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Russia to send second S-400 air defense system regiment to Crimea
A second S-400 Triumph (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) air defense (AD) missile regiment will achieve its full operational capability in Crimea in the second half of 2017, Crimea’s air defenses will be beefed up in the other half of 2017 with the second S-400 regiment. It will be stationed in the west of the peninsula.
     
A second S-400 Triumph (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) air defense (AD) missile regiment will achieve its full operational capability in Crimea in the second half of 2017, Crimea’s air defenses will be beefed up in the other half of 2017 with the second S-400 regiment. It will be stationed in the west of the peninsula.
     
Now, there is one S-400 regiment in Crimea. It was activated in Feodosiya and achieved its full operational capability on January 14. "If all goes to plan, both regiments will be given the third missile battalion each in 2018," the source added. TASS has no official confirmation of the information.

The Jane’s Information Group has published a picture taken by an Airbus Defence and Space reconnaissance satellite. The picture shows a position of the S-400 regiment in a district of Feodosiya, previously occupied by a Ukrainian S-300PS (SA-10d Grumble) AD missile unit.

According to the reconsat-taken picture, the S-400 battalion comprises eight 5P85SM self-propelled launchers with four surface-to-air missiles (SAM) in the launch tubes each, the 92N6 multimode engagement radar and 96L6 surveillance and tracking radar.

The S-400 is a long-range SAM system commissioned for service in 2007. It is designed to destroy enemy aircraft and cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range ones, and can be used against round threats as well. The S-400 is capable of the simultaneous elimination of six targets with 48N6DM missiles at a range of 250 km. According to Jane’s, the 40N6 SAM with a range of 400 km is yet to enter service.

Jane’s notes that the Feodosiya-based S-400s provide air defense coverage for the whole of the peninsula, most of the Sea of Azov and part of Russia’s mainland and Black Sea. However, at long range, the S-400’s capabilities will be limited by its radar horizon, and the system will be able to down threats at high altitude only. At the same time, Jane’s reports that the AD missile system has 40V6MR multimode radar antenna masts that have not been used yet. The masts boost the S-400’s low-altitude target acquisition.
     
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