Russian shield for India How S-400s gave New Delhi an edge over Pakistan

印度的俄羅斯之盾：S-400 如何讓新德里對巴基斯坦占據(jù)優(yōu)勢

From tactical results to strategic messaging, India’s deployment of the S-400 was as much about capability as it was about intent

從戰(zhàn)術成果到戰(zhàn)略信號傳遞，印度部署 S-400 既彰顯實力也昭示意圖

By Dmitry Kornev, military expert, founder and author of the MilitaryRussia project

作者：德米特里·科爾涅夫，軍事專家，MilitaryRussia 項目創(chuàng)始人兼撰稿人

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi made headlines when he publicly credited Russia’s S-400 “Triumf” air defense system with playing a key role in the country’s response to recent Pakistani strikes. More than a political gesture, Modi’s remarks marked the first confirmed combat use of the S-400 by Indian forces.

印度總理納倫德拉·莫迪公開贊揚俄羅斯 S-400“凱旋”防空系統(tǒng)在應對巴基斯坦近期空襲中發(fā)揮關鍵作用，引發(fā)廣泛關注。此舉不僅是政治姿態(tài)，更標志著印度軍隊首次確認在實戰(zhàn)中使用了 S-400 系統(tǒng)。
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“Platforms like the S-400 have given unprecedented strength to the country,” he said while standing before the system. “A strong security shield has become the identity of India.”

“諸如 S-400 這樣的裝備為國家注入了前所未有的力量，”他站在該系統(tǒng)前說道，“強大的防護盾已成為印度的身份象征。”

He also noted that India now has access to military technology that its adversaries – chiefly Pakistan – simply can’t match. Coming amid a real military confrontation, his words carried unmistakable weight.

他還指出，印度現(xiàn)已擁有主要對手（尤其是巴基斯坦）無法企及的軍事技術。在真實軍事對抗的背景下，這番表態(tài)分量十足。

A real-world test

實戰(zhàn)檢驗

The clash erupted during India’s counterterrorism operation “Sindoor.” Pakistan responded with strikes on Indian military infrastructure using drones, precision-guided munitions, and air-to-ground missiles. For the first time, India deployed its Russian-made S-400s in combat, stationing them in the strategically sensitive states of Punjab and Rajasthan.

沖突爆發(fā)于印度反恐行動“辛杜爾”期間。巴基斯坦動用無人機、精確制導彈藥及空對地導彈對印度軍事設施實施打擊回擊。印度首次在實戰(zhàn)中部署了俄制 S-400 防空系統(tǒng)，將其駐扎在具有戰(zhàn)略敏感性的旁遮普邦和拉賈斯坦邦。

According to reports, the system successfully neutralized incoming threats before they even entered Indian airspace. Debris found on Pakistani territory suggests that ultra-long-range 40N6E missiles may have been used, capable of taking down targets from up to 370 kilometers away.

據(jù)報道，該系統(tǒng)在威脅尚未進入印度領空前就成功將其攔截。在巴基斯坦境內發(fā)現(xiàn)的殘骸表明，印方可能使用了射程達 370 公里的 40N6E 超遠程導彈實施攔截。

Military analyst Mikhail Khodaryonok summed it up bluntly:

軍事分析師米哈伊爾·霍達廖諾克直言不諱地總結道：
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The ultimate test for any weapon system is war. That’s where it either proves itself – or fails completely.

任何武器系統(tǒng)的終極考驗都是戰(zhàn)爭。正是在戰(zhàn)場上，它要么證明自己的價值——要么徹底失敗。

He believes the S-400 not only met but exceeded expectations during Russia’s own military campaign, successfully intercepting a wide range of targets – from SCALP cruise missiles and tactical ballistic rockets to drones and MLRS projectiles.

他認為 S-400 不僅在俄羅斯自身的軍事行動中達到預期，更超出預期，成功攔截了從"風暴陰影"巡航導彈、戰(zhàn)術彈道火箭到無人機及多管火箭炮彈藥在內的多種目標。

Now, it has proven itself again – this time in South Asia.

如今，這套系統(tǒng)再次證明了自己的實力——這次是在南亞地區(qū)。

Why India сhose the S-400

印度為何選擇 S-400

India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five regimental units of the S-400 after an exhaustive review of the country’s long-term defense needs. The country’s primary concerns: China and Pakistan.

