Russia starts delivery of S-400 air defense system to India

India started receiving the long pending S-400 missile system from Russia.The announcement was made by the Director of Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation(FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev in Dubai air show. FSMTC is the Russian government’s main defence export control organisation. The S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system will give a major boost to India’s capabilities to take out enemy fighter aircraft and cruise missiles at long range. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct the first unit of S-400 systems at a time when India is locked in a standoff with China in the Ladakh sector.The S-400 air defence system was contracted for by India in a deal worth around Rs 35,000 crore and five squadrons would be provided to India for tacking air threats. According to reports, the system is being brought to India through both sea and air routes. India signed a deal with Russia for five S-400 regiments in October 2018 and all deliveries are to be completed within five years.

The first squadron deliveries are expected to be complete by the end of this year. The S-400 missile defence system is equipped with four different missiles, which can engage enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) planes at 400 km, 250 km, the medium-range 120 km and the short-range 40 km. The IAF, whose officers and personnel have trained in Russia on the system, will start focusing on the eastern borders along with providing resources for training of personnel within the country after the first squadron is deployed,