With respect to the changing dynamics of the international technology milieu, a fascinating missile system which is known as S-400, an anti aircraft weapon surface-to-air (SAM) missile system. This weapon is highly effective air defense system which is widely capable in modern warfare and balancing the air defense power. Several countries shows their interest to acquire this technology and our eastern neighbor India is one of them. So, the blog is all about the specification of Russian made S-400s Missile System which was the updated version of S-300s and which countries has operationalize this technology and also seek to know which foreign deals are on progress...
Overview of S-400:
The S-400, is an anti-aircraft missile system, which is designed to counter aircraft, and ballistic missiles, can also be used against ground targets. It can also able to intercept cruise missiles at a range of about 25mi around 40km due to their low-altitude flight paths.
This missile system is the updated variant of the S-300PMU, which are organized around 30K6E administration system, which comprises Eight Divisions (battalions) which are working in coordinated way and can control up to 72 launchers with carrying maximum 384 missiles. With that, one S-400 integrated system can shoot down up to 80 targets simultaneously. The best unique part is that it has vertical projection means it can hit the target with any angle.
The development of this S-400 missile system began in 1980's. Under the supervisory of Dr Alexander Lemanskiy who was the Chief Engineer on the S-400 project, the completion of the project was announced in the month of February 2004, this system was approved for services in 2007. The project was designed by Almaz-Antey.
The main reason for Russia's acquisition this technology is to upgrade air defence which is quite unbalance, if you look at US air power they have the stealth fighter craft like F-35 and F-22 Raptor, and to combat it, a country must have a strong air power. So, Russian leadership consider it better to invest in air missiles rather to acquire or build its own air craft which can counter top air craft and can intercept highly efficient cruise missiles. Russia also work on the enhanced version of S-400 namely, S-500.
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| F-22 Raptor |
Per unit cost is $300 million, which consist an (artillery battalion) of 9 launchers, 120 missiles, command and support vehicles. Engine detail, YAMZ-8424. 10 Diesel V12 400 HP/294kw.
Structure:
Firstly, we'll elaborate its working structure through an image and then trying to know that how the system work?
The 91N6E is a Long-range surveillance radar tracks objects and protection against jamming and transmit information to command vehicle, its detection range is 600km (248mi), and is mounted on MZKT-7930.
After receiving the information from panoramic radar, the 55K6E command vehicle identified the target and order it to the launcher to launch the missile, and this system placed on the Ural-532301. This vehicle is the most important tool in this missile system in terms of decision making.
The 5P85TE2 and 5P85SE2 were the launch part of this missile system and it releases surface-to-air missiles to the targeted place which was ordered from command vehicle.
The 92N6E (92N2E) is an engagement radar helps guide missiles towards target, is a multi functional radar with a range of 400km (250mi), and can also track 100 target.
This system is twice as effective as the previous Russian defence system and can be deployed within five minutes. A single S-400 battalions consists of at least eight launchers with 32 missiles and a mobile command vehicle.
Missiles Capability:
In S-400 missile system, four inclusion of new missiles in addition to the missiles of the S-300MPU system. The first inducted missile 48N6DM(48N6E3), which can destroy airborne target within the range of 250km.
Second, the 40N6E missiles of the S-400, which is more effective and has a range of 400km and uses active radar to intercept air target at large distances. It can counter Airborne Early Warning types of craft like AWACS, J-STARS, EA-6B and other high-value targets. This missiles need to be authorized by a Russian President in order to delivered other countries.
9M96E AND 9M96E2 types of missiles has medium range ground-to-air missiles. It is designed for direct impact, can strike fast moving targets such as fighter aircraft with high efficiency. The maximum range of this missiles is 120km.
Turkey-Russia deal over S-400:
Turkey has a strong bilateral ties with Russia, the only NATO country so far to use Russia's advanced S-400 missile system, despite the threat from the US, in 2017 Turkey has signed a deal worth of US$2.5 Billion with Russia and strongly reject the United States concern over the deal. Ankara received its first installment of the Russian S-400 missile defense system on July 2019. So far. 4 batteries consisting of 36 fire units, and 192+ missiles were delivered to Turkey.
Operators and other foreign interest:
China
China was the first foreign buyer to signed a government to government deal of US$ 3 Billion with Russia in 2014, China received its first S-400 on May 2018 and system was tested in the early August 2018 from China. Initially, it consist of six batteries.
Belarus
In 2007, Belarus submitted a formal request for supply two S-400 battalions. Year 2011, Union State of Russia and Belarus Pavel has stated that Russia will supply the S-400 air defense system to Belarus. In 2016, it received two S-400 units free of charge from Russia.
India
The fascist government of India is supposed to be serious threat for region peace. During the BRICS Summit, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the supply of five S-400 regiments with the cost of US$5.43 Billion deal, the deal was formally signed on 5 October 2018, ignoring the US deterrent. It was expected to deliver by 2021.
After receiving the 1st shift of Dassault Rafale, India prepare for two front war with China and Pakistan with the help of US, funnily, and enhancing military budget is another factor, which clearly shows the intensity of India.
Saudi Arabia
In 2017, Saudi Arabia had agreed to buy the S-400, announcement was made during a visit by King Salman to Moscow. So, in future Saudi Arabia would also operate this air defence missile system. The system gives multi-layer defence ability against aerial threats.
Several more countries shows their interest to acquire this missile system, namely:
- Iran
- South Korea
- Egypt
- Iraq
- Qatar
Do Pakistan need S-400 ?
Well, there is no doubt about the capability of this S-400 missile system and our leaders must have thought about that technology. Just clear one thing, Pakistan's policy is simply defensive which only acquire weaponry for their sovereignty not for threatening others, with that, they are professional in their field and believe in quality not quantity and they have prove several times in battlefield.
With limited resources, our Army is counted amongst the best Armies in the world, global power acknowledged our strength and capability. So, with that fact Pakistan surely have that strength which can counter S-400. Let me add statement of DG ISPR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar on Indian threat: "Whether it be Rafale or S-400, Pakistan Army is fully prepared and ready to thwart any Indian aggression."
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