Russia has assured India that it will deliver the remaining two squadrons of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems by 2026-27, completing the contract signed in 2018 worth approximately $5.43 billion (around ₹40,000 crore). This delivery had faced significant delays due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which disrupted supply chains.
India had initially planned to receive all five squadrons by the end of 2023 but has so far deployed three squadrons primarily in the north-west and eastern sectors to address security challenges from neighbouring China and Pakistan.
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Each squadron comprises two missile batteries, with the S-400 system capable of intercepting targets at ranges up to 380 km and tracking threats up to 600 km away.
The S-400 played a crucial role in India’s air defence during “Operation Sindoor,” the military response to tensions with Pakistan in May 2025, where it demonstrated high efficiency by intercepting incoming missiles.
During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ summit in Qingdao, China, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov reaffirmed their long-standing defence partnership and discussed the delayed deliveries.
India has also expressed intent to procure two additional S-400 systems beyond the original contract, signalling a desire to expand its missile defence capabilities amid regional security concerns.
Beyond the delivery of the S-400 units, discussions covered modernising India’s fleet of Russian-origin Su-30MKI fighter jets, including potential upgrades and co-production of air-to-air missiles.
The partnership with Russia remains critical for India, which sourced 36% of its arms imports from Russia between 2020 and 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, despite growing defence ties with countries like France and Israel.
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India is also progressing on a domestic air defence program, “Project Kusha,” aiming to deploy indigenous systems by 2028-29, while concurrently acquiring advanced foreign systems like the S-400 to ensure immediate strategic deterrence.
The delivery of the final two S-400 squadrons remains a key aspect of strengthening India’s layered air defence shield, essential for countering conventional and missile threats from adversaries in the region.
These developments reflect a robust India-Russia defence collaboration continuing despite global geopolitical pressures, notably from the United States, which has urged India to reconsider its procurement from Russia.
The S-400 missile systems delivery to India by 2026-27 will mark the completion of a critical defence acquisition delayed by global conflicts.
India’s plans for additional S-400 purchases and upgrades to existing military assets underscore a strategic focus on bolstering its aerial defence capabilities through long-term partnership with Russia, maintaining technological edge and operational readiness in a volatile regional security environment.
IDN (With Agency Inputs)
Agency
