S-400 air defense missile system on the march
In October 2018 g. India made a large order for the supply of Russian anti-aircraft missile systems S-400 Triumph. The production of ordered products has already begun, and by the end of the year they will be handed over to the Indian army. However, these processes do not suit the United States.. Washington may take action against India. The possibility of using sanctions under the current CAATSA law is not ruled out.
Cause for debate
Also in 2015 g. Indian authorities have made a fundamental decision to order the Russian S-400 air defense system. It was about five regiment kits with dozens of launchers and a large number of other equipment. 5 October 2018 g. countries signed an official contract for the supply of five Triumph regiments with a total value 5 billion dollars. USA.
Treaty immediately criticized from washington. The American side planned to sell its Patriot air defense system to India, but did not receive the desired order. As a result, statements about the erroneous choice of the Indian Ministry of Defense began to sound regularly., as well as its possible negative consequences. In response to this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India indicated, what SAMs have chosen based on national interests, and also called on other countries to respect this choice.
Launchers in position
Over time, the US has moved from criticism to threats.. A curious statement of this kind was made 20 May. During one of the events. Alice Wells, Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asian Affairs, received a question about the prospects for Russian-Indian cooperation in the light of the law “On Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions” (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act – CAATSA).
E. Wells noted, that the issue of applying the law to India has not been removed. However, Washington is in no hurry to resort to sanctions. He intends to offer a potential customer in the person of New Delhi "systems of the highest technological level". Combine and combine Russian and American developments will not succeed, and so India will have to choose a strategic partner.
Triumphant Arguments
India has chosen the Russian air defense system and, despite attempts by pressure from the USA, not going to change her mind and break an existing contract. obviously, that this position is based on several factors of various kinds: technical, economic and even political.
Radar systems ZRS S-400
Long-term and fruitful cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi in all areas could contribute to the purchase of S-400, including weapons and military equipment. Joint projects under development, production of various samples is being established, and countries are generally happy with each other. The contract for Triumphs to a certain extent was a continuation of such friendship.
At the moment, the basis of the military and object defense of the Indian army are samples of the Soviet / Russian production. To a certain extent, this facilitates the development and integration of new air defense systems into existing defense contours.. Great and positive experience has also been gained., which could also be an argument in favor of Triumph.
There are no similar arguments for the Patriot., since American participation in the construction of Indian air defense was minimal. Only the FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS were purchased in the USA.
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Unloading funds S-400, delivered by Turkey
The order of the numbers
In comparing any type of equipment, the performance characteristics are crucial. Known data show, which is already at the level of the most common parameters, the Russian S-400 air defense system is ahead of the American Patriot complex even in the latest PAC-3 modification. A noticeable difference in characteristics could be another reason for ordering Triumph.
S-400 and Patriot are made mobile and built on self-propelled chassis and trailers. They can arrive at the position in minimum time., deploy and stand by. At the same time, the Russian Triumph is distinguished by more advanced launch methods.. TPK rise vertically, and rocket declination is carried out after launch. Patriot needs to launch the launcher in the right sector.
Triumph includes several radar tools. So, The 91N6 early warning radar detects targets of the “strategic bomber” type at ranges 570 km. Ballistic targets are identified with 200-230 km. The so-called. high-altitude detector 96L6, providing monitoring of the situation at heights up to 100 km.
SAM Patriot on the march
Patriot detects aerodynamic targets with radar AN / MPQ-53. She is able to detect a bomber from a distance of at least 180-200 km. Small ballistic targets are detected with 80-100 km. The PAC-3 complex is complemented by the radar AN / MPQ-65, optimized for ballistic purposes.
The S-400 ammunition includes several anti-aircraft guided missiles for various purposes with different characteristics. Using missiles 9M100 and 9M96, it is possible to defeat targets at ranges up to 15-40 km. There are several products with a range of 150 to 250 km. The greatest range of defeat in 380-400 km shows SAM 40N6. Reach in height reaches 30-35 km. Triumph missiles are capable of hitting aerodynamic targets at a speed of more 1100 m / s or ballistic when 4800 m / s.
The latest modification of the "Patriot" PAC-3 can use several types of missiles, designed to solve different tasks. So, early modifications of the MIM-104 rocket are designed to intercept aerodynamic targets and have limited potential in the fight against ballistic. Incorporated missile ERINT, optimized for hitting ballistic targets. Maximum range, depending on the type of missiles, reaches 80-100 km height - to 25 km. ERINT missile flies to a range of 45 km and altitude to 20 km.
Complex in the process of deployment
In this way, the newer Russian-made S-400 air defense system is obviously ahead of the older Patriot in all the main tactical and technical characteristics. This fact, combined with other technical features, could have a decisive influence on the customer’s opinion..
Impossible Alternative
It should be noted, that the USA has other air defense / missile defense systems with higher characteristics. So, the US Navy and missile defense system is armed with the RIM-161 SM-3 product - a universal missile system for combating aerodynamic and ballistic targets. SM-3 latest Block IIA modification shows firing range 2500 km and altitude not less 250 km. Rocket speeds up ok. 4500 m / s and hit the target with a direct hit.
SM-3 is used on ships, equipped with Aegis BIOS. In the recent past, a land variant of the Aegis Ashore air defense / missile defense system was created - essentially, ship aggregates, placed on a land building. Several such complexes have been deployed or are being built in foreign countries as part of the global missile defense system..
Launch is GREAT
maybe, The USA could interest India with its Aegis Ashore complex and its SM-3 missiles. However, the appearance of such a proposal is unlikely for political and other reasons.. Besides, India needs mobile systems, and she is unlikely to be interested in a complex stationary complex. Also, the potential customer will not be satisfied with the cost of construction and operation.
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The last argument
India continues to build its own defense industry and develops new directions, but still heavily dependent on imports. According to SIPRI, almost last year spent on foreign products almost 3 billion dollars. There is a tendency to increase the military budget and spending on imported products. In this way, Indian army remains one of the most profitable and welcome customers for any manufacturer of military products.
The contract for S-400 provides for the supply of 5 regiment sets, each one is ok. 1 billion dollars. In the near future, this money will go to Russian enterprises. American industry, who failed to win an order for their Patriot air defense systems, you have to envy - and solve your problems with dubious methods.
"Patriot" could not get around the "Triumph" in terms of performance characteristics, Yes, and US-Indian cooperation can not be called long and successful. In similar conditions, in the absence of other arguments, Washington, perhaps, will resort to the final argument in the form of sanctions under the CAATSA law.
It is unlikely that the imposition of sanctions or the threat of such measures will force India to change its mind and break the contract with Russia. However, they will seriously spoil relations between New Delhi and Washington.. obviously, that pressure and blackmail are not the best way to interest a partner and start a fruitful cooperation.
In the context of the US-India dispute, it is necessary to recall the recent events around the S-400 for Turkey. On this basis, Washington and Ankara seriously quarreled., which has already led to unpleasant consequences for both sides. However, Turkish army did not abandon Russian air defense missile systems. And there is no reason to believe, that India will not follow her example.
Kirill Ryabov
