India too is scheduled to procure the S-400 missile systems. The first unit of S-400 Triumf missile systems is scheduled to be handed over to India by the end of next year

by Pradip R Sagar

Indian authorities are keenly observing reaction from the United States after Russia delivered its S-400 missile system to Turkey. India too is scheduled to procure the S-400 missile systems from Russia.

India has been negotiating hard with United States to get waiver from Washington's Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Notably, Moscow and New Delhi have agreed on a new payment mode to avoid US sanctions, as India is expected to pay the first instalment for the $5.2 billion soon for the missile systems.

The first unit of S-400 Trimf missile systems is scheduled to be handed over to India by the end of next year, while the remaining four will be delivered before 2024. Russia has assured the Indian authorities that there will be no delays in the delivery schedule.

Incidentally, IAF chief Air chief Marshal BS Dhanoa is in Moscow to iron out any issue pertaining to the S-400 deal. Moreover, Indian Air Force's project management team is already camping in Russia to monitor the developments on the India's costliest missile system deal, which is considered as the " game changer" in the region.

"We are closely monitoring the developments after Turkey received first lot of S-400 missile systems. Any repercussions might have some impact on our negotiations as well," said a senior defence official.

In October 2018, notwithstanding threat from the US, India signed the S-400 deal with Russia. In 2016, Russia had agreed to sell S-400 ‘Triumf’ long-range air defence missile system with the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. Only Russia and the US have such long-range modern air defence weapon systems.

Each system of S-400 includes a command and control centre, a 3D phased array acquisition radar, optional tracking radar and firing units with associated multi-mode engagement radar. The acquisition radar can not only detect and track up to 300 targets within a distance of 600 km, but can also engage 36 targets at one point.

Each S-400 battalion has eight launchers, a control centre, radar and 16 missiles available as reloads. There are four kinds of missiles to choose from, based on the mission requirements.