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India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Russian shield for India: How S-400s gave New Delhi an edge over Pakistan
From tactical results to strategic messaging, India's deployment of the S-400 was as much about capability as it was about intent India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi made headlines when he publicly credited Russia's S-400 "Triumf" air defense system with playing a key role in the country's response to recent Pakistani strikes. More than a political gesture, Modi's remarks marked the first confirmed combat use of the S-400 by Indian forces. "Platforms like the S-400 have given unprecedented strength to the country," he said while standing before the system. "A strong security shield has become the identity of India." He also noted that India now has access to military technology that its adversaries - chiefly Pakistan - simply can't match. Coming amid a real military confrontation, his words carried unmistakable weight. A real-world test The clash erupted during India's counterterrorism operation "Sindoor." Pakistan responded with strikes on Indian military infrastructure using drones, precision-guided munitions, and air-to-ground missiles. For the first time, India deployed its Russian-made S-400s in combat, stationing them in the strategically sensitive states of Punjab and Rajasthan. According to reports, the system successfully neutralized incoming threats before they even entered Indian airspace. Debris found on Pakistani territory suggests that ultra-long-range 40N6E missiles may have been used, capable of taking down targets from up to 370 kilometers away. Military analyst Mikhail Khodaryonok summed it up bluntly: He believes the S-400 not only met but exceeded expectations during Russia's own military campaign, successfully intercepting a wide range of targets - from SCALP cruise missiles and tactical ballistic rockets to drones and MLRS projectiles. Now, it has proven itself again - this time in South Asia. Why India hose the S-400 India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five regimental units of the S-400 after an exhaustive review of the country's long-term defense needs. The country's primary concerns: China and Pakistan. At the time, China had already secured its own S-400 systems and was reportedly planning to deploy them in Tibet, just across the border from India. Delivery to India began in 2021, and the final shipments are scheduled for 2025. With each new deployment, India extends a sophisticated "air defense umbrella" across more of its vulnerable frontier. The decision to buy the S-400 was driven by its standout capability to intercept virtually any airborne threat: aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, smart bombs, and ballistic missiles. No other air defense system on the market offers this level of versatility. Khodaryonok points out that if the coordinates are known, the S-400 can even be used to strike ground targets - though that's not its primary function. Equally important for India, the system integrates smoothly with the country's existing command infrastructure, which still bears the hallmarks of Soviet and Russian design. For India, adopting the S-400 wasn't just a technical upgrade - it was an evolution built on decades of military-technical continuity. S-400 vs. Patriot: Different philosophies The American-made Patriot system is often cited as an alternative, but the two platforms reflect fundamentally different doctrines. The Patriot was developed during the Cold War to protect NATO forces from enemy aircraft and short-range missiles. Its fire zones are narrow, and it can take up to 25 minutes to fully deploy - an eternity in a fast-moving conflict. The S-400, on the other hand, was designed to provide wide-area coverage as part of a national air defense grid. It takes just five minutes to deploy and can simultaneously track up to 300 targets. Its engagement range extends up to 400km in distance and 35km in altitude. As Khodaryonok put it, "In almost every key metric, Patriot falls short of Triumf - especially in range, target variety, and electronic countermeasures." The missile loadouts tell the story too: S-400 uses a broad mix: 48N6 (up to 250 km), 9M96M (up to 130 km), 40N6E (up to 370 km), and 9M100 for short-range defense. The Patriot relies mainly on MIM-104 and ERINT, with far fewer options. Cost vs. Capability The S-400's biggest advantage might just be its price-to-performance ratio. When China purchased two S-400 regiments, the price tag exceeded $3 billion. For India, each regiment cost around $1 billion. That's enough to defend an area roughly 1,000 by 500 kilometers against simultaneous attacks by hundreds of aircraft and missiles. By contrast, equipping India with enough Patriot systems for comparable coverage would cost several times more. A single Patriot battery alone is often priced similarly to an entire S-400 regiment - despite offering much less coverage and flexibility. India's choice, in this light, wasn't just practical. It was strategic - and smart. Strategic Reach and Export Appeal Only a handful of nations can produce air defense systems like the S-400. So far, China, India, and Turkey have officially acquired the system. But dozens of countries - from Saudi Arabia and Algeria to Iran and even Latin American states - have expressed an interest. "There's a waiting list for the S-400-and it keeps growing," says Khodaryonok. "Quality weapons don't come cheap. But nations that prioritize defense choose Triumf." Turkey's decision to buy the S-400 despite threats of US sanctions shows just how powerful that appeal can be. For many, it's not just a weapons purchase - it's a step toward greater strategic autonomy. India's S-400 Future: Ready for Anything Once all five regiments are in place, India will be able to shield its entire northern and western borders, as well as critical coastal zones in the south-vital for securing trade routes and deterring precision air strikes. What's being built is more than just a missile shield. It's a multi-layered, autonomous defense system designed to withstand massive air raids, drone swarms, hypersonic threats, and saturation missile attacks. The recent conflict with Pakistan was a turning point. For the first time, India brought high-end Russian technology into real combat - and saw firsthand what it could do. The S-400 didn't just stop enemy missiles. It sent a message.
