The Russian defense ministry has taken delivery of a first set of the S-350 Vityaz surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed and manufactured by Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defense. The delivery ceremony took place in late December at the Kapustin Yar firing range in southern Russia, where the SAM system completed firing trials in April 2019. Given a GRAU index of 50R6A, the S-350 is a medium-range SAM able to intercept both aerodynamic and ballistic targets as well as to repel large-scale attacks by modern UAVs and air-launched munitions.
Even though the S-350’s development and testing involved repeated delays and postponements, it managed to attract a number of export customers. Soon after public demonstrations of a desk model at the turn of the century, the Republic of Korea (RoK) contracted Almaz–Antey to help it develop the KM-SAM Cheongung. Effectively a customized version based along the same lines, the KM-SAM uses domestically designed and made components, as well some of European origin. Already operational, the KM-SAM now serves as a basis for the development of more advanced land- and ship-based derivatives. Traditional clients for Russian equipment, including Algeria, are reported to have signed for the exportable S-350E version that was unveiled at MAKS 2013.
