The range of Buk-M3 air defense system reached 70 km – 25 km more compared to its predecessor; the system even outmatched long-range S-300 air defense system by a number of parameters, TASS reports with reference to a source close to Russian Ministry of Defense.

“Results of state testing confirm that the system is in line with the performance specification matching the parameters of S-300 and even outmatched it by some parameters,” the source said.

“First of all this refers to possibility of hitting a target: 0,9999 for Buk-M3, higher than the parameter of S-300”, - the source noted. He added: “the system’s range was increased by 25 km (compared to its predecessor) and reached 70 km”.

In April deliveries of the test Buk-M3 systems to the armed forces were started. “Now prior to putting the Buk-M3 into service we have to carry out joint testing in summer at the same firing range. In case the testing is successful, the system will be put into service this autumn,” the source noted. According to him, Buk-M3 will be included in the State Defense Order for 2016 after signing a contract for delivery of production systems by December 2015. “Air Defense Forces of the Army will take delivery of the first Buk-M3 systems in winter 2016,” the source added.

It was reported earlier that the new representative of Buk Family would be put into service in 2015. It is expected that the new system would continue the product line of Buk air defense systems. The previous version – Buk-M2 is one of the most efficient systems in its class. Its development was completed in 1988, however its mass production was started 15 years later.

According to the source, the Ministry of Defense has not made a decision on development of the next version – Buk-M4. “So far the enterprise did not receive any performance specifications related to the system from the ministry, - the source said. – So there is no contract and no funding”.