RUSSIA STARTS DELIVERY OF S-400 MISSILE SYSTEMS TO INDIA
Highlights
- Russia started the delivery for deployment on schedule in 2021.
- India bought this system for US$ 5 billion in 2018.
- This deal between India and Russia became contentious amid a threat of sanctions from the United States on countries engaging in defence deals with Russia.
- India had bought five units of S-400 system in 2018, for which it had made the first tranche of the payment of $800 million in 2019.
Significance of S-400
- The S-400 is considered as the most advanced air-defence system worldwide. The missile is capable of protecting its air defence bubble against missiles, rockets, cruise missiles and aircraft.
- This system is available with China, that was deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, amid military standoff with India.
About S-400 Triumf
- S-400 Triumf is a mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. It was developed in by Almaz Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering in 1990s, as an upgrade to S-300 family.
- The first battalion of newest surface-to-air missile systems assumed duty on August 6, 2007. China was the first foreign buyer of the missile, in 2014.
- Since then, countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Belarus and India have all acquired, or expressed interest in the system. S-400 missile systems are organized across the 30K6E administration system.
- It is having the range of 400kms.
S-400 Triumf long-range air defence system- Key Facts
- Russia recently started supplying S-400 Triumf air defence system to India, giving a major boost to Indian defence capabilities.
Highlights
- These defence systems will boost India’s capabilities to take out cruise missiles and enemy fighter aircraft at long range.
- The announcement that Russia started supplying S-400 systems to India, was made during Dubai Air Show.
- First squadron of this system will be deployed near Western border of India. it will help in tackling threats from both Northern as well as Western borders with China and Pakistan.
Missile requirement of India
- India will require five squadrons to tackle air threats from up to 400-km. First squadron of the S-400 system is likely to be complete by end of 2021.
India-Russia S-400 system agreement
- India inked an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia in October 2016, during BRICS Summit.
- A formal agreement was signed in October 2018 for procuring the defence system. The deal is worth Rs 35,000 crores to contract S-400 air defence system from Russia.
- After several negotiations, India brought down the price of this deal by a billion dollars.
Training of IAF personnel for operating S-400 system
- The Indian Air Force officers and personnel were trained in Russia to operate the system.
Significance of S-400 missiles for India
- The S-400 Triumf air defence system will give a major boost to Indian capabilities of taking out enemy cruise missiles and fighter aircraft at long range.
- It will provide India with an edge in South Asian skies.
- India would now be able to take out enemy missiles and aircrafts from a distance of 400-kms.