New Delhi: The entire world has come to know the power of the S-400 air defense system in action. The Sudarshan Chakra has destroyed Pakistani drones and missiles. The S-400 or Sudarshan Chakra has stood as a steel shield for India, leaving Pakistan in a state of panic. China is also shocked by India's S-400 capabilities. But this is just a sample. If Pakistan or China hears the news, they will not be able to sleep in the current situation. The world's most powerful air defense system is coming to India. It has been prepared by Russia, India's only reliable country, and is set to be given to India as the S-500, an updated version of the S-400. As expected, the S-500 will soon join the Indian military arsenal. It is said to have the capability to shoot down satellites as well. Russia has already offered to jointly produce the S-500 air defense system with India. This will be a game changer in India's defense system. So, let's see what the S-500 is like? Let's see what it's capable of.
Yes, Pakistan's missiles and drones have been shot down by the S-400 air defense system. This Sudarshan Chakra has turned all Pakistan's plans upside down. Due to this, Pakistan has declared a ceasefire with India. Pakistan and its ally China, who were shocked by the capabilities of the S-400, are in for a shocking news from Russia and India. The S-500, an updated version of the S-400, will soon join India's arsenal. This air defense system, which belongs to the Russian military, has already proven its capabilities. Last year, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to jointly produce the S-500 air defense system in India. It is now possible that India will accept it, and it is being said that the S-500 system will be produced in India in collaboration with Russia and India, like the Brahmos missile.
Much stronger than Thaad and Patriot!
The S-500 air defense system is a fully updated missile system that is more powerful than Israel's THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), the US's Patriot, and Russia's current S-400 air defense system. The S-500 missile system is also known as Prometheus. It is capable of shooting down a wide range of aerial threats, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets, low-Earth satellites, and weapons in space. It is a significant technological advance over the S-400, and its speed and reaction time are unmatched by any other air defense system.
If you look at the key features of the S-500 missile system, you will wonder if all this is true. That is how effective the S-500 missile system is. It can detect enemy targets at a distance of 2000 km. It is then capable of shooting down ballistic missiles at a range of up to 600 km and aircraft or hypersonic cruise missiles at a range of up to 500 km. It is also capable of shooting down targets at an altitude of 180 to 200 km. It is capable of shooting down targets in near-space, and even enemy satellites are easily susceptible to it. Its unit price was said to be $2.5 billion, but it is now said to be around $3 billion.
If you ask about its reaction time, you will think, "Oh, it's so fast." The S-500 has a quick response time of about 3 to 4 seconds. It is significantly faster than the S-400. The S-400 air defense system has a reaction time of 9 to 10 seconds. It can counter aerial threats from fast-moving enemies, including hypersonic missiles, traveling at a speed of 7 km per second. Importantly, this missile system can simultaneously detect 10 ballistic or hypersonic targets. It can also shoot down ten targets simultaneously. Another special feature is that it uses different types of missiles for different types of targets. Furthermore, the S-500 also uses three types of high-end radars. In addition, the S-500 uses Active Electronically Scanned Array technology. This will be of great help in detecting enemy aircraft.
A unit of the S-500 air defense system will be very large, consisting of a long-range radar, a command vehicle, a launcher, and an engagement radar. There will be 10 launchers, and each launcher will fire two missiles simultaneously at a target, knocking out the target. There will be 10 launchers in 10 vehicles. There will also be radars and command centers, which will also have separate vehicles, making the S-500 work like a big factory. Russia began developing this air defense system in 2014. However, the first test was conducted in 2018. The first prototype unit was installed in Moscow in 2021. The S-500 is expected to enter full service with the Russian military by 2030. Russia is also developing the S-550.
Another Brahmastra from India-Russia?
Russia has proposed joint production of the S-500 missile system with India, recalling the successful collaboration between Russia and India on the Brahmos missile project. The proposal was put forward during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia in 2024.
Russia had also said in 2021 that India would be the first customer of the S-500. India has already purchased the S-400 system from Russia and is actively trying to further enhance the country's air defense capabilities. The S-500, with advanced capabilities against hypersonic missiles, stealth aircraft, and space-based threats, is seen as the next big step for India's missile defense architecture. Pakistan cannot resist the S-400. Moreover, Pakistan and its ally China will not sleep if the S-500 arrives. What do you think about this?
