Russian media reported that China’s People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force has successfully
tested S 400 Triumf air defense system.
As per reports, S 400 shot down a “simulated ballistic target” about 250 km (155 miles)
away and traveling at speed of 3 km (1.9 miles) per second or almost Mach 9.
China is equipped with S 300 for more than a decade and is the first country to acquire
the dreaded S 400 system from Russia.
It is received its first S 400 regiment in July this year.
It is reported that China has ordered two S 400 regiments for an estimated $3 billion.
India is another country that will have the system soon.
On 5th Oct, during India-Russia bilateral annual summit held in New Delhi, Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi & Russian President Vladimir Putin finalized the deal of S 400
Triumf Air Defense.
India will get 5 regiments of S 400 and the contract is worth 5.5 Billion USD.
The delivery is expected to start in the next 2 years.
In this video Defense Updates, analyzes why Chinese successful test of S 400 is an ominous
sign for U.S, NATO & ISRAEL?
Let's get started.
Russian S 400 air defense is a package consisting of Radar, Command & Control center and Interceptor missiles
S 400 can track hundreds of target at a time, engage up to 36 targets in parallel and simultaneously
launch 72 missiles.
The system has powerful hardware integrated with 'state of art' software in the backend.
S 400 uses multiple radars depending on threat perception.
The primary one is either the 91N6E Big Bird Acquisition and Battle Management Radar or
92N6E Grave Stone Multimode Engagement Radar These have a range of around 600 km.
The main radar is complimented by target acquisition radars like 67N6 Gamma De and 9N6 Protivnik
Ge radars in L band, Nebo SVU in the Very High-Frequency band and Nebo m & Zebu M in multiband.
Nebo SVU & Zebu M have claimed capability against stealth aircraft.
The radars are very resistant to jamming.
S 400 deploys multiple missiles to cover its strike envelope.
1. Short-range 9M96E (40 km) with an active radar homing head, having the capability to intercept
targets having a speed up to Mach 2.6
2. Medium-range 9M96E2 (120 km) with an active radar homing head, having the capability to
intercept targets up to a speed of Mach 3
3. Long-range 48N6 (250 km) with an active radar homing head, having the capability to intercept
targets up to a speed of Mach 14
4..Very-long-range 40N6 (400 km) with an active radar homing head, having the capability to
intercept targets up to a speed of Mach 14
The vertical launch enables missiles of S 400 to have seamless 360-degree target envelop.
Hence, these missiles are not only guided by radars of S 400 but also have own active
and semi-active radar homing capability enabling them to keep chasing fast & maneuvering targets
till the last moment.
Chinese S 400 regiments don’t have the 40N6 missile, hence its engagement range is limited
to 250 km.
The yet to be deliver regiments of S 400 for India will have the 40N6 missile.
Clearly, S 400 is a very capable system & is rightly considered to be a game changer by
many military experts.
The fact that S 400 is effective against traditional aircraft as well as ballistic targets to a
large extent makes it an allrounder.
Hence, a country acquiring S 400 will not have to spend on two different systems making
it very tempting options when it comes to cost-effectiveness.
This could result in many more counties trying to squire the system resulting in the creation
of Anti Air Area Denial bubbles being created in many parts of the world.
America and allies heavily rely on air superiority to drive a battle and this kind of scenario
will hinder this to a large extent.
The most important factor is its proclaimed ability to take out stealthy aircraft.
America, NATO as well as Israel is putting in big bucks to acquire F 35s whose ability
to fight a battle is dependent on its stealth profile.
If the S 400’s radar is truly able to detect and generate quality track on F 35, then it
will major a headache for U.S, NATO & Israel since the missile are good enough to take
out F 35s both in terms of speed & last moment homing capability.
The S 400 deal between Russia & China signifies the strong defense ties between the two countries.
The fact that Chinese Rocket Force is already aware of the working of S 300 enables them
to quickly get used to S 400 and deploy it operationally.
The test also acts as a solid advertisement for the S-400 system.
It is to be noted that, the Russian economy is not in good shape and sells of S 400 to
more counties will bring in much needed foreign revenue.
Already Qatar has shown strong inclination to deploy the system and a deal is being discussed.
Keeping in view, the overall circumstances, Russia has a potent weapon’s platform in S 400.