Russia has begun delivering Antey-2500 air defense missile systems to Egypt under a contract signed earlier.

Russia has begun delivering Antey-2500 air defense missile systems to Egypt under a contract signed earlier, a high-ranking source in the Russian Defense Ministry told Interfax-AVN on Thursday.

"Deliveries of auxiliary technological equipment have been launched. Within a year, Egypt will receive launchers and other equipment," he said.

"The contract is being implemented according to schedule," the source said, declining to say how many Antey-2500 systems were purchased by Egypt.

Antey-2500 is the export version of Russia's S-300V4 surface-to-air missile system, which is used by the Russian Land Forces. The new system is able to engage ballistic and aerodynamic targets within a range of up to 400 kilometers.

Venezuela became the first foreign country to buy Antey-2500 systems, which were also offered to Iran.

Russia is one of the main non-Arab supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government and was among the first countries to endorse Sisi’s presidential bid in 2014 after he toppled the former administration led by the ousted President Mohammad Mursi.