S-300 (missile) - Operators and Other Versions

Operators and Other Versions

The S-300 is mainly used in Eastern Europe and Asia although sources are inconsistent about the exact countries possessing the system.

• Algeria – 4 battalions of S-300PMU2 were ordered in 2006.
• Armenia S-300PS (SA-10)
• Azerbaijan bought 2 battalions of S-300PMU2 in 2009.
• Belarus – S-300PS systems delivered from Russia in 2007 to replace older S-300 model in Belarussian inventory. Older S-300V sold to Turkey for testing and using on Anatolian Eagle exercises.
• India has a squadron of S-300V systems which were reportedly purchased in 1997 for the development of anti-tactical ballistic missile screen.India has bought six S-300 batteries in August 1995 for $1 billion, probably the S-300PMU-2 version, believed to consist of 48 missiles per system. These will most likely be used in the short-range ballistic-missile defence (BMD) role against Pakistan's M-11 missiles. Apart from that, India is evaluating S-300VM.
• Bulgaria has ten S-300 launchers, divided into two units with five launchers each.
• People's Republic of China: China has bought the S-300PMU-1 and are licensed to manufacture it under the name Hongqi-10 (HQ-10). China is also the first customer of S-300PMU-2 and may be using the S-300V under the name Hongqi HQ-18. China also built an upgraded version of the HQ-10 labelled the HQ-15 with the maximum range upgraded from 150 km (93 mi) to 200 km (120 mi). There are unconfirmed reports that claim this version is the Chinese manufactured S-300PMU-2. The total number of the S-300PMU/1/2 and HQ-15/18 batteries in PLA are approximately 40 and 60 respectively, in the year 2008. The total number of the missiles is well above 1,600, with about 300 launcher platforms. Five such SAM battalions are deployed and in active duty around Beijing region, six battalions in Taiwan strait region and rest battalions in other major cities like Shanghai, Chengdu and Dalian. Two Rif (SA-N-6) systems were purchased in 2002 for the Chinese Navy for the Type 051C Destroyers.
• Cyprus & Greece: Cyprus signed an agreement to buy S-300 systems in 1996. Eventually buying the S-300PMU-1 version, however due to political tension between Cyprus and Turkey and intense Turkish pressure (see Cyprus Missile Crisis), the system was instead transferred to the Greek Island of Crete. Later, Cyprus acquired Tor-M1 and Buk-M1 systems. Finally, on 19 December 2007 the missiles were officially transferred to the Greek government in return for further Tor-M1 and Buk-M1 systems.
• Kazakhstan – 22 divisions.12 S-300P(USSR) and 10 divisions S-300PMU1 delivered before 2011 for free(Russia)
• North Korea On 10 October 2010 military parade a new SAM system, complete with Flap Lid radars, was displayed. North Korea announced it to be "an anti-ballistic defense system", capable of shooting down aircraft at distances of 90 kilometers and at altitudes of up to 30 kilometers. Japanese media reported the system to be a locally designed S-300 derivative, a fact that is corraberated by the presence of Flap Lid radars. However, this and the origin of the missiles have yet to be confirmed.
• Slovakia – Inherited from Czechoslovakia. Slovakian proposal to equip another battalion in mid '90 was canceled.
• Syria announced an intention to buy the S-300P in 1991 and now seems to possess the system. During the Syrian revolution, Russia supplied the Syrian military with an array of S-300 missiles and sent Russian technical advisors with the missiles to provide the technical support for Syrian military to operate the missiles. However, Russia withheld the sale in 2012.
• Russia: Has used all of the S-300 variations. The Russian Air Defense Forces, which are part of the Air Force, currently operates 768 S-300PMUs and 185 S-300Vs, meaning they operate 953 in total launchers. All production in 1994 (actually 1990) or older, all the complexes S-300PM have been repairing and upgrading(Favorite-S). S-300P/PT have been retired before 2008, some S-300PS in service, but will be retired in the near future(2012–2013), about 30 divisions is S-300V/S-300PM2(favorite), will be retired in ~2018. By 2015 will be delivered over 3 S-300V4. Modernization of all S-300V to the version S-300V4 will end in 2012
• Ukraine – S-300PS, S-300PMU, S-300V and others. Only six systems have been repaired since 2004; as a result only 40% of Ukrainian S-300 systems are in good condition.
• Venezuela ordered S-300VM "Antey-2500" to equip 12 Regiments. The missiles where delivered in May 2012.
• Vietnam has bought two S-300PMU-1 for nearly $300 million.