Pakistan Turns to Russia's S-350 Vityaz After S-400 Request Denied

In a move reflecting the complexities of regional geopolitics, Pakistan has reportedly sought to acquire Russia's S-350 Vityaz air defence system after its initial request for the more advanced S-400 was turned down.

Sources suggest that Russia's decision to decline the S-400 sale stems from a desire to avoid supplying identical high-end defence capabilities to neighboring nations with a history of conflict, especially as India already operates the S-400. This careful approach underscores Russia's efforts to maintain a balanced defence relationship in South Asia while preventing an escalation of the arms race between India and Pakistan.

While not as sophisticated as the S-400, the S-350 Vityaz is a formidable medium-to-long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. With a range of up to 120 kilometers, it can track and engage a variety of targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles, and various aircraft.

Acquisition of the S-350 would significantly bolster Pakistan's current air defence capabilities, providing a robust mid-range layer to counter aerial threats. Experts highlight the system's flexibility, efficiency, and ability to neutralize diverse aerial threats, potentially enhancing Pakistan's defence posture along its borders.

Pakistan's existing air defence network primarily comprises Chinese and indigenously developed systems, supplemented by limited acquisitions from other allies. Although functional, these systems lack the advanced layered defence offered by platforms like the S-400 or S-350. Key assets in Pakistan's current arsenal include:

• Anza Series MANPADS: Pakistan's domestically produced Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) series, the Anza Mk-I, Mk-II, and Mk-III, are shoulder-fired missiles with limited range (4 to 6 kilometers) designed to counter low-flying threats. While effective in certain scenarios, they lack the sophistication to engage advanced aircraft and missile systems.
• HQ-9/P: Pakistan's most advanced air defence system, the Chinese-made HQ-9/P, is a medium-to-long-range SAM system with a range of approximately 100 to 125 kilometers. It can intercept both aircraft and missiles, enhancing Pakistan's ability to address aerial threats within its borders.
• LY-80 (HQ-16): Another Chinese system, the LY-80, provides medium-range air defence with an engagement range of up to 40 kilometers. While it contributes to Pakistan's air defence strategy, its range and target handling capacity are limited compared to more advanced systems.
• FM-90 and HQ-7: These short-range systems are designed for point defense of specific strategic assets or locations. With limited ranges (10 to 15 kilometers), they primarily target low-altitude threats and are not suited for comprehensive national air defense.

Russia's reluctance to provide Pakistan with the S-400 underscores its strategic balancing act in South Asia. Supplying both India and Pakistan with the same advanced system could destabilize the regional security environment and strain Russia's long-standing defence partnership with India, which highly values its exclusive access to such technology. As the first foreign buyer of the S-400, India's acquisition has significantly altered the regional power dynamics.

This development highlights the ongoing complexities of arms sales and defence cooperation in a region marked by historical tensions and strategic considerations. It remains to be seen how Russia's decision and Pakistan's pursuit of the S-350 will ultimately impact the regional security landscape.

 

[Akshat]

Are they not supplied through China??? Just like India supplies Russian oil to Europe??

They are supplied via China. But they signed a deal with China, specifically mentioning that the engines are to be used by Pakistan and Pakistan alone (I am talking about the time when the plane was first manufactured). So they supplied it to Pakistan via China. This, it was specifically aimed against India.

 

[Anurag]

They are supplied via China. But they signed a deal with China, specifically mentioning that the engines are to be used by Pakistan and Pakistan alone (I am talking about the time when the plane was first manufactured). So they supplied it to Pakistan via China. This, it was specifically aimed against India.

So what whole Europe or even Americans know from where India gets oil and even Russia to know about where it's oil goes!! Well one thing is for sure in world politics no one is your permanent enemy and no one is your permanent friend and when you have friend like America who needs enemies in the first place!!

 

[Akshat]

So what whole Europe or even Americans know from where India gets oil and even Russia to know about where it's oil goes!! Well one thing is for sure in world politics no one is your permanent enemy and no one is your permanent friend and when you have friend like America who needs enemies in the first place!!

