New Delhi: The US is not hiding the fact that it is upset with India signing the deal to buy S-400 Triumf surface-to-air defence missile systems from Russia. The mega defence deal worth $5.4 billion is still in the dock on whether it will attract sanctions. But why is the superpower nation so opposed to the deal, after all, any nation wants to fortify its defences to secure its borders. The case is especially true for India which is surrounded by a hyperactive terror depot in Pakistan on its north-west border and a dominating yet crafty China in the northeast.

According to Sputnik news, quoting Rakesh Krishnan Simha, a journalist specialising in foreign and military affairs, America could have several valid reasons to oppose the deal. Interestingly, these reasons look more like it wants to uphold its dominance and edge over the Russians. The S-400, it is claimed in Russian circles, that it could be a global game changer that may well impact the offensive capabilities of the United States.

These Are The 7 Reasons Cited By The Russians

The S-400 ‘Triumf’ long range surface to air missile system

*The US is wary of the S-400’s capabilities as its predecessor shot down the American U-2 spy plane over Russia in 1960. In the 1990s, the Serbians shot down the U-2 stealth fighter with a 30-year-old Russian SAM.

*With a tracking range of 600 km; the ability to destroy hostile aerial targets at a range of up to 400 km and altitude of 30 km at a blistering speed of 17,000 km an hour, the current S-400 is far superior to its predecessor and a truly lethal air defence weapon.

*Longevity of Russian air defence missiles is another factor. As and when they are deployed by India, the S-400s will remain in service for decades, making India – Russia relationship last a long time, something that the US doesn’t like.Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Moda inked deals worth $10 billion between the two nation during the annual bilateral summit held on October 4-5, 2018

*Indian military is known to induct machine and weapons after extensive trails. As such, all military systems India has have very little margin of error. India’s move is expected to have a domino effect as many counties will go for the same systems as of India.

*The S-400 will have the effect of turning a defensive system into an offensive system, and extend India’s A2/AD (anti-access/area-denial) umbrella over the territory of Pakistan as well as on China’s fringes. Just three S-400 battalions located on the border will cover all of Pakistan, except the largely barren western extremity of the restive Baluchistan province. This will tip the balance in India’s favour which does not play into Washington’s hands.

“The US does not want the strategic balance in South Asia to become one-sided towards New Delhi,” Simha opined adding “despite its professed friendship, the US views India as a long-term economic rival with a totally different worldview.”

*Finally, and probably the most important reason, is the F-35 stealth fighter and F-22 jets. The US fears that the S-400 may expose F-35 stealth fighter’s weaknesses as well as deter the effects of its ace fighter jet F-22s. If its ace jets are hit by S-400 missiles, it will create a major dent in the US’s image of manufacturing most advanced stealth weapons. That could drive off many prospective buyers.