section_path: Deployment history/China
section_name: China
paragraph_text: China
  
  In March 2014, it was announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had given authorization to sell the S-400 system to China. On 13 April 2015, the chief executive of the Russian state-run arms trader Rosoboronexport confirmed that China secured a contract for the purchase of the S-400 air defense system. Delivery of the system began in January 2018. China test fired Russian S-400 systems for the first time in early August 2018. Deliveries were reportedly postponed after the delivery of two S-400 units.
  
  The acquisition of S-400, reported to initially consist of six batteries, improves China's air space defense. A reported 400 km (250 mi) coverage range would allow China's defense to cover all of the Taiwan Straits and the Diaoyu Islands. Taiwan plans countermeasures using signals intelligence units to locate and destroy S-400 systems before they can be used.
  
  In March 2014, it was announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had given authorization to sell the S-400 system to China. On 13 April 2015, the chief executive of the Russian state-run arms trader Rosoboronexport confirmed that China secured a contract for the purchase of the S-400 air defense system. Delivery of the system began in January 2018. China test fired Russian S-400 systems for the first time in early August 2018. Deliveries were reportedly postponed after the delivery of two S-400 units.
  
  The acquisition of S-400, reported to initially consist of six batteries, improves China's air space defense. A reported 400 km (250 mi) coverage range would allow China's defense to cover all of the Taiwan Straits and the Diaoyu Islands. Taiwan plans countermeasures using signals intelligence units to locate and destroy S-400 systems before they can be used.