Russia postponed delivery of S-400 missile defense system to China

Russia has postponed the delivery of the S-400 missile system to China with experts claiming that the postponement may just hint at cancellation. In 2014, China had signed a government-to-government contract with Russia. The deal was worth $3 billion.

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Key-Points

S-400 is currently among the most coveted surface-to-air missile systems. It is made in Russia and is pitched as the most-efficient long-range air defense systems. It is capable of destroying targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometres and a height of up to 30 kilometres.

Currently, Russia, Belarus and Turkey too have the S-400 defense system. India signed a $5.4 billion deal in 2018 and is likely to get its first S-400 by 2021.

Several other countries – Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Vietnam, Morocco have expressed interest in buying the Russian technology. Beijing reportedly ordered a couple of S-400s.

However, for now, Russia has paused delivery. Moscow and Beijing were seen growing closer than ever, but there has been a roadblock in the bilateral relation as Russia has accused China of spying.

It also came at a time when China and India exchanged violent fires at the Galwan valley. The violence was followed by a question of whose side is Russia on. The hold on S-400s to Beijing may hint at an answer.

India is looking to buy spare parts, ammunition and weapons and the estimated cost of acquisition is over $1 billion. Therefore, Russia’s pause on S-400 to China may have technological advantage for India.