S-400 Sudarshan Chakra Air Defence System: In this tense escalation between India and Pakistan, the unmatched capability of the S-400 Triumf air defense system thwarting potential aerial threats was demonstrated. Reports hold that there may have been an attempt at air strikes on the late night of May 7-8 by Pakistan, but India’s state-of-the-art defense response, led by the S-400, basically killed the threat.
The world is now abuzz with this game-changing missile system landscape change: how it works, why it is feared, and how it strengthens India’s air defense front. Let’s get into the anatomy of what is considered the deadliest air-defense technology and has become India’s Sudarshan Chakra.
What is the S-400 Triumf?
Considered Russia’s crown jewel, the S-400 Triumf is one of the most developed long-range air defense systems in the world. It defends its transports from the rays of fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles- a bastion against aerial assault.
S-400 Sudarshan Chakra Air Defence System Price
The purchase, a historic $5.4 billion (almost ₹35,000 crore) acquisition of five S-400 squadrons from Russia in 2018, has deeply altered India’s defense paradigm. Known as Sudarshan Chakra in India, it is truly a game-changer.
How Does the S-400 Work?
The S-400 works on a multi-layered defense system, tracking and engaging multiple threats all at once. What does that mean?
For threats:
- Four types of missiles: at 40 km, 100 km, 200 km, and 400 km, it can strike targets at varying distances.
- High-Altitude Precision: It detects and destroys threats flying between 100 to 40,000 feet—covering everything from low-flying drones to high-altitude bombers.
- Mobility & Stealth: Mounted on an 8×8 heavy-duty truck, the S-400 can be rapidly repositioned, making it nearly impossible for adversaries to track its location.
- Extreme Weather Performance: It functions flawlessly in freezing conditions as low as -50°C to -70°C, ensuring reliability in any terrain.
NATO codenames it the SA-21 Growler, a testament to its fearsome reputation.
Unmatched Radar & Tracking Power
The S-400’s radar system is a technological marvel:
- 300 Targets at Once: It can simultaneously track 300 airborne objects within a 600 km radius.
- Rapid Response: The system can launch 72 missiles in one go, creating an impenetrable air defense grid.
- Early Threat Detection: Its long-range surveillance radar ensures that enemy aircraft or missiles are detected well before they cross Indian airspace.