Is America Playing With Fire? Trump Talks Big On Tomahawk Missiles, But Putin’s Deadly Air-Defense Arsenal Can Annihilate Them All | World News
Tomahawk Missile: While Tomahawk cruise missile discussions are heating up, Moscow’s air defense capabilities are attracting global attention. Russian MP Alexey Zhuravlev recently stated that any Tomahawk missile fired towards Russian territory can be responded to by the S-350 system, which is specially designed to prevent such threats.
Tomahawk is an American long-range cruise missile capable of hitting targets up to 2,500 kilometers away. Russia’s network of air defense systems, which includes the S-400, S-350, Pantsir-S1, S-300 and Tor-M2, is being built to destroy both cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
S-350 Vityaz: Cruise Missile Killer
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The S-350 is Russia’s medium-range surface-to-air missile system, fully deployed by 2025. It is designed to intercept low-flying cruise missiles such as the Tomahawk. The system can target up to 16 threats simultaneously, including drones, aircraft and missiles.
Its radar covers 360 degrees and detects targets up to 400 kilometers away. The mobile and truck-mounted S-350 can be combat-ready in five minutes using 9M96E2 missiles traveling at 7,400 km/h with a 24 kg warhead.
S-400 Triumph: Long Range Shield
The S-400 is Russia’s most advanced long-range missile system and has been in operation since 2007. It can detect stealth aircraft and intercept Tomahawks up to 400 kilometers away.
This missile, which can hit 80 targets simultaneously, uses 40N6 missiles with a 180 kg warhead and a speed of 17,000 km/h. The S-400 is fully mobile, ready within 10 minutes and provides a formidable shield over Russian territory.
Pantsir-S1: Short Range Dual Defense
The Pantsir-S1 combines guns and missiles for effective, short-range defense against low-flying Tomahawks and unmanned aerial vehicles. This system, which has been operating since 2008, can target four threats simultaneously.
Its 30 mm cannon fires 5,000 rounds per minute, while its 57E6 missiles provide precision strike capabilities. Mobile and rapidly deployable, it covers a range of 1.2 to 20 kilometers and altitudes of up to 10,000 metres.
S-300PMU2: Old But Mighty
The upgraded S-300, in service since the 1970s, intercepts cruise missiles such as the Tomahawk at ranges of up to 200 kilometers. It can hit six targets simultaneously with its 1,800 kg missiles and 145 kg warhead.
Tor-M2: Short Range Fighter
Tor-M2 is a short-range system designed to shoot down missiles at close range. Mobile and rail-mounted, it can hit four targets simultaneously, reach speeds of 2,980 km/h and altitudes of up to 10 km.
It is capable of easily countering older Tomahawk variants.
Russia’s layered defense system works in coordination: S-400 provides long-range coverage, S-350 covers medium-range, and Pantsir counters close-range threats.
Zhuravlev’s claim seems convincing. However, successful response depends largely on deployment strategy. Globally, these systems are considered among the most powerful and advanced air defense networks in existence.
