The Indian armed forces S-400 air defense system is likely to face a huge test that is Chinese-made hypersonic missiles.
The Russian S-400 air defense system sold to the Indian Armed forces may have to confront Chinese hypersonic missiles in near fututre, the Sohu publication predicts.
Analysts of the Chinese newspaper reminded that India has received two S-400 Triumf long-range air defense missile systems purchased from Russia and it deploys near the Indo-Pak border to counter upcoming threats from Pakistan.
It is expected that Russia will deliver four more S-400 complexes next year. The contract overcame the biggest hurdle when the US finally decided not to impose sanctions on New Delhi, believing that the S-400 would help India “contain” China.
However, according to analysts, from the beginning, these complexes will not play a protective role against the Chinese military but will become a reliable cover for India against the threat from Pakistan. Currently between the armed forces of India and Pakistan, fierce fighting still regularly occurs in the Kashmir region, besides another disputed location in the northwest of the Indian peninsula.
The Chinese newspaper said that for many years, the two neighboring countries have always considered each other as rivals, so the Russian-made long-range air defense complexes can significantly increase the advantage of the Indian Army.
“The S-400 has a range of 400 km and is capable of hitting a variety of aerial targets, including drones, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and fighter jets. This makes New Delhi believe that no one can encroach on their skies.”
“India and Pakistan have a long border and Russian-made long-range air defense missile systems can cover most of Pakistan’s territory, which is a very worrying thing for Islamabad,” Sohu newspaper reported.
Because of the S-400’s adaptability, Pakistan has viewed India’s acquisition as a danger, as the system can shoot down planes even in Pakistani airspace. The S-400’s possible offensive capability, which would limit an adversary’s use of its own airspace, is a significant feature. Due to Pakistan’s topography and the country’s long border with India, the defense system would cover a large part of the country.
Fearing military conflict, the Pakistani leadership is actively looking for ways to counter India’s S-400 air defense system, they consider many different options. First, Pakistan’s Fatah-1 guided multi-launch rocket system with a range of up to 150 km, electronic warfare complexes, and drones are proposed as countermeasures. However, all of this does not create confidence, Sohu newspaper assessed.
According to Sohu, military developments from China are also being considered. In which, the HQ-9 air defense system (created on the basis of the Russian S-300 complex) or the recently built Chinese hypersonic missile can act as a counterweight to the Indian S-400.
Some Pakistani are suggesting buying hypersonic weapons from China. However, at present, acquiring such missiles is very difficult, export control barriers and the secrecy of the technology limit the supply even to allies,” the publication explained.
However, Sohu does not deny that over time, Beijing may agree to sell its hypersonic missiles to Pakistan. At that time, the Russian S-400 that India bought will have to deal with Chinese hypersonic weapons.
The above scenario, if it happens, will be very remarkable, because both of the above weapons are declared by the manufacturer to be unique and invincible.