The Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft missile system is touted as the best in
the world. Even so, this Chinese-made missile is considered the answer to
the riddle of how to fight the anti-aircraft missile system.
Worse, the missile is the result of the development of Russia's own missile
system. The Chinese-made HQ-9B missile could be a mistake made by Russia in
its relations with the country.
This is because the missile developed using Almaz-Antey technology, the
Russian company that makes the S-300, S-400, and S-500 missile systems will
be a commensurate opponent of the S-400.
"This information is based on an analysis made by American and Pakistani
experts. The recent acquisition of HQ-9B from Pakistan is the reason for the
assessment," as reported by bulgarianmilitary.com, Tuesday (18/1/2022).
To note, in the 1990s, Russia allowed China to acquire air defense
technology, especially for the production of fourth-generation anti-aircraft
missile systems.
China's HQ-9B missile was developed using Almaz-Antey technology and has
been acquired by Pakistan.
In short, the HQ-9B has a range of 240 km, and in the missile structure
there is an integrated radar for active thermal targeting and a passive
infrared search radar. These missiles are designed to penetrate
hard-to-reach areas and sites and are protected by air.
"Today the way to counter modern anti-aircraft missile systems, such as the
S-400, is to counter modern systems and developments such as counter
weapons, anti-radiation missiles, electronic countermeasures, UCAV and swarm
drones, as well as low-flying cruise missiles," he said. Richard Fisher,
senior fellow of the International Center for Evaluation and Strategy in
Alexandria, Virginia, United States.
Fischer said that the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan nearly two
years ago showed the possibility that the anti-aircraft missile system was
vulnerable to the means of deterrence it had demonstrated.
And it turns out that India's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense
system has provoked Pakistan to open up other possibilities for possible
countermeasures.
One such possibility is Pakistan's top-secret ZF1 drone, which was
introduced about four years ago, but it is not yet clear whether Islamabad
is continuing to develop it. This drone is designed to penetrate objects
that are heavily protected by air defense systems.
Mansour Ahmed, a senior fellow at the Pakistan-based think tank Center for
International Strategic Studies, said the Fatah-1 guided projectile was a
weapon that would neutralize the S-400. The projectile is tested in 2021 and
has a range of 150 km.
According to Ahmed, Pakistan also has excellent capabilities for electronic
suppression systems or electronic warfare. "They are part of Pakistan's
arsenal and aim to neutralize enemy missiles," he said.
Called the best in the world, just how good is the S-400's air defense
system? Questions like this are difficult questions to answer because both
have advantages in their respective fields.
Aerospace expert Douglas Barry of the think tank International Institute for
Strategic Studies said the system should not be underestimated, but not
overstated. Depending on the missiles used, the S-400 can hit targets in
different ranges from 150 to 400 km. However, Barry believes this is a
problem for the S-400.
"The much-lauded maximum engagement range depends on the variant of the
surface-to-air missile deployed, the associated radar acquisition range in
the operational area, the capacity of personnel to exploit the system
effectively, and also the countermeasures and countermeasures that the
adversary may take," he said. .
Many experts, including Douglas Barry, believe that India's plans to deploy
the S-400 are slightly different from what is generally accepted. According
to various opinions, New Delhi plans to use the S-400 to protect the skies
over strategic sites, not to defend entire airspace.
According to Barry, it is the best option to deploy the S-400, rather than
deploying it in a combat formation. "On its own, I see the acquisition of
the S-400 as having little or no impact on the overall credibility of
Pakistan's (nuclear) deterrent," he added.
