According to the Russian newspaper "Izvestia" on October 22, Russia successfully conducted its first anti hypersonic weapon exercise in early October. Under the unified coordination of the Air Force's air defense and anti missile command and control system, air defense missile battalions from multiple military regions conducted simulated exercises against hypothetical enemy cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons for large-scale attacks. During the exercise, the Russian air defense forces conducted live fire interception of target missiles simulating hypersonic targets at the Ashaluk shooting range in Astrakhan Oblast. Russian military experts pointed out that conducting hypersonic weapon defense exercises by Russian air defense forces has advanced strategic significance, as foreign forces have not yet equipped themselves with hypersonic weapons.

Following the unified annual training plan of the Russian military, the anti hypersonic weapon exercise is part of the annual summary readiness inspection of the air and missile defense forces by the Aerospace Forces. Its purpose is to test the air defense forces' ability to launch large-scale attacks from multiple directions simultaneously against hypothetical enemies. The exercise focuses on countering new hypersonic lethal weapons and cruise missiles. In addition, separate strike exercises were conducted against traditional targets such as airplanes and unmanned aerial vehicles. Multiple air defense missile regiments from the Western and Eastern Military Regions participated in this exercise under the unified deployment of the Air Force Air Defense and Anti Missile Command Center. The anti-aircraft artillery unit conducted electronic launch simulation training at the Ashaluk and Kapusinyar shooting ranges. According to the military department, a unified exercise air defense system has been established under simulated combat conditions. The automated command and control system provides unified command to all reconnaissance and air defense systems participating in the exercise, enabling the detection, identification, and allocation of aerial targets in the shortest possible time and rapid deployment of mobile operations to destroy incoming targets.

According to the exercise deployment, the S-400 anti-aircraft missile regiment of the Western Military Region quickly maneuvered from Leningrad Oblast to the Ashaluk shooting range in Astrakhan Oblast. After arriving at the designated position, it quickly engaged in live fire shooting of simulated targets of enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and hypersonic missiles in combat mode. The anti-aircraft missile regiment also successfully passed the annual assessment of technology, tactics, and missile firing. At the same time, the S-400 and "Armor-S1" anti-aircraft missile regiments of the Eastern Military Region of Russia conducted a coordinated defense exercise at the Kapostnyar shooting range, successfully destroying six high-speed, mobile, and ultra-low altitude test target drones.

Former Deputy Commander of the Joint Air Defense System of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Reserve Major General Aitchi Birev told the News that all possible anti hypersonic weapon combat modes have been validated in this exercise. Military expert Dmitry Kolnev stated that foreign armies have not yet equipped themselves with hypersonic missiles, but the United States, China, and other countries including European countries are actively developing hypersonic missiles. The United States is researching and conducting test launches of a land-based hypersonic missile known as the 'Black Hawk', and military preemptive strikes are very important. This exercise is a drill to combat hypersonic cruise missiles similar to the Russian "Zircon". The S-300, S-350, S-400, and S-500 air defense missile systems all have the combat capability to destroy such targets. The latest improved "Buk" and future "Armor" short-range missile systems also have the ability to respond to hypersonic missile threats. Kolnev emphasized that the ability to detect and track hypersonic targets during combat is crucial. In actual combat operations, all radar warning and detection systems in the airspace must participate and collaborate with the air defense system command center to form a radar network chain. The efficiency of the Russian air defense system in detecting hypersonic targets and the success rate of destroying targets have been verified through exercises.

Russia's anti hypersonic weapon exercise this time used S-400, "Armor" - S1, and various anti-aircraft anti-aircraft artillery equipment. Under the unified control of the anti-aircraft command and control system, multiple radars were used for unified coordinated detection, and multiple anti-aircraft missile groups were used for layered and multiple interception of targets. The purpose is to innovate tactics and coordinate command, fully utilize Russia's strategic depth, and form the ability to detect and intercept hypersonic weapons. However, the newly installed S-500 air defense and anti missile system of the Russian military, although capable of countering hypersonic weapons, did not participate in this exercise. The development of anti hypersonic weapons in Russia deserves continuous attention and in-depth research.

Source: Aerospace Defense