World | Russia Russia Building 'Star Wars' Defense Moscow plans major improvement to launch in 2017 By Arden Dier Posted Aug 30, 2013 2:51 PM CDT Copied In this undated photo, a Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system is on display. (AP Photo, File) Russia might not be thrilled with US plans to build a NATO shield in Europe, but that's not stopping Moscow from beefing up its own missile-defense system, AFP reports. It plans to launch a long-range system in 2017 capable of knocking out targets in space. The S-500 system would be a big improvement over the current S-400 Triumph system, which has a range of 250 miles. That also would be a big step up in the missile-defense systems Russia is supplying to Syria. Read These Next Updated list of free days at national parks is raising some eyebrows. Radiation expert has interesting new theory on why plane plummeted. Harvard visiting professor leaves US after antisemitism allegation. Olivia Nuzzi, Vanity Fair to part. Report an error