The S-400 is the most advanced road-mobile air-defence system in Russia's arsenal, capable of shooting down everything from enemy aircraft and drones to ballistic and cruise missiles at ranges between 40 and 400 km. The system continues to receive upgrades, even as the military prepares to take delivery of its next-gen successor, the S-500.
The keys to the S-400's deadliness are its versatility and ability to take on multiple targets simultaneously, independent US-based media outlet 19fortyfive suggests.
In a recent piece for the news site, military observer Peter Suciu reported on planned air defence drills by another Russian air defence forces unit taking delivery of a batch of S-400s, explaining that the exercises, which are set to include live-fire drills, would continue through mid-April.
The observer points out that even as Russia has sought to arm its air defence troops with S-400s, the system has also been exported –first to China and Belarus, and to Turkey and India. The exports have proceeded despite the threat of US sanctions.
Siciu also accuses Russia of using the missile system as an “economic warfare tool” to drive a wedge in relations between the US and Turkey. Ankara declined to halt purchases of S-400s despite pressure from Washington, eventually being kicked out of the F-35 fighter programme and getting slapped with sanctions.
As S-400 maker Almaz-Antey continues to work on the system's successor – the S-500, even as the existing systems