印度在 2018 年與俄羅斯簽署了一項價值 54.3 億美元的協(xié)議，采購五個團的 S-400 防空系統(tǒng)，這是在全面評估該國長期國防需求后作出的決定。該國的主要關切對象是中國和巴基斯坦。

At the time, China had already secured its own S-400 systems and was reportedly planning to deploy them in Ti..., just across the border from India. Delivery to India began in 2021, and the final shipments are scheduled for 2025. With each new deployment, India extends a sophisticated “air defense umbrella” across more of its vulnerable frontier.

當時，中國已獲得自己的 S-400 系統(tǒng)，并據(jù)報計劃將其部署在西藏地區(qū)，緊鄰印度邊境。對印度的交付始于 2021 年，最后一批預計于 2025 年完成。隨著每一套系統(tǒng)的部署，印度在其脆弱邊境線上空逐步撐起了一頂精密的"防空保護傘"。

The decision to buy the S-400 was driven by its standout capability to intercept virtually any airborne threat: aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, smart bombs, and ballistic missiles. No other air defense system on the market offers this level of versatility.

采購 S-400 的決定源于其卓越的多目標攔截能力：無論是飛機、直升機、無人機、巡航導彈、智能炸彈還是彈道導彈，幾乎都能有效攔截。市場上其他防空系統(tǒng)均無法提供如此全面的防護性能。
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Khodaryonok points out that if the coordinates are known, the S-400 can even be used to strike ground targets – though that’s not its primary function.

霍達廖諾克指出，如果已知坐標，S-400 甚至可用于打擊地面目標——盡管這不是其主要功能。
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Equally important for India, the system integrates smoothly with the country’s existing command infrastructure, which still bears the hallmarks of Soviet and Russian design. For India, adopting the S-400 wasn’t just a technical upgrade – it was an evolution built on decades of military-technical continuity.

對印度同樣重要的是，該系統(tǒng)能無縫融入該國現(xiàn)有指揮體系，而該體系仍保留著蘇聯(lián)和俄羅斯設計的鮮明特征。對印度而言，采用 S-400 不僅是技術升級，更是基于數(shù)十年軍事技術傳承的演進。

S-400 vs. Patriot: Different philosophies

S-400 對陣愛國者：理念差異

The American-made Patriot system is often cited as an alternative, but the two platforms reflect fundamentally different doctrines.

美制愛國者系統(tǒng)常被視為替代選項，但這兩款平臺體現(xiàn)了根本不同的作戰(zhàn)理念。

The Patriot was developed during the Cold War to protect NATO forces from enemy aircraft and short-range missiles. Its fire zones are narrow, and it can take up to 25 minutes to fully deploy – an eternity in a fast-moving conflict.

"愛國者"導彈系統(tǒng)是在冷戰(zhàn)期間為保護北約部隊免受敵方飛機和短程導彈威脅而研發(fā)的。其火力覆蓋區(qū)域狹窄，且完全部署需耗時長達 25 分鐘——在瞬息萬變的戰(zhàn)場上堪稱漫長。

The S-400, on the other hand, was designed to provide wide-area coverage as part of a national air defense grid. It takes just five minutes to deploy and can simultaneously track up to 300 targets. Its engagement range extends up to 400km in distance and 35km in altitude.

相比之下，S-400 系統(tǒng)作為國家防空網(wǎng)絡的一部分，旨在提供廣域防御。它僅需五分鐘即可完成部署，并能同時追蹤多達 300 個目標，其作戰(zhàn)范圍最遠可達 400 公里，射高達 35 公里。

As Khodaryonok put it, “In almost every key metric, Patriot falls short of Triumf – especially in range, target variety, and electronic countermeasures.”

正如霍達廖諾克所言："幾乎在所有關鍵指標上，'愛國者'都遜色于'凱旋'系統(tǒng)——尤其在射程、目標多樣性及電子對抗能力方面。"

The missile loadouts tell the story too:

導彈配置同樣說明問題：

S-400 uses a broad mix: 48N6 (up to 250 km), 9M96M (up to 130 km), 40N6E (up to 370 km), and 9M100 for short-range defense.

S-400 系統(tǒng)采用多樣化導彈組合：48N6 型（射程達 250 公里）、9M96M 型（射程達 130 公里）、40N6E 型（射程達 370 公里）以及用于近程防御的 9M100 型。

The Patriot relies mainly on MIM-104 and ERINT, with far fewer options.

