On SCO sidelines, Russia assures Rajnath of delivery schedule of remaining S-400 batteries
The meeting took place during the sidelines of the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said that the delivery of S-400 did come up in discussion between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov in China's Qingdao.
New Delhi: Russia has assured India of delivering the much delayed 4th S-400 Triumf air defence system in 2026 and the remaining one in 2027, ThePrint has learnt.
The sources said that the Russian side explained that the delivery was delayed because of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The Russians have said that the 4th S-400 battery will be delivered in 2026 and the last remaining one in 2027.
India currently operates three S-400 systems, one of which saw intense action during Operation Sindoor.
Interestingly, Pakistan's entire drone foray was to find out India's air defence locations including that of the S-400. Pakistan did fire at least three Chinese-made anti-radiation missiles but they were unsuccessful contrary to Pakistan claims, the sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had officially called out Pakistan's bluff by traveling to the Adampur air base and speaking to the personnel there with the S400 in the background.
The S-400 is designed to knock down flying targets, including those equipped with stealth technologies, at a distance of about 400 km. Compared to its predecessor the S-300, the S-400 has a firing rate that is 2.5 times faster.
Each S-400 battery comprises long-range radar, a command post vehicle, target acquisition radar and two battalions of launchers—each battalion has eight launchers. Each launcher has four tubes.
The S-400 can be armed with four different types of missiles with ranges of 400 km, 250 km, 120 km and 40 km. The Long Range (LR) radar can track more than 100 flying objects simultaneously while being able to engage a dozen targets.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: Delivery of 2nd S-400 squadron from Russia set for 3-month delay due to war, simulators arrive
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