Even though India and China are in conflict on the border, the two countries have the status of 'close friends' of Russia, especially in the aspect of defense cooperation. And the unique thing is, even though India and China often fight on the border, the two countries are both users of the Russian-made S-400 Triumph airborne missile system, which is touted as the best airborne missile system in the world.
China first acquired the S-400 (in 2018), then India will follow in operating the S-400 in 2021. S-400 in both countries, are also deployed in border areas prone to air attacks. It becomes interesting to observe, are there any differences between the S-400 owned by India and China? Plus, India recently said it would test launch the S-400 missile system for the first time.
Chinese S-400
China signed an agreement for the purchase of the S-400 missile defense system in 2014. China received the first S-400 missile system in 2018, and the S-400 system has been operational in the Chinese military for the past three years.
According to the agreement, China purchased 6 S-400 battalions. Each Chinese S400 battery consists of a Mobile Command Center, several types of radar and six launch vehicles. In total China has 6 Mobile Command Centers, about 12 radars and 36 launchers (6x6 = 36). Each launcher can launch 4 missiles at a time, so China can fire a total of 144 (36×4) missiles at a time.
There is an international regime under the name MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime). According to MTCR law, MTCR member countries cannot provide/sell missiles, combat drones, etc., with a range of more than 300 km to countries that are not MTCR members. Russia is a signatory to the S-400 and China is not, so as per regulations Russia cannot sell missiles with a range of 400 km to China.
Complete S-400 battery system, from left to right – command center, radar locator and launch vehicle.
Thus, China technically only has missiles with a range of 120 km and 250 km. Therefore, the S-400's anti-aircraft missile system can only track and target ranges of up to 250 km.
For the record, the terms Battery/Battalion/Squadron mean the same thing. While the composition depending on the requirements of a country may include one/two/three or more batteries in one regiment. Thus, an arhanud regiment could have one/two/three or more batteries.
Indian S-400
In 2018, the Indian government signed a deal to buy 5 battalions or batteries of S-400 for US$5 Billion. Russia will start deliveries of this system in December 2021 i.e. at the end of this year. India will get a total of 5 S-400 battalions. Each battalion has a Mobile Command Center, several types of radar, and eight launch vehicles.
Thus, in total India will have 5 Mobile Command Centers, up to 10 radars, and 40 launchers (8x5 = 40). Each launcher can launch 4 missiles at once, so a total of Indian S-400 can fire 160 (40×4) missiles at once.
India is a member of the MTCR unlike China, and India can get S-400 missiles of all ranges, up to 400 km from Russia. Thus, in terms of the number of missiles that can be launched at one time and the missile's range of 400 km, India is clearly superior.
China should deploy at least one S-400 battery for Taiwan, two against Japan and the US on its eastern flank. So in total China can deploy about three batteries to India, which India can easily counter by deploying 3 batteries against China and 2 against Pakistan.
Also considering the range factor of India's missiles, India can easily fight China because India has missiles with a range of 400 km unlike China.
Beyond the MTCR, it is likely that China could have illegally obtained a 400 km long-range missile from Russia. China has so far used its own version of the Russian S-300, which has a range of 300 km.
China is also known to imitate things, by reverse engineering the S-400 and developing it into its own version, so in the next 5-7 years, it is very likely that China will have its own alternative to the original Russian-made S-400.
Missiles on the S-400 Hanud Systems
- 1. 9M96 and 9M96E
It is a missile with a range of up to 150 km. This missile can be used to destroy fighter aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, aerial refueling aircraft, and cruise missiles.
- 2. 48N6
It is a medium-range missile with a range of up to 250 km. This missile can be used to destroy fighter aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, and cruise missiles.
- 40N6
It is a long-range missile with a range of up to 400 km. This missile is designed to destroy fighter aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and cruise missiles at long ranges.
- 9M317
It is a medium-range missile with a range of up to 120 km. This missile can be used to destroy fighter aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, and cruise missiles.
- 77N6-N and 77N6-N1
It is an anti-missile missile designed to engage ballistic missiles with a range of up to 250 km. This missile can be used to destroy ballistic missiles in the early and mid-flight stages.
- 40N6M
It is a long-range anti-missile missile that can track and destroy ballistic missiles at a distance of up to 400 km. This missile is an upgraded version of the 40N6 missile.
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