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India.com
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
After Testing Decisive S-400, India Eyes S-500 Sky Shield – Know The Superweapon That Can Kill Even Satellites
New Delhi: The recent showdown between India and Pakistan was something South Asia had not seen in decades. High-stakes and blazing aerial clash between the two nations lit up the skies from May 6-10. Launched on the intervening night of May 6 and 7 to serve justice to the victims of April 22 Pakistan-sponsored Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 innocent civilians, Operation Sindoor was more than a military offensive. It was a masterclass in modern air defence. As Indian Air Force jets launched precision strikes deep into Pakistan and PoK, hitting terror launchpads with surgical fury, Islamabad struck back with a volley of missiles and drone swarms aimed at India's border states – Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat. The intent was loud and clear – retaliate, damage and disrupt. But what was meant to create havoc turned into a textbook example of air defence dominance, thanks to India's silent sentinel – the S-400 triumph. Layered like a digital fortress across India's vulnerable frontiers, the S-400 intercepted incoming threats in real time and forced Pakistani fighter jets to back off or reroute. Drone after drone fell from the sky. Missiles lost their bite. Civilian areas were spared what could have been deadly devastation. Military analysts say the S-400's performance was not only effective but also decisive. Multi-layered tracking, rapid reconfiguration and precision-targeting gave India a tactical edge that blunted Pakistan's retaliation before it hit the ground. What makes the S-400 so deadly? Manufactured by Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau, this long-range surface-to-air missile system detects aerial threats up to 600 km away and can strike down stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, fighter jets and even ballistic targets at a range of up to 400 km. Think of it as a guardian angel with a very long sword. India bought five S-400 squadrons in a massive Rs 35,000 crore ($5.4 billion) deal in 2018. Deployed in Punjab in 2021, the first squadron has been built with one purpose, which is deterring any airborne aggression from Pakistan or China. Its three squadrons, as of now, are fully operational, while the rest are on the way. The weapon is popularly known as 'Sudarshan Chakra' inside the military. Enough said. India is not stopping at the S-400. So what's next? Enter the S-500 Prometheus – the next-gen beast that can shoot down hypersonic missiles, track objects in space and knock out satellites in low earth orbit. This system plays in the space-war league. With a 2,000-km detection range and the ability to take out threats at 600 km, the S-500 is a geopolitical statement in addition to being a missile shield. Armed with hit-to-kill interceptors and real-time tracking of 10 targets at once, it is designed for the wars of tomorrow. India could be its first foreign customer. The CAATSA Complication But its acquisition is not so simple. There is a catch and that too a big one. The United State's CAATSA law threatens sanctions against nations that buy major arms from Russia. While India got a temporary waiver for the S-400 (thanks to Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna), no such guarantee exists for the S-500. So here lies India's conundrum – upgrade a weapon system that could define future air dominance or tread carefully to avoid rocking the diplomatic boat with Washington. If India manages to get S-500, it will not only defend its skies but also rewrite the rules of the game.
News18
27-05-2025
- Business
- News18
After S-400, Is India Ready For The S-500 Air Defence? One Big Hurdle Remains
Last Updated: India may seek Russia's S-500 Prometheus after the S-400 Triumf air defence system played a crucial role in neutralising threats from Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor marked one of the most intense air confrontations between India and Pakistan in recent memory with precision airstrikes by the Indian Air Force (IAF) targetting multiple terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In retaliation, Pakistan launched several missiles and drones across border areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Punjab. But what could have been a devastating blow was largely neutralised in the skies, thanks to India's advanced air defence system, the S-400 Triumf. Deployed in layers across vulnerable sectors, the S-400 shield intercepted a barrage of enemy drones and missiles, forcing Pakistani jets to abandon or alter their flight paths. Military analysts say the system played a critical role in limiting civilian casualties and infrastructure damage during the