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Russian shield for India: How S-400 gave New Delhi an edge over Pakistan
From tactical results to strategic messaging, India's deployment of the S-400 was as much about capability as it was about intent India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi made headlines when he publicly credited Russia's S-400 "Triumf" air defense system with playing a key role in the country's response to recent Pakistani strikes. More than a political gesture, Modi's remarks marked the first confirmed combat use of the S-400 by Indian forces. "Platforms like the S-400 have given unprecedented strength to the country," he said while standing before the system. "A strong security shield has become the identity of India." He also noted that India now has access to military technology that its adversaries - chiefly Pakistan - simply can't match. Coming amid a real military confrontation, his words carried unmistakable weight. A real-world test The clash erupted during India's counterterrorism operation "Sindoor." Pakistan responded with strikes on Indian military infrastructure using drones, precision-guided munitions, and air-to-ground missiles. For the first time, India deployed its Russian-made S-400s in combat, stationing them in the strategically sensitive states of Punjab and Rajasthan. According to reports, the system successfully neutralized incoming threats before they even entered Indian airspace. Debris found on Pakistani territory suggests that ultra-long-range 40N6E missiles may have been used, capable of taking down targets from up to 370 kilometers away. Military analyst Mikhail Khodaryonok summed it up bluntly: He believes the S-400 not only met but exceeded expectations during Russia's own military campaign, successfully intercepting a wide range of targets - from SCALP cruise missiles and tactical ballistic rockets to drones and MLRS projectiles. Now, it has proven itself again - this time in South Asia. Why India hose the S-400 India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five regimental units of the S-400 after an exhaustive review of the country's long-term defense needs. The country's primary concerns: China and Pakistan. At the time, China had already secured its own S-400 systems and was reportedly planning to deploy them in Tibet, just across the border from India. Delivery to India began in 2021, and the final shipments are scheduled for 2025. With each new deployment, India extends a sophisticated "air defense umbrella" across more of its vulnerable frontier. The decision to buy the S-400 was driven by its standout capability to intercept virtually any airborne threat: aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, smart bombs, and ballistic missiles. No other air defense system on the market offers this level of versatility. Khodaryonok points out that if the coordinates are known, the S-400 can even be used to strike ground targets - though that's not its primary function. Equally important for India, the system integrates smoothly with the country's existing command infrastructure, which still bears the hallmarks of Soviet and Russian design. For India, adopting the S-400 wasn't just a technical upgrade - it was an evolution built on decades of military-technical continuity. S-400 vs. Patriot: Different philosophies The American-made Patriot system is often cited as an alternative, but the two platforms reflect fundamentally different doctrines. The Patriot was developed during the Cold War to protect NATO forces from enemy aircraft and short-range missiles. Its fire zones are narrow, and it can take up to 25 minutes to fully deploy - an eternity in a fast-moving conflict. The S-400, on the other hand, was designed to provide wide-area coverage as part of a national air defense grid. It takes just five minutes to deploy and can simultaneously track up to 300 targets. Its engagement range extends up to 400km in distance and 35km in altitude. As Khodaryonok put it, "In almost every key metric, Patriot falls short of Triumf - especially in range, target variety, and electronic countermeasures." The missile loadouts tell the story too: S-400 uses a broad mix: 48N6 (up to 250 km), 9M96M (up to 130 km), 40N6E (up to 370 km), and 9M100 for short-range defense. The Patriot relies mainly on MIM-104 and ERINT, with far fewer options. Cost vs. Capability The S-400's biggest advantage might just be its price-to-performance ratio. When China purchased two S-400 regiments, the price tag exceeded $3 billion. For India, each regiment cost around $1 billion. That's enough to defend an area roughly 1,000 by 500 kilometers against simultaneous attacks by hundreds of aircraft and missiles. By contrast, equipping India with enough Patriot systems for comparable coverage would cost several times more. A single Patriot battery alone is often priced similarly to an entire S-400 regiment - despite offering much less coverage and flexibility. India's choice, in this light, wasn't just practical. It was strategic - and smart. Strategic Reach and Export Appeal Only a handful of nations can produce air defense systems like the S-400. So far, China, India, and Turkey have officially acquired the system. But dozens of countries - from Saudi Arabia and Algeria to Iran and even Latin American states - have expressed an interest. "There's a waiting list for the S-400-and it keeps growing," says Khodaryonok. "Quality weapons don't come cheap. But nations that prioritize defense choose Triumf." Turkey's decision to buy the S-400 despite threats of US sanctions shows just how powerful that appeal can be. For many, it's not just a weapons purchase - it's a step toward greater strategic autonomy. India's S-400 Future: Ready for Anything Once all five regiments are in place, India will be able to shield its entire northern and western borders, as well as critical coastal zones in the south-vital for securing trade routes and deterring precision air strikes. What's being built is more than just a missile shield. It's a multi-layered, autonomous defense system designed to withstand massive air raids, drone swarms, hypersonic threats, and saturation missile attacks. The recent conflict with Pakistan was a turning point. For the first time, India brought high-end Russian technology into real combat - and saw firsthand what it could do. The S-400 didn't just stop enemy missiles. It sent a message.
