Russia Delivers First Regimental Set of S-400 Systems to China

Russia has delivered the first regimental set of S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missile systems to China.

"Two vessels have delivered the first regimental set of S-400s from the port of Ust-Lug, Leningrad Region, to China within the time limit established by the contract. It includes a command post, radar stations, launching stations, energy equipment and other property. It lacks the equipment that was onboard the third vessel," TASS reported quoting an unnamed source as saying Tuesday.

The support equipment which was to be sent along with the set of S-400s was earlier damaged while being shipped by a third vessel after a storm in the English Channel in January. The Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation reported that the third vessel returned to the port of shipment for inspection of the support equipment and assessment of the damage under the specified insurance event.

"The work continues, and the missing equipment is expected to be delivered to the customer in the summer," the source said. The Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation declined to comment on the information provided by the source.

In November 2014 it emerged that Russia signed a contract with China to deliver S-400s, and in November 2015 Russian Presidential Aide for Military-Technical Cooperation Vladimir Kozhin confirmed the signing of the contract. China became the first foreign client for these anti-aircraft systems. In June 2016, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov reported that the Chinese army would receive the systems not earlier than in 2018.

The S-400 Triumf is a Russian long-and mid-range anti-aircraft missile system designed to hit attack and reconnaissance aircraft (including aerial vehicles based on stealth technology) and any other air targets under conditions of intensive enemy fire and electronic countermeasures.