During the recent Pakistani drone and missile attack, india deployed the Russian-made S-400 'Sudarshan Chakra' air defense system, drawing attention to one of the indian air Force's most potent weapons once more. On May 7-8, 2025, the S-400, which was stationed at strategic northern and western sites, was instrumental in thwarting attacks against Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Bhuj, and other targets.
What is the S-400 missile system?
Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau created the long-range surdata-face-to-air missile (SAM) system known as the S-400 Triumf (NATO: SA-21 Growler). The S-400 was developed to tackle contemporary aerial threats, like as stealth aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic projectiles, and was intended to replace earlier-generation systems like the S-300.
What is the S-400 missile system?
Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau created the long-range surdata-face-to-air missile (SAM) system known as the S-400 Triumf (NATO: SA-21 Growler). The S-400 was developed to tackle contemporary aerial threats, like as stealth aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic projectiles, and was intended to replace earlier-generation systems like the S-300.
Key Features and Capabilities:
Range & Interception Power
Range & Interception Power
Able to engage targets between 40 and 400 kilometers away.
Concurrently engages up to 36 threats and tracks 300 targets.
Intercepts targets, including high-flying ballistic missiles, at up to 30 km in altitude.
Concurrently engages up to 36 threats and tracks 300 targets.
Intercepts targets, including high-flying ballistic missiles, at up to 30 km in altitude.
Tracking and Radar technology
Equipped with 360-degree surveillance-capable multi-band phased array radars.
Detects low-flying cruise missiles and stealth planes.
Its durability in electronic warfare allows it to function well even in the data-face of jamming and EW strikes.
Mobility and Implementation
Launchers, radars, and command posts affixed to vehicles make up this fully mobile system.
Quick deployment that supports shoot-and-scoot operations in 5–10 minutes.
Able to offer mobile air cover or protect immovable, valuable assets.
Detects low-flying cruise missiles and stealth planes.
Its durability in electronic warfare allows it to function well even in the data-face of jamming and EW strikes.
Mobility and Implementation
Launchers, radars, and command posts affixed to vehicles make up this fully mobile system.
Quick deployment that supports shoot-and-scoot operations in 5–10 minutes.
Able to offer mobile air cover or protect immovable, valuable assets.
Integrated and multi-layered defense
Smoothly combines with other platforms such as the S-300, Tor, and Pantsir, as well as India's own indigenous akash missile systems.
Offers a variety of missile types for different threats, as well as area denial and point defense capabilities.
India-Russia Agreement
In october 2018, during President Putin's visit, india and russia inked a $5.43 billion agreement for five S-400 aircraft. Since deliveries started in 2021, the systems have been strategically placed to counter China's and Pakistan's threats.
Smoothly combines with other platforms such as the S-300, Tor, and Pantsir, as well as India's own indigenous akash missile systems.
Offers a variety of missile types for different threats, as well as area denial and point defense capabilities.
India-Russia Agreement
In october 2018, during President Putin's visit, india and russia inked a $5.43 billion agreement for five S-400 aircraft. Since deliveries started in 2021, the systems have been strategically placed to counter China's and Pakistan's threats.
Why it matters now?
The S-400's first known live deployment against a state-level threat was during the May 2025 Pakistani attack. Defense sources claim that the S-400 has proven to be the backbone of India's air defense by intercepting hostile projectiles that were headed for strategic indian military installations. The S-400 strengthens India's defense and deterrence capabilities in the data-face of increasing regional threats, providing the indian Armed Forces with a major advantage in eliminating airborne threats at high altitudes and long ranges.