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First Post
09-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
How India fought the US for the ‘Sudarshan Chakra' which foiled Pakistan's attack
India on Thursday foiled multiple attacks from Pakistan thanks to the Triumf S-400 made by Russia. But did you know that India had to fight the US to buy the Triumf, which is famed for being one of the world's best surface-to-air missile systems? Here's how New Delhi defied Washington and made a deal with Moscow read more Indian officials have named the S-400 air defence system the 'Sudarshan Chakra'. Reuters On Thursday, India foiled multiple attacks from Pakistan. First there was the attack in the early hours of Thursday in which Pakistan targeted 15 locations in northern and western India. Then there was the attack on with missiles and drones in Jammu and other locations late on Thursday. The heart of India's defences was the Triumf S-400 air defence system – which Indian officials have nicknamed the 'Sudarshan Chakra.' Interestingly, India went up against the US in order to purchase the S-400 on Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's take a closer look: What we know India had in 2018 agreed to purchase five Triumf squadrons – each comprising 16 vehicles – from Russia at a cost of $5 billion (Rs 35,000 crore). Manufactured by Russia's Almaz-Antey corporation, the Triumf is famed for being one of the world's best surface-to-air missile systems. It is even used by China – which first purchased it in 2014. Catch LIVE updates on India-Pakistan conflict . However, the US spent years pressuring India not to go through with the deal. As per Business Today, the US in 2018 warned that India could potentially face sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (Caatsa) for its purchase of the S-400. The Caatsa was passed into law in August 2017 – during President Donald Trump's first term. It levied sanctions on Iran, Russia, and North Korea and countries doing business with them. President Donald Trump. AP File This was the result of Russia annexing of Crimea in 2014 and allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections. When it came to Russia, it specifically imposed sanctions on those buying major hardware from Moscow. Washington instead tried to sell India its MIM-104 Patriot and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems. The US claimed that Russian hardware would undermine defence interoperability between the two nations. What did India do? As per The Tribune, India in September 2018 signed the Communications, Compatibility and Security Agreement (Comcasa) agreement with the US. The deal allowed for military information to be shared in real-time between the two nations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Then, in October 2018, India ignored the warnings from the US and signed the S-400 deal with Russia. 'Both sides welcomed the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile system to India,' the joint statement after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin read. India also had its counter-argument ready for the US. Nirmala Sitharaman, at the time defence minister, defended the deal. PTI Nirmala Sitharaman, who was the Defence Minister at the time, said, 'We have told the US Congress delegation (that visited India) that it is a US law and not a UN law.' Asked if the law did not apply to India, Sitharaman responded, 'Of course, it does not.' The US went on the defensive immediately. 'The intent of Caatsa is to impose costs on Russia and is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of our allies (India)… The waiver authority is not a blanket waiver. Waivers are considered on transaction basis. We cannot prejudge any sanction decisions,' its statement read. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US in December 2020 imposed sanctions on Turkey under the Caatsa for buying the S-400 from Russia. But India wasn't deterred. How India stood up to the US As per Business Today, India simply refused to back down. Officials said no foreign law could influence India's decision given the prevailing scenario with Pakistan and China. Officials thought that the S-400 would be key to India protecting and controlling its airspace. The S-400's performance over the past couple of days has proved that India made the right decision. The S-400 Triumf is considered one of the world's best surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. AP India's purchase of the S-400 is also relevant in light of the fact that Russia remains the biggest weapon supplier to India. As per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia still comprises over a third (36 per cent) of India's arms imports. Aftermath In January 2022, the United States House of Representatives passed an amendment granting India a waiver from Caatsa sanctions. The historic amendment was written and introduced by Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna. Khanna said, 'The United States must stand with India in the face of escalating aggression from China. As Vice Chair of the India Caucus, I have been working to strengthen the partnership between our countries and ensure that India can defend itself along the Indian Chinese border. This amendment is of the utmost importance, and I am proud to see it pass the House on a bipartisan basis.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'My bipartisan NDAA amendment marks the most significant piece of legislation for US-India relations out of Congress since the US-India nuclear deal.' However, the US Senate is yet to pass the amendment. With inputs from agencies
First Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
What is S-400 and Akash system that India used to foil Pakistan's drone assault?
