S-400 Missile System

Russia will deliver the remaining two units of the S-400 air defence system to India by 2025-26, completing a $5.43 billion deal signed in 2018. The system’s effective use in recent India-Pakistan clashes underscores its strategic value for India’s defence.

S-400 Missile System – India’s Sudarshan Chakra

Context and Background

• India acquired the S-400 Triumf air defence system from Russia through a contract signed in 2018 worth over Rs 35,000 crore.
• Despite potential US sanctions under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), India proceeded with the deal.
• Three of the five contracted S-400 squadrons have been delivered, with the first unit delivered in 2021.
• The system was successfully used to intercept drone and missile attacks from Pakistan.
• India has deployed four S-400 squadrons at strategic locations: Pathankot, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and plans further deployment on the northeastern border.

Features of the S-400 Triumf System

• Type: Surface-to-Air Missile System (SAM) designed to counter multiple aerial threats: aircraft, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs.
• Components: Includes multifunctional radars, automated command centers, four missile types, and mobile launchers.
• Mobility: Mounted on trucks, enabling quick repositioning across different terrains.

Capabilities

• Range: Up to 400 km (maximum).
• Altitude: Can destroy targets flying between 10 meters to 30 km height.
• Target Tracking: Can track up to 80 targets simultaneously and engage 36 at a time.
• Speed: Intercepts targets moving at speeds up to 4.8 km/second (much faster than US Patriot missile system at 1.38 km/second).
• Deployment Speed: Can be deployed within 5 minutes (compared to Patriot’s 25 minutes).

Missile Types in the System

• 40N6: Long-range missile with 400 km range.
• 48N6: Medium-range missile with 250 km range.
• 9M96E2: Short to medium-range missile with 120 km range.
• 9M96E: Short-range missile with 40 km range.

Radar Systems

• 91N6E Big Bird: 3D phased-array radar for long-range target detection.
• 92N6E Grave Stone: Radar for medium and short-range target guidance.
• Integrated command system (55K6E) coordinates missile launchers and radar for quick threat response.

Comparative Superiority

• Faster deployment and interception speed compared to US Patriot and THAAD missile defence systems.
• Multi-dimensional missile variety creates layered air defence.
• US Patriot has a max range of 180 km, while S-400 extends to 400 km.
• THAAD is one-dimensional with only one missile type, max range 150-200 km.