Despite U.S. threats, Turkey will receive modern air defense systems S-400 from Russia. What makes this weapon so special that the government in Ankara snubbed the Deal and its NATO partners?
The S-400 air defense system at a presentation in Moscow
In July, it could be so far: there is Much to suggest that Turkey is the first and so far the only NATO member of the modern Russian air defense system S-400 delivered. Appeals from the U.S. government to cancel the 2.5-billion-Dollar Deal with Russia, seem to have used anything at all. In Washington, concerns, Moscow could spy on his weapons systems of the NATO – especially the modern U.S. stealth fighter planes of type F-35, whose sale to Turkey could stop the US now.
Flexible and convenient
The S-400 “Triumph” is an air defense system of large-and medium-range. It is the most powerful model in a series of defence systems, which were developed after the Second world war in the Soviet Union and later in Russia modernized. The number 400 stands for the maximum range in kilometers. It planes and tactical ball can shoot down ballistic missiles at a height of up to 27 kilometers.
According to the defense Ministry in Moscow, the S-400 System is intended to form the backbone of the Russian air defense. It was made in 2007 in the service. Since then, more and more units to be so equipped, also to the annexed Ukrainian Peninsula of Crimea and in the Russian Baltic sea exclave of Kaliningrad.
A S-400 launchers consists of a variety of vehicles, including a command center, mobile radar stations and missiles. The manufacturer of the state arms company “Almaz-Antey”, of the action because of Russia against Ukraine in the EU, as well as in the United States on the sanctions list. S-400 was developed to provide aircraft, strategic cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, but also drones to shoot down at a height of up to 27 kilometers. In Russian media it is claimed that the System was better than the competing products from the United States or France.
S-400 System in a Test in St. Petersburg (2015): Cheaper and better than competing products?
“While the West produces the better aircraft, the Russians have always been the leader in rocket technology,” confirms Richard Connolly from the UK’s University of Birmingham. S-400 is also very flexible and can be used with various types of missiles. A further advantage of the price. “The S-400 is about half as expensive as the US System is a ‘Patriot’,” says Connolly.
However, there may also be political reasons for Turkey to buy Russian arms product. Just the fact that S-was developed with 400 specially designed for operations against U.S. weapons, could be for Turkey to be attractive, says the British expert and cites as an example the attempted coup d’état in 2016, as the Turkish President of the machine in the air by a F-16 was beset fighter jet, one of the coup leaders flew.
The Moscow military expert Alexander Golts considers that the S-400 purchase is purely political. “Turkey has no enemies, which you should with a S-400 to protect. This is a Signal to the United States and others that Ankara operates an independent defence policy,” said Golts.
The first war effort in Syria
Turkey would be the second country, after China, the defense systems of type S-400 delivered. India has already signed a contract of 5.5 billion dollars and is waiting for the delivery. Also, some of the States of the Gulf region have shown interest.
S-400-Start in the Astrakhan region: Downing of objects in 27 kilometers of height
However, the Russian missile defense system have drawbacks, experts say. “It has yet to be tested in a serious war situation,” says Siemon Wezeman from the Stockholm international peace research Institute SIPRI is clear: “The only one in the battle-tested air defense system, the US System ‘Patriot’ in the Gulf war in 1991.”
Russia has stationed his immune system already in Syria to protect its military bases there. President Vladimir Putin also said, to test new weapons systems. “S-400 would have had the Chance to show his skills at the impact of the USA ‘Tomahawk’missiles at Syria to 2018, but the Russian leadership was sensible enough, it will not use,” said the Moscow expert Golts.
Hope on technology transfer
Previous models, such as the S-300, were in the Soviet Union as part of a major nationwide air defense system designed. The special feature of S-400: It can be used. This is exactly what makes it possible for Turkey to operate the Russian system of weapons outside the NATO network.
Open, as Turkey would like their S-400 itself against air attacks. In Russia, this role takes on a modern short-range air defense system. It is a quasi-supplied in a double pack with S-400 to the own troops. If Turkey buys this System in Russia is unclear. The government in Moscow has signalled to want other weapons to the Turkish army to sell.
Turkey is hoping that Russia is also a transfer of technology. So some of the S will be produced-400-components in Turkish factories. “But this is more of a symbolic participation,” says Alexander Golts, and no longer speaks of “a few screws”. According to unconfirmed Reports in the Russian media, Moscow had refused to give Turkey access to the electronic settings, such as the recognition software to distinguish friend from foe.
The successor model, apparently already ready for series production
While Russia is also the own army with S-400 equip is already working on the successor model. It’s supposed to mean-500 “Prometheus” and is expected to be in 2020, be ready to use. The model is ready for series production, informed on Tuesday the Minister of industry and trade Denis Manturov. The new System of Moscow promises to be an even bigger reach, which will not allow the firing of low-flying satellites.