The S-400 Triumf Missile System:
- The S-400 Triumf is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia.
- It is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world, considered much ahead of the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD).
- The system can engage all types of aerial targets including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and ballistic and cruise missiles within the range of 400km, at an altitude of up to 30km.
- The system can track 100 airborne targets and engage six of them simultaneously.
Significance for India:
- From India’s point of view, China is also buying the system.
- In 2015, China signed an agreement with Russia to purchase six battalions of the system. Its delivery began in January 2018.
- China’s acquisition of the S-400 system has been viewed as a “game changer” in the region. However, its effectiveness against India is limited.
- India’s acquisition is crucial to counter attacks in a two-front war, including even high-end F-35 US fighter aircraft.