COUNTERING THE S-400

1  Russian capabilities are mainly based on three systems: the S-400 anti-aircraft system, the Bastion anti-ship system, and the Iskander ballistic missile system for use against land targets.

2  The S-400 Triumph (introduced in 2007, known by NATO under the code name SA-21 Growler) is an anti-aircraft missile system that boasts a maximum range of 400 kilometers (250 miles) and can hit targets at an altitude of up to 27 kilometers. The S-400 was developed to destroy fighter jets, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones. Russian media predictably claims that the S-400 is superior to its French or US-made rivals.

3  The Russians were always leading in missile technology whereas the Americans and the West produced better aircraft. The S-400 is at least twice as cheap as the US system Patriot but its capabilities may be over-rated.  Remember the famous 'shilka' AD system of the 70's which India had procured to provide AD cover for advancing armour columns. Highly overated, hush-hush, expensive; but not very effective.

4  Actually the S-400 should mainly be considered a threat to large high-value aircraft such as AWACS or transport aircraft at medium to high altitudes, out to a range of 200-250 km. In case of fighter jets and cruise missiles operating at low altitudes it engagement range may be as little 20- 35 km.

5  There are several measures for countering these systems. Some are passive, such as flying around the coverage area of sensors, or stationing troops at a location in good time. Others are active countermeasures, both “soft,” in the form of electronic jamming or chaff dispersed from aircraft, and “hard,” where portions of overall capability are physically knocked out, the report stated.

6  One can neutralise an entire system by knocking out just one link in a functional chain, for example a data link or fire-control radar. And since seeing over the horizon requires airborne radar, it may then be enough to shoot down the radar aircraft!

7  In addition, the time tested counter AD methods still hold good to confuse the acquisition and engagement of aerial targets--

• towed decoy
• chaff
•  electronic jamming,
• maneuvering, training and pilot expertise
• flying at low

8 Intelligence, surveillance and the attack plan are key elements to neutralise the enemy AD.  For a successful attack it is imperative knowing what you are doing and what you are up against. Well before any attack satellites, EW listening posts, advance teams and drones would be finding and cataloging each air defence asset and its location.

9 The attack plan would then lay out the elements of the attack. aircraft, weapons, timing, contingencies. The plan would have to include an element of unpredictability, to avoid the enemy being prepared. The strike package would use a combination of jammers (escort and stand-off), decoys, attack aircraft, fighters, stealth, cruise missiles and drones to perform the attack. The goal would be to launch your weapons farther out that the radar system can launch at you. Stealth and jamming would make that possible. Multiple weapons would be sent to each target. As the attack progresses, bomb damage assessment (BDA) would  continuously be updated to measure which systems have been destroyed.

To say that enemy ground and air assets can be damaged or destroyed without any damage to own assets would be foolish. But with proper planning, knowledge of the enemy resources and their employment and weaknesses, the Indian Air Force can press home its advantage.