S400 system can simultaneously launch 72 missiles, engage 36 targets

The S-400 Triumf air defence system, a deal for which was inked by India and Russia on Friday, can engage up to 36 targets at a time and launch 72 missiles simultaneously.

The long- and medium-range air defence missile system is designed to destroy air attacks, including stealth aircraft and any other aerial targets.

“The sides welcomed the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the S-400 Long Range Surface to Air Missile System to India,” said a joint statement released after the delegationlevel talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladmir Putin.

The delivery of the missile systems, tipped to be over $5 billion, will start 24 months from the signing of the contract. Acquiring the missile system will help repulse air attacks. The deal assumes significance as China, too, has signed a deal with Russia to procure the same system.

“This is the most lethal weapons system in the world and it provides four different types of layered air defence,” Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Manmohan Bahadur told PTI.

The S-400 system can also additionally include an all-altitude radar (detector) and movable towers for an antenna post, they said. The target detection range of the system is up to 600 kilometres and its tactical ballistic missile destruction range varies from five to 60 kilometres.