S-400 System (Sudarshan Chakra)

Context

The Russian S-400 system and the Rafale Jets with SCALP Missiles — these twin weapons have proved to be the aces for India in Operation Sindoor and in the ongoing conflict with Pakistan.

About S-400 System

The S-400 is a modern long-range surface-to-air missile (MLR SAM) system developed by Russia.
It is the world’s premier long-range air defence weapon, capable of tracking and engaging multiple aerial targets within a range of up to 600 kilometre.
It is widely regarded as one of the most advanced and formidable surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems in the world.
Introduced into service in 2007, the S-400 is designed to provide a multi-layered air defence shield capable of intercepting a broad spectrum of aerial threats, including fighter jets, ballistic and cruise missiles, drones and stealth aircraft.

India's air and missile defence systems:

Long-Range Systems
- S-400 Triumf
- Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)
  - Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)
  - Advanced Air Defence (AAD)
- Project Kusha (under development)
Medium-Range Systems
- Akash-NG
- Barak-8 (India-Israel)
Short-Range Systems
- QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile)
- Spyder (Israel)
Surveillance & Command Systems
- Swordfish Radar
- Rajendra Radar
- Akashteer
- IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System)
Naval Air Defence
- Barak-8 (Naval variant)
- SRSAM (Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile)

Key Components and Capabilities
- It has three components: Missile launchers, a powerful radar and a command centre. It can hit aircraft, cruise missiles and even fast-moving intermediate range ballistic missiles.
- The system integrates several advanced radars and missile launchers coordinated by a command and control centre.
- Its multifunction radar suite includes the 92N2E Grave Stone tracking radar and the 96L6 Cheese Board acquisition radar, which provide 360-degree surveillance and can detect targets up to 600 kilometres away. The S-400 can simultaneously track up to 300 targets and engage up to 36 threats at once.
- The S-400 employs four types of missiles to create a layered defence:
  - 40N6: A long-range missile with a reach of up to 400 km, capable of intercepting high-value targets at great distances.
  - 48N6: A medium-range missile effective up to 250 km.
  - 9M96E and 9M96E2: Short to medium-range missiles with ranges between 40 and 120 km, designed to strike fast-moving targets such as fighter jets and precision-guided munitions.
- These missiles can engage targets flying at speeds up to Mach 14 (approximately 17,000 km/h) and at altitudes ranging from 10 metres to 30 kilometres, including ballistic missiles at the edge of space.
Inside the Indian Air Force, it is termed as the ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ which can detect, track, and destroy a wide variety of airborne threats — from fighter aircraft, to UAVs and ballistic missiles.
India procured 36 Rafale fighter jets since 2020 from France in a government-to-government deal, which significantly enhanced the air prowess of India, giving it an edge over the US made F-16 fighter jets with Pakistan.
India had to fight a lot of pressure exerted by the US when India decided to procure the S-400 defence system since 2018 in a USD 5 billion deal with Russia.

India vs Pakistan: Military Power Comparison (2025)

Category	India	Pakistan
Global Rank	4th (Global Firepower 2025)	12th
Military Budget (2024)	USD 86 billion (2.3% of GDP)	USD 10.2 billion (2.7% of GDP)
Total Personnel	5,137,550 personnel	1,704,000 personnel
Combat Aircraft	2,229	1,399
Combat Tanks	3,151	1,839
Naval Assets	293 (over 6,100 km coastline)	121 (1,046 km coastline)
Nuclear Weapons	Both possess; India has longer-range, more diversified delivery systems