Russia once again successfully tested its new PRS-1M hypersonic interceptor missile, which is part of the A-135 missile defense system, at Sary Shagan anti-ballistic missile testing range located in Kazakhstan.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 20 July that a missile defence unit of the Russian Aerospace Forces has tested PRS-1M hypersonic interceptor missile.

The PRS-1M is a new interceptor missile that reportedly has a new engine capable of speeding it up to 4km per second, lighter hull components and an upgraded guidance system, which allows it to better resist countermeasures deployed by an incoming ICBM.

According to the deagel.com, the Russian Armed Forces conducted the first test ever of the PRS-1M interceptor in November 2017 from Kazakhstan and the second one on February 12, 2018, from the same location.

Russian media also reported that the new interceptor is apparently the replacement for the 53T6 short-range anti-ballistic missiles, which serve as part of an ABM shield protecting Moscow from a possible nuclear strike. The size of the projectile is the same as 53T6, since it is meant to be deployed from the same silos around the Russian capital.