New Delhi, Oct 05: The S-400 Triumf air defence system deal, inked by India and Russia Friday notwithstanding the US pressure of sanctions, can engage up to 36 targets at a time and simultaneously launch 72 missiles.

The long and medium range air defense missile system, which Air Force Chief B S Dhanoa said will provide a much needed "booster" to the Air Force, is designed to destroy air attacks, including stealth aircraft and any other aerial targets.

"The sides welcomed the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the S-400 Long Range Surface to Air Missile System to India," a joint statement released after the delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladmir Putin said.

The delivery of the missile systems, tipped to be over $5 billion, will start in 24 months.

Acquiring the missile system will help repulse the air attacks by India's adversaries, especially Pakistan and China.

The signing of the deal assumes significance as China, too, has signed a deal with Russia to procure the same missile system.

"This is the most lethal weapons system in the world and it provides four different types of layered air defence," Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Manmohan Bahadur told PTI.

However, the deal comes under the purview of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which  targets Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

India has conveyed to the US its necessity to procure this air defence missile system.

In 1999, the system was demonstrated for the first time at the Kapustin Yar practice range (the Astrakhan Region) to then defence minister Igor Sergeyev. The trials of the most advanced air defense missile system were carried out in the 2000s.

The missile system has been in service since April 2007.

The S-400 is based on the S-300PMU2 air defense missile complex.

The air defence missile system comprises a combat control post, a three-coordinate jam-resistant phased array radar to detect aerial targets, six-eight air defence missile complexes (with up to 12 transporter-launchers, and also a multi-functional four-coordinate illumination and detection radar), a technical support system, a missile transporting vehicles and a training simulator, experts said.

The S-400 system can also additionally include an all-altitude radar (detector) and movable towers for an antenna post, they said.

The target detection range of this system is up to 600 kilometres and its tactical ballistic missile destruction range varies from five kilometres to 60 kilometres.

Courtesy: ndtv.com

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Pilibhit (UP) (PTI): Farmers living in villages adjoining the Mala range of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve have devised an unusual method to keep tigers away from their fields during sugarcane harvesting – playing loud music on solar-powered sound systems.

According to the farmers, the continuous noise helps deter wild animals from entering their fields.

As sugarcane fields are dense and the visibility is low, the risk of sudden encounters with tigers remains high during the harvesting season.

Forest officials described the initiative as a “desi jugaad” that not only enhances safety but also adds an element of entertainment, with loud music echoing across the fields during work hours.

The method has emerged as a unique way to check human-animal conflict.

Ramnagaria, Ajitpur, Jamunia, Mahua, Mala Ghera, Richhola and Basantapur are among the villages located close to the Mala range that frequently witness tiger movement, keeping the residents on edge. Recently, fresh tiger pugmarks were found in a field in Mahua.

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According to forest officials, Krishna Kumar and his associates in Jamunia village pioneered the “musical” method to deal with the threat.

“Working in the dense sugarcane fields is risky business. We believe wild animals move away due to noise, so playing songs loudly helps keep them at a distance,” Kumar said.

The method is proving effective, enabling farmers to carry out agricultural activities in groups without fear, the villagers said.

Several farmers, including Gaurishankar, Tinku, Ram Bahadur, Rakesh Kumar, Prabhu Dayal and Lalaram, have joined Kumar in implementing this innovative approach.

Deputy Ranger Sher Singh said the forest department is also making continuous efforts to spread awareness among the villagers.

“The department is organising meetings to educate farmers about safe and scientific methods to protect themselves from wildlife,” he told reporters.