愛國者系統(tǒng)主要依賴 MIM-104 和 ERINT 導彈，可選方案遠少于前者。

Cost vs. Capability

成本與性能之比

The S-400’s biggest advantage might just be its price-to-performance ratio.

S-400 系統(tǒng)的最大優(yōu)勢或許正是其性價比。

When China purchased two S-400 regiments, the price tag exceeded $3 billion. For India, each regiment cost around $1 billion. That’s enough to defend an area roughly 1,000 by 500 kilometers against simultaneous attacks by hundreds of aircraft and missiles.

中國采購兩個 S-400 防空導彈團時，價格超過了 30 億美元。而對印度而言，每個團的成本約為 10 億美元。這足以防御約 1000 公里長、500 公里寬的區(qū)域，抵御數(shù)百架飛機和導彈的同時攻擊。
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By contrast, equipping India with enough Patriot systems for comparable coverage would cost several times more. A single Patriot battery alone is often priced similarly to an entire S-400 regiment – despite offering much less coverage and flexibility.

相比之下，為印度配備覆蓋范圍相當?shù)膼蹏呦到y(tǒng)，成本將高出數(shù)倍。僅一個愛國者導彈連的價格就常與整個 S-400 團相當——盡管其覆蓋范圍和靈活性遠遜于后者。

India’s choice, in this light, wasn’t just practical. It was strategic – and smart.

由此可見，印度的選擇不僅務實，更是戰(zhàn)略性的明智之舉。

Strategic Reach and Export Appeal

戰(zhàn)略覆蓋范圍與出口吸引力

Only a handful of nations can produce air defense systems like the S-400. So far, China, India, and Turkey have officially acquired the system. But dozens of countries – from Saudi Arabia and Algeria to Iran and even Latin American states – have expressed an interest.

目前僅有少數(shù)國家能生產 S-400 這類防空系統(tǒng)。中國、印度和土耳其已正式采購該裝備，但數(shù)十個國家——從沙特阿拉伯、阿爾及利亞到伊朗乃至拉丁美洲國家——均表示出濃厚興趣。

“There’s a waiting list for the S-400—and it keeps growing,” says Khodaryonok. “Quality weapons don’t come cheap. But nations that prioritize defense choose Triumf.”

霍達廖諾克表示：“S-400 的采購名單在不斷延長，優(yōu)質武器從來價格不菲。但重視國防的國家都會選擇‘凱旋’系統(tǒng)?！?/b>

Turkey’s decision to buy the S-400 despite threats of US sanctions shows just how powerful that appeal can be. For many, it’s not just a weapons purchase – it’s a step toward greater strategic autonomy.

土耳其不顧美國制裁威脅堅持購買 S-400，充分證明了這種吸引力的強大。對許多國家而言，這不僅是軍購行為，更是邁向戰(zhàn)略自主的重要一步。

India’s S-400 Future: Ready for Anything

印度 S-400 的未來：為一切做好準備

Once all five regiments are in place, India will be able to shield its entire northern and western borders, as well as critical coastal zones in the south—vital for securing trade routes and deterring precision air strikes.

一旦五個團全部部署完畢，印度將能夠保護其整個北部和西部邊境，以及南部關鍵沿海地區(qū)——這對保障貿易路線安全和威懾精確空襲至關重要。

What’s being built is more than just a missile shield. It’s a multi-layered, autonomous defense system designed to withstand massive air raids, drone swarms, hypersonic threats, and saturation missile attacks.

正在構建的不僅僅是一個導彈防御系統(tǒng)。它是一個多層次的自主防御體系，旨在抵御大規(guī)模空襲、無人機群、高超音速威脅以及飽和導彈攻擊。

The recent conflict with Pakistan was a turning point. For the first time, India brought high-end Russian technology into real combat – and saw firsthand what it could do. The S-400 didn’t just stop enemy missiles. It sent a message.

近期與巴基斯坦的沖突是一個轉折點。印度首次將高端俄羅斯技術投入實戰(zhàn)——并親眼見證了其威力。S-400 不僅攔截了敵方導彈，更傳遞了一個信號。

The S-400 “Triumf” isn’t just another piece of hardware. It’s a political lever, a pillar of strategic independence, and a cornerstone of airpower in South-East Asia.

S-400“凱旋”不僅是又一件硬件裝備，它是政治杠桿、戰(zhàn)略獨立的支柱，更是東南亞空中力量的核心基石。

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