What is s-400 Russian air defense system?

GK Alert
May 09, 2025



S-400


The S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is one of the most advanced long-range air defense missile systems in the world, developed by Almaz-Antey for the Russian Aerospace Forces. 


Below is a complete overview of the S-400 system:

🔹 BASIC OVERVIEW

Feature Details
Name S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler)
Developer Almaz-Antey (Russia)
Type Mobile, long-range, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system
Introduced 2007 (officially entered service with Russian forces)
Purpose Air defense against aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles

🔹 MISSILE TYPES USED

The S-400 is unique because it can launch four different types of missiles, allowing for a layered defense strategy:

Missile Range Type
40N6E Up to 400 km Long-range; aircraft, AWACS, strategic bombers
48N6E2/48N6DM Up to 250 km Long-range; aircraft and cruise missiles
9M96E2 Up to 120 km Medium-range; precision strike on small targets
9M96E Up to 40 km Short-to-medium range; high maneuverability


S-400

🔹 TARGET TYPES

  • Aircraft (fighters, bombers, surveillance planes)

  • Cruise missiles

  • Ballistic missiles (short and medium-range)

  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

  • Hypersonic weapons (limited capability)

🔹 KEY FEATURES & CAPABILITIES

Capability Description
Range Up to 400 km (with 40N6E missile)
Altitude Coverage 10 meters to 30 km
Radar System 91N6E Big Bird acquisition radar, 92N6E engagement radar
Tracking Capacity Can track up to 300 targets and engage 36 simultaneously
Mobility Mounted on 8×8 high-mobility vehicles; takes ~5–10 min to deploy
Multi-targeting Can engage multiple targets simultaneously with different missile types
Interoperability Can be integrated with other Russian air defense systems like Pantsir-S1 or S-300


🔹 COMPONENTS OF AN S-400 BATTALION

Each battalion generally includes:

  • 1 × Command post (55K6E)

  • 1 × Acquisition radar (91N6E Big Bird)

  • Up to 6–8 × Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs) (each with 4 missiles)

  • 1 × Engagement radar (92N6E Grave Stone)

  • Reload and maintenance vehicles

🔹 GLOBAL OPERATORS

Country Status
Russia Primary operator
China First foreign buyer
India Delivery started (contract signed in 2018)
Turkey NATO member that acquired S-400 (led to tensions with the US)
Belarus Received units from Russia
Others Algeria and Saudi Arabia have shown interest

🔹 CONTROVERSIES & GEOPOLITICS

  • India's Acquisition: Despite the threat of U.S. CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions, India proceeded with a $5.4 billion deal in 2018.

  • Turkey’s Purchase: Led to a diplomatic rift with the U.S. and removal from the F-35 fighter jet program.

  • US Concerns: The system’s powerful radar could compromise stealth aircraft and NATO aircraft data.


S-400 Truck of Russia


🔹 COMPARISON TO OTHER SYSTEMS

System Country Notable Strength
Patriot (PAC-3) USA Proven track record, more integration with NATO systems
THAAD USA Excellent for ballistic missile defense, but shorter range
HQ-9 China Similar in design, but less proven in real combat
Barak 8 Israel-India Naval and land versions; shorter range but advanced sensors

🔹 STRATEGIC VALUE

  • Acts as a deterrent by denying enemy aircraft easy access.

  • Useful for creating Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) zones.

  • Can shield large areas, strategic bases, and critical infrastructure.

The Indian Air Force used the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system to negate Pakistan's escalation bid last night.

Pakistan's attempted military action against India comes a day after the Indian armed forces' carried out precision strikes at four terrorist camps in Pak and five in Pak-occupied Kashmir, or PoK. The S-400 missile defence system used by India to intercept the attack is considered one of the deadliest surface-to-air missiles or SAM in the world.

Here are 5 key facts to know about the S-400 system:

The S-400 missile defence system is said to be one of the world's most advanced long-range air defence systems. China was the first nation to buy the S-400 missile system in 2014.

The S-400 has three components -- Missile launchers, a powerful radar and a command centre.It can hit aircraft, cruise missiles and even fast-moving intermediate range ballistic missiles.

The S-400 is considered a major threat by NATO members because of its sheer long range capabilities.

The S-400 can engage almost all types of modern warplanes. It's radar can track targets up to 600 km away.

In October 2018, India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems.