5th place European anti-aircraft missile system SAMP-T
This is a joint project between France and Italy. It is designed for anti-aircraft protection of mechanized units, troops on the march, as well as anti-aircraft protection of important stationary objects against a massive attack of a wide class of air targets, ranging from tactical missiles and all types of aircraft, to the defeat of various drones in all weather conditions.
The Arabel multifunction three-axis radar is capable of detecting, detecting and simultaneously tracking up to 137 different air targets, as well as guiding missiles against up to 10 targets.
The SAMP-T has a high rate of fire and minimal reaction time. Eight anti-aircraft guided missiles of the Aster-30 family can be launched from a single launcher in just 10 seconds.
4th place American THAAD missile defense system
THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) is a mobile ground-based system for high-altitude interception of medium-range missiles. It is capable of engaging tactical missiles with ranges of up to 1,000 km and medium-range ballistic missiles at altitudes of 40-150 km and ranges of up to 200 km.
The launcher carries eight anti-missiles in transport and launch containers. The system is in service with the US, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Japan.
THAAD is a direct competitor to Russian S-400 "Triumph" system, but is inferior in mobility and pointing accuracy. The American system has a better range of vision: 1,000 km against the S-400's 600 km. However, the price is the decisive factor, due to which the S-400 is undoubtedly beyond competition.
Third place is the Israeli David's Sling anti-missile system.
This is a multi-level anti-missile defense system of the Israeli army, which is designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles and large caliber unguided rockets with a launch range of 70 to 300 km.
The air defense system was developed by the Israeli company Rafael together with the American company Raytheon. It is also supposed to be able to intercept aircraft. The interceptor in this missile defense system is a two-stage anti-missile equipped with radar and opto-electronic guidance systems installed in the nose section.
According to the developers, the complex can operate in all weather conditions and its interceptor missiles can change course in mid-flight.
Second place is held by the US-German-Italian antiaircraft missile system MEADS.
It is a ground-based system capable of engaging both aircraft and medium-range tactical ballistic missiles with a range of up to 1,000 km. The MEADS mobile launcher is fitted with a package of eight transport and launch containers for transporting, storing and launching guided interceptor missiles.
The launcher provides so called "batch" loading and is distinguished by short time of preparation to combat position or reloading. The MEADS will replace the Patriot air defense system currently in service.
A fully equipped unit consists of one all-vision radar, two fire control units, six mobile launchers with 24 Lockheed Martin PAC-3 MSE guided missiles, and several support vehicles.
As of early 2021, the promising project has never been realized, nor has the similar TLVS air defense system. At the moment, the American MIM-104 Patriot system still dominates the European market.
1st place Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system
This is a long and medium range air defense system designed to destroy all modern and advanced air and space attack means. The S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system was adopted into service by a resolution of the Russian Government on April 28, 2007.
The system can hit aerodynamic targets at a range of up to 400 km, tactical ballistic targets at a range of up to 60 km flying at a speed of up to 4.8 km per second as well as intercept cruise missiles, tactical and strategic aviation aircraft and maneuvering ballistic missile warheads.
Early detection radar provides a target detection range of up to 600 km. The missiles can hit low-flying targets at an altitude of up to 5 meters.
By comparison, the American Patriot system is only capable of hitting targets at an altitude of at least 100 meters. It is possible to use several types of missiles with different launch weights and launch ranges, which makes it possible to create a deeply echeloned air defense.
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