China Becomes First Foreign Buyer Of Russia’s S-400 Air Defense System

Russia’s S-400 air defense system.

China has become the first foreign buyer of Russia’s cutting-edge S-400 missile defense systems, said Anatoly Isaykin, the Director General of Russia’s major arms exporting company Rosoborobexport, according to interview with Russian newspaper Kommersant that was published on Monday.

The head of Rosoboronexport declined to disclose terms of contract but confirmed that China had indeed become the first buyer of the air defense system. He noted that it underlines the strategic nature of Russian-Chinese relations.

Isaykin said that the Russian defense industry is obligated to supply the S-400 air defense system to the Russian Defense Ministry first of all, despite the fact that numerous foreign countries are interested in purchasing the system.

The systems, which are capable of launching up to 72 missiles and engaging up to 36 targets simultaneously, entered service in 2007 to replace the S-300 systems. S-400 Triumf is designed to shield from air strikes, strategic, cruise, tactical and operating tactical ballistic missiles and medium-range ballistic missiles.