Recently, the United States has imposed sanctions under CAATSA on Turkey over Ankara’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems. With India set to get the consignment of the S-400 air defence system early next year, New Delhi is watching Washington’s moves closely. While it has got a waiver from the outgoing Trump administration, Delhi hopes that the incoming Biden administration would not work towards reversing the decision. What is the S-400 air defence missile system? Why does India need it? The S-400 Triumf, (NATO calls it SA-21 Growler), is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia . It is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world, considered much ahead of the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) . ( Asked in UPSC Prelims ) The system can engage all types of aerial targets including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and ballistic and cruise missiles within the range of 400km, at an altitude of up to 30km. India’s acquisition is crucial to counter attacks in a two-front war, including even high-end F-35 US fighter aircraft.
