2021 GS3 Answer

Q. How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?

Question from UPSC Mains 2021 GS3 Paper

Model Answer: 

S-400 Air Defence System: Technical Superiority

The S-400 Triumf, a Russian-made air defense system, stands out as one of the most advanced in the world due to its superior technical capabilities:

Range and Detection:
• Unparalleled range of up to 400 km, significantly surpassing most competitors.
• Advanced radar systems capable of detecting even stealth aircraft (e.g., F-35, B-2) at great distances.

Multi-Target Engagement:
• Can simultaneously track up to 80 targets and engage up to 16.
• Outperforms many systems limited to single-digit simultaneous engagements.

Missile Diversity:
• Utilizes four different missile types for various ranges and altitudes.
• Capable of intercepting a wide array of threats:
– Aircraft and UAVs
– Ballistic missiles (range up to 3,500 km)
– Cruise missiles
– Hypersonic targets

Speed of Interception:
• Intercepts targets moving at speeds up to Mach 14.
• Effectively counters hypersonic and ballistic threats, a capability many systems lack.

Advanced Electronic Warfare Resistance:
• Robust against jamming and electronic countermeasures.
• Employs frequency-hopping and other advanced techniques to maintain effectiveness in contested electromagnetic environments.

Mobility and Deployment:
• Highly mobile, with rapid deployment time of about 5 minutes.
• Enhances survivability and operational flexibility compared to static systems.

The S-400’s technical superiority lies in its combination of long-range detection, diverse engagement capabilities, and advanced electronic protection, making it a formidable air defense system in modern warfare scenarios.

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