S-400 Missiles – Again Subject of Controversy
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Russia’s S-400 missiles are again at the center of a global dispute. Russia will deliver the S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to India as per schedule, President Vladimir Putin has said, amidst warnings from the US against the deal.
The S-400 is the most advanced long-range air defense missile system that went into service in Russia in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and can also be used against ground installations.The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km.
Already in 2015, India announced its intention to acquire S-400 ‘Triumf’ surface-to-air missile systems. The $5.43 billion contract was signed during the visit of President Putin to India last year.
The US has opposed the S-400 deal with Russia with the Trump administration threatening to impose sanctions on the states that are acquiring weapons and military hardware from Russia. Senior US officials have cautioned India that the S-400 deal could attract sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) law that restricts defence purchases from Russia, Iran and North Korea.
However, India has told the US that it does not intend to give up the deal for the purchase of Russian-made S-400 air defence missile systems.
Putin was speaking about the scheduled S-400 delivery during BRICS Summit in Brazil, where he and India’s Prime Minister Modi were holding a bilateral meeting, reviewing the progress made in the bilateral ties and discussing ways to further bolster the special strategic partnership, according to hindustantimes.com.
The head of Russian conglomerate Rostec, which built the S-400 Triumph Anti Aircraft Missile Defense System, told press in Dubai Air Show 2019 that they will supply the S-400 Defense System to India by the year 2025. India has made an advance payment of $800 million for the missile systems.
