Russia’s A-235 missile defense system holds a leading position among modern complexes of its class and surpasses the American THAAD system in several key parameters, according to analysts at Military Watch Magazine.

The publication says the A-235 has served since 2019 as the top tier of Russia’s strategic missile defense network. The system is designed to protect Moscow and other critical Russian facilities from intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons and satellite-related threats.

According to MWM, the A-235 has the longest engagement range of any operational missile defense system in the world. Its interceptors are described as capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometres away and at altitudes reaching into space.

The system’s interception range on some trajectories is believed to exceed 1,000 kilometres, although its official specifications remain classified. By comparison, MWM points to Russia’s S-500, with a range of up to 600 kilometres, and the US THAAD system, which can engage targets at distances of up to 200 kilometres.

The magazine reports that the A-235 entered combat duty after successful tests from a mobile launcher in 2018, replacing elements of the older A-135 missile defense system around Moscow.

The A-235 includes modern phased-array radars, high-speed interceptor missiles and an automated command system built to counter several threats at once.

Unlike conventional surface-to-air systems, the A-235 was developed to hit objects moving at space altitudes at speeds of several kilometres per second. One of its defining features is ultra-high-speed kinetic interception, which replaced earlier solutions used in the A-135 system.

MWM says A-235 complexes are networked with Russian early-warning satellites and long-range radars. When a ballistic missile launch is detected, the system can calculate the projected impact point and send an interceptor on a collision course.

The A-235’s own radar assets are also said to be capable of tracking hundreds of objects simultaneously, separating real warheads from decoys and debris.

Military Watch Magazine also notes that testing confirmed the system’s ability to operate beyond the atmosphere and perform anti-satellite defense missions. Because of these characteristics, the A-235 is described as one of the highest-altitude air and missile defense systems ever developed.

The stated core mission of the A-235 is to protect Russia’s political and military leadership and preserve stable control over the country’s strategic nuclear forces in the event of a large-scale strike.

The publication says the A-235’s capabilities are complemented by the S-500 system, which is also intended to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles and satellites.

MWM also points out that the United States and China are developing their own next-generation strategic missile defense systems: the US under the Golden Dome programme and China through the HQ-29 system presented in 2025. The magazine writes that all three powers are steadily increasing investment in the modernization of strategic nuclear forces, while Russia’s defense sector is expected to prioritize strengthening its lead by expanding and upgrading the A-235 network.

The analysts conclude that Russian developers may further reinforce the A-235 with S-550 and S-500 systems, as well as new space-based and ground-based detection assets.