India on Thursday neutralised an attempted attack from Pakistan on various locations in northern and western parts of the country. India used its S-400 and Akash weapons systems to foil Pakistan's drone assault. But what do we know about them? read more Follow us on Google News Indian officials have named the S-400 air defence system the 'Sudarshan Chakra'. Reuters India on Thursday neutralised an attempted attack from Pakistan on various locations in northern and western India. India also disabled an air defence system at Lahore. Pakistan's attempt at escalation despite India's warnings at retaliation came a day after the Indian military launched Operation Sindoor – which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 'On the night of May 7-8, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems. The debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani attacks,' the statement from India read. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what do we know about the S-400 and Akash India weapons systems India used to foil Pakistan's assault? Let's take a closer look: The S-400 system The S-400 Triumf is a Russian air defence system. It is considered one of the world's best surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) systems. It is also thought to be one of the best long-range missile systems. It is a newer version of Russia's S-300 system. Catch all the live updates from here The Triumf is made by Russia's Almaz-Antey corporation. As per India Today, Indian officials have dubbed it the 'Sudarshan Chakra'. As per NDTV, Nato has nicknamed the system as the SA-21 Growler. The S-400 Triumf is considered one of the world's best surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. AP It comprises three components – Missile launchers, a radar and a command centre. The advanced radar allows it to offer 360-degree surveillance and counter-stealth capabilities. As per News18, the Triumf radar has a detection range of around 400 kilometres for aircrafts. It can track targets as far as 600 kilometres away. It can detect missiles and other system at a range of around 250 kilometres. It has an altitude coverage of around 30 kilometres. It uses four types of missiles – 40N6, 48N6DM, 9M96E2, and 9M96E. As per NDTV, The Triumf can hit aircraft, cruise missiles and even quick-moving intermediate range ballistic missiles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It can engage up to 80 targets simultaneously when using multiple radars. Nato members consider the Triumf one of the world's deadliest systems on the basis of its long-range. As per Business Today, the Triumf in exercises has shown an 80 per cent kill rate against enemy aircraft. Russia in fact considers it to be superior to the US MIM-104 Patriot system. The Triumf can be integrated with systems such as the S-300, Tor and Pantsir, as per Wion. The Triumf is also used by China – which first purchased it in 2014, as per NDTV. India and Russia in 2018 signed a $5 billion (Rs 38,000 crore) deal for five Triumf squadrons. Each squadron comprises 16 vehicles. India received the first Triumf squadron in December 2021, the second squadron in April 2022 and the third squadron in 2023. India expects to receive the fourth squadron of the triumphs system by the end of this year. As per India Today, India has placed one squadron in Pathankot for the defence of Jammu and Kashmir and the other squadron in a position to cover areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Akash weapons system India also used its homegrown Akash Air Defense System to ward off attacks from Pakistan. Manufactured by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Akash is a short medium-range surface-to-air missile system (SAM). The system was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). It is 96 per cent indigenous keeping with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The Aakash comprises launcher, a missile, a control centre, an integral mission guidance system, a multifunctional fire control radar, a system arming and explosion mechanism, a digital autopilot, C4I (command, control communication and intelligence) centres and supporting ground equipment. A display of Akash weapon system at Rajpath during the 69th Republic Day Parade. PTI The Group Control Centre (GCC) acts as the command and control headquarters for the entire system. Each Akash battery comes with four 3D passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radars and four self-propelled launchers with three interconnected missiles each. It has a battery-level radar known as Rajendra and a battery control centre. Its missiles can also self-destruct. The Akash system can guard against aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles and missiles launched from helicopters. It has a range of 4. 5 to 25 kilometres. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Akash system works on mobile platforms such as battle tanks or wheeled trucks. As per BEL, it can cover an altitude of 80 kilometres. It can engage multiple air targets in group mode or fully autonomous mode. It comes with inbuilt Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features. It can carry conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 60 kilos. The DRDO is currently developing a new version of Akash – known as the Akash (NG). India is exporting the Akash weapons system to Armenia. A number of other countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Egypt, and Brazil have reportedly shown interest in buying the system from India. With inputs from agencies
