Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder jets have destroyed India’s S-400 air defence system stationed in Adampur using hypersonic missiles during the ongoing military operation Munyan un Marsoos.
The S-400 system, valued at around $1.5 billion, was considered one of India’s most advanced defence assets.
The S-400 air defence system is a Russian-made missile defence system which is widely regarded as one of the world’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.
According to NDTV, this system is designed to intercept a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
This air defence system comprises three components — missile launchers, a powerful radar, and a command centre — and is capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
Additionally, the S-400 air defence system can target up to 600 kilometres away and engage almost all modern warplanes.
In October 2018, India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, which are viewed as a major threat by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) due to their long-range capabilities.
The destruction of the air defence system came as part of Pakistan’s broader military operation that was launched in response to Indian missile strikes on multiple air bases.
In another major strike, a key Indian Military Intelligence training centre in Rajouri, involved in planning terrorist activities in Pakistan, has also been destroyed.
India’s Sirsa Airfield, a critical military base, has been damaged. Indian media has confirmed the incident, adding credibility to the reports.
Pakistani drones were spotted flying over Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggering serious concern in the area.