Russia has reportedly delivered the second S-400 Triumf missile defence system to China amid rising tensions with the US. The S-400s were reportedly delivered via maritime transport, the handover certificate was signed in December in China, a military-diplomatic source told Russian news agency – TASS.
“Delivery of a second S-400 regimental set consisting of two divisions of launch devices, radiolocation stations, energy and service equipment, spare parts and instruments to China has been completed. The client also received more than 120 advanced anti-aircraft guided missiles of two types,” the source said.
Tass quoting its source stated that the S-400 handover certificate was signed in China in December 2019. “After the moment of signing, the contract provision on 18-month guarantee service of the equipment by the Russian side came into force.”
The source also added that all the shipments were delivered to China by a few vessels. The first maritime transport ship headed to China in July 2019.
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S-400 contract with China
China became the first international buyer of Russia’s most advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. Russia signed a contract with China on the delivery of two regimental sets of S-400 in 2014.
The first regimental set of S-400 was delivered to China in 2018. The Chinese military successfully test-fired the missile launchers and hit an aerodynamic and a ballistic target.
S-400 Triumph is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming.
Russia has signed delivery contracts for S-400 systems with China, Turkey and India (the deliveries are expected in late 2020).
Contradicting Reports in Indian Media
According to reports in India, Russia has allegedly suspended the delivery of S-400 air defence systems to China. Citing news site Sohu, UAWire reported, “This time, Russia announced the postponement of the delivery of missiles for the Chinese S-400 system. To a certain extent, we can say that it is for the sake of China. Getting a gun is not as easy as signing an invoice after receiving a weapon.”
“They say that the work on delivering these weapons is quite complicated. While China has to send personnel for training, Russia also needs to send a lot of technical personnel to put the weapons into service,” Sohu said.
