Russian air forces will put more than 30 Vityaz medium-range air defense systems into service by 2020, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the official representative of Ministry of Defense, Colonel Vladimir Drik.

According to him, the new air defense systems will replace the outdated S-300P. Besides Vityaz systems, about 100 Pantsir’-S1 antiaircraft missile systems will be put into service.

The details on Vityaz air defense system are yet unknown. It has been reported earlier that they will form part of Russia’s aerospace defense along with S-400, S-500 and Morphey. The latter two ones will be put into service in 2015 and 2013 respectively. S-500 will form the basis of Russian anti-ballistic missile system in future. The acquisition of systems will be carried out in the network of State program in the area of arms for 2011-2020; the scope of finance for this program in the line of Ministry of Defense will be about 20 trillion rubles.

The deliveries of Pantsir’-S1 will be started in 2012. It has been reported in early December 2011. Russian air forces should acquire a total of 60 new and modernized air defense systems this year, including S-400. In addition, the armed forces will acquire Nebo-U radar facilities.