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The US Parliament has supported India’s relaxation of sanctions that have been imposed after the S-400 deal with Russia. Parliament says that we should stand with India in the fight with China. The amendment was passed unanimously on Thursday by a voice vote. During this, the National Defense Authorization Act was being discussed in the Parliament.
The proposal was introduced by Indian-American lawmaker Ro Khanna. He appealed to the Biden administration that India should be exempted from CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) to help deal with aggressive countries like China. He said that America will benefit from giving India exemption from KATA sanctions.
What is CAATSA
CAATSA is a stringent US law that empowers the US administration to impose sanctions on countries that buy major defense equipment from Russia. The law was enacted by the US in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Russia’s alleged interference in US presidential elections in 2016.
India had signed a $5 billion deal
In October 2018, India signed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 missiles. Under this, India was to get five units of the S-400 air defense missile system for $ 5 billion. It is expected that all the five units will be fully delivered by April 2023. This system can attack enemy missiles, drones and aircraft in the air at a range of 400 km.
America has expressed objection to this India-Russia deal
The US has always been opposed to the purchase of the S-400 and imposes restrictions on the countries that buy this system. The US also imposed sanctions on Turkey in 2020. Turkey has also purchased the S-400 missile system from Russia.
What is the S-400 System?
The S-400 is an air defense system, that is, it prevents attacks through the air. It is effective in preventing the attack of missiles, drones, rocket launchers and fighter jets of enemy countries. It is designed by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau and is counted among the world’s most advanced air defense systems.
what’s so special about it
- The biggest feature of the S-400 is its mobileness. That is, it can be taken anywhere through the road.
- It is fitted with 92N6E electronically steered phased arrow radar which can detect multiple targets from a distance of about 600 kms.
- It is ready for operation within 5 to 10 minutes of receiving the order.
- A single unit of the S-400 can track 160 objects simultaneously. 2 missiles can be launched for a single target.
- The 400 in the S-400 represents the range of this system. The system that India is getting has a range of 400 km. That is, it can counter attack by detecting its target from 400 km away. Also, it can attack its target even at an altitude of 30 km.