First regiment of Russian S-400 missile systems has been delivered to China.

According to the Russian press agency TASS, the first regiment of Russian-made S-400 Triumf (NATO code SA-21 Growler) surface-to-air defense missile has been delivered to China. In January 2018, Russia has started to delivery of S-400 missile systems to China under a contract signed in 2014.

Russian S-400 TEL Transporter Erector Launcher at military parade in Moscow. (Picture source Army Recognition)

In November 2014, it was announced that Russia and China had signed a contract on S-400 supplies, and in November 2015, Russian Presidential Aide on Military Cooperation Vladimir Kozhin confirmed the contract. In June 2016, head of Russia’s Rostec State Corporation Sergei Chemezov said that the Chinese Army would receive the S-400 systems no sooner than 2018. On December 7, 2017, Chemezov said that the delivery would begin in the near future.

China is the first foreign purchaser of these air defense systems, while the second one is Turkey. In July 2017, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that "certain documents" concerning the purchase of the S-400 systems had been signed. On September 12, 2017, Russia confirmed that a contract had been made. Turkey is the first NATO member state to purchase the S-400 Triumf systems. In addition, negotiations to sell the systems to Saudi Arabia are underway.

The S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is the most advanced long-range antiaircraft missile system that went into service in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range ones, and can also be used against ground objectives. The S-400 complex can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km.