retaliation phase of the operation. India's deployment of the S-400, a long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau, has transformed the dynamics of subcontinental air defence. Capable of detecting threats up to 600 kilometres away and engaging multiple aerial targets simultaneously, including stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and even ballistic threats, the S-400 can destroy targets up to 400 kilometres away with pinpoint accuracy. Its rapid mobility ensures flexibility, allowing forces to reposition the system to match evolving tactical requirements. India had inked a Rs 35,000 crore (approximately $5.4 billion) deal with Russia in 2018 for five squadrons of the S-400. The first squadron was deployed in Punjab in 2021, strategically positioned to counter threats from both Pakistan and China. Three squadrons are now operational; the remaining two are scheduled for delivery by 2026. Within the Indian Army, the system is referred to as ' Sudarshan Chakra ', a symbolic nod to its devastating reach and precision. Designed not just to neutralise modern aerial threats but to dominate the near-space domain, the S-500 can intercept hypersonic glide vehicles, high-speed drones, and even satellites in low Earth orbit. This includes objects travelling at speeds and altitudes well beyond the interception capabilities of the S-400. With a detection range of up to 2,000 kilometres for ballistic targets and the ability to intercept them at distances up to 600 kilometres, the S-500 offers unmatched coverage and lethality. It includes the deadly 77N6 series of interceptors, capable of 'hit-to-kill" engagements, and can simultaneously track and engage up to 10 targets, more than enough to counter a multi-vector aerial assault. With this deal, India could become the first foreign customer of the S-500, should it formally express interest in acquiring the system. However, the path to procurement may not be straightforward. The United States' CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), enacted in 2018, empowers the US to sanction nations that conduct significant defence transactions with Russia. Though a 2022 legislative amendment pushed by Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna provided a temporary waiver for India's S-400 purchase, a similar exemption for the S-500 is not guaranteed. With the growing threat from hypersonic missiles and evolving space warfare capabilities, India's interest in the S-500 is more than a symbolic upgrade – it is a strategic imperative. But the geopolitical calculations around such a deal will be as complex as the technology itself. First Published:
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pakistan's missile, drone attack foiled: How India's S-400 'Sudarshan Chakra' works
NEW DELHI: India's S-400 air defence system, " Sudarshan Chakra ," on Thursday successfully countered a Pakistani offensive involving both drones and missiles. The attack was launched in response to India's Operation Sindoor, which had targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Pakistani forces orchestrated a multi-wave assault, directing drones and missiles toward crucial military installations and several cities including Awantipora, Srinagar, , Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bhuj. However, India's sophisticated S-400 defence network proved its worth by effectively intercepting and neutralising all incoming threats. The S-400 system represents the pinnacle of modern air defence technology. With its exceptional detection range of 600 kilometers and engagement capability extending to 400 kilometers, it stands as one of the world's most advanced air defence systems. India has strategically deployed four S-400 squadrons, with key installations in Pathankot, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, creating a robust shield around its most critical regions. Here's how India's S-400 defence system works: The acquisition radar detects and tracks any airborne targets within its operational range. Information about these targets is then relayed to the command post. The command post chooses the most appropriate missile and launch vehicle to intercept the target. Engagement Radar can control 12 missiles on six targets. The engagement radar initially guides the missiles towards the target. Missiles can hit the target based on radar inputs. Two types of missile systems are frequently used: one for short-range and one for long-range. The S-400 system can lock onto two missiles for a single target while also engaging up to 80 distinct targets at the same time. Developed by Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau, a $5.43 billion contract was signed with Russia in 2018, to procure five units of S-400. IAF has deployed S-400 squadrons in north-west and east India to address threats from both China and Pakistan.
