S-400
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Context: Indian Air Force to employ ‘direct tactical planning’ for S-400.
What is S-400?
- S-400 (NATO name SA-21 Growler) is considered one of the world’s most advanced air defence systemsthat can simultaneously track and neutralise a range of incoming objects spanning aircraft, missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) over very long ranges.
- It is especially suited to take down strategic aerial platformslike bombers, mid-air refuellers, reconnaissance aircraft and Advanced Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS).
- Given their capabilities, the S-400 has emerged as one of the most controversial arms exports of Russiaand a major point of contention between Washington and Moscow.
Why is the S-400 deal so important to India?
- S-400 is very important for India’s national security, especially as it faces new threats from China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling it a “game changer”.
- The system will also offset the air defence capability gapsdue to the IAF’s dwindling fighter squadron strength.
- Integrating the S-400 into the national air defence architecture will be much easier as India has a large number of legacy Russian air defence systems, a major reason India did not consider the U.S. air defence systems as a viable alternative.
- For both political as well as operational reasons, the deal is at a point of no return.
- Buying the S-400 is a way for asserting India’s ‘strategic autonomy’.
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