S-400 Missile System

Why in News?

India’s Defence Ministry selected a domestic firm to set up an MRO facility for S-400 air defence systems in collaboration with Russia’s Almaz-Antey, reducing foreign dependence and boosting Make in India defence capability.

Description:

• Advanced long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
• Developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey.
• India signed a deal for 5 units in October 2018, costing $5.4 billion (~₹35,000 crore).
• Indian designation: “Sudarshan Chakra”.

Key Features:

• Detection Range: Radar can detect targets up to 600 km away.
• Can track 300 targets simultaneously, engage 36 threats at once.
• Advanced radars (e.g., 96L6E) provide 360° surveillances.
• Resistant to electronic warfare.

Missile Types & Ranges:

• 9M96E / 9M96E2: up to 120 km (medium-range threats).
• 48N6E3: ~250 km (high-speed aircraft and missiles).
• 40N6E: up to 400 km (longest range).

Speed:

• Missiles can reach speeds up to 17,000 km/h (~Mach 14).
• Can intercept aircraft, ballistic missiles (even near space edge).

Mobility & Deployment:

• Highly mobile: Mounted on wheeled vehicles.
• Rapid deployment time: 5–10 minutes.
• Shoot and scoot capability (fire and relocate quickly).

Operational Use (Example):

• Used during May 2025 India–Pakistan conflict.
• Deployed in Operation Sindoor.
• Successfully intercepted Pakistani missiles and drones targeting Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, etc.
• Demonstrated combat capability in protecting critical infrastructure.

Flexibility & Integration:

• Can operate in point defence or area defence modes.
• Interoperable with S-300, Tor, Pantsir systems.
• Supports multiple guidance modes (inertial, active, passive, satellite).
• Software can be reprogrammed for emerging threats.

Strategic Importance for India:

• Enhances deterrence against China and Pakistan.
• Covers large parts of Pakistani airspace for enforcing no-fly zones.
• Counters China’s J-20 stealth fighters and AWACS.
• Protects major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata) and ~30 others.
• Strengthens naval sea-denial capabilities (tracking naval forces).
• Boosts offensive operations by freeing up air assets.

Limitations:

• Defensive-only system (cannot conduct surface attacks).
• Two-front stress due to China–Pakistan nexus.
• Upper-tier defence gaps vs hypersonic glide vehicles.
• Expensive unit and lifecycle costs may constrain other defence spending.
• Risk of US sanctions under CAATSA.

Way Forward for India:

• Integrate with diverse legacy and modern air defence networks.
• Invest in training for complex operations.
• Develop multi-tier architecture (short, medium, long-range systems).
• Prepare for emerging threats (hypersonic, drones, loitering munitions).

Comparison with Other Systems:

S-400 Advantages:

• Longer detection & engagement range.
• Multiple missile types for layered defence.
• Superior tracking & target engagement capacity.
• Better against stealth and electronic warfare.

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