Indian officials have given the S-400 air defence system a new name — 'Sudarshan Chakra'. REUTERS
On Thursday, India successfully stopped several attacks from Pakistan. The strikes began early morning, targeting 15 locations in northern and western India. Later that day, missiles and drones attacked Jammu and nearby areas. India’s defence systems stopped all these attacks. The key weapon behind the defence was the S-400 Triumf, made in Russia. Indian officials call it the “Sudarshan Chakra,” after a mythological weapon.
India’s $5 Billion Deal with Russia
In 2018, India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five squadrons of the S-400. Each squadron includes 16 vehicles. The S-400 is considered one of the best air defence systems in the world. Even China uses it.
The system is made by Russia’s Almaz-Antey group and can detect and destroy incoming threats like missiles, aircraft, and drones.
US Tried to Block the Deal
The US was not happy about India’s deal with Russia. In 2018, it warned India that buying the S-400 could lead to sanctions. These warnings came under a US law called CAATSA. This law punishes countries that buy military equipment from Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
The US passed this law after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and was accused of interfering in the 2016 US elections.
America’s Counter Offer
The US wanted India to drop the S-400 deal. Instead, it offered its own defence systems like the MIM-104 Patriot and the THAAD system. The US also said Russian weapons could affect military cooperation between the two countries.
India Said No to Pressure
In September 2018, India signed a separate military data-sharing deal with the US. But the very next month, India went ahead with the S-400 deal with Russia.
After a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin, both countries confirmed the deal in a joint statement.
At the time, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “We told the US it’s their law, not a UN law.” When asked if it applies to India, she replied, “Of course, it does not.”
US Response to India’s Stand
The US softened its tone after India’s decision. It said the goal of CAATSA was to punish Russia, not to harm allies like India. Officials added that waiver decisions would be made case by case.
In 2020, the US did sanction Turkey for buying the S-400. But India remained firm.
Why India Refused to Back Down
India’s top officials believed no foreign law should decide India’s defence plans. With threats from Pakistan and China, India felt the S-400 was necessary for its security.
Over the past few days, the S-400 showed its worth by defending Indian airspace. It proved India made the right choice.
Russia Still Top Arms Supplier
Russia continues to be India’s largest arms supplier. According to a global research group, Russia supplies over 36% of India’s imported weapons.
A Waiver for India
In January 2022, the US House of Representatives passed an amendment to protect India from CAATSA sanctions. Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna wrote the amendment.
He said, “The United States must stand with India against China’s aggression.” He called the amendment a major step in US-India relations.
However, the amendment is still waiting for approval from the US Senate.
