The S-400 Triumf–Russia’s “Killer App”

                            by David Parmer/Tokyo

Are you having a busy week? OK, here is the bottom line of this article to save you time reading the whole thing. Bottom line: if it flies, Russia’s S-400 Triumf air defense missile system can knock it out of the sky.

The S-400 Triumf (NATO designation SA-21 Growler) can track 300 targets, has a range of 400 km, and its missiles can reach an altitude of 30km. A battery of S-400 has eight launchers, a control center, radar and a basic load of 16 missiles.

The S-400 is designed to eliminate all sorts of aerial targets including:

• Bombers
• AWACS
• U2
• Advanced generation fighters
• Cruise missiles
• Ballistic missiles

Moreover, the S-400 can detect stealth and non-stealth aircraft at extended ranges. The Triumf can also function as part of an integrated air defense system, (IADS) a system that nullifies, to a certain extent, the opponent’s stealth technology and jamming capabilities.

The S-400 is not a “new” system. It was first rolled out by Russia in 2007 and is now in operation in Russia as well as being deployed in Syria. As a matter of course, Russia has supplied its own needs before turning to export inquiries. Indeed, there seems to be no shortage of potential buyers including Turkey and Vietnam among others.

India, for one is eager to get its hands on the S-400; it plans to place three systems in its western region and two systems in its eastern region. There was much fanfare in October 2016 over the signing of an S-400 arms deal with Russia, but no delivery date has been announced publicly.

The PRC is also a prime customer for the S-400 system. A report in Sputnik News on 15 February 2017 quotes Rostec State Corporation as saying China’s systems are now under production. This is good news for China, but worrisome for China’s potential opponents.The S-400 will not only let China guard its own airspace, (A2/AD) but also extend its coverage to airspace over Taiwan and the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands.

The S-400 system isn’t new, but all reports suggest it is one of Russia’s best “killer apps” when it comes to weapons systems and global arms sales.

Photo: Russian S-400 Missile System via Financial Express