In a landmark move reflecting a shift in strategic defense priorities, India opted for Russia’s S-400 Triumf air defense system over the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in 2018, highlighting the S-400’s superior versatility and multi-layered capabilities. As noted by Sputnik India, a key advantage of the S-400 lies in its flexible architecture, which allows seamless integration with various air defense assets and effective engagement of diverse aerial threats—including aircraft, UAVs, and ballistic missiles—across different altitudes and ranges. Unlike THAAD, which is specifically tailored for high-altitude ballistic missile interception, the S-400 provides a broader defensive envelope by incorporating multiple radar systems and coordinating short-, medium-, and long-range missile interceptors into a unified network. This adaptability makes the S-400 a more comprehensive solution for India’s evolving air defense needs.
