(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Russia has announced the postponement of the delivery of the final two squadrons of the S-400 “Triumf” air defense system to India following increased domestic demand for the system due to the conflict in Ukraine.
The last two squadrons of the S-400 air defense system will be delivered to India in 2026, compared to the previous timeline of 2024.
Russia had dispatched the initial three squadrons of the S-400 air defense system in 2023 and had pledged to deliver the remaining two squadrons this year.
All three squadrons of the S-400 air defense system sent by Russia are now fully operational in critical sectors along India’s borders with Pakistan and China, including in Punjab.
The conflict in Ukraine has led to delays in the delivery of the S-400 air defense system as Moscow prioritizes the needs of its own military, which requires more S-400 systems to defend its airspace from Ukrainian attacks.
“Russia has informed India that it will now deliver the final two squadrons of the S-400 system by August 2026,” defense sources told Indian media recently.
In 2018, New Delhi and Moscow signed an agreement for the acquisition of five squadrons of the S-400 air defense system along with 6,000 missiles valued at approximately US$5.6 billion (RM25.2 billion), with the delivery scheduled for 2023-2024.
The air defense system is capable of targeting threats up to 400km away and is reported to be highly effective against aircraft and cruise missiles.
According to Rosoboroexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev, the long-range S-400 air defense system is superior to Western-made air defense systems.
Compared to Western-made air defense systems, Mikheyev stated that the S-400 air defense system has exceptional capabilities to counter ballistic missiles and aerodynamic guided missiles in real conflict scenarios.
He added that the S-400 air defense system can shoot down ballistic missiles from a distance of 60km and up to 400km for other aerodynamic air targets such as fighter aircraft.
One unique aspect of the S-400 air defense system is its anti-aircraft guided missiles like the 48N6E3, capable of countering ballistic threats and aerodynamic targets at various altitudes.
The S-400 radar system can detect and track aerial targets up to 600km away.
“It has been proven in various military operations that modern Western defense systems fail to counter ballistic targets almost 100 percent,” Mikheyev said.
Recently, it was reported that the latest variant of the S-400 air defense system will use upgraded interceptor missiles like the 40N6, which have demonstrated their effectiveness in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“The S-400 air defense system now employs the 40N6 interceptor missile capable of shooting down targets at longer ranges, making it the most advanced system in the world and equipped with a unique homing head capability,” a defense source told Russian media.
“The S-400 air defense system with the 40N6 interceptor missile, coupled with early warning aircraft A-50U, can engage targets including high-speed moving targets at low altitudes,” the source added.
The Russian Ministry of Defense plans to acquire more than 1,000 of its latest interceptor missiles, the 40N6, in the coming years. — DSA