An expert account of the development, role, and capabilities of the S-300 and S-400 air defence missile systems, key strategic weapons in Putin's Russia. Few modern missile systems have received as much press attention as the mysterious Russian S-300 and S-400 air defence systems. The systems have been integral to many recent wars and conflicts, especially those in the Middle East, and Turkey's desire to buy the weapon (breaking ranks from NATO) made headlines around the world. In this book, professional missile systems analyst Steve Zaloga uses his in-depth knowledge, gained from close collaboration with the systems' design bureaus, to assess and analyse them in detail. He explains that the S-300 is, in fact, two systems: the S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), designed as a replacement for the older Soviet strategic SAM systems and used in the defence of major Soviet cities, and the S-300V (SA-12 Gladiator/Giant) which was developed for army use to defend against the Pershing ballistic missile. The S-300P was, in many respects, the Soviet equivalent of the US Army Patriot missile system, while the S-300V was equivalent to the US Army THAAD. He also considers the supplementary S-350 system and the new generation S-400 system, deployed in Syria and sold to both China and Turkey, and its strategic importance to Russia, which exports it both to support allies and weaken NATO interoperability links. An assessment of the latest S-500 system, designed to counter ballistic missiles and hypersonic cruise missiles is also provided.

Packed with detailed colour artwork and photos, this title describes the considerable evolution of the S-300 system over the past three decades and its effect on conflicts worldwide.