India Deploys 'Russian THAAD' Near China Border... Tensions Rise

S-400 Surface-to-Air Missile Launch Vehicle

India is reportedly planning to deploy the Russian-made advanced air defense missile system S-400 near the border with China.

According to Indian media including the Times of India on the 26th (local time), the second battery of the five S-400 batteries that India has decided to acquire is being transported by aircraft and ships.

According to government sources, the second battery is expected to be deployed and operational near the Chinese border area within the next two to three months.

India and China fought a war over border issues in 1962 but have not finalized the border line, instead facing each other along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

In 2020, there were successive clashes near the northern border dispute area around Ladakh, including the Pangong Lake fistfight in May, the Galwan Valley 'baton clash' in June, and the first use of firearms in 45 years in September, resulting in casualties on both sides.

The S-400 deployed by India is called the 'Russian version of THAAD' (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, a high-altitude missile defense system). It is a medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile system that has been in operational deployment with the Russian military since 2007. It can intercept low-flying cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and military aircraft.

Russia and India signed a contract for the supply of the S-400 during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India in October 2018. The Times of India explained that the contract is worth 400 billion rupees (approximately 6.56 trillion won).

However, India may face sanctions from the United States due to this S-400 acquisition. The U.S. previously imposed sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) when Turkey procured the S-400.

China is also reportedly significantly strengthening its military forces near the border area.

The daily The Hindu reported at the end of last month that since 2020, the Chinese military has greatly expanded its military capabilities in the area within 100 km of the border, including soldier accommodation facilities, long-range artillery, rocket systems, tanks, and air defense networks in all directions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.