A-135

Description: The A-135 was a Moscow-based anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defense system intended to neutralize intercontinental ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads. It is the successor of the A-35M deployed by the Soviet Union in 1978. The Soviet Union deployed the A-135 ABM system in 1989. The system comprises a mixture of endo-atmospheric (SH-08 Gazelle/ABM-3) and exo-atmospheric (SH-11 Gorgon/ABM-4) interceptors and several radar systems. The system was retired from active duty by the Russian Armed Forces in the late 1990s. The Russian government has been threatening the US and NATO with the deployment of an upgraded version of the A-135 system to counter the deployment of ABM by the US in Eastern Europe. As of late 2011 the deployment of such advanced system seems to be more likely due to US/NATO denial to offer guarantees that the European missile shield is not designed to neutralize the nuclear deterrent of Russia.

The A-135 missile system comprises approximately 36 SH-11 and 64 SH-08 interceptor missiles launched from underground silos and deployed in 1984. The 51T6 or SH-11 Gorgon is a three-stage solid fuel missile with a range of 300-400 kilometers and a nuclear warhead yielding more than one Megaton. The 53T6 or SH-08 Gazelle is a two-stage solid fuel missile with a range of 100 kilometers and a nuclear warhead of 10 Kilotons. As of November 2014 the system seems to be back operational with 68 interceptors.