In October 2018, India signed a USD(US Dollars) 5.43 billion deal to buy 5 units of S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems with Russia.
India has made the initial payment of USD 800 million in 2019.
Russia has started the delivery of the first batch of S-400 by both sea and air route. India has placed an order for five squadrons. The first of these will be delivered by the end of 2021 (within the next two months).
What is S-400?
S-400 is Russia’s most advanced surface-to-air missile defence system. It can track various incoming vessels like aircrafts, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc. at the same
time and launch counterattack measures to neutralize them.
It has a range of 400 kilometers and has a high success rate.
Where will it be deployed?
The first S-400 unit will be inducted in the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of 2021. IAF will also provide resources and begin training of personnel shortly after receiving the S-400’s. The first squadron S-400 Triumf will be deployed on the eastern borders of India.
How does the S-400 work?
- Long range surveillance radar tracks incoming objects and relays (sends) this information to the command vehicle. (Command vehicle is the unit that controls whether or not an action is necessary. Think of the surveillance radar as the nerves and the command center as the brain in your central nervous system).
- Command vehicle assesses the threat, identifies the target, and if necessary, orders missile launch.
- Launch data is sent to the best placed launch vehicle. On receiving the data, it launches the missile. (A launch vehicle is a special type of vehicle that has the capability to launch such a missile.)
- Engagement radar helps to guide the missile to the target.
What is CAATSA?
Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is a tough US law which allows the US administration to impose sanctions on countries that purchase defence hardware from Russia.
The US imposed sanctions against Turkey in December 2020 over its purchase of S-400 from Russia.
There are speculations (guesses) that the US might impose sanctions against India as well for buying missile systems from Russia.
However, two US senators have written to the US President Joe Biden to waive any impending sanctions against India as it may be in the interest of US national security.