Russia has few S-300V4s, they’re more expensive than the S-400

The Ukrainian Defense Forces succeeded in demolishing not just one, but several uncommon S-300V4 anti-aircraft missile systems belonging to the Russian Federation in the Tavria region. This news came from Alexander Turnavski, the commander of the “Tavria” operational-strategic group of troops.

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One should immediately recognize that the S-300V4, an anti-aircraft missile system in the Russian Federation, is not merely uncommon but is essentially a “red book” rarity. The exact quantity of these systems remains a subject of debate among sources, with estimates starting as low as two divisions for the entire Russian Federation.

Generally, the Kremlin plotted the establishment of a sole S-300V4 anti-aircraft brigade within each military district. Originally, the Russian Federation comprised four military districts, a number which has been elevated to five. By revised schemas, two additional fledgling districts — Moscow and Leningrad — have been incorporated.

It is substantiated that the 77th Independent Anti-aircraft Missile Brigade [Southern Military District] was accorded with the inaugural S-300V4 systems in 2015. Nevertheless, despite the declaration put forth in 2014 about complete rearmed forces, it was drawn to attention by the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation that the ‘brigade set’ is composed of three batteries [each inclusive of six launchers in addition to one missile guidance base and an auxiliary vehicle].

Simultaneously, the division boasts a command post and a pair of radars designed for comprehensive and programmed observation. Therefore, it is evident that the process of rearmament is far from fully achieved.

Subsequently, the recently established 38th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, associated with the Eastern Military District, was furnished with a “brigade set” of the S-300V4 weaponry. Interestingly, the video showcasing this equipment transfer accommodated only 12 launchers in the frame, which barely represents the brigade’s comprehensive line-up.

Projected strategies for 2023 involved the militarization of a brigade in the Western Military District. Probably, the anti-aircraft brigades within the Russian Federation will solely procure between one to one-and-a-half divisions of the S-300V4 equipment each. Initial plans spanning from 2011 to 2020 show that the Russian Federation aimed to amass a total of nine brigade sets, which seems to be a detour from the current trajectory.

The subdued rearmament rate of the S-300V4, despite it evidently being an enhancement of the pre-existing S-300V, can be primarily attributed to its substantially higher price compared to the S-400.

It merits mentioning that the S-300V while sharing a similar numerical denomination with the S-300, is in actuality a distinct, concurrent evolution. Its raison d’être in the former USSR was primarily to provide a countermeasure against anti-missile defenses for their ground forces.

The S-300V4 is equipped with advanced Soviet-era anti-aircraft missiles, the 9M82MV and the 9M83M, which purport an impressive range of interception for aerodynamic targets up to 400 km and 200 km respectively. 

The Russian Federation occasionally enhances these capabilities with the ability to intercept ballistic missiles. However, it is noteworthy to mention that they do not employ kinetic interception technology. Therefore, in terms of technological sophistication, they closely align with the Guidance Enhanced Missile [GEM-T] for the Patriot PAC 2 system, which is also proclaimed to intercept ballistic targets.

One should note that the S-300V4 incorporates the 48N6DM and 40N6 missile systems, which offer operational ranges extending up to 250 km and 400 km respectively. Intriguingly, these same missile systems are employed in the technological composition of the S-400.

Hence, the obliteration of any S-300V4 air defense system constitutes a loss of profound significance for the Russian Federation, incapable of rectification in any foreseeable future. 

Unverified reports suggest that the Russian Federation has extracted the S-300V complexes from the Japanese islands, specifically the Kuril Ridge, which are currently under occupation. Upon further investigation, these were discovered to be S-300V4s belonging to the 38th anti-aircraft brigade.

It is essential to remember that in August of the preceding year, the Armed Forces successfully demobilized the 9C19 “Ginger” radar from the S-300B complex. Likewise, in August of the current year, they once again triumphed by incapacitating components of either another S-300V or an S-300V4 system.

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