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Business Standard
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Explained: What is S-400 system, how many India has, and what it can do
Tensions between India and Pakistan are running high after armed forces launched precision strikes on nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) under Operation Sindoor on May 7. The situation further escalated after both sides launched aerial attacks on each other, with India saying that it thwarted Pakistan's attempted drone and missile attacks and neutralised an air defence system in Lahore. India has increased its aerial firepower manifold in recent years. Among the most prized weapons in the armoury is the S-400 air defence systems, known in Indian service as Sudarshan Chakra. What is the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra? The S-400 is a long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau. It is among the most advanced air defence systems in the world, capable of detecting, tracking, and engaging a variety of aerial threats including drones, stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Each S-400 squadron consists of two batteries, each equipped with six launchers, a command-and-control system, surveillance radar, and engagement radar. Each battery can support up to 128 missiles. India signed a ₹35,000 crore (approximately $5.4 billion) deal with Russia in 2018 to procure five squadrons of the S-400 system. Three squadrons are currently operational, with the remaining two expected by 2026. What is the S-400 system capable of? The S-400 can engage aerial threats at ranges up to 400 km and altitudes up to 30 km. It uses four types of missiles to cover different threat distances: - Short-range: up to 40 km - Medium-range: up to 120 km - Long-range: up to 250 km - Very long-range: up to 400 km The system can track up to 160 targets and engage 72 simultaneously. It is equipped with phased array radars and electronic warfare countermeasures, allowing it to operate effectively in contested environments. Which other countries have the S-400 system? Russia, as the manufacturer, remains the primary operator of the S-400 system. China was the first foreign buyer, signing a deal in 2014 and receiving deliveries by 2018. Turkiye purchased the system in 2017, prompting friction with its Nato allies due to interoperability issues. Algeria has reportedly acquired and deployed the S-400, though details remain sparse. Belarus also received units from Russia, with some managed directly by Russian personnel. The S-400 system was also deployed in Syria, but it was not operated by the country's military. Russia deployed the S-400 to its Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia in late 2015, following the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber by Turkish forces.
India Today
08-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
S-400 Sudarshan Chakra in action: Key facts on India's missile shield
Considered one of the most advanced and potent air defence systems in the world, S-400 Triumf has the capability to protect against almost all sorts of aerial attacks, including drones, missiles, rockets and even fighter jets. The system, intended to act as a shield over a particular area, is a long-range surface-to-air missile SA-21 Growler by NATO, and developed by Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau, S-400 can engage intruding aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, a recent article in US Air Force's Journal for Indo-Pacific Command stated. It has 'surfaced as an anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) asset designed to protect military, political, and economic assets from aerial attacks'.Each unit has two batteries, each of which has a command-and-control system, a surveillance radar, an engagement radar and four lunch has been developing the S-400 since 1993. Testing began in 1999- 2000 and Russia deployed it in 2007. According to the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank, its 'mission set and capabilities are roughly comparable to the US Patriot system' but, unlike some Patriot interceptors, 'the S-400 does not currently employ hit-to-kill ballistic missile defence technology'.HOW DOES S400 WORK:S-400 detects an aerial threat approaching the air defence bubble (the area it has to protect), calculates the trajectory of the threat, and fires missiles to counter has long-range surveillance radars that send information to the command vehicle. On identifying the target, the command vehicle orders a missile of the Iron Dome, recently used by Israel to protect against incoming rockets from Gaza in May. Only S-400 has the capacity to protect a much larger area from threats that are much further IS THE USE OF INDIA:advertisementTo protect against attacks by missiles, or fighter jets from China or Pakistan. A report in February by the think tank Observer Research Foundation mentioned that from the perspective of the Indian Air Force, 'there is no alternative system capable of serving its long-range air defence requirements, from the standpoint of either capability or cost'.The S-400, it said, can 'constrain the adversary's air operations even within their own airspace' a capability 'unmatched by typical Western systems offered up as analogues'.HOW MANY DOES INDIA HAVE:India has ordered five squadrons -- of which three have been contract for delivery of the S-400 long-range air defence missile system from Russia was signed in October 2018 at a cost of around Rs 35,000 crore for five missile first unit of the missile system was fully delivered by December 2021 and operationalised, added another IN THE S400 SQUADRON:Each S-400 squadron includes 16 vehicles, comprising launchers, radar, control centres, and support vehicles. It can track aerial threats up to 600 km S-400 uses four missile types, capable of engaging targets at ranges of up to 400 km. It can intercept fighter jets, ballistic missiles, and drones, making it a vital part of India's defence arsenal. These systems are critical for protecting India's strategic ARE S400 SQUADRONS DEPLOYED:advertisementOne of the deployed squadrons has been strategically positioned to protect the Siliguri Corridor, a vital passage connecting India's northeastern states with the rest of the squadron has been stationed in the Pathankot region to strengthen the defence of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, providing security against potential aerial threats from both China and third squadron has been deployed along India's western border, ensuring protection for key locations in Rajasthan and Gujarat from enemy OTHER NATIONS HAVE S400:Belarus requested it in 2007 and got the first delivery in bought it in 2014 and got the first unit in had placed an order with Russia in December 2017, and delivery began in July 2019.
