All about India's Russia-made S-400 defence system that foiled Pakistan's missile attacks

In a bid to negate Pakistan's escalation bid last night, the Indian Air Force used the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system.

Following Indian armed forces' precision strikes at four terrorist camps in Pakistan and five in Pak-occupied Kashmir, or PoK as part of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's attempted military action was foiled a day after.

The Indian Armed Forces mounted a calibrated and proportionate military response early Wednesday after Pakistan attempted a major drone and missile offensive against Indian military targets.

Key Facts About S-400 System

Electronic Warfare and Mobility:

Integrated counter-countermeasures resist jamming attempts while maintaining 3D phased array radar tracking. Fully operational within 5 minutes of deployment, with transport vehicles enabling rapid relocation of 30-ton launch units.

Missile Capabilities and Range:

Four missile types enable layered defense: 40N6E (400 km), 48N6 (250 km), 9M96E2 (120 km), and 9M96E (40 km). Under development 77N6 missiles feature 'hit-to-kill' technology for ballistic warhead interception. Capable of engaging targets from 30m to 30km altitudes.

Operational Deployment and Recent Use:

The Indian Air Force successfully intercepted Pakistani missile attacks targeting 15 Indian cities by using S-400 systems deployed along the western border. This mobile defense network provides 360-degree coverage for critical areas like Delhi and Mumbai, with Pentagon assessments confirming its strategic positioning against regional threats.

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Strategic Military Advantages:

Simultaneously, tracks 300 targets while engaging 36 threats across 400km range. India's $5.4 billion acquisition creates an anti-access bubble over conflict zones, with interoperability between army/navy systems. 

Technical Components and Workflow:

The system combines long-range surveillance radar (600 km detection), command centers for threat evaluation, engagement radars for missile guidance, and 12+ launch vehicles. It achieves target acquisition in 10 seconds and launches missiles at 4.8 km/s through automated coordination between components.