S-400 anti-missile system

In News: S-400 US, India friction grows over purchase of S-400 air defence system from Russia, New Delhi unlikely to get any waiver from Washington.

S-400 anti-missile system

• India had signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy the S-400 air defence missile systems in 2018.
• The system is also known as the ‘Triumf’ interceptor-based missile system.
• It can simultaneously track numerous incoming objects — all kinds of aircraft, missiles and UAVs — in a radius of 400km and launch appropriate missiles to neutralise them.
• The S-400 is Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.
• Russia plans to complete the delivery by 2025.

US Stand

• The U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia under the stringent Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for manufacturing S-400.
• The law also provides for punitive action against countries purchasing defence hardware from Russia.

S-400 anti-missile system: Benefits 

• The radar fitted in the S-400 anti-missile system has a range of about 600 km for surveillance and can track 300 targets simultaneously. 
• This system also detects fighter jets which are a part of China’s arsenal– F-22, F-35 etc. 
• In August 2018, when China tested this system, it shot down a simulated ballistic target which was 250 km away. 
• It fits in all missile systems and can be configured to long-range, semi long-range, medium-range and short-range systems depending on the preference. 
• This system is cheaper as compared to other defence systems. It has 9 launchers, 120 missiles, command and support vehicles. 
• The system will be deployed in the National Capital Region and along the Mumbai-Baroda Industrial Corridor.
• Due to its high range, the air defence system will help the Indian military to track movement along LoC (Line of Control).