New Delhi, March 6: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is on track to receive the remaining two squadrons of the S-400 air defense system this year. The S-400 made its combat debut during Operation Sindoor, successfully hitting a Pakistani aircraft from a distance of 300 kilometers, marking a record for the longest-range kill.
Currently, the IAF operates three squadrons of the S-400, with expectations that the fourth unit will arrive in the next two to three months. The final, fifth unit is anticipated by the end of this year, according to defense officials.
Discussions are ongoing regarding the procurement of additional S-400 units to bolster the IAF’s capabilities. Recently, the Defense Procurement Board approved the purchase of five extra S-400 units. This proposal will soon be sent to the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval. Once the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is granted, the procurement process will officially commence, culminating in final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister.
Following Operation Sindoor, the DAC also approved an annual maintenance contract for the S-400 batteries. Typically, maintenance is included in military equipment purchases, but contracts are renewed periodically.
In 2018, India made a significant decision to acquire the long-range air defense system S-400 from Russia. The delivery faced delays due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Discussions regarding the remaining two squadrons took place during the Defense Minister’s visit to Russia in 2024.
The S-400 system boasts impressive capabilities. It can detect aerial threats from 600 kilometers away and track over 100 flying objects simultaneously. It is capable of intercepting strategic bombers, electronic warfare aircraft, reconnaissance planes, early warning aircraft, fighter jets, armed drones, and ballistic missiles from distances of up to 400 kilometers. The system can launch four different types of missiles with ranges of 400, 250, 120, and 40 kilometers.
India’s deal with Russia for five S-400 systems, valued at approximately ₹39,000 crore, began delivering units in December 2021, with subsequent deliveries in April 2022 and February 2023. The remaining two squadrons were initially expected in 2024, but the new timeline suggests they will arrive this year.
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