It’s Russian oil first of all. They are supplying to us knowing where it might land up. Plus we are not sending specifically Russian oil. We are sending excess oil, which might be Russian or Arabian or even American. There is no segregation.

Most importantly, we ain’t producing something of our own and then sending it to an enemy of Russia. Russia is sending its own oil to Europe via us.

But in case of JF17, it is Russia which is sending it specifically to Pakistan and India has no say and wasn’t asked. So it was a direct action against India.

And I completely agree. There are no friends or enemies in geopolitics. That’s what I was opposing. And when you have a friend like Russia, who needs enemies?

 

[Anurag]

It’s Russian oil first of all. They are supplying to us knowing where it might land up. Plus we are not sending specifically Russian oil. We are sending excess oil, which might be Russian or Arabian or even American. There is no segregation.

Most importantly, we ain’t producing something of our own and then sending it to an enemy of Russia. Russia is sending its own oil to Europe via us.

But in case of JF17, it is Russia which is sending it specifically to Pakistan and India has no say and wasn’t asked. So it was a direct action against India.

And I completely agree. There are no friends or enemies in geopolitics. That’s what I was opposing. And when you have a friend like Russia, who needs enemies?

Well Russia and China have relations of it's own!! Well China have better relationships with most of all!! Even France help them by co developing an helicopter engine it's about the business as usual if India can give them better business then it's to be understood but here is the catch we are no match to China if they are supplying directly to Pakistan then it can be put it in the picture but it isn't like the case of Americans when they gave the package for f-16 while we are advancing towards them with friendship but still they let's down by Khalistan issues and other complicated things!!
India-China relations are always complicated we are not termed as enemies but still end up asian giant's rivalry!!

 

[Akshat]

Well Russia and China have relations of it's own!! Well China have better relationships with most of all!! Even France help them by co developing an helicopter engine it's about the business as usual if India can give them better business then it's to be understood but here is the catch we are no match to China if they are supplying directly to Pakistan then it can be put it in the picture but it isn't like the case of Americans when they gave the package for f-16 while we are advancing towards them with friendship but still they let's down by Khalistan issues and other complicated things!!
India-China relations are always complicated we are not termed as enemies but still end up asian giant's rivalry!!

If they had supplied it to China, it was a different case. They signed a deal that specifically says that the engines are to be sold to Pakistan alone and no one else.

And why bring issues like Khalistan in a discussion about weapons? If you want to bring that, then let’s also bring in the comments of FM of Russia who said India is to be blamed for LAC, thus asking us to give our land to China, shall we? It was France and US who helped us in those times while Russia delayed S400 deliveries.

 

[Anurag]

If they had supplied it to China, it was a different case. They signed a deal that specifically says that the engines are to be sold to Pakistan alone and no one else.

And why bring issues like Khalistan in a discussion about weapons? If you want to bring that, then let’s also bring in the comments of FM of Russia who said India is to be blamed for LAC, thus asking us to give our land to China, shall we? It was France and US who helped us in those times while Russia delayed S400 deliveries.

So China is the one who sign the document!!So deal is through China!!
if it that simple for pak to purchase it from Russia then pak is trying to directly purchase it from the Russia, why they are not getting it from the Russia itself??
So you see only the angle of Khalistan, I just mentioned the package for the f-16 too, why didn't you see it??

 

[Akshat]

So China is the one who sign the document!!So deal is through China!!
if it that simple for pak to purchase it from Russia then pak is trying to directly purchase it from the Russia, why they are not getting it from the Russia itself??
So you see only the angle of Khalistan, I just mentioned the package for the f-16 too, why didn't you see it??

Bro did you read my comment? Russia sold the engines to China with a condition that the engines should be used only on planes meant for Pakistan. So they directly did something to at strategically harms India. Agree or not?

As for F16 package, there is also a package of ATGMs and attack choppers directly being sold by Russia to Pakistan. Why didn’t you see that?