What is the S-400 Triumf? Air Defense Missile Systems
The S-400 Triumf, previously known as the S-300 PMU-3, is a mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering in the 1990s as a replacement for the S-300 family.
On April 28, 2007, the S-400 entered service. China was the first international buyer to reach an agreement with Russia in 2014. Since then, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, Belarus, and Serbia have all acquired, expressed interest in the system.
| S-400 Triumf Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Name | S-400 Triumf |
| Type | Mobile surface-to-air missile and anti-ballistic missile system |
| Designed and Developed | Russia |
| Engine | YaMZ-8424.10 Diesel V12 400 HP/294 kW |
| Ground Clearance Height | 485 mm |
Operational range | 400 km (40N6E missile) 250 km (48N6 missile) 120 km (9M96E2 missile) 40 km (9M96E missile) |
The Economist classified the S 400 as “one of the best air defence systems being manufactured” in 2017. Siemon Wezeman of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) stated that it is “among the most sophisticated air defence systems available.”
At the BRICS Summit on October 15, 2016, India and Russia inked an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the supply of five (5) S-400 regiments.
Despite threats of US Sanctions, the US $5.43 billion (40,000 crores) deal was formally signed on October 5, 2018.
The deliveries are planned to begin at the end of 2020 and be completed by October 2020. The US threatened India with sanctions for its decision to buy the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system over the American-made Patriot PAC 3.
In March 2021, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted India’s proposed acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air missile system and warned the country of sanctions if they went forward with the acquisition. Earlier this year, the US slapped similar restrictions on China for acquiring the same system equipped with sophisticated fighter planes.
Russia said in November 2021 that it had begun delivering S-400 missiles to India and that the deployment was going according to plan.
Read More: Daily Current Events
Discussion about S-400 Triumf in Lok Sabha
Today, Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt informed the Lok Sabha about the S-400 Triumf in a written reply to Asaduddin Owaisi.
The government is well aware of every development that may affect the procurement of defence equipment. The government makes sovereign decisions based on threat perception and operational and technical considerations to maintain the Armed Forces’ readiness to confront a broad range of security challenges. Deliveries were made under contractual deadlines.
The S-400 Missile is a potent system in terms of operational capabilities, capable of providing a continuous and effective air defence system across a vast region. With the implementation of this system, the country’s air defence capabilities will be significantly enhanced.
