Indian military's backbone S-400 defence system, which Pakistan destroyed, explained

Russian S-400 missile air defence systems are seen during a training exercise at a military base in Kaliningrad region, Russia August 11, 2020. — Reuters

The Pakistan Army announced the successful destruction of an Indian S-400 air defence system in Adampur, soon after launching a military operation, named Bunyan ul Marsoos, against India on Saturday.

The S-400 air defence system, which is worth $1.5 billion, was destroyed using hypersonic missiles, launched from JF-17 Thunder aircraft, security sources said.

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.