Anti-ballistic missile systems are defense weapons designed to launch intercepting missiles against incoming ballistic missiles. The only five systems of this kind are being produced by the USA and Russia. Let's have a look!
Abakan
In 2020 a new anti-ballistic missile system was revealed in Russia with the designation 98R6E Abakan. The “E” letter means the system will be offered to export customers. The system externally looks an inferior version of the S-500. Abakan was designed to intercept small range ballistic missiles in order to protect strategic units.
Rage: 30km
S-500 Prometey
S-500 Prometey (or Prometheus) is a new anti-ballistic and anti-aircraft system of long range that was recently developed in Russia. The weapon can be characterized as an improved version of the previous S-400 system. Its development started in 2002, and its development began in 2017. The first systems were delivered in 2021 and were deployed in Moscow, as a shield against ballistic threats. It's obvious, but we should mention that S-500 is the most advanced weapon of its kind. The second and third positions belong to S-400 and S-300!
Rage: 500-600km
Εμβέλεια: 500-600 χιλιόμετρα
A-145
We go back in time, with the Soviet A-135 Amur. The system used two different types of missiles, the PRS-1 small range interceptor and the A-925 long-range interceptor. In design terms, it's similar to the American anti-ballistic missile system Safeguard. The development of Amur started in 1971 and the weapon started serving in 1990.
Rage: 80-100km and 350km
THAAD
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The first American on the list, THAAD was aimed to intercept small and medium range ballistic missiles, like the Soviet Scud. Its capabilities against intercontinental ballistic threats ware limited. Its first flight happened in 1995 and in 2006 the first 48 systems were delivered. In 2009, they started serving the US Army and in 2019, 44 batteries were requested for Saudi Araby. The deliveries will start in 2023.
Rage: 150-200km
Patriot PAC-3
Of course, the list wouldn't be completed without the popular Patriot system. The specific weapon is an improved version of the first Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 version achieved what the PAC-2 version couldn't: it could now intercept advanced ballistic missiles in decent range.
Rage: 40km
