S-400 to protect India from countries with territorial-ambition: Air-Marshal Nambiar
What's the story
The S-400 Triumf air defense missile system to be procured from Russia would provide requisite security to India from neighboring countries with "territorial ambition", said Air Marshal R Nambiar, Eastern Air Command's Air Officer Commanding in Chief. The S-400 Triumf is a next-generation mobile air defense system capable of destroying aerial targets at an extremely long range of up to 400 kilometers.
Information
System would be in India in next 23 months: Nambiar
Nambiar said the missile system would give India an edge to protect its territorial integrity. "The system would be in India in the next 23-months," said Nambiar, who was one of the Indian delegates who had visited Russia for negotiations to procure the missile system.
Deal
Indo-Russia deal significant, as China has procured the same missile-system
Notwithstanding the US pressure of sanctions, India inked the defense deal on October 5 during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin. As per the deal, New Delhi will get five regimental sets of S-400s for $5 billion. The signing of the deal assumes significance as China, too, has signed a deal with Russia to procure the same missile system.
Details
India building its air defense missile system, Programme AD
Nambiar said India is also building its air defense missile system, namely Programme AD. The indigenous missile system, being built by DRDO, is at an advanced stage of deployment. Further, he said the Rafale aircraft, which he has flight tested, is far more superior in terms of performance, compared to China's fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft, such as Chengdu J-20 stealth multi-role fighters.