India also plans to take delivery of the first of two Russian-built frigates, the warship Tusil, in September. The second warship, Tamar, is scheduled to be delivered by Russia in January. The ship was originally scheduled to be delivered by 2022, but Russia’s war in Ukraine caused delays.
stealth frigate trading
Russia is supplying stealth frigates under a four-frigate contract signed in 2018. The remaining two ships are being built in India.
Delivery of S-400 completed
Sources said the delivery of the S-400 missile system is expected to be completed by next year. India is acquiring these systems to strengthen its airpower capabilities, primarily to deal with security challenges from China.
Background of S-400 trading
In October 2018, India signed a $5.5 billion deal with Russia to purchase five S-400 air defense missile systems. The decision was made despite warnings from the US that proceeding with the deal could lead to US sanctions under the CAATSA Act. Deployment and resolution
Russia began deploying the first regiment of missile systems in December 2021, deploying them to cover parts of the border with China in the northern region and the border with Pakistan. India, unlike many other major powers, has not directly criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Instead, India has insisted on resolving the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.
Indian Air Force strengthens defense with S-400 Triumph and Project Kusha
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has acquired the S-400 Triumph from Russia, which is known as the world’s most advanced air defense system. This acquisition will significantly strengthen India’s air defense capabilities. At the same time, on the indigenous front, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is spearheading Project Kusha. Project Kusha, scheduled for deployment in 2028-2029, aims to equip the Air Force with a long-range air defense system. The system can detect and neutralize enemy projectiles and armor, including cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets, and unmanned aerial vehicles, at long ranges of up to 350 km.
Turkey considers deploying S-400 Triumph air defenses to Iraq border
In other news, Turkey plans to deploy Russia’s advanced S-400 Triumph air defense system on the Iraqi border for a planned summer offensive against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Iraqi Kurdistan. We are considering it. The move marks the first operational deployment of the missile system since the Turkish government received it in 2019, despite Western condemnation.
Potential reasons for adoption
Turkey’s S-400s may be deployed on the border to protect against drones reportedly acquired by the PKK. But the system is more effective against serious threats than crude drones, and can shoot down cruise and ballistic missiles like the one launched by Iran in its unprecedented April 13 attack on Israel. Such a deployment could increase tensions with other NATO allies, who are furious that Turkey even has the S-400.
costs and consequences
The S-400 contract cost Turkey an estimated $2.5 billion, far outweighing the indirect losses of more than $9 billion from manufacturing more than 900 parts of the global F-35 supply chain. There is. The U.S. government has banned Turkey from purchasing the F-35 over concerns that it would share data with Russian engineers and compromise the fighter jet’s stealth capabilities. The US also imposed sanctions on Türkiye’s arms procurement agency.
complex meaning
Turkey does not yet operate an S-400, but the alleged deployment to the Iraqi border will be its first operational use five years after receiving it. Analysts have speculated that the deployment could be a test balloon, an operational necessity due to a foreign threat in northern Iraq, or simply false news.
potential purpose
This deployment could serve several purposes for Türkiye. That could silence domestic critics regarding the purchase of the expensive and controversial S-400. It could also show Moscow that military cooperation remains intact and reaffirm Ankara’s position toward Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, the S-400’s deployment could complicate Turkey’s relationship with the United States and its efforts to rejoin the F-35 program.
(With inputs from PTI)
