Arming India Against China: Russia to Accelerate S-400 Deliveries After Ladakh Standoff
Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff
S-400 Surface to Air Missile Batteries
Following an Indian request, Russia has agreed to accelerate deliveries of the first battalion of S-400 long range surface to air missile systems to the country after clashes with Chinese forces in Galwan Valley in the Ladakh region caused over 150 Indian casualties. The announcement came after a visit by high ranking defence officials to Russian to attend the 2020 Victory Day parade, where acquisitions of a number of weapons systems were reportedly discussed, India will also improve its air defence capabilities with purchases of new units of Su-30MKI and MiG-29UPG advanced fourth generation fighters, and while the presence of China’s Air Force near the Ladakh region is relatively small it has deployed a contingent of elite J-16 next generation fighters.
India placed an order for five full units of the S-400 system in October 2019, making it by far the largest export client with China and Belarus having purchased just two units each and Algeria thought to be fielding similar number. While even India’s elite fighters could face a disadvantage against China’s new J-16, J-10C and J-20 jets in the air, the S-400 will provide an asymmetric means to target them reliably and at very long ranges. The system fields multiple very powerful interlinked radars and can lock onto stealth aircraft such as the J-20 or American F-22 at considerable ranges. The system can engage up to 80 targets simultaneously guiding up to 160 missiles, meaning a single unit can take on multiple fighter squadrons if needed. Indian S-400s will retain a 250km engagement range, although this could be extended further should the new 40N6E missile with a 400km range be purchased. India notably plans to deploy just two of its S-400 units near the Chinese border with the remaining three being deployed to the West bordering Pakistan. It remains uncertain what the cost of requesting an early delivery will be, or what other hardware India is likely to purchase in light of the recent clashes.
