Rajnath Singh Secures S-400 Delivery from Russia
The S-400 system's advanced capabilities and India's existing operational experience with the platform make it a crucial component of the country's air defence strategy, and the expected deliveries will further strengthen its defence posture, with the system's ability to counter stealth technologies and engage targets at long range being a significant factor in India's defence planning.
India's defence minister Rajnath Singh has received assurances from Russia that the remaining two S-400 Triumf air defence systems will be delivered, with the fourth battery expected in 2026 and the last one in 2027, following delays caused by the conflict with Ukraine.
The S-400 system is a highly advanced air defence platform capable of knocking down flying targets, including those with stealth technologies, at a distance of 400 km, with a firing rate 2.5 times faster than its predecessor, the S-300. Each S-400 battery consists of long-range radar, a command post vehicle, target acquisition radar, and two battalions of launchers, each with eight launchers, and can be armed with four different types of missiles, with ranges of 400 km, 250 km, 120 km, and 40 km.
India currently operates three S-400 systems, with one seeing intense action during Operation Sindoor, demonstrating the system's effectiveness in real-world scenarios. The delivery of the remaining two systems will significantly enhance India's air defence capabilities, providing a robust defence against aerial threats.
The assurance from Russia comes after a meeting between the defence ministers of India and Russia on the sidelines of the SCO meet in China, where they also discussed upgrades to Su-30 MKI fighter jets and the procurement of critical military hardware, underscoring the strong defence cooperation between the two nations.