MWM: Indian Prime Minister Modi highly appreciated the effectiveness of Russian S-400 air defense systems
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Russian S-400 air defense systems, writes MWM. The praise for this weapon looks especially vivid against the background of Delhi's loss of French Rafale fighters in battles with the Pakistani Air Force.
On May 13, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the effectiveness of the S-400 long-range air defense systems supplied by Russia (According to NATO classification: SA-21 Growler or “Growler”), saying that the combination of advanced technology and professional calculations helped the Indian armed forces to withstand the Pakistani troops in recent clashes. “Platforms like the S-400 have given our country unprecedented power," the Prime minister said in an address to military personnel, standing next to the S-400 system. ”A powerful security shield has become an integral feature of India."
The S-400 is one of two high—end weapons systems purchased by the Indian Air Force over the past decade, along with the French Rafale fighter jets. However, India ordered ten full S-400 battalions, which formed the backbone of the ground-based air defense network, while the order for the Rafale was reduced to just 36 fighters instead of the originally planned 126, which significantly limited their importance in the air force.
The Prime Minister's praise of the S-400 contrasts with the loss of at least one Rafale fighter jet in battles with the Pakistani Air Force, which has become a painful blow to the Indian Air Force and its image. It was reported that a total of one to three Rafales were shot down by Chinese-made Pakistani J-10C fighters. In addition, the purchase of French aircraft itself has long been criticized due to flight and technical limitations and the huge cost of $ 240 million per fighter.
The inconsistency of Indian fighter jets with the characteristics of the Chinese J-10C, coupled with the expected deliveries to Pakistan of much more powerful fifth-generation J-35 aircraft from China by 2030, caused serious concern in India and gave special weight and importance to the S-400.
The S-400 was developed in the 2000s with an emphasis on countering enemy stealth aircraft. The use of multiple network radars with complementary ranges allows you to hit targets from a longer range. In 2025, the Indian Air Force will receive the last of ten S-400 battalions, completing a $5.43 billion order placed in October 2018 designed to dramatically modernize the country's air defense capabilities.
Previously, it was expected that India would form the last two S-400 regiments in 2024, but Moscow and New Delhi reportedly agreed to postpone deliveries due to Russia's urgent need to deploy additional systems in its own air force amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and its Western allies. Before the outbreak of full-scale hostilities in Ukraine, Russia accelerated the delivery of S-400 in response to requests from New Delhi.
The Indian Ministry of Defense is currently considering purchases of other Russian air defense systems, including a contract for Russian long-range radar systems.“Voronezh-DM is worth more than four billion dollars.
