CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The S-400 Triumf (Russian: C-400 – Triumf; translation: Triumph; NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler), previously known as the S-300 PMU-3, is a mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed in the 1990s by Russia’s NPO Almaz as an upgrade to the S-300 family.

Detailed explanation-2: -The S-400 is known as Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. The ‘Triumf’ interceptor-based missile system can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. Russia had started delivery of the first regiment of the missile in December last year.

Detailed explanation-3: -The S-400 air defence missiles will be purchased by India from Russia in a deal worth more than ₹35,000 crore over three years. Russia will begin supplying India with the third squadron of the S-400 air defence missile system in January or February of next year, despite its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Detailed explanation-4: -How does it work? S-400 detects an aerial threat approaching the air defence bubble (the area it has to protect), calculates the trajectory of the threat, and fires missiles to counter it. It has long-range surveillance radars that sends information to the command vehicle.

Detailed explanation-5: -The S-400 is an upgrade of the S-300 surface-to-air missile system and can detect target from up to 600 km. It is armed with four different types of missiles with ranges of 400 km, 250 km, 120 km and 40 kms.