Russia has a new, long-range missile for its S-300V4 anti-ballistic missile system that is capable of striking targets up to 250 miles away, officials said Thursday.

"That means that Airborne early warning and control aircraft, including AWACS [Airborne Warning and Control System], will noew be unable to enter the 400-kilometer zone without repercussions," Pavel Sozinov, chief designer for the state-run Almaz-Antey defense company, told the TASS news service.

The missile's debut lessens the capabilities of an enemy attack using fighters or other attack aircraft, he said.

Russia's ground forces were first outfitted with the S-300V4 in 2014.

Rheinmetall upgrading Swiss air defense system
Dusseldorf, Germany (UPI) May 19, 2016 - Switzerland's 35mm Oerlikon Skyguard air defense system is to receive an upgrade from Rheinmetall Air Defence AG of Zurich.

The upgrade is to be conducted through 2019 and involve modernization of the fire control system and guns and an overhaul of associated command and control systems.

The work by Rheinmetall Air Defense, a subsidiary of the Rheinmetall Group of Germany, will extend the life of the system to at least 2025, Rheinmetall said.

The specific value of the contract from the Swiss federal procurement agency was not given but is said to be seven figures.

Some work on the project has been assigned to Switzerland's RUAG Aviation at the request of Swiss authorities.

Earlier this year the government had deferred plans to procure a new air-defense system pending a comprehensive review of the requirements.