The S-400 missile system is one of the most advanced missile systems available to Russia and its allies worldwide. It can shoot down most modern military aircraft – and has already been successfully proven in combat.
Is the S-400 better than the US-built Patriot missile system? Does it represent a danger to the USAF?
The groundbreaking S-400 missile system
The S-400 is a surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia. It is designed to intercept and destroy aircraft, missiles, and drones at long ranges.
It is considered one of the world’s most effective air defense systems. It has a range of 400 kilometers (250 miles) and can engage up to 36 targets simultaneously. The S-400 can also be used to target ground targets such as tanks and armored vehicles.
This missile system has been in service with the Russian military since 2007, and Russian allies use it too. The users of this missile system include China, India, Turkey, and of course, Russia.
S-400 would significantly help Russia against the USAF in a potential war
#UPDATE : An excellent video with S-400 missile launches from the press service of the #Russian Ministry of Defense.
— Sushmit Patil Сушмит Патил सुश्मित पाटिल 🇮🇳 (@PatilSushmit) April 10, 2022
Recall that today military personnel and veterans of the air defense forces celebrate their professional holiday. pic.twitter.com/dXwTuANEGd
S-400 is a formidable air defense system that can engage multiple targets simultaneously at long range. So, it would be a significant challenge for the USAF to overcome in a potential conflict.
While Russian weapons have underperformed during the war in Ukraine, it is essential to emphasize that they are still lethal and effective enough to stop most of the USAF fleet – and would help to level the playing field in a potential conflict with the US.
Actually, it is considered to be one of the most advanced air defense systems in the world, and even if the American aircraft are technologically more advanced, they are still vulnerable. That’s why the S-400 would give Russia a lethal weapon against American bombers and fighters in a potential conflict.
And technically, it surpasses the Patriot missile system in some categories
The S-400 missile system can be deployed to protect critical military and civilian facilities from aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. It engages targets at a range of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) with four types of missiles, each with a different range and payload.
On the other hand, the Patriot system can engage targets at a range of up to 160 kilometers (99 miles). The Patriot is also capable of simultaneously engaging multiple targets.
Even if the Patriot is much more technologically advanced, it has a shorter range, which could be a potential weakness compared to the S-400 missile system.
In any case, both systems are quite different and have advantages and disadvantages. Although the range achieved by the S-400 missile system is considerably greater, its technological edge is not as impressive as the Patriot system.
The Patriot has multiple functions, including reconnaissance and sending real-time images as it makes its way to its target… And Russia is far from having this technology.
However, this Russian missile system does the job at a lower price and is still effective.
It has been tested in Syria and Ukraine
Russian fire on the S-400 air defense system intercepting the Ukrainian Army’s OTR-21 Tochka missile over the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. pic.twitter.com/1vxBixLDWR
— World’s Military Forces (@Military9Army) February 24, 2022
In Syria, the S-400 was used to protect the Syrian skies. But because there was not much resistance, the system could not show its full potential.
In Ukraine, it has already demonstrated its capability of shooting down drones, countering missile attacks, and even shooting down fighter jets like a Su-27.
S-400 specs
- Type of weapon: Mobile surface-to-air or
- In service: since 2007
- Unit cost: $300 million
- Maximum operational range: 400 kilometers / 249 miles (40N6E missile)
- Target detection distance: 600 kilometers (373 miles)
Russian weapons have underperformed but are still very lethal anyway
The S-400 can compete with missile systems as modern as the Patriot.
They will not be as technologically proficient, but their superior speed and greater range allow them to have certain advantages that could deter most of the USAF fleet from entering Russian territory in the event of war.
Featured image credit: С-400 by Соколрус. Licensed under CC by 4.0.
