Russian military expert Igor Korotchenko said that acquiring an advanced air defense system like the Russian S-400 Missile System, would help make India a major military power, apart from being a major achievement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
S-400 Missile System: A strong air defence system is vital for any nation in order to become a superior military power and to thwart the enemy’s nefarious designs, as has been proven time and again by Israel with its advanced aerial defense systems such as the the famed Iron Dome, David’s sling, and the Arrow 3.
Russia can help build India’s ‘shield in sky’
Similarly, India, which is surrounded by hostile neighbours like China, Pakistan, and more recently, Bangladesh, needs a stellar anti-missile aerial defense system to intercept enemy fighter jets, ballistic missiles, drones, and other aerial projectiles, a senior Russian military analyst has stated, adding that Russia, one of India’s major defence equipment suppliers, can help New Delhi to build a proverbial “shield in the sky”, to protect the country from varied types of aerial attacks.
According to Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief and military analyst of the National Defense Magazine, a strong aerial defense system is the hallmark of any military power, and Moscow, which historically has close ties with New Delhi, can help India build a strong air defense shield that can thwart a wide range of aerial attacks.
S-400 air defense system crucial for India
Speaking to Sputnik India, Korotchenko said that acquiring an advanced air defense system like the Russian S-400 missile system, would help make India a major military power and increase New Delhi’s regional clout, apart from being a major achievement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Korotchenko believes that the backbone of any aerospace defense system rests on two things — a stellar early warning system, and the ability to successfully intercept incoming aerial threat with a high degree of accuracy. As such, India’s best bet will be the Russian S-400 air defense system, for which deal has already been inked between New Delhi and Moscow.
The Russian defense expert asserted that the S-400 system would serve perfectly as India’s aerial shield, primarily because it is a dual-purpose system, with the ability to detect, track, and neutralize ballistic missiles, as well as other aerial threats such enemy drones, and combat planes.
Why India needs to boost its aerial defence?
India’s major geopolitical and regional rivals, China and Pakistan, have powerful air forces and ballistic missile programs, which could pose a significant threat to India in a conflict situation. Additionally, the rapid increase in China, India, and Pakistan’s ballistic missile arsenal has triggered an arms race in the Indo-Pacific region, resulting in other smaller powers also acquiring strong missile systems, making it crucial for New Delhi to enhance its aerial defense methods.
Notably, Russia, which has been the largest exporter of arms and munitions to India for decades, has been unable to make prompt deliveries of several key weapons systems to New Delhi, such as S-400 air defense system, Sukhoi fighter jets, and spares for the T-90 tanks, since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022.
As per reports, Russia has not been able to supply India with the two remaining S-400 air defense systems, as well as spare parts for some key munitions purchased by New Delhi earlier, including the T-90 tanks– India’s main battle tank.
