Russia Will Begin Tests of New-Generation S-500 Air Defense System Next Year

"Next year, it is planned to begin preliminary tests of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system, the first production model of which is scheduled for delivery in 2025," he said, Sputnik reported.

Production of the system, most of whose characteristic remain strictly under wraps, began earlier this year, with the S-500 now undergoing testing by the military, and mass production currently expected to start in the second half of 2020.

Earlier, Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Russian defense industry giant Rostec, said that once the S-500’s production begins, the first priority will be to equip the Russian military.