Are Russia’s S-400 and S-500 Missile Defense Systems Really Garbage?
Drone technology is advancing so rapidly, and so are ldquo;glide bombsrdquo;. As these systems have failed to win even air superiority over Ukraine, let alone provide effective air defense, one might be tempted to label them ldquo;garbage.rdquo; However, these missile defense systems have their merits and vulnerabilities, much like any other advanced technology.
Salvaging the S-400 and S-500
While I wouldn’t outright call them ldquo;garbage,rdquo; these systems remain potent threats to 4th-generation aircraft. They do have their vulnerabilities, just like anything else. The S-400, for instance, is reliable in shooting down any jet that isn’t an F-35 or a high-tier modern stealth jet. Arguments by pro-Kremlin and pro-CCP sources that the S-400 can easily shoot down an F-35 are likely exaggerated, similar to Russia’s once-claimed ldquo;invinciblerdquo; ldquo;terminatorrdquo; armoured fighting vehicle which turns out not to be as invincible as claimed.
Operating Capabilities of the S-400
Components of the S-400, such as the Nebo-M radar, can detect an F-35. However, the Nebo-M is not capable of tracking small radar cross-section (RCS) targets or guiding a missile onto the jet. Instead, it can only pick up detection points for a short moment. When in stealth mode, the F-35 has an RCS of about the size of a golf ball, which means the Nebo-M could theoretically detect the F-35 at around 90km. However, the Nebo-M is just one component of the overall system. Other radars with specific frequencies are needed to actually track and track a target to guide a missile onto it. This is where the S-400's limitations become clear.
Limitations and Countermeasures
An S-400 missile can only guide onto an F-35 if the F-35 is within a 35km range from this radar. Otherwise, the F-35’s RCS is simply too small for effective tracking. However, the F-35 pilot can destroy these radar systems while remaining well outside the danger zone. The USA’s anti-radiation missile AGM-88G HARM has a range of 300km, allowing the F-35 to take out the S-400 system without being in harm's way. While it's not a guarantee that every HARM missile will destroy its target, the Russians can deploy other systems like the Tor and Pantsir missiles to protect the S-400, which could potentially intercept the HARM.
Warfare Realities in Ukraine
In reality, the S-400 and S-500 systems have proven to be ineffective in the face of modern stealth aircraft. Ukraine War footage shows Russian tactics that are not always well-prepared or strategically sound. S-400 systems and radars that weren't properly guarded were destroyed by Ukraine's forces. Similarly, the German-made Panzerfaust anti-tank weapons have been shown to take out multiple Russian armored vehicles at once, thanks to clustered and poorly positioned targets. This highlights the importance of effective strategic planning and positioning in modern warfare.
Conclusion
So, are the S-400 and S-500 really garbage? The answer is more nuanced. While these systems have their strengths, their limited effectiveness against advanced stealth aircraft and the ease with which they can be countered should not be ignored. Users of information should be critically aware of the sources of their data and understand that claimed strengths may not be as robust in practice. In an era of rapidly evolving technology, the challenge for military strategists is to balance between the capabilities of their systems and the strategic context in which they operate.