Russian missile maker to build two plants, expand exports

(RIA Novosti):  Russia's Almaz-Antei conglomerate will receive a government loan to build two new production facilities to expand the export of missile defense systems, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Wednesday.
The conglomerate's core products are the S-300 and S-400 missile defense systems, most of which are procured by the Russian military, he said, adding that exports were limited.
"However, these goods, to so speak, are in great demand on the international market," he noted.
The S-300PS Grumble model entered service with the Russian Armed Forces in 1985. It has an effective range of 90 kilometers (56 miles).
The S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) is designed to engage airborne targets at distances of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles), double the range of the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot.
Russia currently has three S-400 battalions.