S-350 Vityazy: To further strengthen India’s air defense, Russia has offered to supply S-350 Vityazy system with technology transfer. Under ‘Make in India’, some of its parts can be made in the country itself.
New Delhi: To further strengthen India’s air defense, Russia is now going to give India a modern air defense system named S-350 Vityas. The special thing is that this system will be available with Technology Transfer (ToT), due to which some of its important parts can be made in India only. Russia’s defense agency ‘Rostec’ has said that by combining S-350 with the S-400 Triumph missile system already available with India, the total defense capability of the country will be doubled.
What are your future plans?
There has been serious discussion regarding the S-350 system in recent high-level meetings. Along with this, talks are also underway to provide India with additional S-400 regiments and even more powerful S-500 systems in the future. At present, Russia has presented S-350 to India as a very effective and readily available option. India has already deployed three S-400 squadrons on the border and the remaining two squadrons will also be inducted soon.
What is S-350 Vityaz? What are its characteristics?
The S-350 Vityaz (S-350E) is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system. It is designed to replace the older S-300PS system. It has the power to shoot down enemy fighter planes, helicopters, drones and very fast-moving cruise missiles in the air. Its advanced technology can also detect stealth targets.
How is the technical capability and goal?
This defense system can shoot down aircraft up to 120 kilometers away and ballistic missiles up to 25-30 kilometers away. It has the capability to operate at a height of about 30 kilometers from the ground. This system has missiles of different ranges like 9M96E and 12 missiles can be placed in a single launcher. Its advanced AESA radar quickly detects dangerous low-flying targets.
Panic between Pakistan and China on the border
With the deployment of S-350, India will be able to give a befitting reply to air threats from Pakistan and China. It can easily foil the attacks of Pakistan’s JF-17, J-10 fighter jets and Babur cruise missiles. Similarly, on the borders of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, it will give India a strong defense against China’s J-20 stealth jets and hypersonic missiles.
Multi-layered protective shield
With the addition of the S-350 to the Akash, Barak-8 and S-400 systems that India already has, India will have a ‘multi-layer’ air defense shield. This will give more freedom to the Indian Air Force during war. If this deal is confirmed, it will be produced and maintained in India under the ‘Make in India’ scheme, which will give a big boost to the country’s defense industry.