-500, its notional next-generation air defense system, by 2020 to defeat hypersonic missiles and sophisticated ballistic missiles, according to Russian press reports. “The S-500 air defense system is a system that will solve Russia’s missile defense problems,” Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, Russian air force commander, said Tuesday, reported RIA Novosti. The S-500 is expected to be able to engage targets out to 600 km and defend airspace against multiple targets simultaneously, stated the Russian news service report. The news comes as Russia continues to populate its current S-400 system around Moscow and in its far East, according to a second RIA Novosti report. (See also Global Security Newswire report)
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
