S-400 will protect India from countries with territorial ambition
India is currently deliberating on the procurement of the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system. It is to be bought from Russia. A senior air force official has stated that the S-400 will protect India from countries with territorial ambition.
The S-400 Triumf is a next- generation mobile air defence system capable of destroying aerial targets at up to 400 kilometres. The new missile defence system would certainly give India an edge to protect its territorial integrity. This remark was made Eastern Air Command’s Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Air Marshal R Nambiar.
He said, “The system would be in India in the next 23 months.” Nambiar was one of the Indian delegates who had visited Russia for negotiations to procure the missile system.
India has ignored the pressure from US sanctions and has gone ahead with the deal. India signed the defence deal on October 5th 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.
India’s neighbouring countries are not very friendly. Many of our neighbours have territorial ambitions. The S-400 will protect India from these ambitious neighbours. Air Marshal Nambiar states that India’s boundaries need to be protected. Recently, China’s String of Pearls operation might be a threat to India.
The signing of the deal assumes significance as China, too, has signed a deal with Russia to procure the same missile system. India is building its own air defence missile system known as Programme AD, said Nambiar.
He also said, the indigenous missile system, being built the Defense Research and Development Organization, is at an advanced stage of development.
The neighbouring countries of India are gathering and developing their strength. Of course, the S-400 will protect India. They are not an instrument for war but will act as a deterrent.
