Highlights
India is set to receive S-400 air defence system from Moscow in 2021.
The sanctions imposed by the US on Turkey has made India cautious.
The United States on Monday (December 15) imposed sanctions on Turkey for acquiring S-400 air defence systems from Russia. It may be recalled that the ground-to-air defenses system was acquired by Turkey from Russia in mid-2019. At that time Turkey had said that the acquisition pose no threat to NATO allies.
India has also inked similar deal with Russia and is set to receive S-400 air defence system from Moscow in 2021. The sanctions imposed by the US on Turkey has made India cautious and New Delhi is closely monitoring the decision taken by US administration. Notably, outgoing President Donald Trump has given a waiver to India and it remains to be seen whether incoming Biden administration would continue with the same. It is likely that Biden would continue with the stand taken by Trump as far as S-400 deal is concerned but it may
The system can track 100 airborne targets and engage six of them simultaneously.
It represents the fourth generation of long-range Russian SAMs, and the successor to the S-200 and S-300. The S-400’s mission set and capabilities are roughly comparable to the famed US Patriot system.
The S-400 Triumf air defence system integrates a multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and command and control centre. It is capable of firing three types of missiles to create a layered defence.
The S-400 is two-times more effective than previous Russian air defence systems and can be deployed within five minutes. It can also be integrated into the existing and future air defence units of the Air Force, Army, and the Navy.