S400 For Delhi Ncr, Agni-5 Test with MIRV, Indian Army Battle & Firing Drills at Zapad 2021

Delhi NCR to get S 400 Cover?

Russia will start deliveries of S-400 Triumf advanced interceptor based Air Defense Systems by end of this year to India and most likely the first regiment will be deployed defending national airspace in the Delhi region against numerous incoming objects, including aircraft, missiles, and UAVs, and help neutralize them.

Integrated with multifunction radar, autonomous detection, and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and command and control center, the S-400 system will aid India’s Ballistic Missile Defence program in providing aerial cover to the National Capital.

S-400 will work with India’s Two layer Advanced Air Defence Missile for lower altitude interception and Pradyumna which can intercept and destroy missiles at exoatmospheric altitudes of 50-180 kilometers that were quietly deployed after successful completion of the developmental trials of both the missiles.

Indian S-400 system ordered mainly consists of Two 40N6E (400 km ) and 48N6 (250 km) missile interceptors that are excellent in intercepting aerial threats in long range and working in tandem with India’s Ballistic Missile Defence it will be able to secure airspace as per the severity of the threat classification. Moscow and Beijing are the other two national capital regions where S-400 has been deployed to provide aerial cover to their respected National Capital.  

IAF that will be in command of the S-400 regiments has plans to deploy other regiments both in the East and West of its border to provide aerial cover to military installations and other sensitive facilities in regions close to border regions. While exact locations of such deployment and number of missile launchers deployed will remain classified but it is more or less confirmed that the National capital will have S-400 cover.

Indian Army demonstrates its battle drills, firing skills at Zapad 2021

 The Indian contingent demonstrated its superb battle drills and excellent firing skills at the rehearsals during Zapad 2021, a multi nation military exercise in Russia. Final rehearsals for the strategic exercise were carried out on Sunday.

Special Helicopter Borne Operations were also carried out by the Ghatak platoon of the Naga Regiment using Russian MI-17 helicopters.

WHAT is ZAPAD 2021 MILITARY EXERCISE?

A 200 personnel contingent of the Indian Army is participating in Zapad 2021, a multi nation military exercise in Russia where China and Pakistan are taking part as observers.

Zapad 2021 is one of the theatre level exercises of the Russian armed forces with the focus primarily on operations against terrorists. The Indian contingent has been put through a strenuous training schedule encompassing all facets of conventional operations, including mechanised, airborne, heliborne, counter terrorism, combat conditioning and firing.

Strategic Forces Command to test Agni 5 Inter Continental Ballistic Missile

India is set to conduct the first user trial of nuke capable intercontinental range ballistic missile (ICBM) Agni 5 signalling its early induction in the armed forces. Elaborate preparation has started at a defence facility off Odisha coast for the mission by the Strategic Forces Command of Indian Army. As per the schedule the 5,000km range missile is likely to be flight tested on September 23.

The next trial of Agni 5 missile assumes significance as it may be equipped with the MIRV Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicle capable of carrying multiple warheads. Though the MIRV capability of the missile was secretly tested during a multi satellite launch, no live launch has been conducted so far. For the first time, the indigenous MIRV technology was tested successfully in Agni-P missile with the weapon delivering two manoeuvrable warheads at two separate locations. The MIRV capability of Agni 5 will give India the much needed deterrence.   

While single-warhead missiles are generally launched against one target, the MIRVed missiles can dispense warheads against multiple targets. The technology will minimise the requirement of a number of missiles providing an edge in battle preparedness.

Developed by DRDO, the missile is capable of hitting targets in all Asian countries and parts of Africa and Europe. With a wiring of around seven kilometer, the 17 metre long, 2 metre wide, three stage, solid fuelled missile can carry a payload of 1.5 tons and weighs around 50 tons. India is the eighth country to have intercontinental ballistic missiles after the US, UK, Russia, China, France, Israel and North Korea.