Given that Russia has failed to achieve air superiority in Ukraine, there have been questions raised about the effectiveness of the much-hyped S-400 “Triumf,” an air defense system that the Kremlin has touted as the best in the world.
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S-400: Not So Scary?
Visitors to next week’s 14th Aero India 2023 International Air Show will have a chance to see the system up close, as it will be among the offerings on display from the state-owned JSC Concern VKO “Almaz-Antey.”
The Russian arms maker has announced it will demonstrate the latest models of the latest S-400 “Triumf” long-range and S-350E Vityaz medium-range surface-to-air missile systems.
“The S-400 Triumf is designed to provide highly effective protection against air strikes, strategic, cruise, tactical and theater ballistic missiles under enemy fire and jamming,” the company’s press office told state-media outlet Tass on Thursday.
“The S-350E Vityaz is designed to shield administrative, industrial and military facilities against massive strikes by various types of existing and future air attack weapons.”
The press office added that the S350E was capable of operating autonomously or being integrated into a customer’s air defenses.
India is already a foreign operator of the S-400, and there have been concerns raised that it could drive a wedge between Washington and New Delhi, as India continues to remain a Western partner while still being among the largest customer of Russian military hardware.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the third batch of S-400 air defense systems to India will be completed shortly.
Latest Tor Platforms
In addition to the S-400 and S350E air defense systems, the Russian firm will present its Tor-M2K, Tor-M2E, and Tor-E2 short-range surface-to-air missile systems.
The Tor-M2KM autonomous combat module was based on the chassis of India’s Tata Motors and the Taifun-PVO(E) anti-aircraft fighting vehicle.
The Tor M2KM is a Russian short-range air defense missile system that was developed specifically for export and evolved from the Tor M2E. First unveiled in 2013, the air defense system was offered to India, but initially without any success.
However, the development and testing of the system was completed in 2015, and it now appears that Almaz-Antey is once again attempting to court New Delhi.
Almaz-Antey has announced it will provide information on the Redikom mobile repair and measuring facility, while it will provide performance characteristics of the Adyutant universal target training facility that offers multiple targets simulating major advanced air attack weapons.
The firm is a major Russian integrated defense manufacturer comprising over 60 enterprises with about 140,000 in its workforce. It currently supplies products to over 50 countries of the world.
It is just one of the multiple Russian defense makers that will be presenting at the 14th Aero India 2023 International Air Show, which is scheduled to run in Bangalore from February 13-17.
Held every two years, it has become among the largest air shows in Asia, and Russia remains an active participant.
This year, the Kremlin will present more than 200 military products and platforms at Aero India 2021.
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Author Experience and Expertise
A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
