That's because export systems are watered down to keep classified capabilities from changing hands.
I don't believe Russia would have given us the full spec S400. Glad to be proven wrong.
That's because export systems are watered down to keep classified capabilities from changing hands.
I don't believe Russia would have given us the full spec S400. Glad to be proven wrong.
With the exception of the fuel used in missiles, I don't think the hardware is different. The software is definitely different.
All users should be able to program reserve waveforms of their own alongside unique signal libraries, that's where things can make each country's system unique.
Range of export versions is reduced to comply with international treaties like MTCR. Brahmos being an example.
We are only now getting to the full 800km range as an MTCR member (software locks being removed)
There are numerous examples of foriegn manufacturers reducing the range, resolution or deleting specific radar modes from export versions of systems like US (Raytheon) APY-10 radar on the P-8I.
The US govt mandated GD to come up with an export compliant version of the MQ-9 family (called XP) before seeking foriegn sales.
In Russia's own case, the Bars-R radar on the Su30SM has better range, additional modes than the monkey model Bars sold to us.
Thankfully, we got the source codes as part of the MKI deal which has allowed us to refine its performance over time, through in-house efforts (IAF SDI, etc)
In any case, if the Russian gold standard version got whacked as badly as it has in Ukraine, what hope is there for export models?
40N6 is not restricted by MTCR. India is also not restricted by it. Brahmos-1's max range is 400 km, upgraded to 450 km in the extended range version and will be further upgraded to 500 km with the mach 4.5 version. The 800 km version is a new modernization. Anyway, the minute India joined MTCR, range restrictions were removed.
Yes, to P-8I. But this is a software restriction, not hardware.
The export compliant version for drones is not related to India though, but yes, it's how Israel lost the opportunity to sell drones to India. While the Americans offered their own version, the Israelis couldn't. But this doesn't affect India now. Furthermore, with India gaining STS-1 status, there is no longer a need for the US to sell downgraded tech to India. We are just one level below the Five Eyes, but that's a different topic.
We don't have full software access to Bars. And Bars-R is a more recent development, the IAF did not see any interest in it. It's unclear if current Bars has been upgraded to Bars-R standards either. There are a lot of secrets on the MKI we are not privy to since the overhaul began. The first overhaul alone saw some 300+ upgrades.
If you are referring to the S-400s getting whacked in Russia, they have actually done well. A lot of Russian losses have happened due to insufficient training and NATO surveillance which Russia cannot attack. With NATO's unchallenged surveillance, the S-400 batteries are constantly under watch, and have still been quite survivable. And Patriots have got whacked too.