Testing of Russia’s S-400 missile system could be moved to Kazakhstan

ITAR-TASS news agency
27 Jan 05

Moscow, 27 January: The upcoming S-400 Triumf air defence missile
system will possibly be tested on the proving ground in Kazakhstan,
deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian air force in charge of the
CIS’s unified air defence system, Lt-Gen Aytech Bizhev, told
journalists today.

“The possible transfer of the testing of the S-400 to Kazakhstan is
linked to the fact that the Russian proving grounds at Ashuluk and
Kapustin Yar have limited possibilities in respect of the distance of
firing,” Bizhev noted. At the same time the Balkhash proving ground in
Kazakhstan makes it possible to fully check the combat potential of
the new air defence missile system, which is designed to destroy
cruise missiles and aircraft as well as warheads of ballistic missiles
at a wide range of heights and at a range of up to 400 kilometres.

The Triumf air defence missile system was developed at the Almaz
central design bureau. It is expected to be used to fight airborne
targets as well as in the interests of nonstrategic antimissile
defence. The chief of staff of the air force, Col-Gen Boris Cheltsov,
said in December 2004 that Triumf will arrive in the forces in 2005.

Members of the CIS unified air defence system, which in a few days’
time will mark its 10th anniversary, are Russia, Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.