Analysis: Confusion over S-400 deal for China
There was confusion over last week’s announcement that deliveries had begun of the Russian-built Almaz-Antei S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile (SAM) system to China. Reports that the S-400 would give China complete blanket coverage of the entire island of Taiwan from coastal batteries now appear premature.
The delivery announcement was made on 18 January by the Russian government-controlled Tass News Agency and confirmed by various industry sources in Moscow.
The original deal was made between Beijing and Moscow in 2014.
‘The first delivery was expected to take place in December 2017/January 2018, so it is not a surprise,’ said Vassily
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