New Delhi: India has got a major boost in its defense capabilities with Russia beginning to deliver the S-400 Triumf missile system to the country. The director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Corporation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev confirmed the development. The delivery of the first squadrons of the S-400 missile defense system is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
“The supplies of the S-400 air defense system to India have started and are proceeding on schedule,” Shugaev told Sputnik news agency ahead of the Dubai Airshow.
Russia had signed a contract with India to deliver five squadrons of S-400 Trumf missile defense systems in October 2108. The deal is worth around $5.43 billion.
The S-400 Trumf defense missile system will boost the capabilities of Indian forces to target enemy fighter aircraft and cruise missiles from a distance of 400 kilometers (km). China has also deployed two S-400 squadrons at Ngari Gar Gunsa and Nyingchi airbase in Tibet across Ladakh and in Arunachal Pradesh respectively.
Reports suggest that India is in process of deploying the S-400 defense system at strategic locations at western borders from where it can tackle threats from both east and west of the country.
The S-400 missile defense system is equipped with four different missiles, which can be used against enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) planes at 400 km, 250 km, the medium-range 120 km and the short-range of 40kms.
