Why everyone wants to buy the Russian S-400 missile system

Here’s what you need to remember: The S-400 is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor S-300 on several performance fronts. While the S-300 was explicitly designed as a long-range air defense system, the S-400 is currently compatible with four missiles intended to satisfy a wide range of operational categories.

The Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet announced this week that it is organizing air defense and anti-sabotage exercises in Crimea with its S-400 “Triumf” anti-aircraft missile systems. Dummy ammunition and simulated explosives were used in a mock attack by opposing “saboteurs”. The exercises aimed to create a situation close to a combat environment.

“During air defense exercises, personnel from an S-400 ‘Triumf’ battalion practiced a series of measures to move positions and redeploy to another area under the protection of the Pantsyr- surface-to-air missile / gun. S launchers, ”the Black Sea Fleet press office said in a statement, reported by Tass.

“During a march from the positioning area, fictitious saboteurs attacked the military column. Security and protection personnel within the column repelled the attack and eliminated the enemy, ”the press office added. “After the march, the combat teams of the S-400 ‘Triumf’ battalion practiced a series of measures to detect, lock down and track control targets with their subsequent destruction by electronic launches.”

Russia has already conducted anti-aircraft exercises with the S-400 in recent months, including one earlier this year which would have involved more than 300 members of a regiment of the central military district. A previous exercise last year involved more than 450 Russian personnel and some two hundred pieces of military equipment.

The Russian-built S-400 Triumf (NATO name: SA-21 Growler) is the latest long and medium range surface-to-air missile system and is designed to destroy airplanes, cruise and ballistic missiles, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400, which can also launch 40N6 missiles, is designed to engage targets at distances of up to four hundred kilometers at speeds up to six times that of sound, and at altitudes of up to thirty kilometers under intensive enemy fire and jamming. It entered service in 2007.

The S-400 was also seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor S-300 on several performance fronts. While the S-300 was explicitly designed as a long-range air defense system, the S-400 is currently compatible with four missiles intended to satisfy a wide range of operational categories: very long range 40N6E (400 kilometers), long -range 48N6 (250 kilometers), medium range 9M96e2 (120 kilometers) and short range 9m96e (40 kilometers).

The S-400 is made up of four main components: 1) the 30K6E combat management system, consisting of a command post and acquisition radar, 2) up to six 98Zh6E firing units and twelve carriers – Launcher-Assemblers (TEL), 3) an assortment of surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and the 4) 30Ts6E logistics support system for missile storage and equipment maintenance.

Last June, it was announced that the Russian military would receive three additional regiments of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as four sets of S-350 “Vityaz” battlefield air defense launchers from here. 2023 as part of new contracts with the defense manufacturer Almaz-Antey.

The S-400 is also widely exported, much to the chagrin of the United States and NATO. The United States has even imposed economic sanctions on countries just for buying the system, but many world powers have always shown interest in the anti-aircraft missile platform. Its use as a tool of economic warfare should not be underestimated as the platform is an example of Russian hybrid warfare against the United States and NATO.

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to over four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites. He writes regularly on military small arms and is the author of several books on military hairstyles, including A gallery of military hairstyles, which is available on Amazon.com.

Picture: Reuters