MOSCOW, March 29 (AVN) - The state tests of the S-400 air-defence system are slightly falling behind, Air Force Commander Anatoly Kornukov told the Military News Agency.
The reason for that stems not from technical or constructor problems, he said. The tests are not fully financed so far.
Nonetheless Kornukov is positive, the tests will end by late 2000, and the system will be transferred to the troops in the beginning of 2001. According to him in the first phase of its use the S-400 will launch old missiles built for S-300 air-defence systems.
For equipping S-400 with new missiles with bettered combat characteristics another 1.5-2 years will be needed, Kornukov added.