Russia is said to have tested a new defense system being marketed to Egypt, Greece, Iran and Libya and capable of ballistic missile interception, according to a report by Middle East Newslink (MENL).
According to MENL, the system is the S-400 Triumph, the successor of the S-300 and regarded as the most advanced anti-aircraft battery developed by Russia. The Triumph is said to be able to intercept both ballistic and cruise missiles.
The test was conducted by two Russian firms, Almaz and Antei. The two companies have jointly developed and tested the S-400, said the report quoting Moscow-based Military News Agency.
Russian defense sources were quoted as saying that the S-400 could destroy a range of missiles and aircraft. This includes the US Tomahawk cruise missile.
Russian officials have touted the S-400 as more capable than the US PAC-3 system, said the news service.
Egypt has been criticized by the US for the alleged military cooperation with North Korea and Russia, which seems to thumb nose at US complaints.
Earlier this month, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak denied US intelligence reports that his country aimed to produce intermediate-range missiles.
In the first public reference to the matter by the president, Mubarak said his regime was not interested in what he termed long-range missiles.
Mubarak told Al Mussawar magazine that Egypt had no use for such a program, because Cairo did not harbor hostile intentions toward any country.
At the same time, Mubarak said, Egypt's military would continue to be modernized, calling the armed forces at its highest level and capable of defending the country - Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
