MOSCOW, April 13. /TASS/. China has purchased S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, director general of Russia's major arms exporting company Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaykin has told the Kommersant daily in an interview.

Isaykin refused to disclose terms of contract but confirmed that China had become the first buyer of the cutting-edge air defense system. He noted that it emphasizes the strategic nature of Russian-Chinese relations.

The head of Rosoboronexport said that the Russian defense industry is obliged to supply the S-400 air defense system to the Russian Defense Ministry first of all, despite the fact that many foreign countries are interested in purchasing the system.

The systems, which are capable of launching up to 72 missiles and engaging up to 36 targets simultaneously, entered service in 2007 to replace the S-300 systems. S-400 Triumf is designed to shield from air strikes, strategic, cruise, tactical and operating tactical ballistic missiles and medium-range ballistic missiles.