India’s Hero Weapon- S-400: Sudarshan Chakra

India is well prepared to fight Pakistan and its attacks. Indian security forces activated four Anti-drone systems: S-400, L-70, ZSU-23, and Shilka. Among these, the S-400 missile system, named S-400 Sudarshan Chakra defence missile system, was used on the intervening nights of May 7 and 8 to take down Pakistani terror camps. There is an interesting story behind its procurement, and the Indian government did not consider the threats from the USA in purchasing it from Russia.

Developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey, the S-400 is among the world’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile systems. India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 to procure five S-400 units. The first system was deployed in Punjab in 2021. S-400 is a mobile surface-to-air missile system that detects targets up to 600 km, intercepts at 400 km, and can engage multiple targets simultaneously.

The USA had threatened to sanction India under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) when we tried to buy it from Russia in 2018. However, the Indian government went ahead and purchased them regardless and managed to avoid the sanctions as well.

The Indian Government invested around $ 5.4 billion to procure five S-400 (air defence missile systems). The ROI is that it saved hundreds of lives, crucial defence assets, and increased the confidence of defence forces & Indian citizens.

The then defence minister Manohar Parikkar and PM Narendra Modi were adamant that they needed S-400 systems in India at any cost. They worked hard in cracking the deal and finally secured it.