Russia starts S-400 missile system delivery to China

Russia has made its first delivery of S-400 missile system components to China under a contract signed in 2014, a source close to the Russian system of military cooperation told journalists on Jan. 18.

The delivery includes a control station, a radar station, energy and support equipment, spare parts, tools and other components of the S-400 systems, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The source also said Russia’s Defense Ministry trained a group of Chinese soldiers last year to use the S-400 systems.

China was the first buyer of these anti-aircraft weapons. In 2014, Moscow and Beijing signed a contract on the S-400 systems, under which Russia has to deliver six S-400 systems to China at a cost of $3 billion.

The contract did not provide technology transfer or licensed production of the S-400 missile systems to China.

Last December, Turkey announced that it had concluded an agreement with Russia for the purchase of two S-400 systems by early 2020.