Source: Russian MoD Source: Russian MoD Close

"Today, a successful launch of the modernized missile system of the Ground Forces, Iskander-M, was carried out," the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The missile reportedly flew 480 kilometers, from the Kapustin Yar firing range in Astrakhan to the Makat firing range, in Kazakhstan.

The Ministry of Defense said the test was successful and the missile hit its target.

There has been some concern that the Iskander-M violates the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, an agreement between the U.S. and Russia that prohibits the deployment of ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The missile demonstration on September 18 indicates that the Iskander-M may be in compliance with the INF treaty.

The manufacturer of the system, Kolomna Engineering Design Bureau, intends to modernize the Iskander-M further moving forward, according to general designer Valery Kashin, who spoke to media last week.

He said, "We are going ahead with further research and development to create new missiles for the Iskander system. It keeps developing. Several types of missiles have been created. They look alike, but internally they are fundamentally different from each other. Now we have seven types of missiles, or possibly more."

He indicated that the upgraded versions will still be in compliance with the INF treaty, but did not otherwise specify what the improvements will target.

Russia's Iskander-M missile test comes amid its Zapad-2017 military exercises with Belarus, taking place mostly in eastern Europe.

Source: Russian MoD Source: Russian MoD Close

Almaz-Antey, the manufacturer of the S-400, released a statement on September 18, 2017 noting that the first regimental set of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems had been provided to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The firm noted, "The parts and components of the air defense missile system S-400 Triumf are delivered by the sub-contractors to the assembly center at the Kapustin Yar proving ground, unloaded there and stored at technological areas. The components are then checked for quality and the systems assembled and tuned up."

The S-400s will be assembled at the training grounds and tested, including through the use of live missiles.

Russia will receive four regimental sets of S-400s this year, following the delivery of five last year. The system first entered service in 2007.

On September 19, 2017, Major-General Fraiz Salyiev told media that a new set of S-400s would be entering service with the Central Military District in two months.

"In November this year S-400 missile systems will be provided for another unit of the Central Military District’s air defense stationed in the Volga River area. Earlier, in 2016 such complexes were for the first time provided for a military unit in the Siberian region," the major-general, who is in charge of the district's technical support, said, according to Tass News Agency.

In addition to providing the system for its own military, Russia is discussing export contracts with international customers. Moscow has inked an agreement with China for the sale of an export version of the S-400 and is reportedly discussing selling the system to Turkey. According to Turkey, an initial Turkish payment has been made for the S-400.

More K130 Corvettes for Germany Source: German Navy More K130 Corvettes for Germany Source: German Navy Close

This order could result in further procurement contracts for the RBS15 anti-ship and RIM-116 RAM close-range air defense missile systems. These weapons are already operational on the German Navy's in-service K130 corvettes.

Delivery of these warships will begin in 2022. Overall, the contract has a financial value of almost two billion euros, according to German officials.

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