China and India plan to buy Russian missile defense system

Almaty. April 18. Silkroadnews – China and India intend to buy Russian air defense system S-400 “Triumph”, the newspaper “Izvestia” reports.

“There are many potential buyers wishing to purchase this system, it’s another matter that we cannot deliver it to each potential customer, as our top priority is the Russian army, although the talks are also carried out with China and India,” said the presidential aide on military-technical cooperation Vladimir Kozhin.

Interest in the products of the Russian military-industrial complex has increased after their successful utilization in carrying out the military operations in Syria. India, Malaysia, Algeria, Indonesia have lined up for the Russian jets. Another subject of interest became the air defense system S-400, which has no analogues in the world.

According to the newspaper, S-400 is capable of hitting the attack aircraft, strategic aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles of the enemy. Destruction range is up to 400 km. Number of points of simultaneous application of fire is 36. Being located in Syria, the system can keep track of flights and even takeoffs of Turkish aircraft in Turkish airspace.

“The export issue came up when we launched the S-400 production. The positon of the Ministry of Defence was quite tough from the very beginning – first we shall equip the Russian army. The Chinese customers made us to adjust this view. They showed their interest in the S-400, and due to the importance of our relations with China we have made an exception. The contract with them has been signed, it is quite possible the deliveries have been started partially,” said Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Centre for analysis of strategies and technologies.

According to “Izvestia”, India’s interest in the Russian air defense systems has been boosted by operation in Syria and China’s deal on buying this equipment. The experts say the Indian side could also convince the Russian partners to make an exception for them to supply the S-400.