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Observers state that the S-400 air defense system, armed with advanced 40N6 interceptor missiles, is capable of targeting F-16 aircraft that will be operated by Ukraine as soon as they take off from forward airfields in Ukraine.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — At this time, the first group of Ukrainian pilots is nearing the completion of their training on the F-16 fighter jets obtained from several European countries, notably the Netherlands, to enable them to operate these American-made fighter aircraft to confront Russian fighter jets.
The F-16 fighter jets donated by the Netherlands would arrived in Ukraine this year.
However, Ukraine’s recent efforts to utilize American-made F-16 jets to control airspace in its conflict with Russia may be thwarted by the latest variant of the S-400 air defense system.
This latest variant of the S-400 air defense system will deploy the upgraded 40N6 interceptor missiles, to better counter Ukraine’s aerial threat.
According to defense sources in Russia, the S-400 air defense system, now armed with the advanced 40N6 interceptor missiles, is capable of targeting and downing aircraft from greater distances, making it the most sophisticated system globally, equipped with a unique homing head capability.
The S-400 air defense system, armed with the 40N6 interceptor missiles and complemented by early warning aircraft like the A-50U, can engage targets, including fast-moving ones at low altitudes, as per Russian defense sources.
Furthermore, experts note that the advanced 40N6 interceptor missiles of the S-400 system can target F-16 jets operated by Ukraine as soon as they take off and ascend to altitude, especially if operating from forward airfields in Ukraine.
These sources inform Russian media that the S-400 air defense system, armed with “special” interceptor missiles, alongside fighter jets such as the Su-30 and Su-35, will effectively “eliminate” Ukrainian F-16s.
Meanwhile, Sputnik news agency reports that the S-400 air defense system has garnered attention for its use of the new 40N6 interceptor missiles.
These specialized missiles have demonstrated the capability to intercept targets at maximum range, utilizing data relayed by the A-50U early warning aircraft acting as a “magic eye.”
Air defense system experts state that the 40N6 interceptor missile fly at extremely high altitudes after launch before descending to the target’s altitude, giving it remarkable capability to intercept targets at low altitudes.
The 40N6 interceptor missile is a Russian-made long-range interceptor designed for use with the S-400 and S-500 air defense systems, capable of engaging targets at distances up to 380 km and at high and low altitudes.
Previously, the S-400 air defense system’s interceptor missiles were limited to targeting at a range of 150 km, providing limited capability against Ukrainian fighter jets.
With the introduction of the 40N6 interceptor missiles, the S-400 system can now engage targets at twice the previous range.
The Russian Ministry of Defense plans to procure over 1,000 of these latest 40N6 interceptor missiles in the coming years.
Observers suggest that a mass production of the 40N6 interceptor missiles by Russia would pose a significant challenge to Ukrainian fighter jets, while concurrently enhancing Russia’s ability to control and dominate airspace.
The question remains: How will Ukrainian fighter jets, including the F-16s, operate if airspace is controlled by Russia through a combination of the air defense system armed with the latest 40N6 interceptor missiles and its fighter jets? — DSA
