S-400 vs Iron Dome: How India’s air defense system stacks up against Israel’s famed missile shield?
India-Pakistan tensions: Amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions post Operation Sindoor, India’s air defense systems, including the Russian-made S-400 Triumf and the Israeli Barak-8, have successfully thwarted missile and drone attacks by Pakistan on multiple Indian cities.
But how does India’s air defense systems stack up against Israel’s famed Iron Dome missile defense shield? Let us find out.
S-400 Triumf
The S-400 ‘Triumf’ is a vital part of India’s air defence system. The surface-to-air missile system currently has three operational squadrons in India, and is capable of intercepting incoming projectiles at a range 400 kilometers and an altitude of 30 kilometers. The S-400 system is designed to intercept a wide range of aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles, and is integrated with the IACCS network of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Russian-built system is can intercept virtually an aerial attack from the enemy, including missiles, drones fighter jets and rocket attacks. The system is highly mobile and can be easily transported and deployed at any location, where it can be ready for operational use within minutes.
The S-400 system is equipped with an advanced 92N6E electronically-steered phased array radar, which enables the system to detect multiple enemy targets from a distance of 600 km. The system is capable of tracking as many as 160 targets simultaneously, and can fire two intercepting missiles at each target to ensure its neutralized.
India acquired the S-400 system from Russia in 2018 under a deal worth Rs 40,000 crore for five units, three of which have been delivered so far and are in operational use.
Akash Missile System
The indigenously-built Akash Missile System perfectly complements the S-400 air defense system. The Akash system is designed for short-range aerial defence, with a capability to take down aerial threats up to a range of 25-30 kms. The low-level interception system is a low-cost option to engage multiple short-range targets, and is equipped with anti-jamming technology, making it difficult for the enemy to disable using electronic warfare capabilities.
Barak-8 missile system
Jointly developed by India and Israel, the Barak-8 is a medium-range air defense system that can target fighter jets, helicopters, drones, anti-ship and cruise missiles at a distance ranging between 70-150 km. The Barak-8 missile system is equipped with ctive radar homing, advanced data link, allowing blazing fast response to threats.
How Israel’s Iron Dome varies from India’s air defense systems
Notably. India’s air defense strategy markedly different from Israel. The Jewish nation’s famed Iron Dome missile defense is specifically designed to intercept short-range aerial threats, especially rocket attacks by Hamas from the Gaza Strip, while India’s multi-level air defense is designed to provide protection against long-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, stealth aircraft and hypersonic projectile.
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